The Effect of Lower Extremity Rotational Profile on Postural Control, Muscle Strength, Functional Capacity and Lower Extremity Function in Children With Generalized Joint Hypermobility

Plain-language summary

Generalized joint hypermobility is when the range of motion in synovial joints exceeds its physiological limits. The aim of this investigation is to investigate the effect of lower extremity rotational profile on postural control, muscle strength, functional capacity and lower extremity function in children with generalized joint hypermobility. Within the scope of this cross-sectional study, permission was obtained from Bezmialem Vakif University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee with the decision number 177310 dated 31.12.2024. Following the Ethics Committee approval, data collection started and the study will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. "Informed Voluntary Consent Form" prepared for both parents and children and approved by Bezmialem Vakıf University Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee will be signed. All children participating in the study and their parents will be informed about the study and those who voluntarily agree to participate in the study will be invited by appointment. All evaluations will be carried out in the Pediatric and Cardiac Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Education and Research Laboratories of the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bezmialem Vakıf University. Forty-eight children who meet the specified inclusion/exclusion criteria will be included in the study sample. Within the scope of the study, demographic information of the children will be recorded with the sociodemographic evaluation form and clinical evaluations will be performed on the same day. All assessments will be administered to all children in all three groups by the same researcher in the following order. The evaluation process will start with the completion of the sociodemographic information form. Then, the general joint hypermobility status of the participants will be evaluated with the Beighton Score. Within the scope of clinical measurements, bilateral lower extremity rotational profile will be determined by Craig's test, foot-thigh angle, foot progression angle, navicular drop test, Heel Bisector Line Test and Q angle measurements. Lower extremity muscle shortness and flexibility will be evaluated using bilateral Thomas test, Duncan-Ely test, Ober test, popliteal angle test, Silfverskiöld test and sit-to-stand test. Bilateral hip internal and external rotation angles and ankle dorsiflexion angle measurements will be performed to measure range of motion. Bilateral leg length measurements will be performed and general pain status will be questioned using the Visual Analog Scale. Postural control will be assessed using the Biodex Balance System, muscle strength will be assessed using the MicroFET2 hand dynamometer, functional capacity will be assessed using the 6-minute walk test and lower extremity functionality will be assessed using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale .

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