Pressure Muscle Research Articles

Effect of Pregnancy Exercise on Lower Back Pain in Pregnant Women in The Village of The Working Area of Medan Tuntangan Public Health Center

Back pain is pain that is in the lumbar, lumbar sacral, or in the neck area. Back pain occurs due to muscle strain and pressure on nerve roots. The research method uses a quasi-experimental design with One group pretest-post test design. The population in this study were pregnant women in the third trimester in the working area of ​​the Medan Tuntungan Health Center as many as 30 people and all of them were used as samples (total sampling). The results of the study were 21 respondents (70%) moderate pain, 6 respondents (20%) had mild pain, 3 respondents (10%) had severe but controlled pain and no respondent had no pain and experienced severe uncontrolled low back pain. After the demonstration there were 20 respondents (66.7%) mild pain, 7 respondents (23.3%) no pain, 3 respondents (10%) moderate low back pain, and none of the respondents experienced controlled and uncontrolled severe low back pain. . Paired sample t-test analysis obtained a p-value of 0.000 (p-value <0.05). This means that there is an effect of pregnancy exercise on low back pain in pregnant women. It is expected that health workers will provide counseling to pregnant women about the benefits of pregnancy exercise to prevent back pain complaints.

Ultrasound shear wave elastography cannot discriminate between low- and high-pressure neurogenic bladders

Patients with neurogenic bladders are monitored with renal bladder ultrasounds and video urodynamics studies (VUDS) to assess upper urinary tractinjury. Ultrasound shear wave elastography (US-SWE) can assess tissue stiffness. If bladder compliance is affected by bladder wall fibrosis and stiffening, then high-pressure bladders may be detectable by US-SWE therefore reducing the need for VUDS in some patients. To determine if US-SWE can differentiate between low- and high-pressure bladders and hence be used for noninvasive assessment of neurogenic bladder in children. Prospective study of patients with neurogenic bladder undergoing clinically indicated VUDS between February and July of 2017. During VUDS, bladder wall US-SWE was measured at different filling percentages of estimated bladder capacity (EBC). The bladders were divided into cohorts according to the detrusor muscle pressure (Pdet) reached at the maximum bladder capacity: normal (1 to <15 cmH2O) and abnormal (≥15 cmH2O) pressure. T-test was used to compare elastography values at different bladder volumes and Pdet; (statistical significance set at p<0.05). 30/31 enrolled children completed the protocol. With an empty bladder, as well as at all other bladder volumes, no relationship was observed between Pdet and mean SWE of the anterior or posterior bladder wall. At maximum bladder capacity, there was no difference between mean SWE values of the anterior or posterior bladder walls in those with normal pressure, 2.97m/s (SD±0.82) and 1.96m/s (SD±0.75), compared to those with abnormal pressures 3.08m/s (SD±0.84) and 2.39m/s (SD±0.96), p = 0.75 and p=0.2, respectively. We found no difference between SWE values of either the anterior or posterior bladder wall in neurogenic bladders with normal and abnormal filling pressures measured during VUDS. Our study differs from previously reported studies with morepositive results in that our cut-off for abnormal bladder pressure was (Pdet ≥15 cmH2O). This is lower than the more commonly used leak point pressure of 40 cmH2O because our practice isto intervene earlier. Moreover, SWE would be most useful if it can identify changes before the bladder has reached such severe conditions, to allow for early intervention. Additional differences between ours and other studies include US manufacturer and younger age of the participating children. US-SWE, while feasible, was not able to discriminate between low- and high-pressure bladders. Moreover, US-SWE did not show significant correlation with the current gold standard, VUDS.

