significant median increase was also observed in proximal (z = -3.408, p < .001) and distal tibial M wave amplitude (z = -3.409, p < .001).

Background While there is evidence supporting the potential of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) to improve nerve conduction parameters in certain neurological conditions, particularly diabetic neuropathy, its specific effects on nerve conduction in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients have not been directly addressed in the current context. There is a connection between proprioceptive system deficits and movement control dysfunction in patients with chronic lower back pain, but the exact mechanism of this link is unknown. Aim To analyze the effectiveness of the proprioceptive rehabilitation method using the Huber system of exercises and to evaluate nerve conduction study findings in a patient with CLBP treated with ALA. Methods This prospective quasi-experimental clinical pilot study with a pre-test/post-test repeated-measures design included 15 patients treated at the Clinic for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, during a three-week follow-up period. The study was conducted between January 1, 2025, and April 30, 2025. The patients were treated with 600 mg of ALA supplementation per day and participated in Huber proprioception training five days per week. Patients were followed for the next three weeks, with two study visits: one at baseline and one at the end of the study. The study visits included electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies. A p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results Out of the total patients (n=15), 11 (73.3%) were male. The most commonly affected levels were L4/L5 (13, 87%), followed by L3/L4 (1, 6.5%) and L5/S1 (1, 6.5%). There was a statistically significant median increase after three weeks in both proximal (z=-3.298, p<0.001) and distal peroneal M wave amplitude (z=-3.415, p<0.001). A statistically significant median increase was also observed in proximal (z=-3.408, p<0.001) and distal tibial M wave amplitude (z=-3.409, p<0.001). Conclusion Future research with a larger sample size and longer follow-up periods is needed to evaluate the long-term effects of the sensoriomotor training program combined with ALA supplementation in patients with chronic low back pain.

Introduction: With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, people’s dietary habits have changed, so the importance of additional supplementation has become a current topic. The aim of this study is to analyze the attitude of female respondents toward dietary supplementation before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: The research is a cross-sectional study conducted in two different time periods. The sample consisted of two female subsamples who purchased immunity preparations from Verdant Pharmacy before the pandemic (n = 81) and during the pandemic (n = 120). Female respondents in both subsamples were: Of the same age, in the same health condition, residing in the same area (municipality), users of a local pharmacy located near the health center. The research instrument was a non-standardized questionnaire “Assessment of attitudes towards nutritional supplementation,” which consisted of nine questions.Results: During the pandemic COVID-19, the attitude toward the use of preparations to strengthen immunity differs by 7% compared to the pre-pandemic check. The attitude toward the use of preparations to strengthen immunity throughout the year increased by 32.3% (53.3%) during the pandemic, and the attitude toward the choice of preparations to strengthen immunity changed by 13% during the pandemic COVID-19 based on own experience and by 17% based on the recommendation of the pharmacist.Conclusion: The pandemic COVID-19 has contributed to a change in female respondents’ attitudes toward nutritional supplementation to strengthen the immune system during a pandemic. With the help of the media, public health recommendations, and people’s fear of disease, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a change in respondents’ attitudes compared to the pre-pandemic period.

Aim To investigate the effect of intermittent traction therapy (ITT) on pain in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods A total of 81 patients with CLBP were included: experimental group received ITT (n=40) and control group received conservative physical treatment (n=41) 10 times for two weeks. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for measuring low back pain. Results In the experimental group, 26 (out of 40; 65.0%) patients were females, in the control group 20 (out of 41; 48.8%) were females (p=0.141). In a within-group comparison, median of VAS value was significantly decreased in both groups after ITT. A comparison of pre-intervention and post-intervention VAS value showed no statistically significant difference. Females from the experimental group had a significantly greater decrease of VAS compared with females from the control group. Patients in the ITT group with L5/S1 level of hernia had lower estimated marginal mean of VAS scale compared to the control group, as well the patients with left side of leg pain. Conclusion: Intermittent traction therapy is an effective treatment for pain reduction in patients with chronic low back pain.