Alexandra Hristara-Papadopoulou’s research while affiliated with International Hellenic University and other places

Objective:The purpose of this study is to emphasize the necessity and possibilities of early intervention and physiotherapy rehabilitation of premature infants, as they are reflected in five-year olds according to the gross motor function measure (GMFM) and gross motor performance measure (GMPM) evaluation scales for gross function and quality of movement. In addition, the present study examined the importance of using assessment tools for children who have received or not therapeutic intervention, through which both the child's abilities and appropriateness of the help received by him/her are evaluated based on individual needs. Material and methods: Our specific exploratory process was carried out through a literature review as well as a process of primary research, in order to obtain and collect all necessary information and data which would finally lead us to the nearest and best conclusions. Our goal was to collect 20 complete and graded GMFM and 20 GMPM assessment tests, so that our research was based on a satisfactory sample of participants. In the next year, the scores received by participants were recorded and analyzed using the statistical software program SPSS (Superior Performance Software System). The analysis was performed through descriptive and inductive statistical analysis in the SPSS statistical program. Specifically, the SPSS version 20.0 and specifically the one-way ANOVA variance analysis and the Tukey's parametric test were used for the statistical analysis of the results. Results: The use of physiotherapy care was found to be important for premature infants, as the level of statistical significance was set at p <0.05, while the data were reported as average. The final overall scores of the evaluations (on average) were higher in the group who received early intervention and specialized physiotherapy intervention from the first day after birth. Conclusions: The effect of physiotherapy on premature infants is positive in five-year-old children, who have completed almost all their developmental stages at that age. These benefits become apparent not only in

Introduction:Bracing and physiotherapy in Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, are closely linked to heightened levels of psychological distress.Objective:The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of AIS patients and their quality of life.Subjects and Methods: This study encompassed 60 patients aged 13.85 ± 1.87 years,exhibiting mild to severe AIS. All subjects adhered to a Schroth exercise program for a minimum of three months, with 26 of them additionally undergoing conservative treatment with braces. Each participant completed the ISYQOL questionnaire and an individual form detailing clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Results:A notable correlation was observed concerning the use of braces.Patients utilizing a brace demonstrated higher ISYQOL scores,indicating a lower HRQoL,compared to those exclusively following Schroth exercise programs. HRQoL exhibited positive correlations with the age at diagnosis,height,age at menstruation onset, and duration of Schroth exercise treatment. HRQoL displayed negative correlations with age,weight,duration of brace treatment, maximum angle trunk rotation , and maximum Cobb angle. The study indicated that lumbar curves were associated with a higher QoL.Conclusions:The use of a brace was found to have a negative impact on HRQoL.

Objective:The purpose of this study is to emphasize the necessity and possibilities of early intervention and physiotherapy rehabilitation of premature infants, as they are reflected in five-year olds according to the gross motor function measure (GMFM) and gross motor performance measure (GMPM) evaluation scales for gross function and quality of movement. In addition, the present study examined the importance of using assessment tools for children who have received or not therapeutic intervention, through which both the child's abilities and appropriateness of the help received by him/her are evaluated based on individual needs. Material and methods: Our specific exploratory process was carried out through a literature review as well as a process of primary research, in order to obtain and collect all necessary information and data which would finally lead us to the nearest and best conclusions. Our goal was to collect 20 complete and graded GMFM and 20 GMPM assessment tests, so that our research was based on a satisfactory sample of participants. In the next year, the scores received by participants were recorded and analyzed using the statistical software program SPSS (Superior Performance Software System). The analysis was performed through descriptive and inductive statistical analysis in the SPSS statistical program. Specifically, the SPSS version 20.0 and specifically the one-way ANOVA variance analysis and the Tukey's parametric test were used for the statistical analysis of the results. Results: The use of physiotherapy care was found to be important for premature infants, as the level of statistical significance was set at p <0.05, while the data were reported as average. The final overall scores of the evaluations (on average) were higher in the group who received early intervention and specialized physiotherapy intervention from the first day after birth. Conclusions: The effect of physiotherapy on premature infants is positive in five-year-old children, who have completed almost all their developmental stages at that age. These benefits become apparent not only in

Objectives To investigate the applicability and impact of a physiotherapy tele-rehabilitation program (TRP) on children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and their families. Methods Thirty JIA patients, applying an individualized home-exercise program (HEP), were randomly divided in the tele-rehabilitation (TRG, n=15) and control group (CG, n=15). Each TRG patient participated in a 30-minute tele-session, under a paediatric physiotherapist’s supervision, twice a week, for 12 weeks. Before and after the TRP (T1 and T2, respectively), all participants and a parent/guardian completed the Juvenile Arthritis Multidimensional Assessment Report (JAMAR) questionnaire and a questionnaire regarding the HEP implementation and compliance. Residual disease was estimated at T1 and T2. At T2, TRG patients/parents completed a questionnaire evaluating the TRP. One month after T2, a reassessment of compliance with the HEP was performed. Results The patients’ median age was 12.8 (8-16) years. At T2, the TRG patients performed the HEP significantly more frequently (p=0.023), for a longer time (p=0.034) and with less urging (p=0.004), compared to T1. Moreover, they exhibited significantly increased compliance with HEP (p=0.001), better functionality (p=0.008), better quality of life (p=0.007) and less pain (p=0.017). The CG patients showed no significant changes. Residual disease improved in both groups (TRG:p=0.002, CG:p=0.018), but more in the TRG (p=0.045). TRP’s applicability and total benefit were rated as excellent by patients/parents. Finally, one month after T2, compliance with the HEP was still greater than at T1(p=0.001). Conclusion An interactive physiotherapy TRP can be implemented effectively for JIA patients, providing an additional tool for their rehabilitation.