Characterization of Knee and Gait Features From a Wearable Tele-Health Monitoring System

Mobility is crucial for healthy aging. Any disruption to mobility can affect mental, physical and social health, and socio-economic independence. Therefore, studies in gait and lower-joint functionality with respect to different demographic features will play a vital role in maintaining good mobility. In this study, we analyzed a gait database from 70 healthy subjects (18–86 years) constructed using our custom-built multi-sensor-based wearable tele-health monitoring system. The purpose was to extract and use the most informative features for classifying knee joint and gait characteristics of the subjects with respect to their age, body mass index – BMI, and sex. Four supervised machine learning algorithms: partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and artificial neural network (ANN) were used to classify the subjects. The features that significantly contributed to all classifications are knee angle, quadriceps muscle pressure adjacent to the knee joint, rotational energy (mediolateral and vertical), acceleration energy (mediolateral), cross-sample entropy (anteroposterior-mediolateral), knee angle variability, symmetry of swing and stance phase, and walk ratio. Classification accuracies of all four methods were ~89%, 83%, 81%, 86% for age, 90%, 80%, 83%, 86% for BMI, and 97%, 97%, 96%, 97% for sex, respectively. PLS-DA had the best classification performance for all three categories which makes it preferable for these kinds of analyses. Thus, our knee and gait monitoring system coupled with an efficient machine learning tool can be exploited for real-time evaluation and early diagnoses of mobility disabilities, health assessment, and monitoring the need for interventions.

Comparison of Dry Needling and Inhibitory Kinesio Taping in Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome of the Upper Trapezius Muscle: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to compare the effects of dry needling and inhibitory Kinesio taping on the pressure pain threshold and muscle thickness in women with myofascial pain syndrome in the upper trapezius muscle. MethodsThe present study was a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. Seventy-five women with active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle were included and randomly divided into 3 groups of equal sizes. Groups 1 and 2 were treated in 2 sessions with a 3-day interval by dry needling and inhibitory Kinesio taping, respectively. Group 3 did not receive treatment (ie, the control group). Pressure pain threshold and muscle thickness were measured using a pressure algometer and an ultrasound device, respectively, and this was done before, 3 days after, and 10 days after the treatment. ResultsPressure pain threshold increased significantly in groups 1 and 2 (P < .001) after the intervention. Muscle thickness reduced significantly in group 1 (P = .015) and group 2 (P = .010) after the intervention. No significant differences were observed between these 2 intervention groups in terms of these variables. Meanwhile, the changes in the control group in muscle thickness (P = .430) and pressure pain threshold (P = .230) were not significant. ConclusionBoth dry needling and inhibitory Kinesio taping increased pressure pain threshold and reduced muscle thickness in participants with active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. These 2 therapeutic techniques appear to cause similar positive changes in pain and muscle function but may do so through different mechanisms.

Phase angle, muscle mass, and functionality in patients with Parkinson's disease.

To evaluate the association of phase angle (PA) with clinical and nutritional aspects in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) treated in an outpatient clinic in northeastern Brazil. This is a case series study involving adults and the elderly with PD of both genders. We collected data such as stage, severity, and time of diagnosis of the disease, muscle strength, gait speed, and level of physical activity. We evaluated the nutritional status using body mass index, calf circumference, skeletal appendicular muscle mass index, and the presence of sarcopenia. We obtained the PA through the analysis by electrical bioimpedance. After obtaining the result of the division between reactance and resistance, with later transformation into degrees, we multiplied the result by 180/π. We evaluated 77 individuals with a mean age of 65.4 ± 8.9years. 63.6% of them had reduced PA values and 19.7% of them had sarcopenia. Age (rho = - 0.423; p = < 0.001) was inversely correlated with PA. Skeletal appendicular muscle mass index (rho = 0.251; p = 0.028), pressure force (rho = 0.240; p = 0.035), and gait speed (rho = 0.323; p = 0.005) showed a direct correlation with age. When adjusted for confounding factors, only age remained associated with PA (p = 0.012). Most individuals had reduced PA, and only age was associated with this result. Aging is a risk factor for reducing muscle mass and physical disability in PD. Although this study indicates a relationship between PA, age, muscle mass, and functionality, further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Patients with Long COVID Improves Exercise Capacity, Functional Status, Dyspnea, Fatigue, and Quality of Life

