Gurskienė, Ernesta

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of different physiotherapy programs on the head and neck region’s functional state and quality of life in women working sedentary jobs, using both – patient-reported and objective measurements. Participants. The study involved 41 women working sedentary jobs, with mean age of 53,6 (±9,1) years. Participants were randomly divided into two groups, with each group receiving a different physiotherapy program. Methodology. The following patient-reported measurements were administered in the study: Numeric Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and SF-36 questionnaire for quality of life. Head and neck posture in the sagittal plane was assessed by measuring the craniovertebral angle using the “Apecs” mobile app. A pressure-measuring device with feedback was used to evaluate deep neck flexor strength. Cervical spine range of motion was measured with an inclinometer, movement control was assessed through performance tests. Both physiotherapy programs were performed 10 weeks. The main part of each physiotherapy program included soft tissue mobilization, mobility, stability, strengthening exercises. Participants of the first group additionally performed post isometric relaxation-based exercises, participants of the second group - stretching exercises for head and neck region. Conclusions. Both physiotherapy programs produced beneficial effects. Improvements were observed across multiple outcome measures, including pain intensity, neck disability, quality of life, cervical spine range of motion, deep cervical flexor muscle strength, and motor control of the head and neck region. Physiotherapy program with post-isometric relaxation demonstrated some advantages for pain reduction and cervical spine range of motion.

The objective was to compare postural alignment and balance-related outcomes between women with generalized joint hypermobility (GJH) and their non-hypermobile counterparts. Materials and Methods: Seventy-six young women, aged 21.32 (1.34) years on average, were enrolled. Thirty-nine participants met the criteria for GJH, whereas 37 women without GJH formed the control group. Body posture was evaluated with the Diers Formetric 4D system. The following posture parameters were selected for analysis: sagittal imbalance, thoracic kyphosis angle, lumbar lordosis angle, pelvic torsion, pelvic rotation, vertebral rotation. Balance performance was measured with the Biodex Balance System SD using the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance test. Results and conclusions: Most postural parameters did not differ significantly between women with and without GJH, including sagittal imbalance, thoracic kyphosis angle, lumbar lordosis angle, pelvic rotation in the horizontal plane, and vertebral rotation. However, women with GJH demonstrated a significantly greater pelvic torsion angle in the sagittal plane. In addition, static balance was significantly poorer in women with GJH compared with the control group. These findings suggest that GJH is not associated with major differences in most spinal and pelvic posture parameters, but may be related to increased sagittal pelvic torsion and impaired static balance.

Introduction. Sedentary work is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide due to changes in work patterns and technological development. Prolonged sitting is considered a risk factor for postural alterations and work-related musculoskeletal disorders [1,2]. Many sedentary workers exhibit upper crossed syndrome, in which some muscles become weak and inhibited while others become tight. Neck pain is associated with prolonged sitting and low physical activity and is more common in young women than in men [2]. Physical exercise can reduce work-related symptoms and improve posture and functional mobility [3]. Individuals who engage in physical activity more than three times per week achieve greater improvements in neck function and a pain reduction compared to those who exercise three times a week or less [4]. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a corrective exercise programme performed five times per week on young women with crossed syndrome who work sedentary jobs. [...].

Joint hypermobility is a condition in which one or more joints move beyond their normal range of motion. If joint hypermobility is accompanied by pain, recurrent subluxations and musculoskeletal overload injuries, such joint hypermobility may be classified as symptomatic. Increased joint mobility has been associated with spinal and peripheral joint pain and postural disturbances, flatfoot or impaired proprioception, balance and coordination. There is growing evidence of a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders, depression and neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as other clinical manifestations associated with joint hypermobility, in cases of syndromic joint hypermobility. The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether there is an association between joint hypermobility and anxiety. This systematic review is based on the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, MedlinePlus and UpToDate databases were searched for research articles. Key search terms were “joint hypermobility” and “anxiety”. The search was conducted between 1 and 20 May 2025. After applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, the number of studies finally included in the review was 16. All of the studies reviewed found a statistically significant association between joint hypermobility and anxiety. All analyzed studies have found a relationship between anxiety symptomatology and joint hypermobility therefore, it can be concluded that individuals with joint hypermobility are at an increased risk for developing anxiety disorders. Children, adolescents, and adults with joint hypermobility may all exhibit vulnerability to anxiety. Both generalized joint hypermobility and syndromic forms of joint hypermobility are associated with an increased predisposition to anxiety.

