Research protocols of the study were approved by the institutions' human research ethics committees (Ethics Committee reference number: 2/064/61).

This study was carried out to evaluate sensitivity, specificity, and test cutoff score to predict cardiorespiratory fitness by using the 2-min step test (2MST) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellites (DM). The associa-tion of the 2MST and physical fitness tests including a 6-min walk test (6MWT), a 5 time sit-to-stand test (FTSST), and leg strength in the form of a leg performance test were also investigated. This study was cross-sectional and conducted in 100 type 2 DM patients. Patients were screened through health questionnaires, medical illness, general char-acteristics, and physical fitness tests; 2MST, 6MWT, FTSST, and leg strength. Blood was collected for assessment of fasting blood sugar and lipid profiles. The number of steps in the 2MST was positively cor-related with the distance of the 6MWT (<i>r</i>=0.6995, <i>p</i><0.0001) and leg strength (<i>r</i>=0.4292, <i>p</i><0.0001). 2MST was negatively correlated with time to perform the FTSST (<i>r</i>=-0.405, <i>p</i><0.0001). Moreover, this study established the optimal cutoff score of the 2MST at ≤61 steps with 92.24% sensitivity, and 81.36% specificity to predict cardiorespiratory fitness in type 2 DM patients. Our findings indicate that the 2MST may be used as a predictor for walking capacity, leg strength, and ability to change position from sitting to standing in type 2 DM. In addition, this result may imply that patients with type 2 DM performing the 2MST at less than 61 steps was significantly associated with decreased cardio-respiratory fitness.

Objectives Low back pain (LBP) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal condition. Superficial heat has been utilized for decades to alleviate the symptoms; however, there has been no study of the effect of rice grain and Thai herbal hot packs using a microwave method in persons with low back pain. The purpose of this study was to compare pain scale scores and back extensibility with rice grain and Thai herbal hot packs with standard hot packs in individuals with LBP. Methods Forty participants with LBP were stratified using a random sampling method into two groups: a rice grain and Thai herbal hot pack group (n=20) and a standard hot pack group (n=20). Twenty-minute duration treatments were given. Each patient was followed-up 6 times (3 times per week for 2 weeks). Pressure pain threshold (PPT) and back extensibility were measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Thai Oswestry low back pain disability index. Results VAS scores and the Thai Oswestry low back pain disability index in both groups were reduced significantly (p < 0.05). PPT and back extensibility were significantly increased after rice grain and Thai herbal hot pack and hot pack treatment (p < 0.05). After treatments, PPT with rice grain and Thai herbal hot pack was significantly higher than the standard hot pack group. (p < 0.05). Conclusions Rice grain and Thai herbal hot pack may be considered as an alternative method for relieving pain and improving pressure pain threshold and back extensibility in persons with LBP. Chiang Mai Medical Journal 2021;60(1):75-86. doi 10.12982/CMUMEDJ.2021.07