Background: COVID-19 survivors face the risk of long-term sequelae including fatigue, breathlessness, and functional limitations. Pulmonary rehabilitation has been recommended, although formal studies quantifying the effect of rehabilitation in COVID-19 patients are lacking. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study including consecutive patients admitted to an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation center due to persistent symptoms after COVID-19. The primary endpoint was change in 6-min walk distance (6MWD) after undergoing a 6-week interdisciplinary individualized pulmonary rehabilitation program. Secondary endpoints included change in the post-COVID-19 functional status (PCFS) scale, Borg dyspnea scale, Fatigue Assessment Scale, and quality of life. Further, changes in pulmonary function tests were explored. Results: Of 64 patients undergoing rehabilitation, 58 patients (mean age 47 years, 43% women, 38% severe/critical COVID-19) were included in the per-protocol-analysis. At baseline (i.e., in mean 4.4 months after infection onset), mean 6MWD was 584.1 m (±95.0), and functional impairment was graded in median at 2 (IQR, 2–3) on the PCFS. On average, patients improved their 6MWD by 62.9 m (±48.2, p < 0.001) and reported an improvement of 1 grade on the PCFS scale. Accordingly, we observed significant improvements across secondary endpoints including presence of dyspnea (p < 0.001), fatigue (p < 0.001), and quality of life (p < 0.001). Also, pulmonary function parameters (forced expiratory volume in 1 s, lung diffusion capacity, inspiratory muscle pressure) significantly increased during rehabilitation. Conclusion: In patients with long COVID, exercise capacity, functional status, dyspnea, fatigue, and quality of life improved after 6 weeks of personalized interdisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation. Future studies are needed to establish the optimal protocol, duration, and long-term benefits as well as cost-effectiveness of rehabilitation.

Neutral Zone: Concept and Technique Application for Managing Severely Resorbed Mandibular Ridges – A Case Report

Abstract: Full dental prosthesis rehabilitation on flat mandibular ridge has been a difficult case for clinicians for a long time. A huge resorption of mandibular ridge results in inadequate retention, and tounge muscle pressure, as well as lip and cheek muscles, causing a decrease in denture’s stability and retention. Neutral zone is a potential area or position where lips and cheek on one side, and tounge on the other side have balance pressure. We reported a 60-year-old male patient with chief complaints of difficulty in mastication, and loose upper and lower dentures. He also complained of denture moving during swallowing and speaking. In case management, the aim was to acquire optimum stability of the denture and arrangement of the mandibular teeth in full dental prosthesis guided by using the neutral zone. Preliminary impression was done by using alginate, then, horizontal and vertical jaw relation was recorded by using bite rim. Suction method impression technique was used to acquire functional impression. Lower denture teeth arrangement adapted the result of neutral zone impression. Acrylic denture was being contoured to adjust the natural anatomy of the oral cavity. In conclusion, the patient got a new full denture with maximum retention and stability while speaking as well as masticating. This article discussed about making of full dental prosthesis with pressure point on neutral zone impression technique on flat mandibular ridge caused by huge resorption.Keywords: flat mandibular ridge; denture stability; neutral zone; impression technique

Interhemispheric Inhibition Between Primary Sensory Cortices is not Influenced by Acute Muscle Pain

