Increased Grip Strength Research Articles

Effectiveness of the re-engineered discharge (RED) care model in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

This study aims to investigate whether the re-engineered discharge (RED) model can significantly improve the quality of life, enhance the health status, and reduce the levels of depression and anxiety in patients with rheumatoid arthritis during hospitalization. This study selected 108 rheumatoid arthritis patients treated at our facility between February 2023 and February 2024. Based on the different treatment methods, these patients were divided into a control group and an observation group, with 54 patients in each group. During hospitalization, both groups received standardized routine care provided by the hospital. After discharge, the control group continued with regular follow-up visits, while the observation group received a more comprehensive and multidimensional extended care based on the RED model. The intervention period for both groups was set to 3 months. The core observation indicators of this study focused on the emotional fluctuations, symptom improvement, and changes in self-care ability of the patients before and after the intervention. After the intervention, the scores of the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale in both groups showed significant decreases, with the scores in the observation group being significantly lower than those in the control group, showing a highly significant statistical difference (P < .01). Additionally, the joint pain scores in both groups were alleviated, reflected by shorter morning stiffness times, reduced joint swelling, and increased grip strength. The observation group had lower joint pain scores, shorter morning stiffness times, fewer swollen joints, and stronger grip strength, all of which were statistically significant (P < .01). Furthermore, the distribution of self-care abilities in the observation group showed a significant difference compared to the control group (P < .05), with the observation group having a higher proportion of self-care abilities, which was also statistically significant (P < .05). For patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the implementation of the RED model nursing strategy can significantly alleviate negative emotions, reduce the distress caused by symptoms, and markedly improve their quality of life, providing a more comfortable and reassuring treatment experience.

In Vitro and in vivo characterization of nasal pH-Responsive in-situ hydrogel of Candesartan-loaded invasomes as a potential stroke treatment.

Candesartan (CDN) is a useful anti-stroke medication because it lowers blood pressure, inflammation, oxidative stress, angiogenesis and apoptosis. However, CDN has limited efficacy due to its low solubility and poor bioavailability. This study set out to develop nasal pH-responsive in situ hydrogel of CDN-loaded invasomes a (PRHCLI) for enhancing CDN's release, penetration, bioavailability, and effectiveness as a possible treatment for stroke. Based on the results of the pre-formulation investigation, the optimum CLI formulation for intravasomal delivery of CDN was determined to be 3% of phospholipid, 0.16% of cholesterol, 3% of ethanol, and 1% of cineole. The optimum formulation significantly enhanced CDN permeation and release by 2.06-fold and 59.06%, respectively. The CLI formulation was added to a mixture of chitosan (0.67%w/v) and glyceryl monooleate (0.27%v/v) to develop PRHCLI. The PRHCLI formulation enhanced the release and permeation of CDN relative to free CDN by 2.15 and 2.76 folds, respectively. An experimental rat stroke model was utilized for in vivo studies to evaluate the bioavailability, effectiveness, and toxicity of the PRHCLI formulation. The nasal PRHCLI drops increased the CDN's bioavailability by 3.20-fold compared to oral free CDN. Increased grip strength and decreased flexion, spontaneous motor activity, and Morris Water Maze scores in comparison to oral free CDN showed that nasal PRHCLI drops have better anti-stroke activity. The toxicity evaluation revealed the safety of nasal PRHCLI. Hence, nasal PRHCLI drops may represent a promising avenue as a stroke therapy.

