[The influence of kinesiotaping on lumbar spine pain]

INTRODUCTION

Pain in the lumbosacral spine is currently one of the most common pain complaints among the elderly. About 72% of the Polish population younger than 40 years have at least once been treated by a doctor for back pain. Degenerative changes of intervertebral joints, overloads, intervertebral disc diseases, and dysfunction of spinal ligaments are very often responsible for the formation of back pain, which is basically a problem of the elderly,

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was conducted among 60 residents of a Nursing Home in Szczecin with chronic lumbar pain. The age range was 56-85 years. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 30 (study group, where KinesioTaping was used, and a control group without KinesioTaping application). To assess the degree of pain experienced by the patient a visual analogue scale (VAS) in the horizontal format from 0-10 was used, on which subjects scored the severity of pain. Flexion, extension, tilt and rotation were measured with a tape to assess spinal and trunk mobility.

RESULTS

In all patients, who had a KinesioTaping patch applied on the lumbosacral spine pain measured by VAS reduced (p ≤ 0.001). Considering respondents' sex, the spine mobility in the tilting position improved in men in the study group in terms of tilting to both sides. In all patients, the application of a KinesioTaping patch significantly improved the rotation to the right side (p ≤ 0.05), scores in the "finger-floor" flexion test (p ≤ 0.01), and the extension range (p ≤ 0.01).

CONCLUSION

KinesioTaping is a beneficial method reducing pain and improving the mobility in the lumbosacral spine. The improvement was independent of the sex of the respondents.

Quantitative Analysis of the Variability of Unilateral Chewing Movements in Young Adults

Kinesiography can be used as a diagnostic tool in a dental clinic context. In the current study, a kinesiograph was used to detect and record the three-dimensional motion of the mandibular mid-incisor point during unilateral chewing as a function of time. The aim of the study was to quantify the within-subject short-term reproducibility of the kinesiographic recordings in normal, healthy subjects. Ten seconds of unilateral (right and left) gum chewing were recorded in 20 control subjects using computerized kinesiography. Each subject performed 18 chewing sequences (three repetitions x three sessions x two sides). Chewing cycle duration, volume, standardized depth and width, and the number of reversed cycles were calculated. Intraclass correlation coefficients (two-way random effects analysis of variance with interactions) and paired t-tests were used to compare sessions. For each subject and side, chewing variability was expressed as the coefficient of variation (percentage ratio of standard deviation to mean) of each variable. Mean left and right side mastications were computed over all sessions and subjects. For all the analyzed variables, larger variations between subjects (analysis of variance, p < 0.001) than between sessions were found, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging between 0.432 (left side cycle duration) and 0.989 (right side standardized width). No systematic errors between the three measurement sessions were found for cycle volume and shape (paired t, p > 0.05). The highest between subjects/ between sessions variance ratios (up to 223.28) were found for cycle duration and shape. In all subjects, chewing cycle volume was very variable, with mean coefficients of variation up to 47% (left side in females). Cycle duration and standardized depth and width were more reproducible, with mean coefficients of variation up to 10% (duration), 14% (standardized width), and 18% (standardized depth). The spatial characteristics of gum chewing cycles had a large within-subject variability. The temporal and size-standardized (shape) characteristics were more consistent within subject. The results should allow selection of a set of relatively more consistent variables for the definition of normality and the comparison of patients.

A functional model of the digital extensor mechanism: demonstrating biomechanics with hair bands

The action of muscles about joints can be explained through analysis of their spatial relationship. A functional model of these relationships can be valuable in learning and understanding the muscular action about a joint. A model can be particularly helpful when examining complex actions across multiple joints such as in the digital extensor mechanism of the hand. A functional model using two hair bands representing the components of the digital extensor mechanism is described. Through superimposition of the model over one's digit, the combined actions of metacarpophalangeal joint flexion and interphalangeal joint extension are clearly demonstrated. The model provides a conceptual demonstration to enhance understanding of this unique combination of muscle actions about multiple joints.

Physical activity assessment with accelerometers: an evaluation against doubly labeled water

This review focuses on the ability of different accelerometers to assess daily physical activity as compared with the doubly labeled water (DLW) technique, which is considered the gold standard for measuring energy expenditure under free-living conditions. The PubMed Central database (U.S. NIH free digital archive of biomedical and life sciences journal literature) was searched using the following key words: doubly or double labeled or labeled water in combination with accelerometer, accelerometry, motion sensor, or activity monitor. In total, 41 articles were identified, and screening the articles' references resulted in one extra article. Of these, 28 contained sufficient and new data. Eight different accelerometers were identified: 3 uniaxial (the Lifecorder, the Caltrac, and the CSA/MTI/Actigraph), one biaxial (the Actiwatch AW16), 2 triaxial (the Tritrac-R3D and the Tracmor), one device based on two position sensors and two motion sensors (ActiReg), and the foot-ground contact pedometer. Many studies showed poor results. Only a few mentioned partial correlations for accelerometer counts or the increase in R(2) caused by the accelerometer. The correlation between the two methods was often driven by subject characteristics such as body weight. In addition, standard errors or limits of agreement were often large or not presented. The CSA/MTI/Actigraph and the Tracmor were the two most extensively validated accelerometers. The best results were found for the Tracmor; however, this accelerometer is not yet commercially available. Of those commercially available, only the CSA/MTI/Actigraph has been proven to correlate reasonably with DLW-derived energy expenditure.