Bilateral deficits in sensorimotor function have been observed in unilateral musculoskeletal pain conditions. Altered interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) between primary sensory cortices (S1s) is one mechanism that could explain this phenomenon. However, IHI between S1s in response to acute muscle pain, and the relationship between IHI and pressure pain sensitivity in the unaffected limb have not been examined. In 21 healthy individuals, IHI was assessed using somatosensory evoked potentials in response to paired median nerve electrical stimulation at: 1) baseline; 2) immediately following pain resolution; and 3) at 30-minutes follow-up. Acute muscle pain was induced by injection of hypertonic saline into the right abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscle. Pressure pain thresholds were assessed at the right and left APB muscles before and 30-minutes after pain resolution. Compared to baseline, IHI from the affected to unaffected S1 was unaltered in response to acute muscle pain immediately following pain resolution, or at 30-minutes follow-up. Pressure pain thresholds were reduced over the right (P = .001) and left (P = .001) APB muscles at 30-minutes follow-up. These findings suggest IHI between S1s is unaffected by acute, short-lasting muscle pain, despite the development of increased sensitivity to pressure in the unaffected APB muscle. PerspectiveIHI from the affected S1 (contralateral to the side of pain) to unaffected S1 is unaltered following the resolution of acute muscle pain. This finding suggests that IHI between S1s may not be relevant in the development of bilateral sensorimotor symptoms in unilateral pain conditions.

Evaluation of Local Skeletal Muscle Blood Flow in Manipulative Therapy by Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy.

Manipulative therapy (MT) is applied to motor organs through a therapist’s hands. Although MT has been utilized in various medical treatments based on its potential role for increasing the blood flow to the local muscle, a quantitative validation of local muscle blood flow in MT remains challenging due to the lack of appropriate bedside evaluation techniques. Therefore, we investigated changes in the local blood flow to the muscle undergoing MT by employing diffuse correlation spectroscopy, a portable and emerging optical measurement technology that non-invasively measures blood flow in deep tissues. This study investigated the changes in blood flow, heart rate, blood pressure, and autonomic nervous activity in the trapezius muscle through MT application in 30 volunteers without neck and shoulder injury. Five minutes of MT significantly increased the median local blood flow relative to that of the pre-MT period (p < 0.05). The post-MT local blood flow increase was significantly higher in the MT condition than in the control condition, where participants remained still without receiving MT for the same time (p < 0.05). However, MT did not affect the heart rate, blood pressure, or cardiac autonomic nervous activity. The post-MT increase in muscle blood flow was significantly higher in the participants with muscle stiffness in the neck and shoulder regions than in those without (p < 0.05). These results suggest that MT could increase the local blood flow to the target skeletal muscle, with minimal effects on systemic circulatory function.

The Influence of Visual Feedback-based Eccentric Pulley Training on Muscle Strength and Pressure Pain Threshold Changes in Chronic Low Back Pain Patient

The Influence of Visual Feedback-based Eccentric Pulley Training on Muscle Strength and Pressure Pain Threshold Changes in Chronic Low Back Pain Patient

Correlating Skeletal Muscle Output Force and Intramuscular Pressure Via a Three-Dimensional Finite Element Muscle Model.

The inclusion of muscle pressure in muscle models may have important implications in biomechanics. This notion builds from the known correlation between muscle contractile force and internal pressure. However, this relation is often omitted in numerical models leveraged to study biomechanics. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a method of modeling muscles, via finite elements, inclusive of the correlation between muscle contractile force and intramuscular pressure. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-scanned tibialis anterior muscle was modeled via a simple, yet easily scalable, mixed shell and pressure finite element model. Then a validation study was conducted on intramuscular pressure, resulting from applied muscle contractile force, through leveraging special fluid elements type. The fluid-structure-based model and adopted methods exhibited muscle forces and intramuscular pressure that were highly linearly correlated. Indirect validation was achieved with a maximum discrepancy of 7.25%. Furthermore, force-length curves followed a trend similar to documented conventional muscle data, which added to the model's validity. Mesh, material properties, and tendon stiffness sensitivity studies supported the model's robustness. This study has introduced a novel three-dimensional finite element modeling method that respects the physiological force and intramuscular pressure relationship. Although similar models have been previously explored, their complex physiological representation and time-consuming solvers make their scalability and real-time implementation questionable. Thus, the developed model may address such limitations while improving the realism of volumetric finite element models inclusive of muscle contribution.