P128 ESTABLISHING A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BLOOD PRESSURE AND HANDGRIP STRENGTH AMONG OBESE PATIENTS

Background: While grip strength is known to correlate with cardiovascular health, its relationship with blood pressure (BP) remains unclear, especially when considering adiposity. Methods: We investigated the grip strength-BP association in 12,000 individuals aged 18–65 years, stratifying by body mass index (BMI) and Dietary diversity (DDS). Grip strength, BP, and Body-fat(BF%) were measured using hand dynamometry, digital blood pressure instrument, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. DDS was measured using the FAO validated DDS tool. Results: Overall, elevated BP was associated with greater grip strength (37.1 kg vs 36.5 kg, p &lt; 0.001), particularly in overweight or obese individuals (42.0 kg vs 40.2 kg, p = 0.003 and 41.7 kg vs 40.0 kg, p = 0.03), and those in the highest DDS (12 Vs 9, p &lt; 0.01). Higher grip strength increased the odds of elevated BP (OR = 1.014, p = 0.004), particularly in overweight or obese individuals (OR = 1.025, p &lt; 0.001) and those with the highest DDS (OR = 1.036, p &lt; 0.001). However, individuals with low grip strength and high DDS had lower odds of elevated BP (OR = 0.514, p = 0.002), while those with low grip strength and low DDS had higher odds (OR = 2.162, p = 0.043). Conclusion: Our study reveals that increased grip strength is linked to higher blood pressure in overweight or obese individuals or those with a high dietary diversity score (DDS). However, individuals with a BMI &lt; 25 kg/m2 or lower DDS may experience a reduced association between grip strength and blood pressure. These findings underscore the importance of considering both body mass index and dietary diversity in assessing cardiovascular health. We suggest integrating dietary analysis and handgrip evaluation in hypertension screening. Intervention trials combining dietary modifications with strength training are vital. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and potential interventions targeting grip strength, adiposity, and dietary factors to mitigate the risk of hypertension.

Clinical, radiological and dynamic CT results of scapholunate intercarpal ligamentoplasty for scapholunate dissociation

A clinical, radiological and four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) assessment of the outcomes of scapholunate intercarpal ligamentoplasty (SLICL) was done with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Twenty-nine patients (23 men and 6 women) with a mean age of 40 years (22–57) who had chronic scapholunate dissociation were treated with the SLICL procedure. There were 18 cases of dynamic instability and 11 of static instability. The patients were evaluated with a mean follow-up of 61 months (24–94). SLICL significantly reduced pain and increased grip strength and wrist function. On radiographs, the mean static and dynamic scapholunate gaps as well as the scapholunate and radiolunate angles improved significantly. The dorsal scaphoid displacement was always corrected. 4DCT after surgery provided a more precise analysis of the SLICL’s effectiveness at restoring intracarpal alignment. Correction of the DISI deformity and dorsal scaphoid displacement was confirmed. SLICL restored a normal variation in the scapholunate gap (range value) during radioulnar deviation movement without systematically reducing the distance between the bones (mean and maximum values) which remained pathological in wrists with static instability but not in those with dynamic instability. At the final follow-up, no patients had signs of osteoarthritis due to ScaphoLunate Advanced Collapse. Level of evidenceIII.

Efficacy of mirror neuron system-based therapy for rehabilitation of upper limb orthopedic conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy of mirror neuron system-based therapy for managing pain and improving motor and upper limb function in patients with upper limb orthopedic conditions. Systematic bibliographical searches of the PubMed, SCOPUS, and CENTRAL registries and databases up to September 2023 were conducted to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of mirror neuron system-based therapy for rehabilitation of upper limb orthopedic conditions. Two reviewers assessed the RCTs using a Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and extracted data from studies with similar outcome measures in the domains of pain, motor function, or functional score, which were pooled into meta-analyses. The review included 13 studies to compare the efficacy of mirror neuron system-based therapy with that of conventional rehabilitation programs. The therapy reduced pain intensity (mean difference [MD] 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.46-2.63) and kinesiophobia (MD 8.43, 95% CI 6.98 to 9.88), and increased grip strength (MD 1.86, 95% CI 0.28-3.45). The therapy also improved upper limb functional outcomes as assessed by the 30-item Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire score (MD 13.52, 95% CI 10.63-16.41). However, the outcomes as assessed by the 11-item QuickDASH questionnaire and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) were not superior to conventional rehabilitation. Mirror neuron system-based therapy for rehabilitation of upper limb orthopedic conditions may reduce pain intensity and kinesophobia, and improve grip strength and DASH scores compared with conventional rehabilitation programs. However, this interpretation is limited by the heterogeneity and various quality of the RCTs included in our meta-analysis.

