Browsing by Author "Akkurt, Burcu"

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Effects of Left and Bilateral Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Pain, Mood, and Autonomic Nervous System in Female Patients With Fibromyalgia: a Randomized Controlled Trial
(Taylor & Francis Inc, 2025) Akkurt, Mustafa Ferit; Ozden, Ali Veysel; Akkurt, Halil Ekrem; Akkurt, Burcu; Bildik, Celaleddin
Introduction: Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a complex disease characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, emotional disturbances, and autonomic dysfunction. Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) has emerged as a potential noninvasive approach to modulate FMS-related symptoms. Purpose: To compare the effects of left and bilateral taVNS on pain, mood, functionality, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in individuals with FMS. Methods: Forty female individuals with FMS were assigned to either a left (n = 20) or a bilateral (n = 20) taVNS group. Both received 11 sessions of taVNS targeting the tragus and concha regions (30 minutes each, 25 Hz, 300 mu s) over nonconsecutive days, excluding weekends and menstrual periods. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) were assessed. ANS activity was evaluated via heart rate variability (HRV). After 11 sessions of taVNS, a 2-week follow-up was performed. Results: No significant differences were observed between groups except for FIQ and BAI on day 28 (p = .002-0.008). Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in VAS (r = 0.87-0.94; p < .001), BDI (r = 0.46-0.71; p < .001), FIQ (r = 0.95-0.99; p < .001), and BAI (r = 0.69-0.94; p < .001) scores. Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) (p = .365-0.776) and Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) (p = .598-0.880) indices, which are the subparameters of HRV, showed no significant between-group differences, with small effect sizes (r < 0.15). Conclusion: Both stimulation protocols effectively reduced pain and improved mood and functionality in fibromyalgia, indicating a safe, noninvasive adjunctive treatment option. Clinicaltrials.gov: (Identifier: NCT06871306).
Peloid Therapy Versus Hot Pack Treatment in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain: Effects on Pain, Function, and Quality of Life
(Romanian Assoc Balneology, 2025) Akkurt, Burcu; Alptekin, Hasan Kerem; Aydin, Teoman
This study aimed to compare the efficacy of peloid and hotpack for chronic low back pain (CLBP) due to lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Sixty individuals aged 18-50 years with CLBP due to LDH were randomized into two groups: peloid therapy (n=30) and hot pack therapy (n=30). Treatments were applied five days a week for 15 sessions, and all partici-pants received 20 minutes of lumbar TENS per session. Evaluations were conducted before and after treatment, including pain (VAS), Back Pain Functional Scale (BPFS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), quality of life (SF-36), range of motion, and finger-floor distance (FFD). Peloid group showed significant improvements in BPFS, physical functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, vitality, emotional well-being, pain, and general health compared to the hot pack group (p<0.05). Both groups showed significant reducti-ons in VAS, ODI and FFD scores (p<0.05), with no significant between-group differences (p>0.05). In conclusion, while both treatments were effective in reducing pain and disabili-ty, peloid therapy provided superior improvements in functional status and quality of life compared to hot pack therapy.