The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between hypermobility and fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) in women. Ninety-three women with FS who met the American College of Rheumatology criteria for FS and 58 healthy women without FS were included in this study. All women were examined for hypermobility by blinded observers using the Beighton criteria. The mean age was 43.5+/-9.9 (21-68) and 40.2+/-11.1 (21-63) years in the FS and control groups, respectively, and the two groups were statistically similar (p>0.05). The mean Beighton total score was 4.7+/-2.1 and 2.9+/-2.4 in the FS and control groups, respectively (p<0.0001). The frequency of joint hypermobility was 64.2% in the FS group and 22% in the control group. In accordance with the Beighton criteria (p<0.05), we found that the joint hypermobility ratio was significantly higher in patients with FS than in subjects without FS. Additionally, we evaluated the correlation between the total Beighton score and the age and number of trigger points. There were negative correlations between the total Beighton score and the age (r=-0.42, p<0.001) and number of trigger points (r=-0.24, p=0.03) in all patients. Hypermobility syndrome is more common in women with FS than in those in the control group. Therefore, the relationship between hypermobility and FS should be taken into consideration in the diagnosis and follow-up of women, especially those with widespread pain.

Mulligan's technique and passive stretching exercises are both effective in reducing pain, and restoring range of motion and function. However, compared with stretching exercises, Mulligan's technique led to better improvements in terms of pain, range of motion, shoulder scores, and patient and physiotherapist satisfaction.

This study aimed to compare the short-term efficacy of splinting (S) and splinting plus low-level laser therapy (SLLLT) in mild or moderate idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with a prospective, randomized controlled study. The patients with unilateral, mild, or moderate idiopathic CTS who experienced symptoms over 3 months were included in the study. The SLLLT group received ten sessions of laser therapy and splinting while S group was given only splints. The patients were evaluated at the baseline and after 3 months of the treatment. Follow-up parameters were nerve conduction study (NCS), Boston Questionnaire (BQ), grip strength, and clinical response criteria. Forty-five patients with CTS completed the study. Twenty-four patients were in S and 21 patients were in SLLLT group. In the third-month control, SLLLT group had significant improvements on both clinical and NCS parameters (median motor nerve distal latency, median sensory nerve conduction velocities, BQ symptom severity scale, and BQ functional capacity scale) while S group had only symptomatic healing (BQ symptom severity scale). The grip strength of splinting group was decreased significantly. According to clinical response criteria, in SLLLT group, five (23.8%) patients had full and 12 (57.1%) had partial recovery; four (19%) patients had no change or worsened. In S group, one patient (4.2%) had full and 17 (70.8%) partial recovery; six (25%) patients had no change or worsened. Additionally, applied laser therapy provided better outcomes on NCS but not in clinical parameters in patients with CTS.

The objective of this study was to determine and compare the quality of life (QOL) of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to assess patients' psychological and functional status in each group. This prospective study included 62 female FS patients and 60 female RA patients diagnosed by the American College of Rheumatology criteria. The Turkish translations of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale II (AIMS II) and Beck Depression Index (BDI) were given to all of the patients and they were asked to complete the two questionnaires. The scores of AIMS II, pain, and QOL were evaluated in the FS and RA groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the FS and RA groups (p>0.05) in terms of QOL. The affect subgroup scores of the AIMS II and BDI were highly correlated in the FS and RA groups (p<0.002, r=0.85 and p<0.05, r=0.80, respectively). The results show that the QOL is negatively but similarly affected in FS and RA groups.

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