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- MakaleYalnız künye2026Scopus SJRQ3Prevalence of sarcopenia and its functional correlates in women with lower-extremity lipedema: A cross-sectional observational study
Ozbek, Ilhan Celil; Kuculmez, Ozlem; Dundar Ahi, Emine
Background: Lipedema is a chronic, progressive adipose tissue disorder affecting mainly women, characterized by bilateral, disproportionate fat accumulation in the lower extremities. The condition is often associated with pain, heaviness, and functional limitations. While the adipose tissue changes in lipedema are well-described, its impact on muscle mass, strength, and functional performance remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia and its relationship with lipedema severity. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 48 women with clinically diagnosed lower-extremity lipedema. Diagnosis followed the International Lipoedema Association and German S2k guidelines. Sarcopenia was assessed using a multidimensional approach, including ultrasonographic rectus femoris thickness, handgrip strength, the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test, and four-m walking speed. The lipedema stage was determined using morphological criteria. Statistical analyses evaluated the relationships between sarcopenia, functional parameters, and lipedema stage. Results: Participants had a mean age of 47.2 ± 8.4 years and a BMI of 33.0 ± 4.3 kg/m2. Sarcopenia was identified in 33.3% of participants, with 14.6% classified as severe. Those with sarcopenia exhibited lower rectus femoris thickness and slower walking speed (p < .05). Advancing lipedema stage correlated with reduced muscle thickness, weaker handgrip strength, slower gait, and prolonged Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test duration (p < .05). Stage 3 patients demonstrated the highest prevalence of sarcopenia, indicating progressive impairment in muscle mass and functional performance with disease severity (p < .05). No significant associations were found between age or BMI and muscle parameters (p > .05). Conclusions: Sarcopenia is prevalent in women with lower-extremity lipedema and increases with disease stage. Comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment should be integrated into lipedema management to address functional impairment and optimize patient care.
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İncele - MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ1Attitudes and behaviors toward hypnosis and hypnotic susceptibility in physiotherapy patients: a cross-sectional study
Kuculmez, Ozlem; Dundar Ahi, Emine; Ozbek, Ilhan Celil; Afsar, Sevgi Ikbali
Background and objectives: Hypnosis is a focused cognitive state with increased suggestibility and neurophysiological changes, but misconceptions remain despite its clinical value. This study examined physiotherapy patients' beliefs and behaviors about hypnosis, their hypnotic suggestibility levels, and the relationships among these factors. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included voluntary adult participants aged 18–70 years who presented to the physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinics. Individuals with psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment, poor general health, illiteracy, or incomplete data were excluded. Demographic characteristics were recorded, and participants were asked to complete the attitudes and beliefs toward hypnosis scale (VSABTH-T) and the Short Form of the Suggestibility Scale (SSS). The study evaluated participants' attitudes, beliefs, and levels of suggestibility, as well as the relationships among these variables. A significance level of p < 0.05 was accepted for all statistical analyses. Results: The study analyzed data from 399 participants (65.9% male, 34.1% female) with a mean age of 42.68 ± 16.75 years. 75.4% of participants had limited knowledge, and 3.5% had hypnosis experience. Predominantly expressed concerns regarding hypnotic procedures were 86.2% fear, 61.9% emerging from hypnosis, 51.8% losing control, and 33.3% of the participants defined hypnosis as dangerous. Participants had a mean attitude and behavior score toward hypnosis of 107.21 ± 15.8 and a mean hypnotizability score of 53.29 ± 8.76. Although age, occupation, and income level showed very weak but statistically significant correlations with the total VSABTH-T scores (p = 0.001), there was no correlation with total SSS scores (p > 0.05). Attitudes toward hypnosis and hypnotic suggestibility are significantly affected by age, education, occupation, income, and particularly the level of knowledge about hypnosis (p < 0.05). Total VSABTH-T and SSS scores were not correlated (p = 0.069), although very weak associations were observed between subdimensions (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Physiotherapy patients demonstrated limited hypnosis knowledge and experience and misconceptions. Demographic factors showed weak associations with attitudes and suggestibility. Findings highlight that personal beliefs and demographics interact complexly in shaping hypnotic responsiveness, emphasizing the need for targeted education to reduce misconceptions.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2025Scopus SJRQ1Effects of qigong for physical and psychological well-being in pregnancy: A multicenter randomized controlled trial
Dundar Ahi, Emine; Kuculmez, Ozlem; Ikbali Afsar, Sevgi; Eyup Dogan, Rahsan
Background Psychological stress and anxiety during pregnancy can adversely affect both maternal and fetal health. Qigong, a traditional Chinese mind–body exercise, is believed to promote physical and mental well-being during pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the effects of qigong on anxiety, stress, and exercise self-efficacy in pregnant women. Methods This multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial included pregnant women in their second trimester attending prenatal education classes at Baskent University and Alaaddin Keykubat University. Women in the first or third trimester with uncontrolled systemic diseases, high-risk pregnancies, or irregular attendance were excluded. Participants were randomly assigned via Randomizer.org to either the Qigong group or the control group. The Qigong group performed Baduanjin qigong exercises for 30–45 min, three times a week, while the control group received standard prenatal counseling. Demographic data were recorded. All participants completed the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Scale (PrAS), Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale (PSRS), and Pregnancy Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (P-ESES). Results A total of 102 pregnant women were analyzed (qigong group: 52; control group: 50). The mean age was 27.95 ± 3.66 years, and the mean gestational week was 26.94 ± 2.12. The qigong group showed significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure increases compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Exercise self-efficacy scores increased significantly in the qigong group (p < 0.05). Pregnancy-related anxiety and stress scores, including all subscales, showed significant improvement in the qigong group (p < 0.05), with no significant changes in the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusions Baduanjin qigong was effective in reducing anxiety and stress levels and improving exercise self-efficacy in pregnant women. This non-pharmacological intervention may offer a safe, supportive approach to mental well-being during pregnancy.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2023Scopus SJRQ3Short-term Effectiveness of High-intensity Laser Therapy in De Quervain Tenosynovitis: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study; [De Quervain Tenosinovitinde Yüksek Yoğunluklu Lazer Tedavisinin Kısa Dönem Etkinliği: Prospektif, Randomize, Kontrollü Bir Çalışma]
Dundar Ahi, Emine; Sirzai, Hulya
Objective: The effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) has been demonstrated in some musculoskeletal repetitive strain injury disorders. This study aimed to determine the short-term effectiveness of HILT in de Quervain tenosynovitis (DQT). Methods: Sixty-four patients with DQT diagnosis (32 males, 32 females; 18-65 years) were randomly divided into two groups. A short opponens splint was applied to both groups and HILT to the treatment group and sham HILT to the control group once a day, on alternate days, 3 days a week, for 5 weeks. Pre-and post-treatment evaluations were made using a visual analog scale (VAS); Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; Short Form-36 Health Survey; and hand grip strength test. Results: The demographic results (age, gender, duration of complaint, body mass index, occupational group) of both groups were similar (p>0.05). The pre-treatment measured values were similar in both groups (p>0.05). After a 5-week treatment, a significant improvement was observed in all parameters in both groups. Post-treatment, hand grip strength levels were statistically higher in the HILT group than in the sham therapy group, and VAS levels were significantly lower (p<0.001). Conclusions: HILT is a non-invasive and reliable method that increases grip strength and decreases pain in DQT.
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