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Recent Submissions
Comparison of conventional and modified sling suture techniques in free gingival graft operations-a randomized controlled clinical trial
(2025-12-01) SHAKILIYEVA S.; Sahin D.; GÜNPINAR Ş.; GÜRSEL M.
Background The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of conventional suture (CS) and modified sling suture (MSS) techniques, applied in free gingival graft (FGG) surgery using gingival unit graft (GUT) and conventional graft (CG) techniques, on clinical parameters and graft dimensions. Methods 52 individuals having Cairo Type 2 (RT2) and Type 3 (RT3) gingival recessions in mandibular anterior were divided into four groups as (a) GUT + MSS (n = 13), (b) GUT + CS (n = 13), (c) CG + MSS (n = 13) and (d) CG + CS (n = 13). Keratinized tissue width (KTW), relative gingival recession height (rGRH), and relative vestibule depth (rVD) measurements were recorded using a digital caliper and UNC 15 periodontal probe. Dimensional changes (Delta) of the graft surface area (GSA) was determined by ImageJ software. All measurements were done at baseline, 1st and 3rd months. Results It was determined that the increase in KTW in the 1st and 3rd months in GUT + CS group was significantly higher than GUT + MSS group (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in Delta rVD and Delta rGRH values between the groups. When Delta GSA (mm2) values were compared between the groups, the decrease in the 1st and 3rd months in the CG + MSS group was found to be significantly higher than the GUT + MSS and GUT + CS groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that keratinized tissue can be obtained successfully with both GUT or CG techniques in FGG surgery, on the other hand, regardless of the suture technique, GUT showed less graft shrinkage than CG.
Osteoloji
(Güneş Kitabevi, 2025-12-01) Arifoğlu Y.
A cross-sectional study on ChatGPT's alignment with clinical practice guidelines in musculoskeletal rehabilitation
(2025-12-01) SAFRAN E.; YILDIRIM S.
BackgroundAI models like ChatGPT have the potential to support musculoskeletal rehabilitation by providing clinical insights. However, their alignment with evidence-based guidelines needs evaluation before integration into physiotherapy practice.ObjectiveTo evaluate the performance of ChatGPT (GPT-4 model) in generating responses to musculoskeletal rehabilitation queries by comparing its recommendations with evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs).DesignThis study was designed as a cross-sectional observational study.MethodsTwenty questions covering disease information, assessment, and rehabilitation were developed by two experienced physiotherapists specializing in musculoskeletal disorders. The questions were distributed across three anatomical regions: upper extremity (7 questions), lower extremity (9 questions), and spine (4 questions). ChatGPT\"s responses were obtained and evaluated independently by two raters using a 5-point Likert scale assessing relevance, accuracy, clarity, completeness, and consistency. Weighted kappa values were calculated to assess inter-rater agreement and consistency within each category.ResultsChatGPT\"s responses received the highest average score for clarity (4.85), followed by accuracy (4.62), relevance (4.50), and completeness (4.20). Consistency received the lowest score (3.85). The highest agreement (weighted kappa = 0.90) was observed in the disease information category, whereas rehabilitation displayed relatively lower agreement (weighted kappa = 0.56). Variability in consistency and moderate weighted kappa values in relevance and clarity highlighted areas requiring improvement.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates ChatGPT\"s potential in providing guideline-aligned information in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. However, due to observed limitations in consistency, completeness, and the ability to replicate nuanced clinical reasoning, its use should remain supplementary rather than as a primary decision-making tool. While it performed better in disease information, as evidenced by higher inter-rater agreement and scores, its performance in the rehabilitation category was comparatively lower, highlighting challenges in addressing complex, nuanced therapeutic interventions. This variability in consistency and domain-specific reasoning underscores the need for further refinement to ensure reliability in complex clinical scenarios.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.
Contextual and placebo effects of suboccipital myofascial release: evaluating its influence on pain threshold, cervical range of motion, and proprioception
(2025-12-01) SAFRAN E.; Kaya Y.
Background: Suboccipital myofascial release (MR) is widely used in manual therapy for addressing cervical dysfunction. However, its specific therapeutic effects remain unclear, especially when compared to sham interventions, raising questions about the roles of contextual and placebo influences. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of suboccipital MR on pain pressure threshold(PPT), cervical range of motion (ROM), and proprioception, while considering the influence of non-specific effects such as placebo and contextual factors. Methods: A single-blind, sham-controlled randomized study was conducted with 30 asymptomatic participants (15 per group). The MR group received five minutes of suboccipital myofascial release, while the sham group received light touch without therapeutic pressure.Outcomes included PPT, cervical ROM (flexion, extension, and rotation), and proprioception, measured before and immediately after the intervention. A 2 × 2 mixed ANOVA was used to analyze group × time interaction and main effects. Paired t-tests were used as supportive within-group analyses. Results: The MR group showed within-group improvements in PPT (e.g., left-side PPT increased from 7.31 ± 2.58 to 8.67 ± 1.98 kg/cm², p = 0.028), cervical ROM (e.g., flexion improved from 57.00 ± 9.05° to 64.00 ± 9.60°, p = 0.0004), and proprioception (e.g., flexion reposition error decreased from 5.77 ± 2.24° to 3.70 ± 2.40°, p = 0.006). However, no significant group × time interactions were observed for any outcome, suggesting similar changes in both MR and sham groups. Conclusions: Suboccipital MR produced significant within-group improvements in PPT, cervical ROM, and proprioception. However, the absence of significant differences between the MR and sham interventions suggests that non-specific or contextual factors may account for the observed effects. Further studies are needed in symptomatic populations with longer follow-up and objective outcome measures to determine the specific efficacy of MR. Trial registration: This study was retrospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under the identifier NCT06761391 on January 5, 2025.