Gastrodin Improves the Activity of the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System and the Autophagy-Lysosome Pathway to Degrade Mutant Huntingtin.

Gastrodin (GAS) is the main chemical component of the traditional Chinese herb Gastrodia elata (called "Tianma" in Chinese), which has been used to treat neurological conditions, including headaches, epilepsy, stroke, and memory loss. To our knowledge, it is unclear whether GAS has a therapeutic effect on Huntington's disease (HD). In the present study, we evaluated the effect of GAS on the degradation of mutant huntingtin protein (mHtt) by using PC12 cells transfected with N-terminal mHtt Q74. We found that 0.1-100 μM GAS had no effect on the survival rate of Q23 and Q74 PC12 cells after 24-48 h of incubation. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is the main system that clears misfolded proteins in eukaryotic cells. Mutated Htt significantly upregulated total ubiquitinated protein (Ub) expression, decreased chymotrypsin-like, trypsin-like and caspase-like peptidase activity, and reduced the colocalization of the 20S proteasome with mHtt. GAS (25 μM) attenuated all of the abovementioned pathological changes, and the regulatory effect of GAS on mHtt was found to be abolished by MG132, a proteasome inhibitor. The autophagy-lysosome pathway (ALP) is another system for misfolded protein degradation. Although GAS downregulated the expression of autophagy markers (LC3II and P62), it increased the colocalization of LC3II with lysosomal associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1), which indicates that ALP was activated. Moreover, GAS prevented mHtt-induced neuronal damage in PC12 cells. GAS has a selective effect on mHtt in Q74 PC12 cells and has no effect on Q23 and proteins encoded by other genes containing long CAGs, such as Rbm33 (10 CAG repeats) and Hcn1 (>30 CAG repeats). Furthermore, oral administration of 100 mg/kg GAS increased grip strength and attenuated mHtt aggregates in B6-hHTT130-N transgenic mice. This is a high dose (100 mg/kg GAS) when compared with experiments on HD mice with other small molecules. We will design more doses to evaluate the dose-response relationship of the inhibition effect of GAS on mHtt in our next study. In summary, GAS can promote the degradation of mHtt by activating the UPS and ALP, making it a potential therapeutic agent for HD.

Association between grip strength and walking pace with incidence of degenerative cervical myelopathy: a UK biobank observational study.

This study investigates the association between handgrip strength, walking pace, and the incidence of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) using the UK Biobank dataset. We analyzed data from 364,716 UK Biobank participants without prior neurological conditions. Handgrip strength was measured with a dynamometer, and walking pace was self-reported. Cox proportional hazards models assessed hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for DCM development. The cohort, with an average age of 56.2 years (SD, 8.1) and 47.4% male, was followed for a median of 12.6 years. During this period, 3,993 participants (1.1%) developed DCM. A significant inverse correlation was found between handgrip strength and DCM incidence (P for trend < 0.001), with decreasing HRs for DCM across quartiles of increasing grip strength: HRs were 0.70 (95% CI: 0.64-0.76), 0.62 (95% CI: 0.57-0.68), and 0.59 (95% CI: 0.54-0.66) for the second, third, and fourth quartiles, respectively. Participants with average or brisk walking paces had a lower DCM risk (HR, 0.55; 95% CI: 0.50-0.61 and HR, 0.48; 95% CI: 0.43-0.54) compared to slow walkers. The greatest risk reduction was in those with both higher handgrip strength and faster pace (HR, 0.39; 95% CI: 0.34-0.44). Handgrip strength and walking pace are inversely associated with DCM incidence, suggesting their potential as cost-effective screening tools for identifying individuals at risk for DCM.