Magistro baigiamasis darbas – reikšmingas žingsnis profesinio bei akademinio augimo kelyje. Tai galimybė gilintis į dominančias temas, formuoti kritinį požiūrį į šiuolaikinius iššūkius reabilitacijos srityje, pritaikyti sukauptas žinias, parodyti kūrybiškumą, kritinį mąstymą ir gebėjimą savarankiškai spręsti aktualias reabilitacijos srities problemas. Šios metodinės rekomendacijos skirtos Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universiteto Medicinos akademijos Slaugos fakulteto reabilitacijos krypties antrosios pakopos studijų programos magistrantams, siekiantiems tikslingai, kryptingai ir kokybiškai parengti savo magistro baigiamąjį darbą. Rekomendacijose nuosekliai apžvelgiami svarbiausi magistro baigiamojo darbo rengimo aspektai – nuo bendrųjų nuostatų ir pagrindinių sąvokų iki struktūrinių, metodologinių bei techninių reikalavimų. Pirmojoje šių metodinių rekomendacijų dalyje išdėstytos bendrosios nuostatos, antrojoje – pagrindinės sąvokos, magistranto ir darbo vadovo funkcijos, pareigos ir atsakomybė, trečiojoje – baigiamojo darbo rengimo ir gynimo tvarka, ketvirtojoje – baigiamojo darbo reikalavimai, o penktojoje dalyje pateikiami priedai, kuriuose yra dokumentai, reikalingi rengiant magistro baigiamąjį darbą. Tikimės, kad šios metodinės rekomendacijos atsakys į klausimus, iškylančius rengiant magistro baigiamąjį darbą ir padės rasti tinkamus sprendimus bei taps praktiniu įrankiu, padėsiančiu sėkmingai įveikti kiekvieną baigiamojo darbo rengimo etapą. Linkime kūrybiškumo, atkaklumo ir akademinio įkvėpimo siekiant paversti Jūsų idėjas prasmingu ir vertingu moksliniu darbu.

Introduction. Dramatically increased amateur female participation in long-distance running over the past few decades has coincided with a rise in sports injuries and a decline in women's health, particularly related to the onset of lumbar pain (1). A lack of mobility can significantly restrict movement and increase the risk of injury during running. When elements of body movement function improperly, the overall movement becomes dysfunctional, leading to pain (2). Various physiotherapy techniques are applied to address these issues (3). Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate changes in flexibility and lumbar pain in long-distance runners following different physiotherapy interventions. Research methods and organization. The study received approval from the Bioethics Center of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (Approval No. 2024-BEC2-873). The research was conducted in November 2024 at the healthcare facility MB Kinezis. Women attending the clinic with complaints of lower back pain and who engage in recreational long-distance running (over 3 km) at least twice a week were invited to participate. Women experiencing acute pain, using pain relief medication, having comorbid conditions or disorders that could interfere with the study process, or engaging in other physical activity programs were excluded. A total of 22 women participated in the study. Participants ranged in age from 20 to 37 years. They were selected using purposive sampling and randomly assigned into two physiotherapy intervention groups: a “Exercise group” (n=11) and a “Foam rolling group” (n=11). Both groups were homogeneous in terms of age, height, and weight (p>0.05). Participants in the “Exercise group” performed four exercises daily for two weeks, each session lasting 15 minutes, focusing on flexibility, core stability, and strength enhancement. Participants in the “Foam rolling group” performed daily 15-minute sessions of self-massage targeting the lower limbs and gluteal muscles over the same two-week period. A custom-designed questionnaire was used to assess inclusion and exclusion criteria. Pain intensity was evaluated using a Numeric Analog Scale, and flexibility was assessed using the Sit and Reach test. Height was measured with a stadiometer, and body weight was measured using a calibrated medical scale. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 30.0.0.0 and Microsoft Excel 2016 statistical packages. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare independent samples, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied for dependent samples. Quantitative data are presented as median (Xme), minimum (Xmin), maximum (Xmax), and mean (X). P-value of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results. Before the intervention, participants in the “Exercise group” reported pain intensity scores of 5 (3–6; 4.4) points on the Numeric Analogic Scale. After the intervention, the scores were 4 (1–8; 4) points. The within-group comparison revealed no statistically significant difference (Z = -0.906; p = 0.365). In the “Foam rolling group” pre-intervention pain intensity was 5 (2–8; 4.6) points, whereas post-intervention results showed a significant decrease to 2 (0–5; 2) points. The comparison before and after the intervention revealed a statistically significant reduction in pain (Z = -3.035; p = 0.002). When comparing the two groups, no statistically significant difference in pain intensity was observed before the intervention (U = 54; p = 0.695). However, a statistically significant difference was found postintervention (U = 28; p = 0.030). Prior to the intervention, participants in the “Exercise group” demonstrated flexibility results of 6 (1–15; 7.7) centimeters in the Sit and Reach test. After the intervention, the results were 5 (1–13; 7.2) centimeters. The comparison within the group showed no statistically significant difference (Z = -0.857; p = 0.391). In the “Foam rolling group” pre-intervention flexibility was 5 (0–14; 5.8) centimeters, and post-intervention results decreased to 3 (-1–11.5; 3.7) centimeters. A statistically significant change in flexibility was observed (Z = -2.273; p = 0.023). When comparing the groups, a statistically significant difference in flexibility was observed before the intervention (U = 29.5; p = 0.041), while no significant difference was found after the intervention (U = 50.5; p = 0.525). Conclusions. Comparison of young long-distance female runners showed that foam rolling led to greater lower back pain reduction and flexibility than exercise programme. While initial pain levels were similar, only the foam rolling group improved significantly. Although the exercise group had better pre-intervention flexibility, only foam rolling enhanced it, equalizing flexibility between groups post-intervention.