Surface EMG-based quantification of inspiratory effort: a quantitative comparison with Pes

BackgroundInspiratory patient effort under assisted mechanical ventilation is an important quantity for assessing patient–ventilator interaction and recognizing over and under assistance. An established clinical standard is respiratory muscle pressure textit{P}_{mathrm{mus}}, derived from esophageal pressure (textit{P}_{mathrm{es}}), which requires the correct placement and calibration of an esophageal balloon catheter. Surface electromyography (sEMG) of the respiratory muscles represents a promising and straightforward alternative technique, enabling non-invasive monitoring of patient activity.MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted with patients under assisted mechanical ventilation, who were scheduled for elective bronchoscopy. Airway flow and pressure, esophageal/gastric pressures and sEMG of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles were recorded at four levels of pressure support ventilation. Patient efforts were quantified via the textit{P}_{mathrm{mus}}-time product ({mathrm{PTP}}_{mathrm{mus}}), the transdiaphragmatic pressure-time product ({mathrm{PTP}}_{mathrm{di}}) and the EMG-time products (ETP) of the two sEMG channels. To improve the signal-to-noise ratio, a method for automatically selecting the more informative of the sEMG channels was investigated. Correlation between ETP and {mathrm{PTP}}_{mathrm{mus}} was assessed by determining a neuromechanical conversion factor textit{K}_{mathrm{EMG}} between the two quantities. Moreover, it was investigated whether this scalar can be reliably determined from airway pressure during occlusion maneuvers, thus allowing to quantify inspiratory effort based solely on sEMG measurements.ResultsIn total, 62 patients with heterogeneous pulmonary diseases were enrolled in the study, 43 of which were included in the data analysis. The ETP of the two sEMG channels was well correlated with {mathrm{PTP}}_{mathrm{mus}} (textit{r}={0.79pm 0.25} and textit{r}={0.84pm 0.16} for diaphragm and intercostal recordings, respectively). The proposed automatic channel selection method improved correlation with {mathrm{PTP}}_{mathrm{mus}} (textit{r}={0.87pm 0.09}). The neuromechanical conversion factor obtained by fitting ETP to {mathrm{PTP}}_{mathrm{mus}} varied widely between patients (textit{K}_{mathrm{EMG}}= {4.32pm 3.73},{hbox {cm}hbox {H}_{2}hbox {O}/upmu hbox {V}}) and was highly correlated with the scalar determined during occlusions (textit{r}={0.95}, textit{p}<{.001}). The occlusion-based method for deriving {mathrm{PTP}}_{mathrm{mus}} from ETP showed a breath-wise deviation to {mathrm{PTP}}_{mathrm{mus}} of {0.43pm 1.73},{hbox {cm}hbox {H}_{2}hbox {O},hbox {s}} across all datasets.ConclusionThese results support the use of surface electromyography as a non-invasive alternative for monitoring breath-by-breath inspiratory effort of patients under assisted mechanical ventilation.

Intracompartmental pressure in lower leg muscles and tibial nerve in healthy volunteers correlate to the stiffness measured using shear wave elastography

BackgroundAcute compartment syndrome in the lower leg is a painful condition characterized by an increase in intracompartmental pressure. To prevent misdiagnosis and delay in the recognition of the condition, which can lead to severe complications, continuous monitoring of intracompartmental pressure for at least 24 h. from the onset of initial symptoms has been recommended. The purpose of the current study was to establish shear wave elastography as a potential imaging biomarker for the observed increase in pressure in four compartments of the lower leg. MethodsEighteen healthy participants (9 males) without any injury in their leg muscles were recruited for the study after internal review board approval. Subjects were instructed to sit on a table and pressures at 60, 90, and 120 mmHg were applied using a pressure cuff placed above the proximal pole of the patella. Shear wave elastography-measured stiffness outcomes at baseline (0 mmHg) and at each cuff pressure level were obtained from the tibialis anterior, the peroneus longs, gastrocnemius medialis, and tibialis posterior muscles, as well as the tibial nerve. FindingsSpearman's rank correlation coefficient showed strong correlations between shear wave elastography-measured stiffness from all four muscles and cuff pressure levels (r > 0.80, P < 0.05). Stiffness from the tibial nerve was also significantly correlated with cuff pressure levels (r > 0.99, P < 0.05). InterpretationShear wave elastography imaging of lower leg muscles and nerve can be useful to non-invasively monitor intracompartmental pressure in patients suspected of acute compartment syndrome.

