ABSTRACT

Introduction: Early intervention is a systematic approach aimed at supporting children with autism spectrum disorder symptoms, helping to minimize these symptoms and enhancing developmental potential from prenatal to preschool age.

Aim: To survey parents about their methods of obtaining necessary information for therapies, their awareness of early intervention, and their opinions on the role of exercise in their children’s development.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted from January to March 2024, involving 36 parents of children with autism spectrum disorder. Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire via Google Forms, including sociodemographic data and questions related to early intervention and exercise.

Results: Significant developmental changes in children were observed between the ages of one and two, with speech absence being the most common initial symptom. The time from recognizing the first symptoms of autism to diagnosis often exceeded one year. Notably, 67% of parents reported familiarity with early intervention, primarily gained through the Internet and discussions with experts. Parents emphasized the importance of their involvement in therapy (69%) and expressed satisfaction with their understanding of therapy benefits (42%).

Conclusion: Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder demonstrate a satisfactory level of knowledge about therapy methods, early intervention, and their role in the therapeutic process, underscoring their proactive involvement in their children’s development.

Key words: autism spectrum disorder, developmental progress, early intervention, parental awareness, therapeutic process

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Participation in sports activities has positive effect on motor skils, psyhological and social aspects of life, contributes to greater functionality and independence of people with disabilities, which increases their quality of life.

Aim: To investigate the impact of sports on the quality of life for people with spinal cord injury.

Materials and methods: The study included 96 people with spinal cord injury, female and male, from the territory of the Republic of Croatia, divided into two categories: 50 people with spinal cord injury who are actively engaged in sports and 46 people with spinal cord injury who are not involved in sports. For the research it was used the Croatian version of the WHOQOL - BREF quality of life questionnaire.

Results: The obtained results showed that there is a statistically significant difference in the perceived quality of life and health of people with spinal cord injury with regard to active sports (p<0.001).

Conclusion: This study found that people with spinal cord injury who are actively involved in sports express a significantly higher level of satisfaction in all domains of quality of life compared to people with spinal cord injury who do not play sports. The obtained results indicate the necessity of educating people with this injury, their families and the community about the importance of engaging in sports activities, as well as the need to include sports activities in the rehabilitation plan and program and designing the implementation of their free time.

Key words: spinal cord injury, sports activity, quality of life

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Physical activity is essential for maintaining health and preventing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Therefore, the im- portance of aerobic and anaerobic activities is empha- sized, especially in children. However, it is important to achieve optimal exercise, as excessive physical activity can lead to negative consequences for mental health.

Aim: To determine the frequency of physical activity in upper elementary school girls and boys during and out- side of physical education classes.

Materials and methods: The research was conducted with upper elementary school students using a standar- dized questionnaire to assess the level of physical activity PAQ-C (Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children). The questionnaire was available to students online via the Google Forms platform for two weeks.

Results: They showed that students most often engage in physical activities on Fridays and Saturdays, and least on Mondays, and that boys are significantly more active than girls (P = 0.001). They engage in physical activity 2 or more times a week, i.e. 65% of them engaged in some sport, dance or played some game in which they were very active from 2 to 6 or more times. 66% of them engaged in some sport from 2 to 6 or more times in the evening, and 77% engaged in some sport immediately after school. 50% of the respondents engaged in some type of physical activity every day.

Conclusion: The results indicate a high prevalence of physical inactivity among children. Recommendations for the future include designing and implementing pro- grams that would further motivate children to participa- te in physical activity.

Key words: boys, girls, physical activity, students

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Myocardial infarction is the leading manifestation of ischemic heart disease. With adequate treatment and adherence to secondary prevention measures, cardiovascular rehabilitation has a beneficial effect on the survival, morbidity, and quality of life of patients.

Aim: To present the recovery of patients after myocardial infarction who were included in the outpatient cardiovascular rehabilitation program.

Materials and methods: Data from discharge letters and medical histories of 474 patients who, after their first myocardial infarction, were included in the standard outpatient cardiovascular rehabilitation program were retrospectively analyzed. The following data were collected: demographic data (age and gender), time from myocardial infarction to the moment of inclusion in the cardiovascular rehabilitation program in days, anamnestic data on the presence of cardiovascular risk factors (arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, cigarette smoking, diabetes, body mass index), positive family history, and the presence of comorbidities. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used for self- assessment of anxiety and depression at admission and discharge. Data were also collected on the number of participants in therapeutic exercise and the results of load tolerance in ergometric testing upon admission and discharge from the cardiovascular rehabilitation program.

Results: Patients in the youngest age group (30 to 50 years) started rehabilitation on average after 69.5 days, and the oldest patients (>70) only after 107 days from myocardial infarction. The most common risk factors were dyslipidemia (85.6%) and a body mass index value higher than 25 (85.2%). Increased anxiety was registered in 9.7% and depression in 10.6% of patients upon admission, and upon discharge, anxiety decreased to 5.9% and depression to 7.8%. Patients under the age of 60 years came more regularly compared to patients in the older age group (p=0.005). Analysis of the results of ergometric testing by gender determined that women achieved a statistically lower load in METs compared to men in testing upon admission and upon discharge from the program (p=0.000).

Conclusion: It is necessary to educate patients about the importance of timely and regular participation in a standard outpatient cardiovascular rehabilitation program and the need to continue physical activity after rehabilitation.

Key words: acute myocardial infarction, cardiovascular rehabilitation, anxiety, depression, physical activity

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Functional movement disorders are disabling neuropsychiatric conditions that represent diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In the care of persons with functional movement disorders, a multidisciplinary approach is essential, and physiotherapy has proven to be one of the key components.

Aim: To investigate the influence of physiotherapy in functional movement disorders.

Materials and methods: The literature was searched in the electronic database Medline and PubMed, and the keywords functional movement disorder, psychogenic movement disorder, physical therapy, multidisciplinary team were used.

Results: After filtering the available papers based on the selected criteria, 10 papers were taken into detailed analysis, the subject matter of which corresponds to the search objectives

Conclusion: The role of physiotherapist is essential in physiotherapy assessment and implementation of physiotherapy procedures in patients with functional movement disorders. Physiotherapy contributes to reduced symptoms and improved quality of life in patients with functional movement disorders.

Key words: functional movement disorder, physiotherapy, multidisciplinary team

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Vulvodynia is a long-term pain in the vulva area which has a negative impact on the emotional and psychological status of women, sexual function and quality of life.

Aim: To present the physiotherapy approach in vulvodynia.

Materials and methods: A 24 - year old woman with vulvodynia is presented. The physiotherapy assessment included assessment of posture, muscle strength through a manual muscle test, pain intensity using the Numeric Pain Scale, sexual function according to the Female Sexual Function Inventory and quality of life according to the SF-36 Questionnaire. Physiotherapy intervention was based on stretching exercises, breathing exercises and pelvic floor muscle training.

Results: The patient reports an improvement and decrease in the intensity of pain due to vulvodynia, an increase in desire, arousal and orgasm and a decrease in the patient’s sexual dysfunction. Also, there is an increase in physical functioning, emotional well-being, social functioning, general health and patients’ quality of life.

Conclusion: This is a report of a rare and unusual case of vulvodynia in a young woman. Physiotherapy contributes to reducing the symptoms of vulvodynia, but considering the complexity of the problem, it is essential teamwork.

Key words: physiotherapy assessment, physiotherapy intervention, vulvodynia