Comparison of the Effects of Volar-Assisted and Elastic Wrist Splints on Edema, Pain, Grip Strength, and Functionality in Pregnant Women With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common musculoskeletal problem in pregnancy. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of rigid and elastic wrist splints on edema, pain levels, grip strength, and upper-extremity functionality in pregnant women with CTS. Forty-one pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy who were diagnosed with CTS were included in the study. The grip strength was evaluated with the Jamar hand dynamometer, functionality with the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, pain with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and edema with the water overflow method. The mean age of the participants was 31.71 ± 5.78 years, body mass index was 28.85 ± 3.63 kg/m2, duration of pain was 2.24 ± 0.79 months, and their pain intensity was 6.63 ± 1.69 according to the VAS. As a result of the study, reductions in pain (P = .001), increases in functionality values (P = .001), increases in grip strength (P = .001), and decreases in edema (P = .001) were observed in both groups after the treatment. However, there was no significant difference in pain, functionality, or grip strength values between the groups after the treatment (P > .05). In this study comparing the effects of a wrist splint to those of an elastic splint, both treatment methods for pregnant women with CTS decreased pain and edema, increased grip strength, and improved upper-extremity functionality. Considering individual needs, characteristics, and living conditions, both splints can be recommended for pregnant women with CTS.

Fermented antler extract attenuates muscle atrophy by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway and inflammatory response in immobilization-treated C57BL/6J mice.

Muscle atrophy or muscle wasting, which is featured by reduced muscle function and mass, typically results from disuse, aging, and chronic diseases. The deer antler, which refers to the young and non-ossified antlers of various species of deer-related animals, is not fully calcified and comprises of densely growing hair. Here, we investigated whether Bacillus subtilis-fermented antler extract (FAE) inhibits immobilization-induced muscle atrophy in C57BL/6J mice. Oral administration of FAE increased grip strength, exercise performance, muscle mass, and volume in mice. FAE stimulated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, enhancing the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway for muscle synthesis. FAE phosphorylated Forkhead box O3 and downregulated muscle RING finger-1 and atrogin-1 for proteolysis. FAE inhibited the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6 through nuclear factor kappa B. Consequently, FAE attenuated muscle atrophy by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway and inflammation.

Treating Lateral Epicondylopathy With Dry Needling and Exercise: A Case Series.

Lateral epicondylopathy (LE) is a common overuse injury affecting elbow, wrist, and hand function. It is characterized by weakness and pain in the muscles and tendons of the forearm responsible for the extension of your wrist and fingers. Trigger point dry needling is a technique reported to be beneficial in managing pain and dysfunction after LE diagnosis. LE is also commonly treated with conservative treatment, such as joint and soft tissue mobilization, self-care home programs, and anti-inflammatory use. We explored a different dry needling approach consisting of in situ dry needling with electric stimulation combined with targeted therapeutic exercise to treat LE in 3 cases. Three patients were referred for dry needling once a week for 6weeks and home-based exercise therapy for LE. They were clinically evaluated using grip strength, a visual analog scale to assess pain, and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Test scores. These were measured at 4 time points (weeks 0, 2, 4, and 6). The dry needling intervention incorporated 8 locations in the upper-extremity with 2 electric stimulation channels. The patients had reduced pain as measured by a visual analog scale, increased function as measured by the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation Test, and increased grip strength over 6weeks. This case series illustrates the use of dry needling and a home exercise program to provide a favorable outcome in a patient with LE. Patients had an 80% to 100% reduction in pain and similar improvements in function that were significantly beyond the minimum clinically important difference. This dry needling approach is a safe and effective treatment of LE in the short term.

Short-term treatment of Tat-Beclin1 and endurance exercise enhances autophagy and increases grip strength in old male mice but not in female