Studies regarding the Use of Pneumatic Muscles in Precise Positioning Systems

The paper presents the methods and results of an experimental study that highlights the behavior of a pneumatic actuator under different pressures and with different loads applied. One important challenge that occurs in the application of pneumatic muscles is the phenomenon of hysteresis, which causes a nonlinear relationship between the input–output values. The aim of this study is to identify the occurrence of hysteresis in the operation of a small pneumatic muscle in different conditions. Thus, different loads are attached to the free end of a pneumatic muscle and different successive pressures are applied in order to examine the hysteresis of the contraction ratio when the muscle is inflated and then deflated. The obtained equations that describe the relationship between the input pressure and the axial contraction are significant for reaching a high-performance position control. In this regard, the article proposes a solution to increase positioning accuracy based on pressure control using a proportional pressure regulator and a programmable logic controller.

Refractory ineffective triggering during pressure support ventilation: effect of proportional assist ventilation with load-adjustable gain factors

BackgroundIneffective triggering is frequent during pressure support ventilation (PSV) and may persist despite ventilator adjustment, leading to refractory asynchrony. We aimed to assess the effect of proportional assist ventilation with load-adjustable gain factors (PAV+) on the occurrence of refractory ineffective triggering.DesignObservational assessment followed by prospective cross-over physiological study.SettingAcademic medical ICU.PatientsIneffective triggering was detected during PSV by a twice-daily inspection of the ventilator’s screen. The impact of pressure support level (PSL) adjustments on the occurrence of asynchrony was recorded. Patients experiencing refractory ineffective triggering, defined as persisting asynchrony at the lowest tolerated PSL, were included in the physiological study.InterventionsPhysiological study: Flow, airway, and esophageal pressures were continuously recorded during 10 min under PSV with the lowest tolerated PSL, and then under PAV+ with the gain adjusted to target a muscle pressure between 5 and 10 cmH2O.MeasurementsPrimary endpoint was the comparison of asynchrony index between PSV and PAV+ after PSL and gain adjustments.ResultsAmong 36 patients identified having ineffective triggering under PSV, 21 (58%) exhibited refractory ineffective triggering. The lowest tolerated PSL was higher in patients with refractory asynchrony as compared to patients with non-refractory ineffective triggering. Twelve out of the 21 patients with refractory ineffective triggering were included in the physiological study. The median lowest tolerated PSL was 17 cmH2O [12–18] with a PEEP of 7 cmH2O [5–8] and FiO2 of 40% [39–42]. The median gain during PAV+ was 73% [65–80]. The asynchrony index was significantly lower during PAV+ than PSV (2.7% [1.0–5.4] vs. 22.7% [10.3–40.1], p < 0.001) and consistently decreased in every patient with PAV+. Esophageal pressure–time product (PTPes) did not significantly differ between the two modes (107 cmH2O/s/min [79–131] under PSV vs. 149 cmH2O/s/min [129–170] under PAV+, p = 0.092), but the proportion of PTPes lost in ineffective triggering was significantly lower with PAV+ (2 cmH2O/s/min [1–6] vs. 8 cmH2O/s/min [3–30], p = 0.012).ConclusionsAmong patients with ineffective triggering under PSV, PSL adjustment failed to eliminate asynchrony in 58% of them (21 of 36 patients). In these patients with refractory ineffective triggering, switching from PSV to PAV+ significantly reduced or even suppressed the incidence of asynchrony.

