Introduction: Social support is not a one-way relationship but is based on the connections people have with other people, groups, and the wider community. This study aimed to assess the perception of social support by people in the third age and to investigate the correlation of social support with the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 147 elderly people who actively use the services of the Center for Health Promotion and Improvement “Generacija” in Sarajevo. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to assess social perceptions. Results: The results show a weak negative relationship between age and the total scale (r = −0.199, p = 0.05), with older people having lower scores on the total scale. A significant relationship was found between the subscale other factors and age (r = −0.202, p = 0.05). The evaluation of the performance of daily activities correlates weakly with the evaluation of the friend’s subscale (r = 0.186, p = 0.05). The friend’s subscale correlates significantly with the quality of social life (r = 0.227, p = 0.05). The subjective assessment of the quality of social life after arriving at the center showed a correlation with the overall scale score (r = 0.182, p = 0.05) and especially with the friend subscale (r = 0.219, p = 0.05), with the increase in social life and the subscales examined in both cases. Conclusion: Users of the “Generacija” center rate social support on the MSPSS with high scores, with users receiving the most support from family. The sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents have an impact on the perception of social support by the users of the Center for Health Promotion and Improvement “Generacija,” more specifically; they were statistically significantly influenced by age, the way of performing daily activities, the quality of social life and the quality of social life after arrival at the Center.

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: 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: Physical activity has a positive effect on the regulation of diabetes mellitus and has been shown to have benefits in improving health. Aim: Examine the effects of physical activity on changes in glycemic parameters (glucose, HbA1C) and inflammatory parameters (leukocyte count (WBC), CRP) before and one month after the exercise program. Material and Methods: The study was designed as a prospective, analytical, and observational study. Results: T-test of paired samples assessed the impact of physical activity on glycemic and inflammatory parameters in subjects with confirmed Diabetes mellitus type 2 and in subjects without confirmed diabetes mellitus type 2. In subjects with confirmed diabetes the value of eta squared (ɳ2 - eta sqared) is 95%, which indicates a significant impact of physical activity on the change in glucose values and on the change of HbA1C value was indicated by the value of eta square of 93%. When it comes to inflammatory parameters, the impact of physical activity was found in the reduced number of WBC (ɳ2 = 88%), and in CRP (ɳ2 = 90%). In subjects without confirmed diabetes mellitus, a significant effect of physical activity on the change in glucose (ɳ2 = 94%) and HbA1C (ɳ2 = 77%). The influence of physical activity on the reduction of leukocyte count was proven by ɳ2 - eta sqared test (ɳ2 = 66%), as well as a decrease in CRP (ɳ2 = 30%). Conclusion: This study showed a significant impact of physical activity on the reduction of elevated glycemic and inflammatory parameters.

Introduction: information and communication technology (ICT) has multiplied its availability and use, resulting in enormous usage, especially among school-age children, who use it for an average of 7.5 hours per day. The amount of time adolescents spend in front of electronic screens has increased significantly between the ages of 10 and 14, but there are significant gender changes. For boys, this increase is 41.6 minutes per day, while for girls it is 22.7 minutes per day. Methods: The study is designed as an epidemiological, cross-sectional, descriptive-analytic, comparative study. The study will be conducted in the form of an online questionnaire on the Microsoft Forums platform during the period 12/15/2021 to 12/30/2021. Respondents were able to access the request for consent using a link and a QR code, which was previously signed by a parent/guardian giving consent for children to participate in this study. Results: The results of this study show that school-aged children generally use cell phones with a touch screen between 2 and 3 hours daily during the work week (39.2%) and TV (39.5%). Pain caused by ICT use in the past 12 months occurred mainly in the neck/shoulder area (42.4%), while pain in the previous month occurred mainly in the lower extremities (29.1%). Conclusion: Increased use of ICT devices was associated with higher levels of musculoskeletal symptoms. The higher pain burden in various body parts is of concern, and further research on the effects of ICT device use in adolescents is needed and warranted.

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

Introduction: People over the age of 50 begin to show manifestations of reduced balance and instability, and as a result, simple activities such as standing or getting up from a chair may become limited or impossible. Therapeutic strengthening exercises can increase muscle strength and improve mobility, as well as the physical functioning of the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate therapeutic exercise on balance and gait in elderly. Methods: The prospective study included two groups of 130 respondents over the age of 65 who had come to the “Center for Healthy Aging Novo Sarajevo.” Using the Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) test, we assessed mobility performance. We tested the respondents at the beginning, in the middle and in the end of the research, which lasted 6 months. Results: In the control group, the required time increased by 2.04%. The largest improvement within POMA B was recorded in the examined Group B and it was 12.67 %, while in the examined Group A, the improvement was only 5.07%. Within POMA G, the largest improvement was also recorded in the examined Group B and it was 6.82%, while in the examined Group B, this improvement was 4.14%. Conclusion: Both strengthening and antigravity therapeutic exercises improve the level of physical fitness in older adults, although therapeutic antigravity exercises had a better impact on the level of physical activity.