Use of stabilometric platform and evaluation of methods for further measurements--a pilot study

Posture in a still stance has been quantified by changes in the center of pressure (COP), in both anterior-posterior (A/P) and medial-lateral (M/L) directions and measured on a single force platform (Bertec PRO VEC 5.0). The purpose of this study was to estimate the variance in error and the intrasession test-retest reliability, and to determine which measures shall be taken for further measurements, especially with adults age 65 and older. We used two types of approximation for the reliability coefficient. Firstly, we used the equation according to Blahus (2) and secondly we used the Pearson's correlation coefficient for test-retest measurements. The findings allow us to say, among other things, that the tests of quiet standing Double Narrow Stance Eyes Open (DNSEO) and Double Narrow Stance Eyes Closed (DNSEC) are parallel, in the sense of parallel testing.

Assessment of Seated Postural Control in Children: Comparison of a Force Platform Versus a Pressure Mapping System

OBJECTIVE

To establish the validity and reliability of a pressure mapping system to measure seated postural control in children.

DESIGN

A concurrent validity and reliability study.

SETTING

Gait and posture laboratory of a rehabilitation center.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirteen able-bodied children volunteers.

INTERVENTION

Measurements were taken on a seating simulator in quiet sitting and while reaching. The localization of the center of pressure (COP) in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions was measured simultaneously by means of a pressure mapping system and a force platform.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Concurrent validity was first assessed by Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients and then by Student paired t tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P<.05) on the range and root mean square (RMS) amplitudes of COP. Reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients and coefficients of variation.

RESULTS

The COP signals were significantly correlated between both instruments for the RMS and range in both tasks and directions (mean r> or =.87) and for the time series while reaching (r> or =.99), as well as during quiet sitting (r> or =65). Both instruments showed generally fair to good reliability in quiet sitting and excellent reliability when reaching.

CONCLUSIONS

The pressure mapping system can detect the COP displacement as effectively as the force platform. In a clinical context, it could help in the evaluation of seated stability and also help in evaluating the efficacy of seating components for wheelchair users.

The Sway-Density Curve and the Underlying Postural Stabilization Process

The sway-density curve (SDC) is computed by counting, for each time instant, the number of consecutive samples of the statokinesigram falling inside a circle of small radius R. The authors evaluated the sensitivity of the curve to the variation of R and found that in the range 3-5 mm the sensitivity was low, indicating that SDC is a robust descriptor of posturographic patterns. In addition, they investigated the relationship between SDC and the underlying postural stabilization process by decomposing the total ankle torque into three components: a tonic component (over 69 & of the total torque), an elastic torque caused by ankle stiffness (about 19 &), and an anticipatory active torque (about 12 &). The last component, although the smallest in size, is the most critical for the overall stability of the standing posture and appears to be correlated with the SDC curve.

Physiological asymmetry of trunk ranging and pelvis motility: an anatomo-functional study in 80 healthy subjects

A key feature in physiotherapeutic treatment of patients with motion disturbances is the appropriate ranging of the trunk and pelvis motility. Eighty subjects randomly selected and free from known pathology of the muscular-skeletal and/or of the neurological system classed into four groups according to the age and the sex have been assessed, by using a new, simple and easy administrable tool. Our results demonstrate that the new measurement tool showed a very low intra- and inter-observer variability, that healthy subjects showed a more adduced and elevated right scapula if compared to the contralateral one and, as regard as the pelvic motion, a broader joint excursion in passive motion compared with active motion in the overall group, a broader joint excursion in young subjects compared with elderly ones, and a broader joint excursion in female subjects compared with males subjects. In conclusion our study allowed to identify a range of physiological asymmetry and pelvis motility. Such a range of physiological asymmetry might be useful as a reference for the physiotherapists.

Isokinetic knee joint test in "gonalgia sine materia"

Fifty-four subjects, aged between 20 and 35 years, divided into two subgroups, respectively 30 healthy subjects (17 males and 13 females) and 24 subjects with "gonalgia sine materia" (13 males and 11 females) underwent isokinetic exercise test in order to compare their dominant limb with the not dominant one as regard as the strength of extensor and flexor muscles of the knee. No statistically significant difference was found in any of the studied parameters in the comparison between the dominant limb and the not dominant one, both within the subgroup of healthy subjects and within the subgroup of subjects with "gonalgia sine materia". Authors conclude that psychological features may play a preeminent role in the genesis, as well as in the maintenance of "gonalgia sine materia", thus confirming previous data available in medical literature.