Sarcopenia is a geriatric disease causing loss of muscle mass and function, ultimately declining quality of life and causing death. Despite substantial efforts to prevent sarcopenia, there are no approved drugs for treating this muscle disease. Autophagy, a critical process for maintaining muscle health, offers potential avenues for intervention. However, an integrative therapy comprised of an autophagic-specific compound and endurance exercise in old animals has yet to be tested. We hypothesize that combining Tat-Beclin1 (a potent autophagy-specific inducer) and endurance exercise improves muscle force and autophagy in both male and female old mice. Female and male mice at 23 months of age were divided into four groups: Control, Tat-Beclin1 (TB), endurance exercise (Exe), and TB+Exe. Short-term combined treatment underwent for one month. Exercise training at moderate intensity (70% of running peak test) was performed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Tat-Beclin1 administration (15 mg/kg/day) was conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We assessed muscle function through forelimb grip strength and muscle autophagic markers by western blotting. There was no difference in grip strength in female groups. In contrast, there was an increase in grip strength in treated male mice (p&lt;0.05; TB, Exe, and TB+Exe vs. Control group). Notably, the combination treatment in the TB+Exe group outperformed the individual treatments (TB and Exe groups) in enhancing grip strength (p=0.05). Beclin1 and GLIPR2 (a novel autophagic suppressor) were unchanged in both male and female mice. Sequestosome/p62 was decreased in males only, indicating autophagy cargo degradation. Our findings demonstrate that a short-term treatment of Tat-Beclin1 combined with endurance exercise improves grip strength (muscle force) and autophagy in old male mice. Notably, female mice did not exhibit a similar response to the short-term treatment, suggesting that a more extended therapy duration may be necessary to explore potential benefits for female mice. This synergy of an autophagic-specific agonist with endurance exercise may represent a novel strategy to tackle sarcopenia. Camden Health Research Initiative - Startup fundings. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Efficacy of PowerBall Versus Mulligan Mobilization With Movement on Pain and Function in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background Lateral epicondylitis (LE), sometimes referred to as tennis elbow or lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET), is one of the most common repetitive stress disorders in the elbow joint. Often, this involves the attachment of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle. This study's primary focus is on treating people with LE, a condition that causes repetitive movements of the upper extremities. There is currently no research on how PowerBall gadget workouts affect the function and pain of individuals with lateral epicondylitis. Exercises using the "PowerBall device," which appliesboth intrinsic and extrinsic pressure to the wrist, elbow, and shoulder muscles, are thought to be beneficial forms of resistance training. It has been shown that there are improvements in strength, function, range of motion (ROM), discomfort, and quality of life (QOL). On the other side, it has been demonstrated that LE patients have reduced discomfort while using Mulligan Mobilization with Movement (MMWM). Methods The 50 patients with LE were split into two groups for the single-blinded, randomized clinical study after baseline assessment and randomization: Group A was the intervention group, and Group B was the conventional group. The "PowerBall device" exercise was provided to participants in Group A, and MMWM was given to those in Group B. Both groups can benefit from basic workouts and ultrasonography by following the prescribed routine. Quantification of pain, function, grip strength, and range of motion was done at the start and finish of therapy using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE), portable dynamometer, and goniometer. Results After therapy, both groups showed considerable improvement (p<0.05). Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in the data analysis. Numerous statistical tests were employed, such as the student's paired and unpaired t-test and the chi-square test. From a statistical and clinical perspective, Group A's outcomes were more significant. On the visual analog scale, there was a decrease in pain intensity for wrist and elbow mobility at rest (p<0.0003), activity (p<0.003), PRTEE (p<0.001), grip strength (p<0.03), and range of motion (p<0.01). Both groups' assessments after rehabilitation indicated increases in pain and function; however, Group A (0.03) benefited more and saw early success with the PowerBall device. Conclusion Findings show that a three-week program incorporating resistance training exercises mediated by a "PowerBall device" enhances upper limb performance beyond traditional exercise treatment and increases grip strength, wrist extension strength, internal and external rotator concentric and eccentric strength. The findings and observations indicate that both groups have significantly improved.

Effects of Different Taping Techniques in Individuals with Myofascial Pain Syndrome with a Trigger Point in the Trapezius Muscle: A Sham-controlled Randomized Study.

