Clinical Research Directory

The Effect of Percussion Massage Therapy in Stroke Patients

Stroke is an acute neurological condition resulting from cerebral ischemia or hemorrhage, frequently leading to impaired motor function, increased muscle tone, and deficits in balance and gait. Spasticity is a common long-term complication in individuals with chronic stroke and significantly affects functional mobility and quality of life. Percussion Massage Therapy (PMT) is an emerging intervention that combines principles of mechanical vibration and traditional soft tissue techniques. Although previous research has examined its effects in musculoskeletal and athletic populations, evidence regarding its use in individuals with chronic stroke remains limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of percussion massage therapy on muscle tone in individuals with chronic stroke and to determine whether changes in muscle tone are associated with improvements in gait and balance performance.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and the Viscoelastic Properties of Upper Limb Muscles

Muscular dystrophies are hereditary and progressive skeletal muscle diseases that cause degeneration and loss of strength in the muscles. The most common form is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), which is X-linked recessive and develops due to a mutation in the dystrophin gene. Dystrophin is a membrane protein found in skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, vascular smooth muscle, and the brain, functioning as a component of the glycoprotein complex. In the absence of dystrophin, proteases break down the glycoprotein complex, resulting in the loss of membrane proteins, which leads to degeneration and weakness of muscle fibres. In addition to skeletal muscle, involvement of the respiratory and cardiac muscles is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality. Children with DMD are usually diagnosed with abnormal gait, frequent falls, and difficulty climbing stairs. Progressive functional loss is observed over time. Although the disease usually begins in the lower extremities, it eventually affects the upper extremities as well. Early stage: Lower extremity muscles are more affected (walking and climbing stairs become difficult). Advanced stages: Shoulder girdle, arm, and hand muscles begin to be affected. Weakness is particularly seen in the deltoid, biceps, and triceps muscles. There is limited shoulder movement and difficulty raising the arm. Therefore, functional losses are seen in the upper extremities. Functional losses generally cause difficulties in daily living activities; tasks requiring upper limb use, such as dressing, eating, and combing hair, become difficult. Hand skills (fine motor functions) are usually affected later, but distal muscles may also weaken over time. In summary, upper limb muscles weaken in individuals with DMD as the disease progresses. This can affect the individual's daily living activities. Regular monitoring of upper limb function, appropriate rehabilitation programmes, and supportive treatments aimed at improving quality of life are of great importance.

To Investigate the Relationship Between the Viscoelastic Properties of the Zona Pellucida of Human Oocyte and the Blastocyst Utilization Rate

In in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, oocyte quality is one of the key factors influencing the success rate of fertilization. The zona pellucida (ZP) is a spherical structure that surrounds the human oocyte and, together with cumulus cells, forms the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC). These two components engage in bidirectional communication and metabolic regulation to support oocyte growth and maturation. Additionally, the physical rigidity of the zona pellucida plays an important role in the fertilization process. OPAL X1 is a non-invasive and highly safe device specifically designed to measure the viscoelastic properties of the zona pellucida. This system consists of an ultra-precise pressure control mechanism and analytical software to assess oocyte quality before fertilization. OPAL X1 applies pressure through a micropipette while simultaneously recording the movement of the zona pellucida within the micropipette. An algorithm then analyzes the recorded motion images and classifies the oocytes into different quality grades (Grade A, B, C). This study aims to investigate the correlation between oocyte classification results obtained from the OPAL X1 grading system and oocyte quality. By integrating spindle-view and time-lapse technology, the study seeks to identify the optimal parameters for oocyte quality assessment. Furthermore, these findings will be applied to predict the success rate of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the likelihood of blastocyst formation, and pregnancy outcomes after embryo transfer. Ultimately, this study aims to provide more efficient and timely embryo development information before IVF, assisting clinicians in formulating and optimizing IVF treatment strategies.