Background: There has been a rise in the proliferation of technological devices across the globe. Many children use electronic devices from the age of 3 years old, especially mobile phones. The prolonged use of electronic devices has led to a distortion of body posture, leading to musculoskeletal disorders, including neck, thoracic, and back pain, and tendonitis of the upper extremities, primarily when using one hand. Methods: To prove the positive correlation between technology and musculoskeletal disorders and to answer the above questions, an online questionnaire was distributed to 120 students of high school from all over Greece. The questionnaire comprises questions from two standardized questionnaires, the internet addiction test (IAT) and the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NQS). In addition, respondents completed a medical history and supplementary questions about their physical condition and their attitudes when using electronic devices. Results: The results show that there is a positive correlation between long-term use of electronic devices and the occurrence of musculoskeletal problems in all parts of the body (neck, chest, lower back, hip, and lower extremities), as well as students who chose the wrong postures, had much more symptoms in contrast to the students who chose the positions with the greatest alignment. Finally, physical activity decreased significantly as the respondents' hours of using electronic devices increased. Conclusions: Uncontrolled use of electronic devices can be a factor in the onset of symptoms, but adopting correct posture while using the devices and the good physical condition of the students would significantly reduce pain.

Background: Halliwick concept focus on people with disabilities, to participate in water activities and move independently. Many studies found a considerable improvement and positive outcomes in children that were included in hydrotherapy programs. The aim of this study was to investigate the Halliwick hydrotherapy in combination with on- land intervention, versus only on-land treatment, on the supine-sitting transition and head symmetry. Methods: 54 children with cerebral palsy (CP), two groups, the intervention group-water (N=28) (1 water and 1 on land treatment) and the control group-on land (N=26) (2 treatments on land). The duration was 3 months and the assessment via gross motor function measure (GMFM), parameter B, questions 18-37, and head angle via the Kinovea software. Results: In GMFM before intervention the mean value of the intervention group was 69.632 (±13.1269), while for the control group was 61.227 (±20.4681) and after for intervention group was 75.757 (±12.3766), 6.125% improvement, while for control group was 65.308 (±20.6663), 4.081% improvement. In the sitting head angle before intervention, the mean value of intervention group was 19.36 (±9.639) while for the control group was 20.15 (± 11.199) and after for the intervention group was 13.93 (±7.333), 5.43o improvement, while for control group was 16.46 (±9.205), 3.69o improvement. Conclusions: The addition of intervention in water in combination with intervention on land in the rehabilitation program of children with cerebral palsy can lead to a statistically significant increase in the effectiveness of the therapeutic program. Keywords: Hydrotherapy, Pediatric physical therapy, Cerebral palsy, Bobath, Halliwick, Sitting position, Symmetry

Introduction The main symptoms of the disease include swelling of the affected joints, sensitivity, painful movement restriction and walking disorders. A wealth of findings and research are available on the benefits of various physiotherapy interventions. Instead, there is a small number of studies that study the benefits of more alternative forms of physiotherapy such as hydrotherapy and more specifically Halliwick. In the hydrotherapy studies so far, the results are equivalent to classical physiotherapy and sometimes better.Aim This study attempts to record and highlight the effect of Halliwick concept by physiotherapists in children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis on a two-month intervention program. In particular, it focuses on 1) balance and 2) the distribution of the loading of the feet, before and after the intervention.Method The methodology we used to collect our data is quantitative research and the research tools used were Berg B.S. and Static Pelmatography. The sample consisted of 16 children with JIA and measurements before and after the intervention. The duration of the intervention was 2 months. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS v21 statistical program.Results Τhe results obtained after the intervention were1) all subjects had no significant change in the already good balance; and 2) all subjects had a significant improvement in the uniform distribution of the loading in the soles following the application of the Halliwick method.Conclusions The Hydrotherapy based on Halliwick Concept is a more alternative form of physicaltherapy, which has been shown to contribute to improving the uniform distribution of weight and lower limb burden in children suffering from JIA.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic disease that can affect the physical and mental health of children and adolescents, often leading to anxiety disorders with chronic activation of the hypothalamic axis (HPA). Moreover, a great proportion of adolescents with T1DM also demonstrate anorexia nervosa (AN), due to the increased preoccupation with food and the need to have an acceptable body image. Herein is described the first case study of an adolescent patient diagnosed with T1DM, anxiety disorder (AD), and AN. A 14-year-old girl with T1DM since the age of 12 years presented weight loss at age 13 years and 3 months and low body mass index (BMI), which did not improve despite dietary recommendations and adequate disease control. Additionally, she presented menstrual disorders at the age of 12 years and 11 months (menstrual age 12 years and 1 month). A psychological evaluation of the teenager was conducted using a semi-structured interview that assessed perceived stress, health status, quality of life, and depression. AD and AN were diagnosed and the patient initiated an intervention focusing on psychological health and nutrition and which incorporated physiotherapeutic relaxation sessions and breathing exercises. After 3 months of treatment, the patient’s BMI was increased, and a normal menstrual cycle was apparent. These results have since remained consistent. Stress leads to the appearance of AN and menstrual disorders. Therefore, physiotherapeutic programs could reduce stress and effectively ameliorate AN and AD.