The “Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Days” event with the theme of “Oncological Rehabilitation & Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation in Children” was held online on Friday, May 28, 2022, between 09:15-16:50 by the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation of the Faculty of Health Sciences of our University.
The event started with the opening speech of our Vice Rector Prof.Dr. Yaşar BÜLBÜL and continued with the speeches of the Head of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department Asst.Prof.Dr. Nilüfer KABLAN and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof.Dr. Aygül YANIK.
The first panel of the event was Oncological Rehabilitation and it started by stating that cancer is among the main illnesses that endanger human health worldwide and reduce life expectancy. Dr. Hakan BAYSAL and Dr. Özgür Aydın TOSUN gave information on surgical applications for cancer and their effects on the lymphatic system, as well as how to intervene in secondary side effects. It was underlined that the risk of developing lymphedema is particularly high in patients after breast cancer surgery. The panel continued with the importance of patient selection in lymph node dissection by emphasizing the anatomy of the lymph system and the importance of lymph nodes with the presentation titled “The Role of Lymphadenectomy in Gynecological Cancers and the Precautions Taken for Lymph Stasis”. Finally, Op.Dr. Erhan OKAY made his speech titled “Lymphatic System Interventions in Bone Tumor Surgery”, and explained the types and treatments of sarcoma by sharing his experiences and visuals about his own patients.
The event continued with the panel titled “Oncological Treatment Applications and Its Effects on Systems”, and oncological rehabilitation stages, shaping the treatment according to the stages and the selection of treatment methods were discussed. The side effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy in cancer patients were also emphasized. It has been reported that physical activity and exercise applications are quite effective in the treatment of fatigue, which is one of the first side effects. In addition to fatigue, it was also stated that there are many possible side effects such as hair loss, weight gain, and mouth and gum sores.
In the afternoon, a panel on “Evidence-Based Practices in Oncological Rehabilitation” was held. Head of our Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department Asst.Prof.Dr. Nilüfer KABLAN focused on the question of “Why exercise, why physical activity?” and after talking about the definitions of these concepts, she focused on the effects of physical activity for oncological patients and answered the questions of when, how, and how often exercise should be done based on evidence in the literature in her speech titled “Physical Activity and Exercise in Oncological Patients”. Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department faculty member Asst.Prof.Dr. Tansu BİRİNCİ addressed the issue of pain management in his speech titled “Pain Management in Oncological Patients” and explained the treatment methods applied for pain in oncological rehabilitation with evidence-based examples. Underlining that the biopsychosocial structure has a great effect on the pain experience in oncological patients’ pain management. The speaker also said that in these patients, a detailed evaluation including where, when and what kind of character the pain begins, its duration, etc. should be made. Following the speeches of our faculty members, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Alis KOSTANOĞLU provided detailed information about the rehabilitation methods that can be applied in this process by defining palliative care in her speech on “Palliative Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Oncological Patients”. The oncological rehabilitation part of the event was concluded with the presentation of one of our members from the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition, Asst.Prof.Dr. Gülin ÖZTÜRK. In her presentation titled “Nutrition in Oncological Patients”, the professor stated that the risk of malnutrition is high in cancer patients and it is important for cancer patients to follow the “Mediterranean Diet”. It was also underlined the protein intake should be kept high in these patients.
The afternoon session of the event continued with the panel on “Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation in Children”. In the first panel titled “Multidisciplinary Approach to Lower Urinary System Dysfunctions in Pediatrics”, Prof.Dr. Halil TUĞTEPE started his speech on “Lower Urinary System Dysfunctions in Pediatrics” by talking about the definition and types of incontinence in children. He also underlined that urinary and fecal incontinence problems in children can have negative effects on psychological well-being in adolescence. Ece Zeynep SAATÇİ, Pt,MSc presented a speech on “Pediatric Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation”, and talked about assessment methods for urinary incontinence in children and evidence-based treatments applied in pelvic floor rehabilitation. Noting the importance of postural exercises and voiding posture, the speaker especially focused on pelvic floor strengthening exercises. Sensory integration therapy, another treatment method used in the treatment of urinary incontinence in children was discussed in Merve Nur KARAÇOCUK, Pt,’s speech titled “Lower Urinary System Dysfunctions and Sensory Integration in Pediatrics”. Detailed information was given on the definition of senses, the milestones of sensory integration, and how sensory integration is applied in lower urinary system dysfunctions. Finally, Drama Therapist Sandra BAHAR emphasized the family factor in urinary incontinence and explained the benefits of drama therapy, how drama therapy is used in children’s incontinence problems, and other application areas.
At the end of the event, the speakers answered the questions from the participants consisting of healthcare professionals, and the event was concluded.
