\n\nMaterials and Methods: Forty patients diagnosed as knee osteoarthritis participated in the study. Patients were randomized to two groups. First group received hotpack, ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and isometric quadriceps exercises (control group), and second group received NMES of quadriceps muscle in addition to this therapy program. All patients were given treatment for 3 weeks, 5 sessions per week. Pain severity (VAS 0-10), Western Ontario McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and duration of 50 m walking and stair climbing up and down were assessed before and after the treatment.\n\nResults: There were significant differences in NMES

group regarding pain severity, walking duration, stair climbing up and down duration, WOMAC-pain stiffness and physical function scores between pre and post-treatment measurements (p=0.000, 0.008, 0.021, 0.002, 0.002, 0.001, respectively) SNX-5422 in vitro and in control group regarding pain severity, WOMAC-pain and physical function scores

(p=0.005, 0.021, 0.013, respectively). There was a significant difference between groups regarding percent change in 50 m walking duration (p=0.018).\n\nConclusion: Isometric quadriceps exercises together with physical therapy interventions are effective in decreasing pain and improving functional level in knee osteoarthritis. Additive benefit, check details especially on walking was observed after adding NMES of quadriceps muscle to this therapy program. Turk J Phys Med Rehab 2009;55:111-5.”
“Objectives: BI 6727 Time trade-off

(TTO) methods are often used for utility assessments of different health states to measure quality of life (QOL). They have not generally been used to assess social preferences with respect to options for health care delivery, although the need for quantifying these preferences is arguably just as important. Policy makers are increasingly faced with decisions about how much to invest in, and how much to incentivize, particular modes of health care delivery, generally with little evidence about user preferences. Methods: This study draws on long-term care (LTC) delivery modes as an example. Focus groups were conducted to approach this issue both qualitatively and quantitatively. In a qualitative pilot study, two focus groups discussed issues of the LTC decision-making process and preferences among different LTC options. The TTO was then used to assess QOL for each LTC option, conditional on a specific health state, and then quantified user’s LTC preferences by differential QOL between the two options. Results: This study found that the TTO-elicited utilities and their differences are consistent with the LTC preferences revealed from focus group discussions. These preferences depend on levels of disability and education. Conclusions: The modified TTO technique seems a feasible method to quantify preferences over LTC delivery options.