La estimulación transcutánea del nervio tibial posterior modifica la respuesta simpática cutánea y mejora el síndrome de vejiga hiperactiva: serie de casos y posible prueba diagnóstica

Objective(a) To assess the effect of transcutaneous neuromodulation (TNM) of the posterior tibial nerve plus biofeedback on the sympathetic skin response (SSR). (b) Evaluate its effect on clinical symptoms. (c) Consider SSR as a probable neurophysiological test useful both for diagnosis and for follow-up in patients with overactive bladder (OAB). (d) Evaluate its cost compared to other techniques. Material and methodsA prospective quasi-experimental before and after study in 10 OAB patients. Outcome variables: daytime (DUF) and nighttime (NUF) urinary frequency, strength of the pelvic floor muscles measured by manometry (maximum and mean pressure) and sympathetic skin response (SSR). ResultsDUF improved from 10.3±5.45 to 5.9±2.42 episodes (P=.0050). The NUF improved from 2.4±1.5 to 0.6±0.69 episodes (P=.0012). The maximum pressure ranged from 34.7±16.51 to 39.7±3.65mmHg (P=.0195). The mean pressure of the pelvic floor muscles improved from 6.6±3.65 to 9.3±5.43mmHg (P=.0333). SSR changed from 100% hyperexcitability prior to treatment to 50±14.14% (P=.0000). ConclusionTNM plus biofeedback could modify SSR and improve clinical and manometry variables in a series of patients with OAB. The probable diagnostic and prognostic utility of this neurophysiological test in OAB and detrusor hyperactivity is reported for the first time. A larger sample study is needed to confirm the promising findings seen in this preliminary study.

Influence Of Different Exercise Intensities On The Respiratory Function And Breathing Pattern During Underwater Cycling

Aquatic cycling is gaining a popularity and its physiological responses have been studied in previous research. Exercise intensity during aquatic cycling can be adjusted by changing the cadence and water resistance offered by the paddles on the pedaling mechanism. However, it remains unclear what level of exercise intensity would have a positive effect on the respiratory function. PURPOSE: he purpose of this study was to investigate the association between exercise intensity during aquatic cycling and respiratory function. METHODS: Twelve healthy men performed 15 minutes of aquatic cycling with load (LC) and no load (NLC) conditions. In both conditions, after sitting rest in water for 4 minutes, participants began cycling at 30 rpm, and the cadence was increased 15 rpm every 5 minutes. In LC, 3 paddles were attached to the wheel of stationary bicycle to increase water resistance against pedals. Using a spirometry, respiratory function and respiratory muscle pressure were measured before and after exercise. Breathing pattern was measured by an expiratory gas analyzer during exercise. RESULTS: During aquatic cycling, oxygen uptake (VO2) was significantly higher in LC than NLC (all p < 0.05) and progressively increased from 30 rpm to, 45 and, 60 rpm in both LC and NLC (all p < 0.05). At 60 rpm, respiratory rate was significantly higher (27 ± 3 vs. 23 ± 3 bpm, p < 0.05) and total breathing time, inspiratory time, and expiratory time were significantly lower in LC than NLC (2.3 ± 0.3 vs. 2.7 ± 0.4 sec, 1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 1.2 ± 0.1 sec, 1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 1.5 ± 0.2 sec, respectively, all p < 0.05). While inspiratory volume was significantly higher at 45 and, 60 rpm (855 ± 63 vs. 698 ± 66 ml, 1242 ± 107 vs. 896 ± 84 ml, all p < 0.05), expiratory volume was significantly higher at 30, 45, and 60 rpm (621 ± 76 vs. 576 ± 58 ml, 833 ± 63 vs. 692 ± 67 ml, 1225 ± 105 vs. 884 ± 76 ml, all p < 0.05) in LC than NLC. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that inspiratory and expiratory volumes progressively increase with higher cadence during aquatic cycling. But, inspiratory and expiratory times may not change until a higher intensity. Therefore, respiratory muscles may be recruited with increased ventilatory demand in LC compared with NLC.

