Collagen fiber arrangement of the human shoulder joint capsule--an anatomical study

The polariscopic examination of isolated shoulder joint capsules shows that the entire capsule does not have a homogeneous collagen structure. Most of the capsule is characterized by regular collagen fibers which cross at an obtuse angle in the area of the musculus supraspinatus and at an acute angle in the area of the m. infraspinatus. The density of the collagen network increases from the medial to the lateral part. Deviating from this basic pattern of the joint capsule, there is a different collagen texture in the area between the m. supraspinatus and the m. subscapularis. This texture has dissociated, rarefied and irregular collagen fibers. This means that the area--in comparison with the remainder of the capsule--is characterized not only by missing reinforcing ligaments but also by a deviating pattern of the collagen fibers. This different collagen structure is already existent in the fetus.

Effects of progressive relaxation on epilepsy: analysis of a series of cases

It is well known that stress and other environmental factors often trigger seizures in people with epilepsy but reviews of the literature show no rigorous studies of behavioral approaches to minimize stress and improve seizure control. The purpose of this study was to overcome this deficiency by studying the effects of progressive relaxation therapy on the frequency of seizures in eight intellectually intact subjects with epilepsy. All 8 experienced at least six seizures in a 3-wk. baseline period. They were then randomly placed into either Group 1, who underwent relaxation therapy during the next 3-wk. interval, or Group 2, who underwent a 3-wk. sham treatment and then a 3-wk. relaxation therapy. All 8 subjects showed decreases from baseline to treatment, indicating a significant beneficial effect of relaxation therapy for reduction of seizures. All 8 gave subjective reports of improved feelings of well-being beyond decreases in the frequency of their seizures. The implications of these results are discussed and suggestions for research are presented.

Autonomic responsiveness to affective visual stimulation in temporal lobe epilepsy

Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) have been posited by some to manifest a syndrome of interictal personality and behavioral change. Furthermore, this syndrome has been attributed to an underlying mechanism--enhanced affective responsiveness. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether patients with TLE manifest increased emotional responsiveness relative to appropriate controls. Patients with TLE (n = 23) were compared with non-TLE (n = 7) and healthy controls (n = 16) as to their autonomic nervous system responsiveness to an emotionally stressing film. No differences were found among the groups. These results are related to the larger literature concerning epilepsy and psychopathology.