Journal of Modern Rehabilitation

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Therapeutic Exercise on Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Samaneh Dezhbarar — 2025-10-13

Background: Heart failure (HF) is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases that considered as a progressive and debilitating disorder. One of the main problems in these patients is frequent hospitalizations due to the exacerbation of symptoms. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the simultaneous effect of muscle electrical stimulation and exercise therapy on quality of life and functional capacity in hospitalized patients with chronic heart failure.
Material and Methods: The present study included 40 hospitalized patients with chronic heart failure among the volunteers and randomly divided into two groups of 20 patients. The first group underwent cardiac rehabilitation based on resistance training along with muscle electrical stimulation (RT+ES). The second group received only resistance training program (RT). Resistance training consisted of performing three leg presses, cuff presses, and triceps movements with Traband. Functional capacity and quality of life evaluated before and after intervention.
Results: Quality of Life Index in the RT+ES increased more than RT (P≤0.05). Although the functional capacity in both groups had increased relative to the pre-test (P≤0.05). However, there were no meaningful differences between the two groups (P≥0.05).
Conclusion: Resistance training with electrical stimulation during hospitalization improves the quality of life and functional capacity of patients with chronic heart failure.

Association between Clinical Signs and Subjective Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease in Patients with and without Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome

Mojtaba Mohammadpour — 2025-10-13

Purpose: To compare objective clinical signs and subjective symptoms of dry eye disease in patients with and without primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS).
Methods: This study included patients diagnosed with dry eye disease (DED) due to primary Sjögren’s syndrome and patients with DED without SS (non-SS DED), all meeting the inclusion criteria at Helal Hospital (Tehran, Iran). Objective clinical assessments—including tear film breakup time (TBUT), Oxford corneal staining, tear osmolarity, and Schirmer's test I—were conducted in both groups. Subjective symptoms were assessed with the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Correlation coefficients were calculated using linear regression analysis.
Results: This study was conducted from January 2023 to February 2024. Forty patients were included: 20 with SS DED and 20 with non-SS DED. The non-SS DED group had a significantly higher OSDI score (41.66 ± 7.50) than the SS DED group (37.29 ± 6.04; p = 0.05). Tear secretion measured by Schirmer I was significantly higher in the non-SS DED group (p = 0.00), while corneal staining scores were higher in the SS DED group (p = 0.00). The association between OSDI scores and objective clinical test results was weak in both groups. Among SS DED patients, OSDI scores showed a significant moderate correlation with disease duration (r = −0.529, p = 0.017). Additionally, within this group, higher tear osmolarity showed a very weak correlation with lower OSDI scores (r = −0.383, p = 0.096).
Conclusion: There is a weak and inconsistent association between subjective symptoms (OSDI scores) and objective clinical signs of DED in both patients with and without primary SS. Patients with SS may underreport their discomfort despite having more severe clinical signs of DED.

Developing a Narrative Test and Determining its Psychometric Properties for Persian-Speaking Children Aged 4 to 5 years

Fahime Ardeshiri — 2025-10-13

Objectives: Between ages 2-7, children develop the ability to narrate stories with improved detail and organization, including main characters, events, responses, efforts, and settings. Narrative assessment, a tool for evaluating language development, allows speech pathologists to examine syntax, vocabulary, and complexity. This study aimed to develop a tool for evaluating storytelling skills in children aged 4-5.
Results: The speech therapists evaluated and confirmed the face validity of the story and images, implementing necessary adjustments.. Construct validity was significant (P = 0.000), indicating alignment with typical development. Inter-evaluator reliability (k=0.712) and test-retest reliability (r=0.591) were moderate to good. Internal consistency varied, with α > 0.5 in one story and α < 0.5 in others.
Discussion: The findings indicate that the test demonstrates validity and moderate reliability, suggesting its suitability for practical applications

Comparison of Functional Movement Screen Scores and Performance Between Male and Female Soccer Players

Alireza Zare — 2025-10-13

Introduction: Soccer is the most popular sport globally for both men and women. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a seven-part standardized tool created by experts to evaluate movement quality. This research compared FMS scores and performance between male and female soccer players.
Materials and Methods: A total of sixty semi-professional soccer players (30 males and 30 females) participated in this study. All participants completed the FMS test, Y-Balance Test, Davies Test, Single hop for distance, and Crossover Hop Test. Between-group comparisons were performed using independent t-tests for normally distributed variables and Mann-Whitney U tests for non-normally distributed variables.
Results: There were no significant differences between male and female players in Deep Squat, Hurdle Step, In-Line Lunge, or Overall FMS Score (P>0.05). However, significant differences were found in Shoulder Mobility, Active Straight Leg Raise, Trunk Stability Push-Up, and rotary stability (P<0.05). Males performed better in Trunk Stability, while females excelled in Shoulder Mobility and Active Straight Leg Raise. Males outperformed females in Single hop for distance and Cross-over hop. In upper extremity performance, males performed better in the Davies test and dynamic balance in the superolateral direction, with no significant differences in other upper extremity dynamic balance directions.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the necessity of gender-specific training programs, as they are crucial in enhancing performance and reducing the risk of injury. According to the findings, it is recommended that flexibility and mobility exercises be implemented for male soccer players and core stability and strength training for female soccer players.

Recommendations for Developing User-Centered Games for Balance Rehabilitation in Multiple Sclerosis: An Interdisciplinary Approach

Hiyam Ibrahim — 2025-10-13

Background: In recent years, exergames have emerged as a potential rehabilitation tool to address balance dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Although preliminary findings have shown promise, their overall effectiveness remains inconclusive, primarily due to their reliance on commercial games. This underscores the critical need for user-centered games tailored to the specific needs of patients. Despite this necessity, existing literature lacks established frameworks that guide the development of such games, highlighting a gap in literature. Therefore, the objective of this research was to propose the first evidence-based framework to guide the development of user-centered games for balance rehabilitation in PwMS.
Materials and Methods: A two-step method was used to achieve this objective. The first step involved the examination of commercial games used in clinical studies, identifying their mechanics and limitations. The second step involved reviewing the literature to identify relevant findings that could inform the development of user-centered games.
Results: A set of targeted recommendations was proposed, emphasizing the necessity of developing adaptable games with focused therapeutic designs to effectively address the distinct balance impairments observed in PwMS. A game prototype was also presented to illustrate the practical applications of these recommendations.
Conclusion: This research establishes the first structured framework to guide the design of user-centered exergames for balance rehabilitation in PwMS. Beyond its theoretical insights, this framework provides actionable guidelines for developing clinically effective exergames aligned with patient impairments and therapeutic needs. Ultimately, this will contribute to improved therapeutic outcomes, enhanced patient care, and advancements in both rehabilitation and game design fields.