Effectiveness of a program of romana’s Pilates for non-specific low back pain: A pilot study

Objetivo: comprobar la efectividad del método Pilates Romana para conseguir una mayor flexibilidad de la columna, junto con una mejora en la movilidad de la misma, así como del dolor que presentan en su vida diaria los pacientes. Metodología: ensayo clínico con intención de tratar a treinta pacientes con dolor lumbar inespecífico. Asistieron a 15 sesiones, 2 veces a la semana, del Método Pilates Romana.. Se evaluaron parámetros tales como dolor, test de Schöber, SRS-22 y distancia dedos- suelo. Resultados. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas con respecto al dolor (escala EVA), distancia dedos- suelo, test de Schöber (flexibilidad en plano sagital), flexión lateral (flexibilidad en plano frontal) y en varios ítems de la escala SRS-22, con valores de p<0,001. Por ello, este método puede ser usado para mejorar el dolor, la flexibilidad axial, la función y los aspectos relacionados con la calidad de vidaAim: to test the effectiveness of the Romana’s Pilates method to obtain increased flexibility, improvements in mobility, and reduced pain in daily life. Methodology: a clinical trial with intention-to-treat thirty patients with nonspecific low back pain. Participants attended 15 sessions, twice a week. The Romana’s Pilates method was taught by an external physiotherapist. Parameters such as pain, the Schober test, and the SRS-22 were evaluated. Results: Statistically significant differences in pain (VAS), the Schober test (flexibility in sagittal plane), lateral flexion (flexibility in frontal plane) and several items of the SRS-22 scale were found, with p <0.001. This method may be used to improve pain, axial flexibility, function and aspects related to the quality of life of patient

Quality of life and functional in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: pilot study

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) presents a three-dimensional deformity in which progression can lead to decreased quality of life (QOL). OBJECTIVES:Determine the best questionnaire, SF-36 or SRS-22 to evaluate QOL in EIA. Secondarily, investigate the correlation between the degree of Cobb angle with visual analogue scale (VAS), and determine the best questionnaire, Oswestry or Roland Morris to evaluate the function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 19 subjects with EIA, aged 11 to 18, both gender, and Cobb angle above 25 Cobb degrees. We used the SF-36 and SRS-22 questionnaires to evaluate QOL, Oswestry and Roland Morris to evaluate the function and correlate Cobb degree and VAS. The questionnaires and scale were correlated with proximal thoracic, main thoracic and lumbar Cobb angles. RESULTS:The population studied had a mean age of 14.5 (3.1), weight 51 kg (7.9), height 1.61 m (0.08), BMI 18.75 (2.7). The Pearson correlation coefficients between the Oswestry questionnaire and the Cobb angles proximal thoracic, main thoracic and lumbar spine were, respectively: r = 0.58, r = 0.77 and r = 0.58. By correlating the Roland Morris questionnaire with Cobb angles of proximal thoracic and lumbar spine were, respectively: r = 0.72 and r = 0.52. By correlating with lumbar Cobb EVA was found r = 0.55. CONCLUSION:We found a strong correlation between the Oswestry questionnaire with the main thoracic Cobb angle and between the Roland Morris questionnaire with the main thoracic Cobb angle.INTRODUÇÃO: A escoliose idiopática do adolescente (EIA) é uma deformidade tridimensional, na qual sua progressão pode levar à diminuição da qualidade de vida (QDV). OBJETIVOS: Verificar o melhor questionário, SF-36 ou SRS-22, para avaliar a QDV na EIA. Secundariamente, avaliar a correlação entre o grau do ângulo de Cobb com a escala visual analógica (EVA) e verificar qual o melhor questionário, Oswestry ou Roland Morris, para avaliar a funcionalidade na EIA. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Participaram 19 indivíduos com EIA, idade entre 11 a 18 anos e ângulo de Cobb acima de 25º. Foram utilizados os questionários SF-36 e SRS-22, Oswestry e Roland Morris e a EVA. Os RESULTADOS: A população avaliada apresentou média de idade de 14,5 (3,1), peso 51 kg (7,9), altura 1,61 (0,08) e IMC 18,75 (2,7). Os coeficientes de correlação de Pearson entre o questionário Oswestry e os ângulos de Cobb torácico proximal, torácico principal e lombar foram, respectivamente: r = 0,58, r = 0,77 e r = 0,58. Ao correlacionar o questionário Roland Morris com os ângulos de Cobb torácico proximal e lombar, os coeficientes foram, respectivamente: r = 0,72 e r = 0,52. Ao correlacionar o Cobb lombar com o EVA, foi encontrado r = 0,55. Conclusão: Foi constatada forte correlação entre o questionário Oswestry com o ângulo de Cobb torácico principal e entre o questionário Roland Morris com o ângulo de Cobb torácico principal.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)Santa Casa da Misericórdia de SantosUNIFESPSciEL