This study aimed to compare the effects of three different kinesio taping (KT) techniques in individuals with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) who have a trigger point in the trapezius muscle. The individuals included in our study were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1: Functional correlation technique, group 2: Fascia correlation technique, group 3: Star taping technique (STT), and group 4: Sham group. The visual analog scale was used to assess pain, cervical joint range of motion (ROM) with a universal goniometer, grip strength with a hand dynamometer, number of active trigger points by palpation, pressure-pain threshold with an algometer, quality of life with the Nottingham Health Profile and functional level with the Neck Disability index were evaluated before and after treatment. There was no difference between the groups in terms of demographic data and pre-treatment outcome measures (p>0.05). There was a significant difference in the pain score between the groups after treatment (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference was found in the cervical flexion ROM of all groups after treatment (p<0.05). In pairwise comparisons, these differences were found due to group 3 (p<0.05). The three KT techniques are effective in reducing pain, increasing ROM, reducing the number of active trigger points, and increasing grip strength. Among these techniques, STT was found to be more effective in reducing pain and increasing cervical flexion ROM. KT is a method that can be used in the clinic for patients with MPS.

Short-term effects of a new resistance exercise approach on physical function during chemotherapy after radical breast cancer surgery: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundApproximately 30% of post-operative breast cancer patients develop shoulder joint movement disorders affecting routine upper limb movement. This study discusses the impact of a neuromuscular joint facilitation (NJF) method on the physical function of breast cancer patients experiencing shoulder dysfunction during chemotherapy after radical surgery.MethodsThis study included 162 female patients who have unilateral breast cancer in a cancer hospital in China. They developed shoulder joint mobility disorders during chemotherapy within 1–3 months postoperatively. These patients were divided into three groups: NJF, conventional rehabilitation (conventional group), and control groups. The clinical examination included the maximum passive and active range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and external and internal rotation). Other evaluations included a pain score using a visual analog scale (VAS), grip strength, and supraspinatus muscle thickness. All tests were evaluated pre-and post-intervention.ResultsThe NJF group showed a significant increase in all shoulder ROM angles post-intervention. In the conventional group, all other ROM values increased significantly, except passive external rotation ROM. In the control group, all other ROM values increased significantly, except passive and active external rotation ROM. All three groups had decreased VAS scores, increased grip strength, and supraspinatus muscle thickness post-intervention during active abduction. In the control group, the supraspinatus contraction rate decreased significantly at 60° and 90° abduction post-intervention compared to that at pre-intervention.ConclusionThis study revealed that NJF during chemotherapy had positive clinical intervention effects, improving shoulder joint mobility disorders, pain, grip strength, and external rotation following radical breast cancer surgery.Clinical trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry; https://www.chictr.org.cn/ (ChiCTR2300073170), registered (03/07/2023).

Acute Effect of Brace Use on Upper-Extremity Functionality in Adolescent Individuals With Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

It is well known that scoliosis adversely affects the functions of the upper extremities. However, the acute effect of rigid braces, which are widely used in the conservative treatment of scoliosis, on upper-extremity functionality remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of a rigid thoracolumbosacral brace use on upper-extremity functionality in individuals with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Thirty-eight individuals diagnosed with AIS participated in this cross-sectional study, with a mean age of 14.55 ± 1.90years and a range of 10-18years. The upper-extremity functionality was assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test and handgrip strength, with assessments conducted under both in-brace (with their own braces) and out-of-brace conditions. Nine-Hole Peg Test durations of the AIS patients for the nondominant side were significantly lower for in-brace conditions compared with out-of-brace conditions (p = .049, effect size = 0.136). The grip strength of the nondominant side was significantly higher for in-brace conditions compared with out-of-brace conditions (p = .025, effect size = 0.365). A weak negative correlation was found between the degree of curvature and the grip strength of the dominant side for in-brace conditions (r = -.323, p = .048). It was concluded that the brace had a positive effect on upper-extremity functionality on the nondominant side by both shortening the Nine-Hole Peg Test duration and increasing grip strength. In AIS patients, the brace may positively affect daily living by improving the functionality of the nondominant extremity.

