ABSTRACT

Introduction: Sexuality is an important part of quality of life, but it is often neglected in cardiology patients due to fear, lack of information, and focus on the underlying disease. Cardiovascular diseases and their treatment can affect sexual function, self-confidence, and partner relationships. Open communication and appropriate education are key to preserving sexuality in cardiology patients.

Aim: To examine the sexuality of cardiology patients.

Materials and methods: The study included 60 participants (N = 60) after myocardial infarction and cardiac surgery. Sexuality was assessed using the Sexuality Questionnaire for cardiology patients.

Results: After myocardial infarction and cardiac surgery, 25% (N = 15) of participants were not sexually active, while 41.66% (N = 25) discussed sexuality with their partner. A total of 58.33% (N = 35) believed that sexual intercourse with their partner had not changed after myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery, and 63.33% (N = 38) considered sexual relations to be normal even after myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery. Before myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery, most participants (45.28%, N = 24) reported high self-confidence in achieving and maintaining an erection, while 30.19% (N = 16) reported moderate self-confidence; after myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery, 51.92% (N = 27) reported moderate selfconfidence. Additionally, 53.33% (N = 32) reported no difficulties during sexual intercourse, and 45% (N = 27) believed that sexual life positively affects quality of life.

Conclusion: Sexuality remains an important aspect of quality of life in cardiology patients after myocardial infarction and cardiac surgery. Although a proportion of patients experience changes in sexual activity and self-confidence, most report preserved sexual function and perceive their sexual life as normal. These findings highlight the need for open communication, partner support, and targeted education to address concerns related to sexuality and improve overall quality of life in cardiology patients.

Key words: cardiology patients, sexuality, quality of life

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Low back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders and a leading cause of disability. The most common causes of low back pain are associated with biomechanical and postural factors, particularly anterior pelvic tilt and muscle imbalance; however, the clinical relevance of pelvic tilt as a risk factor for low back pain remains unclear.

Aim: To assess the relationship between pelvic tilt and low back pain.

Materials and methods: The study included 49 participants with chronic low back pain. Pelvic posture was assessed using the Global Postural System Lab Leonardo (GPS). Markers were placed on the ASIS and PSIS, and participants were photographed barefoot in a standardized standing position from four projections. The Roland-Morris Questionnaire was used to assess disability, and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain intensity.

Results: No significant association was found between pelvic position (left/right and anterior/posterior alignment) and duration of symptoms, pain intensity, or level of disability. Additionally, no statistically significant difference was observed between males and females. The mean pelvic tilt was 15.9° on the left and 16.9° on the right, with women showing higher mean values than men. The mean left pelvic tilt was 14.08° in males and 16.73° in females, while the mean right pelvic tilt was 14.80° in males and 17.89° in females.

Conclusion: The mean values of the pelvic tilt angle in this study do not differ from those of the asymptomatic population, and no association was found with pain intensity, level of disability, or duration of symptoms. Although the study provides additional insights, further research with a larger sample size and a control group is needed.

Key words: pelvic tilt angle, chronic low back pain, photographic assessment, posture

ABSTRACT

Introduction: One of the main motor deficits in neurological patients is gait impairment. Normal gait occurs as an automatic activity involving symmetrical synergy of walking speed and step length. Changes in the central nervous system manifest in the motor activities of neurological patients, causing difficulties and deviations in balance and coordination, base of support width, muscle weakness, and muscle tone, which lead to pathological patterns in the stance and swing phases during gait. Each pathological gait pattern reduces the efficiency and economy of walking and requires excessive energy expenditure, resulting in an asymmetric pattern, reduced speed, and reduced step length.

Aim: To determine the effect of neurophysiotherapy intervention on the restitution of hemiparetic and ataxic gait patterns in neurosurgical patients.

Materials and methods: This non-randomized pre–post intervention study was conducted on a sample of 30 participants. They were divided into two groups: the first group (G1) included participants with a hemiparetic gait pattern (N = 15), while the second group (G2) included participants with an ataxic gait pattern (N = 15). To assess the effectiveness of the neurophysiotherapy intervention on gait restoration, the Berg Balance Scale, Dynamic Gait Index, and Timed Up and Go test were used. Participants were tested at the beginning and at the end of therapy.