Ultrasound Imaging as a Visual Biofeedback Tool in Rehabilitation: An Updated Systematic Review.

Rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) is used by physical therapists as a feedback tool for measuring changes in muscle morphology during therapeutic interventions such as motor control exercises (MCE). However, a structured overview of its efficacy is lacking. We aimed to systematically review the efficacy of RUSI for improving MCE programs compared with no feedback and other feedback methods. MEDLINE, PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases were searched for studies evaluating efficacy data of RUSI to improve muscular morphology, quality, and/or function of skeletal muscles and MCE success. Eleven studies analyzing RUSI feedback during MCE were included. Most studies showed acceptable methodological quality. Seven studies assessed abdominal wall muscles, one assessed pelvic floor muscles, one serratus anterior muscle, and two lumbar multifidi. Eight studies involved healthy subjects and three studies clinical populations. Eight studies assessed muscle thickness and pressure differences during MCE, two assessed the number of trials needed to successfully perform MCE, three assessed the retain success, seven assessed the muscle activity with electromyography and one assessed clinical severity outcomes. Visual RUSI feedback seems to be more effective than tactile and/or verbal biofeedback for improving MCE performance and retention success, but no differences with pressure unit biofeedback were found.

Flow analysis of Carreau fluid model induced by the ciliary cells, smooth muscle cells and pressure gradient at the ampullar region entrance.

This theoretical analysis considers a biomechanical model in which the Carreau fluid model characterizes the viscoelastic nature of growing human embryo and secreted fluid. This model incorporates transport mechanisms that involve the swaying motions of ciliary cells, peristaltic contractions of smooth muscle cells and pressure gradient at the ampullar region entrance. Series form solutions of the resulting partial differential equations are obtained using the regular perturbation method. A theoretical estimate of effects of the condition of pressure gradient, geometric parameters and fluid model parameters on the flow variables that have relevance to the problem of growing embryo transport in the human fallopian tube is presented through the discussion of graphs. Furthermore, an analogy between the linearly viscous fluid, and the shear thinning and shear thickening characteristics of the Carreau fluid model is also presented. The pertinence of the obtained results with growing embryo transport in the human fallopian tube revealed that when shear thickening characteristics of the Carreau fluid model are considered then complete mitotic divisions take place properly with an estimated appropriate residue time about 3-4 days. Smaller size trapped boluses of the secreted fluid make the smooth forwarding of the growing embryo in the human fallopian tube when shear thinning characteristics of the Carreau fluid model are taken into account. Key modulators: progesterone ([Formula: see text] and estradiol ([Formula: see text]), prostaglandin [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) and prostaglandin [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) constraint the growing embryo transport.

Prevalence of Mechanical Neck Pain among University Students: An Observational Study

Mechanical neck pain influences forty five - fifty four % of the all general community eventually during their lives and can come about extreme inability. It is an immense medical issue among undergraduate students because of poor postural habits. Sitting for delayed periods with forward head act, such as reading books and utilizing PCs, work stations and the phone will cause pressure in muscles and compressive power in the cervical spine results in mechanical neck ache. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of mechanical neck pain among university students. Study Design: An observational study. Methodology: In present study, a sample size of 143 was used by using a convenient sampling technique. Subjects were enrolled according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data was collected by circulating Oswestry Neck Disability Index (ODI), Northwick Park Neck Pain Questionnaire and Visual Analogue Scale. The research was conducted in public sector universities of Faisalabad. Statistical analysis: Data was analyzed by SPSS, v-24. Results: Study results showed that 36.4% had mild, 37.1% had moderate and 26.6% had severe mechanical neck pain. Conclusion: We concluded that university students were at greater risk of mechanical neck pain. Key Words: Neck pain, Students and Oswestry neck Disability index (ODI)