The Effectiveness of Orthoses as a Conservative Treatment in Treating Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to review the evidence regarding the impact and effectiveness of orthoses on pain, pinch, and grip strength for individuals diagnosed with carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and then literature was gathered across nine databases. To be included in this review, studies had to be classified as a level 1 or 2 research study and the studies must include participants who were over 40 years of age, have a diagnosis of carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis, and must utilize an orthosis for their symptoms. Articles were excluded from the review if participants utilized steroids or have past surgeries on the carpometacarpal joint. Researchers analyzed the quality of studies and extracted evidence pertaining to the effectiveness of various orthosis designs based upon outcomes of pain, pinch, and grip strength for individuals diagnosed with carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. Results and Implications for Future Practice: The evidence strongly supports the use of a custom-made butterfly short opponens orthosis to decrease pain and increase pinch and grip strength. Prefabricated Neoprene and Custom-made Thumb Splint designs are effective for decreasing pain and increasing pinch, only. A Thumb Spica Splint and Colditz Splint are effective for increasing pinch strength. There is moderate evidence to suggest the use of the Ballena Orthosis and Colditz Orthosis to decrease pain. The evidence suggests that the Neoprene Comfort Cool Splint and Custom-made Hybrid splint should not be used to address issues of pain, decreased grip strength, and decreased pinch strength. Key words: activities of daily living (ADLs), carpometacarpal joint (CMC), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), interphalangeal joint (IP), metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP), occupational therapy (OT), orthoses, osteoarthritis (OA), splints, trapeziometacarpal joint (TMC). Research Question: What is the impact of using orthoses on pain and pinch/grip strength for individuals diagnosed with CMC joint OA?

Causal effect of sarcopenia-related traits on the occurrence and prognosis of breast cancer - A bidirectional and multivariable Mendelian randomization study.

Background and aims: although sarcopenia is associated with several types of cancer, there is limited research regarding its effect on breast cancer. We aimed to explore the causality between sarcopenia-related traits and the incidence and prognosis of breast cancer. Methods: two-sample bidirectional and multivariate Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were utilized in this study. Genome-wide association studies were used to genetically identify sarcopenia-related traits, such as appendicular lean mass, grip strength of both hands, and walking pace. Data on the incidence and prognosis of breast cancer were collected from two extensive cohort studies. Multivariate MR analysis was used to adjust for body mass index, waist circumference, and whole-body fat mass. The primary method used for analysis was inverse-variance weighted analysis. Results: a significant association was found between appendicular lean mass and ER- breast cancer (OR = 0.873, 95 % CI: 0.817-0.933, p = 6.570 × 10-5). Increased grip strength of the left hand was associated with a reduced risk of ER- breast cancer (OR = 0.744, 95 % CI: 0.579-0.958, p = 0.022). Stronger grip strength of the right hand was associated with prolonged survival time of ER+ breast cancer patients (OR = 0.463, 95 % CI: 0.242-0.882, p = 0.019). In the multivariable MR analysis, appendicular lean mass, grip strength of both hands, and walking pace were still genetically associated with the development of total breast cancer and ER-/+ breast cancer. Conclusions: several sarcopenia-related traits were genetically associated with the occurrence and prognosis of breast cancer. It is crucial for elderly women to increase their strength and muscle mass to help prevent breast cancer.

Dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy and bone loss in six genetically diverse collaborative cross founder strains demonstrates phenotypic variability by Rg3 treatment

BackgroundOsteosarcopenia is a common condition characterized by the loss of both bone and muscle mass, which can lead to an increased risk of fractures and disability in older adults. The study aimed to elucidate the response of various mouse strains to treatment with Rg3, one of the leading ginsenosides, on musculoskeletal traits and immune function, and their correlation. MethodsSix Collaborative Cross (CC) founder strains induced muscle atrophy and bone loss with dexamethasone (15 mg/kg) treatment for 1 month, and half of the mice for each strain were orally administered Rg3 (20 mg/kg). Different responses were observed depending on genetic background and Rg3 treatment. ResultsRg3 significantly increased grip strength, running performance, and expression of muscle and bone health-related genes in a two-way analysis of variance considering the genetic backgrounds and Rg3 treatment. Significant improvements in grip strength, running performance, bone area, and muscle mass, and the increased gene expression were observed in specific strains of PWK/PhJ. For traits related to muscle, bone, and immune functions, significant correlations between traits were confirmed following Rg3 administration compared with control mice. The phenotyping analysis was compiled into a public web resource called Rg3-OsteoSarco. ConclusionThis highlights the complex interplay between genetic determinants, pathogenesis of muscle atrophy and bone loss, and phytochemical bioactivity and the need to move away from single inbred mouse models to improve their translatability to genetically diverse humans. Rg3-OsteoSarco highlights the use of CC founder strains as a valuable tool in the field of personalized nutrition.