This research aims to assess dynamic balance, muscle strength, and pain in young women with generalized joint hypermobility. Research methods: A cross-sectional research design was used in this study. The Beighton scale was used to assess joint hypermobility; the Y test was performed to assess injury risk; a hand-held dynamometer was applied to assess upper extremities’ muscle strength; the McGill tests were used for evaluation of the endurance of trunk muscles’ strength; a numeric analog scale and pain map were used to assess pain intensity and localization. Participants: Twenty-fve young females (age: 22(18–28; 21,16) years; body mass index: (23, 19,2–24, 23,2) kg/m²) participated in this study. Results: The median Beighton score value was 7 (4-9;7.48) points. The Y balance test revealed that 36% (n=9) of the participants were at risk of injury when standing on the dominant leg, and 64% (n=16) when standing on the non-dominant leg. 64% (n=16) of the young women had a normal grip strength of the dominant hand, and 56% (n=14) had normal non-dominant handgrip strength. Only 20% (n=5) of young women with joint hypermobility had an abdominal-to-back muscle strength endurance ratio within the normal range and lateral muscle endurance ratio was within the normal range only in 16% of women. Conclusions: Our pilot study showed that young women with joint hypermobility have reduced hand muscle strength, an imbalance in trunk muscle static endurance and an increased risk of injury in more than half of the subjects. As many as 76% of the young women in this study reported experiencing pain in different areas of the body.

Introduction. As the intensity of physical activity increases, so does the body's demand for oxygen, which is needed to release energy from glucose (1). That's why focusing on breathing during physical activity is important. Breathing exercises, separate from physical or other exercises, can reduce back pain (2), improve trunk stability and fitness (3). Breathing exercises are often combined with movements of the limbs or trunk, such as “Plank”, elbow-leg or postural stability exercises. Combining exercises can have a synergistic effect, as the respiratory muscles are involved in both breathing and postural control (3). The aim of the research was to assess the electrical activity of trunk muscles during the exercise with different breathing techniques. [...].

Fizinis aktyvumas yra įtraukiamas į sveikatos mokslus ir klinikinę praktiką, todėl jo pritaikymas aktualus gydymo bei reabilitacijos srityse, o didžiausias dėmesys turėtų būti skiriamas sveikatos stiprinimui ir ligų profilaktikai. Vadovėlis skirtas Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universiteto Medicinos akademijos studijų programų "Kineziterapija", "Ergoterapija", "Medicina", "Visuomenės sveikata" ir kitų studentams, studijuojantiems bendruosius arba specialybės dalykus, susijusius su fiziniu aktyvumu. Vadovėlyje aptariamos ir paaiškinamos fizinio aktyvumo, fizinio pajėgumo ir sveikatos sąvokos bei jų tarpusavio sąsajos, taip pat pateikiami fizinio aktyvumo vertinimo metodai ir priemonės. Atskiruose skyriuose aptariamos fizinės ypatybės, kūno sudėtis, kūno laikysena, jas lemiantys veiksniai, vertinimo ir lavinimo metodai bei priemonės. Šiame vadovėlyje studentai ras atsakymą, kaip išrašyti receptą fiziniam krūviui ir mokslu grįstas rekomendacijas fiziniam aktyvumui. Vadovėlyje taip pat pateikiamos sveikatos stiprinimo programos rengimo gairės bei fizinio aktyvumo rekomendacijos sergant įvairiomis lėtinėmis neinfekcinėmis ligomis.

Introduction. According to the research, lower limb injuries are one of the most common among young basketball players and are twice as more common compared to the upper extremities (1). The situation occurs, supposedly because practices are mostly oriented to general physical training: increase of muscle strength and overall improvement of athleticism, while disregarding a balanced physical training together with exercises meant for injury prevention (2)(3). Aim of the research – to evaluate correlation between the change in lower extremity muscle strength, balance and biomechanics indicators at different seasonal periods in young basketball players. Research methods and organization. The research was approved by Lithuanian University of Health Science Bioethics Center (No. BEC-SR(M)-98). The cohort of the study consisted of twelve systematically training young male basketball players, representing a team in Kaunas Basketball Amateur League, ages between 18 and 23, average body mass index - 24,8 kg/m2. The study was conducted in Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, in Department of Sports Medicine. Subjects had to fill out a questionnaire to find out if all the criteria is met: playing basketball for at least 5 years, feeling no acute pain during the study, and had not suffered any injuries in the past two months. The evaluation was performed twice: before and after the basketball season. The corrective exercise program was applied during the season to the usual training regimen – five exercises, two times a week. One-leg exercises were accentuated with extra weights or unstable planes as well as plyometric movements. Research methods: muscle strength of the lower extremities (hip flexors, extensors abductors and adductors, calf extensors and flexors, dorsal and plantar flexors) was assessed with „Lafayette Hand-Held Dynamometer“ apparatus. Dynamic balance indicators were assessed by the “Y"[...].