Development of a method for measuring movement-related effort: biomechanical considerations and implications for Fitts' law

An emerging view in motor control research is that voluntary movements typically require little effort. Nonetheless, there is no agreed-upon method for measuring movement-related effort. To pursue such a method, we conducted two experiments. In the first, participants oscillated the forearm about the elbow in the horizontal plane at different frequencies. After performing each task, they gave an effort rating. The forearm movements caused a cursor to move back and forth between two targets on a computer screen, and we changed the gain of the system, requiring different angular displacements to produce the same cursor displacement, thus keeping the visual demands the same while varying the motor demands. Surprisingly, the ratings increased as the amplitudes of forearm rotation decreased, and the performance scores that participants received were also worse the smaller the amplitudes of forearm rotation. The latter result suggests that participants simply rated as effortful those movements for which knowledge of results indicated poor performance. To seek a more direct link between motor activity and rated effort, in the second experiment we asked participants to oscillate the forearm about the elbow in the horizontal plane at different metronome-specified frequencies, but we allowed participants to generate whatever angular displacements they wished to incur different levels of prescribed effort. With this procedure, we found that angular velocity was proportional to prescribed effort. The simplicity of this outcome suggests that the method used in the second experiment can be used in the future as a means of evaluating biomechanically related effort. The surprising finding of the first experiment suggests that Fitts' Law depends both on perception and on motor control.

Humans adapt the initial posture in learning a whole-body kicking movement

What strategies are used in learning to control new movements? The present investigation sought to understand this process by analyzing the changes in whole-body kinematics that occurred when subjects attempted to learn an unusual kicking movement. Five novices were taught a capoeira kick that involved both the upper and lower body for balance and co-ordination. Subjects performed two sets of 60 consecutive kicks, 24 h apart. Gradual changes in the body movement and the initial posture were found. Four subjects reduced the dynamic counter-twist associated with kick initiation. These subjects also adopted a more forward initial body lean. This gradual change in initial posture appeared to obviate the early counter-twist and to facilitate both the equilibrium and the goal directed components of the kick.

The reliability of balance tests performed on the kinesthetic ability trainer (KAT 2000)

The Kinesthetic Ability Trainer (KAT 2000) is a balance platform designed for training and functional testing of the neuromuscular control system. Forty healthy and sports-active persons were tested and 1 month later retested to investigate the reliability of the KAT 2000 testing "one-leg static balance" and "two-leg dynamic balance". A significant improvement at retesting on the same day was seen in both tests; furthermore the dynamic test result improved significantly with retesting 1 month later. The data obtained made it possible to calculate the 95% confidence limits for an unchanged test result for a single person and a group of persons. The results show a clear learning effect when the persons are retested, especially in the dynamic test. The KAT 2000 can be used as a tool for testing groups of persons both in short- and long-term studies, but it cannot be used for testing single persons due to the great variance in the test results. Further investigations involving injured persons are needed to determine the range of improvement after intervention.

Physical activity assessment with accelerometers

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of motion sensors, specifically accelerometers, as an objective tool for the assessment of physical activity in large populations, over periods long enough to be representative of normal daily life and with minimal discomfort to the subjects.

METHOD

Review of validation studies of accelerometers with indirect calorimetry as a reference method. Accelerometers were commercially available one-axial accelerometers: Caltrac, Computer Science Application (CSA) accelerometer, Mini Motionlogger Actigraph; the tri-axial accelerometer Tritrac-R3 D; and an tri-axial accelerometer for movement registration (Tracmor) from our laboratory.

RESULTS

There is no clear difference for correspondence between indirect calorimetry and accelerometer counts during level walking, whether one-axial or tri-axial and placed at the wrist, hip or low back. Sedentary activities are better reflected with a tri-axial accelerometer than with a one-axial accelerometer. Two accelerometers were validated in free living conditions with doubly labeled water. The highest correlation between accelerometer output and activity induced energy expenditure was found for Tracmor.

CONCLUSIONS

From all accelerometers tested, the tri-axial accelerometer for movement registration is an objective method that can be used to distinguish differences in activity levels between individuals and assess the effect of interventions on physical activity within individuals.

Evaluation of a long-range transmitter for use with a magnetic tracking device in motion analysis

The suitability of a long-range transmitter was evaluated for use with a Polhemus Fastrak magnetic tracking device in kinesiologic studies. Performance was judged by comparing positional and rotational accuracy to a standard transmitter. Data were obtained at distances of up to 2.7 and 5.0 m for the standard and long-range transmitters, respectively. Use of the long-range transmitter improved system performance allowing reproducible measurements at a greater distance. However, it is necessary to calibrate the system in each new test environment as there can be significant distortion of the magnetic field.