Results: The effect of the neurophysiotherapy intervention in the hemiparetic gait group was statistically significant (BBS = 0.005; DGI = 0.004; TUG = 0.001; p < 0.01), as well as in the ataxic gait group. (BBS = 0.001; DGI = 0.001; TUG = 0.001; p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Early, individualized, and targeted neurophysiotherapy intervention effectively improves balance and gait in neurosurgical patients with hemiparetic and ataxic gait patterns. The observed positive clinical trends and statistically significant improvements confirm the importance of facilitation approaches and problemoriented therapy in early neurorehabilitation. Further research with larger samples and advanced outcome assessment methods is needed.

Key words: balance, neurophysiotherapy, gait restitution, hemiparetic gait, ataxic gait

ABSTRACT

Introduction: A sedentary lifestyle and reduced physical activity increase the risk of chronic diseases, higher healthcare costs, and premature mortality. Regular physical activity improves overall health, reduces disease risk, and has positive effects on cognitive function, balance, and psychosocial well-being.

Aim: To determine the correlation between physical activity and students’ academic success.

Materials and methods: A pilot study was conducted on a sample of 105 participants (N = 105). Data were collected using an anonymous survey questionnaire that included sociodemographic information and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF).

Results: No statistically significant difference in physical activity was found with respect to the field of study (p = 0.55). Nursing students without children were significantly more likely to be sufficiently physically active (p = 0.009). Among nursing students, no significant differences in physical activity were observed across body mass index categories (p = 0.12). In contrast, among physiotherapy students, those who were insufficiently physically active were significantly more obese (p = 0.006). Nursing students who were sufficiently physically active had a significantly higher grade point average (4.12) compared with students who were insufficiently or minimally physically active (p = 0.04).

Conclusion: Physical activity plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health. Further research on larger samples is necessary to better understand the factors influencing students’ physical activity and to develop more effective strategies for promoting healthy lifestyle habits and improving academic performance.

Key words: aacademic achievement, student, physical activity

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Intellectual disabilities are non-specific developmental disorders in cognitive development that occur before 18 years of age. A tendency toward a sedentary lifestyle and lower levels of physical activity increases the risk of developing noncommunicable chronic diseases earlier in adulthood among individuals with intellectual disabilities. Physical activity and sports represent a potential way to improve physical fitness in this population. Physical fitness is assessed using various objective, reliable, and valid tests, and is commonly divided into health-related fitness (HRF) components and skill-related fitness (SRF) components.

Aim: To examine the effects of physical activity and sports on physical fitness in adults with intellectual disabilities.

Materials and methods: The research question was formulated using the PICO framework. A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. Inclusion criteria were: studies published between 2018 and 2023; fulltext availability; languages: Bosnian, English, Croatian, and Serbian; indexed in MEDLINE and Web of Science Core Collection; objective pre- and post-intervention physical fitness tests; and samples including adults (>18 years) with intellectual disabilities..

Results: Of the 94 initially identified sources, 3 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis (2 randomized controlled trials and 1 single-group intervention study). All three studies demonstrated statistically significant improvements in most physical fitness outcomes.

Conclusion: Physical activity and sports have a positive effect on physical fitness in adults with intellectual disabilities. Given the limited number of relevant studies, further research in this field is warranted.

Key words: adults with intellectual disabilities, physical activity, physical fitness, sport

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Neurological disorders affect over 40% of the world›s population, significantly impairing health and causing disability. Neuromuscular reeducation, thanks to the neuroplasticity of the central nervous system, enables partial or complete functional recovery, especially in patients with neurological diseases.

Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation approach in the rehabilitation of patients with neurological diseases.

Materials and methods: The PubMed database was searched. The following keywords were used: proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and stroke, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and Parkinson›s disease, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation and multiple sclerosis.

Results: After conducting a search and filtering of papers in accordance with the set research objective, 6 papers were included in the final analysis that provided relevant and detailed data and were thematically aligned with the research objective.

Conclusion: Compared to other therapeutic methods and procedures, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation shows comparable or superior therapeutic effects and can be applied alone or in combination with other physiotherapy procedures. Further research is needed that will be focused exclusively on examining the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation in the rehabilitation of patients with neurological diseases.

Key words: stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson›s disease, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation