Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are the most common work-related disorders and describe a wide range of degenerative and inflammatory states that affect blood vessels, peripheral nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Healthcare as a special sector has almost the highest prevalence of WRMSDs in the world, far ahead of construction, mining, and manufacturing. Studies conducted in the EU and the USA indicate that health-care professionals most often have a problem with the lower back between 50% and 57% of cases, resulting in an average loss of more than 7 working days during 1 year. Methods: This study included 177 health professionals of both genders who are actively involved in the provision of health-care services. The study was conducted in the Public Health Center of Sarajevo Canton, which provides primary and specialist consultative healthcare services. The study was designed as a prospective, longitudinal, interventional, and descriptive-analytical that included all respondents who met the inclusion criteria. The instruments used in the study are the standardized Dutch Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire, modified according to our study, the standardized work ability index, and the ergonomic intervention program (EIP). Results: The highest frequency of work-related MKDs in health-care professionals before and after implementation of the EIP was in the neck area (83.1% before, 64.9% after), in the upper back region (71.8% before, 56.5 % after) and in the lower back region (68.4% before, 55.9% after). The average score of the working ability index before the introduction of the EIP was 35.44 ± 8.59, while after the implementation of the EIP it increased statistically significantly and amounted to 38.40 ± 7.30. Conclusion: The EIP influenced the reduction of the MKDs frequency caused by work, and increased the working capacity of health-care professionals.

Introduction: The complaints that occur in the area of the lumbar spine are summarized under the term lumbar pain syndrome. These include lumbar discopathy, lumbago, lumboischialgia, sciatica, and other complaints associated with the lumbar region of the spine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate sociodemographic characteristics, assess the degree of disability patients experience due to lumbar pain syndrome, evaluate how many patients catastrophize their pain, and assess the effectiveness of the dry needling technique along with other physical therapy modalities in people with lumbar pain syndrome. Methods: The study was designed as a prospective study conducted from March 2022 to June 2022. 35 subjects of both sexes, aged 25-83, agreed to participate in the study. The subjects who enrolled were pre-dominantly suffering from chronic lumbar pain syndrome, and there were also a smaller number of subjects with acute lumbar pain syndrome. Results: The majority of respondents suffer from lumbar pain syndrome, which falls into the chronic category in 29 or 82.9% of cases. The mean score after the application of therapy on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scale was 22.0 ± 16.23% and was statistically significantly lower. The average score after the application of the therapy on the visual analog scale (VAS) was 3.06 ± 2.31 and is statistically significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to the period before the therapy. Conclusion: Dry needling in combination with standard physical procedures led to statistically significant improvements. The mean score on the pain catastrophe scale, VAS, and ODI was significantly lower than in the pre-therapy period.

Introduction: Anterior cruciate ligament injury is an injury that occurs in both sexes and in the population of all ages. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a very strong internal ligament of the knee, whose injuries occur frequently in athletes (professional and recreational) and after which the recovery is very long and complicated. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a standardized rehabilitation program after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction based on the time required for rehabilitation in athletes and recreational athletes. Methods: Research is designed as prospective study. The research was conducted in Polyclinic FM Sarajevo over a period of 10 months, starting in June 2018 and ending in March 2019. The collection of data required for the study was carried out using a form prepared for the analysis of patients included in the study. Results: Thirty-six people participated in the study, divided into two groups. In the first group, 52.8% belonged to recreational athletes, while in the second group, 47.2% belonged to athletes. At the end of the study, the flexion value in both studied groups was 120º. At the end of the study, the percentage of subjects with correct extension of the injured limb was 94.7% of recreational athletes and 64.7% of athletes. Of the total number of respondents included in this study, 33% were soccer players, 14% were basketball players, and 53% were recreational athletes. Conclusion: Based on the research results, it was confirmed that early rehabilitation after the established rehabilitation treatment program is shorter in recreational athletes than in professional athletes.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common in men and women of all ages in all sociodemographic strata of society. Pain and functional limitations caused by MSDs severely limit independence and quality of life and interfere with an individual’s ability to participate in family and social life and work. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the Kinesio Tape (KT) technique on pain intensity in patients with MSDs of the upper and/or lower extremities before, during, and after therapeutic treatment. Methods: The study involved 123 patients of both sexes and all ages diagnosed with MSDs of the upper and/or lower extremities. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, a control group and an experimental group. The control group received the standard therapy protocol for MSDs, while the experimental group received the standard therapy protocol for MSDs plus the KT technique on the treated segment. The brief pain inventory was used to assess pain intensity. Both groups of participants were tested with the research instruments at baseline, during and after therapeutic treatment. Results: The ability to walk due to pain was significantly less impaired in the control group than in participants in the experimental group, in whom pain significantly impeded walking (p < 0.001). Normal walking was significantly more impaired in the experimental group than in the control group (p = 0.001). Pain significantly impaired relationships with others in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Subjects in the experimental group showed a significant decrease in pain in all areas after therapeutic treatment with KT compared to subjects in the control group.

Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) develops gradually and causes pain, a decrease in range of motion, muscle mass, and strength and leads to a decrease in physical activity and a poor quality of life for the patient. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different physiotherapy programs on pain intensity, range of motion, and quality of life in people with knee OA. Methods: The study was designed as a prospective, experimental, and randomized trial. Sixty subjects of both sexes and all ages with OA of the knee were enrolled in the study. In the studied Group I (n = 30), in addition to the standard protocol, high induction electromagnetic stimulation was applied using a Salus Talent device with a strength of 3 T and a frequency of up to 50 Hz for 10 min. In the test Group II (n = 30), in addition to the standard protocol, high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) with a power of 5 J was applied with the help of the Ilux Yag 1064 device for 7 min. The therapy protocol for both test groups lasted 8 weeks, with subjects treated once a week. Results: Analysis of the mean scores on the VAS scale shows that in both groups, the lowest mean scores were recorded in the III measurement (4.35) and the highest in the I measurement (7.96). In all three measurements, there was a difference in the extent of mobility of internal rotation in the form of a higher average range of motion in the test group II, in which HILT was applied. Analysis of the mean scores on the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score quality of life scale showed that in both groups, the lowest mean scores were recorded at the first measurement (14.84), with the mean score increasing at the second (32.95) and third measurements (41.08). Conclusion: Both methods showed significant results in reducing pain intensity, improving knee mobility, activities of daily living, and quality of life in people with knee OA. The obtained data do not give preference to any method but indicate them as adequate physiotherapy protocols to improve the function and quality of life of people with knee OA.

Introduction: Stress among students is a growing problem. As emotional stress increases, the limbic structures and hypothalamus are stimulated, activating the gamma efferent system, which ultimately leads to an increase in muscle tone or additional muscle activity that can become repetitive behaviors such as bruxism. The aim of the study was to investigate the stress level that students are exposed to, to determine the difference between students in terms of gender, faculty, and year of study, and to evaluate the possible relationship between stress level and self-reported bruxism in college students during the pandemic COVID-19. Methods: In April 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of students from the Faculty of Dentistry and the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Sarajevo (BiH). The students answered a questionnaire consisting of two parts: The first part contained questions on basic personal data and data on self-reported bruxism and the second part contained questions on the perceived stress scale (PSS). Results: The study included 756 students from both faculties. Analysis of stress levels among students revealed higher stress levels. Female students were more likely to be under stress than male respondents. Students in the Faculty of Pharmacy were more likely to be stressed than students in the Faculty of Dentistry. At the Faculty of Pharmacy, there was no difference in stress levels between the different years of study, while at the Faculty of Dentistry, the individual score for PSS was highest among 1st-year students. A high prevalence (46.8%) of self-reported bruxism was found among students in both faculties. Conclusion: A slight positive correlation between self-reported bruxism and stress suggests that it is important to implement stress management strategies during academic education and to prevent bruxism and its consequences.

Introduction: Aging is a natural physiological process based on disturbances of homeostatic mechanisms and loss of adaptability that significantly affects life activities over time. The activities of daily living (ADL) in old age represent the relationship between the subjective characteristics of each individual, supplemented by previous life experiences, and objective socioeconomic factors that create a desirable living framework for people in the third age. The objectives of this research are to analyze the sociodemographic characteristics of third-age people, to study the daily activities of third-age people, and to compare the daily life activities of third-age people living in a rural setting with those of third-age people living in an urban setting. Methods: The research was conducted in the area of urban and rural environment of Travnik municipality. One hundred elderly people (50 from urban and 50 from rural areas) were included in the research using the snowball method. The instrument used in our research is a standardized questionnaire on instrumental ADL (IADL) according to Lawton-Brody. The study was conducted during the period from the end of March to the end of May 2022. Results: There is a statistically significant difference in ADL in all eight domains. The mean IADL score in the total sample (n = 100) was 6.36 ± 1.78 and ranged from 1 to 8. The largest number of respondents had the highest IADL score of 8 in 41% of cases, while only one respondent had an IADL score of 1. Conclusion: The obtained results prove that the score of ADL is lower in people of third-age living in rural areas.

Introduction: The use of the Internet is becoming increasingly important in enabling children and adults to fully participate in society, whether it is learning new skills or connecting with friends and family. Consequently, children's opportunities are increasingly dependent on the Internet. The advance of technological innovations has resulted in more and more ICT devices being available to children, contributing to the deterioration of children and adolescents' health. Methods: The study was designed as an epidemiological, cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical, comparative study. The study was conducted from October 18, 2021, to January 16, 2022, using an online questionnaire accessible through the Microsoft Forms platform. Respondents were able to access the questionnaire via a link or QR code located on the child's consent form for participation in the study, which was previously signed by a parent/guardian. Results: The results of the study showed that school-age children were the most frequent users of smartphones and watches TV, with male respondents spending more time using almost all ICT devices, with the exception of tablets, which were used more frequently by female respondents. The analysis of pain intensity in the use of information and communication technologies revealed that respondents most frequently experienced mild pain, especially in the neck/shoulders and lower extremities. The frequency of eye problems after using ICT devices was found to be occasional, with the most pronounced symptoms being fatigue, tearing, and eyestrain, as well as headaches in one in five respondents. Conclusion: Increasing frequency of ICT device use was associated with higher pain intensity in all anatomic regions. A 1-hour increase in weekly ICT device use also increased the likelihood of pain intensity in all anatomic regions, including eye symptoms and headaches. High exposure to ICT is of concern because it leads to adverse health outcomes for children.

Background: Correct measuring of blood and urine creatinine level is necessary for identification and tracking of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objective: The aim of this study is a comparison of Jaffe and enzymatic methods for measuring creatinine in serum and in urine, in order to determine whether there are any statistical significant differences between them, and whether they are reflected on creatinine clearance calculation and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Methods: Creatinine in serum and urine was measured for the group of patients (N=60; female=34, male=26) from 24 to 69 years of age by using Jaffe’s method on Dimension RxL biochemical analyzer, and enzymatic method on integrated biochemical and immunochemical analyzer Architect ci8200, and obtained levels are used for creatinine clearance calculation and eGFR. Results: The methods correlate well, both in measuring serum creatinine (r 1 = 0.990) and in measuring urine creatinine (r 2 =0.974). There are no statistically significant differences between them (p=0.57). Measuring creatinine using different methods showed no statistically significant differences in the calculated clearances (p=0.93), they significantly correlate (r=0.9722). eGFR, using the MDRD and CKD-EPI formulas, were not statistically significantly different, regardless of the used method. Conclusion: Apart from significant correlations between the used methods, the results of using the Jaffe and enzymatic methods showed no significant differences at measuring serum creatinine level, or creatinine clearance and glomerular filtration rate.

Introduction: Lumbar pain syndrome (LPS) is defined as pain or discomfort localized between the edge of the twelfth rib and the lower gluteal region, with or without spread to the lower extremities, and, depending on the etiology and degree of symptomatology, can have negative consequences and be one of the main reasons for work disability and absenteeism worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of exercise therapy on the activities of daily living of a person with LPS. Methods: This prospective, longitudinal, and randomized controlled trial was conducted from June 2014 to June 2016. It included 200 subjects with symptoms of LPS, both sexes, aged 30 to 50 years, sedentary and standing occupations, randomized and equally divided into two groups: Examined (n = 100) and the control group (n = 100). In this study, the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire was used after clinical examination. Results: The percentage of disability according to the Oswestry disability index at the first examination was 31.78 ± 14.11% in the participants of the test group and 38.74 ± 17.48% in the participants of the control group (p = 0.002). After the second examination, the percentage of disability was 6.64 ± 3.15% in the test group and 23.92 ± 14.84% in the control group (p = 0.001). At the end of the examination, the percentage of disability was 2.36 ± 0.78% in the subjects of the test group and 13.82 ± 11.25% in the subjects of the control group (p = 0.001). A statistically significant difference was found in all three examinations, and the reduction in the percentage of disability was greater in the study group, p < 0.05. Conclusion: The research conducted showed that motion therapy procedures focused on achieving natural spinal mobility and improving trunk muscle strength are effective in reducing