Ameliorative Effects of Cumin Extract-Encapsulated Chitosan Nanoparticles on Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Grip Strength in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a disorder characterized by reductions in muscle size and strength. Cumin extract (CE) possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic properties. Its pharmaceutical applications are hindered by its low water solubility and by its cytotoxicity when administered at high doses. In this study, we have developed a simplified water distillation method using a rotary evaporator to isolate the active components in cumin seeds. The anti-inflammatory effects of CE and its potential to ameliorate skeletal muscle atrophy in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were evaluated. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of CE for cells was 80 μM. By encapsulating CE in chitosan nanoparticles (CECNs), an encapsulation efficacy of 87.1% was achieved with a slow release of 90% of CE after 24 h of culturing, resulting in CECNs with significantly reduced cytotoxicity (IC50, 1.2 mM). Both CE and CECNs significantly reduced the inflammatory response in interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β assays. STZ-induced diabetic rats exhibited sustained high blood glucose levels (>16.5 mmol/L), small and damaged pancreatic β islets, and skeletal muscle atrophy. CE and CECN treatments ameliorated skeletal muscle atrophy, recovered muscle fiber striated appearance, increased grip strength, and decreased IL-6 level. Furthermore, CE and CECNs led to a reduction of damage to the pancreas, restoring its morphological phenotype, increasing serum insulin levels, and lowering blood glucose levels in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Taken together, treatment with CECNs over a 6-week period yielded positive ameliorative effects in STZ-induced rats of muscle atrophy.

Eldecalcitol prevents muscle loss and osteoporosis in disuse muscle atrophy via NF-κB signaling in mice

We investigated the effect of eldecalcitol on disuse muscle atrophy. C57BL/6J male mice aged 6 weeks were randomly assigned to control, tail suspension (TS), and TS-eldecalcitol–treated groups and were injected intraperitoneally twice a week with either vehicle (control and TS) or eldecalcitol at 3.5 or 5 ng for 3 weeks. Grip strength and muscle weights of the gastrocnemius (GAS), tibialis anterior (TA), and soleus (SOL) were determined. Oxidative stress was evaluated by malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. Bone microarchitecture was analyzed using microcomputed tomography. The effect of eldecalcitol on C2C12 myoblasts was analyzed by measuring myofibrillar protein MHC and the atrophy markers Atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 using immunofluorescence. The influence of eldecalcitol on NF-κB signaling pathway and vitamin D receptor (VDR) was assessed through immunofluorescence, (co)-immunoprecipitation, and VDR knockdown studies. Eldecalcitol increased grip strength (P < 0.01) and restored muscle loss in GAS, TA, and SOL (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) induced by TS. An improvement was noted in bone mineral density and bone architecture in the eldecalcitol group. The impaired oxidative defense system was restored by eldecalcitol (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01 vs. TS). Eldecalcitol (10 nM) significantly inhibited the expression of MuRF-1 (P < 0.001) and Atrogin-1 (P < 0.01), increased the diameter of myotubes (P < 0.05), inhibited the expression of P65 and P52 components of NF-κB and P65 nuclear location, thereby inhibiting NF-κB signaling. Eldecalcitol promoted VDR binding to P65 and P52. VDR signaling is required for eldecalcitol-mediated anti-atrophy effects. In conclusion, eldecalcitol exerted its beneficial effects on disuse-induced muscle atrophy via NF-κB inhibition.