Spatial Random Sampling: A Structure-Preserving Data Sketching Tool

Random column sampling is not guaranteed to yield data sketches that preserve the underlying structures of the data and may not sample sufficiently from less-populated data clusters. Also, adaptive sampling can often provide accurate low rank approximations, yet may fall short of producing descriptive data sketches, especially when the cluster centers are linearly dependent. Motivated by that, this paper introduces a novel randomized column sampling tool dubbed Spatial Random Sampling (SRS), in which data points are sampled based on their proximity to randomly sampled points on the unit sphere. The most compelling feature of SRS is that the corresponding probability of sampling from a given data cluster is proportional to the surface area the cluster occupies on the unit sphere, independently from the size of the cluster population. Although it is fully randomized, SRS is shown to provide descriptive and balanced data representations. The proposed idea addresses a pressing need in data science and holds potential to inspire many novel approaches for analysis of big data

Rehabilitation interventions for improving balance following stroke: an overview of systematic reviews

Background The aim of this study was to synthesize evidence from systematic reviews, to summarise the effects of rehabilitation interventions for improving balance in stroke survivors. Methods We conducted an overview of systematic reviews (SRs). We included Cochrane Systematic Reviews and non-Cochrane Systematic Reviews of randomized-controlled clinical trials and not-randomized clinical trials, in all types of stroke, comparing the effects of interventions, control interventions and no interventions on balance-related outcomes. We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases, from inception to December 2017. Data extracted included: number and type of participants, type of intervention, control intervention, method of assessing risk of bias of primary studies, balance outcome measures and results of statistical meta-analyses. Methodological quality of included reviews was assessed using AMSTAR 2. A narrative description of the characteristics of the SRs was provided and results of meta-analyses summarised with reference to their methodological quality. Results 51 SRs (248 primary studies and 10,638 participants) met the inclusion criteria and were included in the overview. All participants were adults with stroke. A wide variety of different balance and postural control outcomes were included. 61% of SRs focussed on the effectiveness of physical therapy, 20% virtual reality, 6% electromechanical devices, 4% Tai-Chi, whole body vibration and circuit training intervention, and 2% cognitive rehabilitation. The methodology of 54% of SRs were judged to be of a \u201clow or critically low\u201d quality, 23% \u201cmoderate\u201d quality and 22% \u201chigh\u201d quality. Conclusions There are 51 SRs of evidence relating to the effectiveness of interventions to improve balance in people with stroke, but the majority of these are of poor methodological quality, limiting our ability to draw clear implications. Only 22% of these SRs were judged to be of high quality, highlighting the need to address important methodological issues within rehabilitation research

Three-dimensional theory of stimulated Raman scattering

We present a three-dimensional theory of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) or superradiance. In particular we address how the spatial and temporal properties of the generated SRS beam, or Stokes beam, of radiation depends on the spatial properties of the gain medium. Maxwell equations for the Stokes field operators and of the atomic operators are solved analytically and a correlation function for the Stokes field is derived. In the analysis we identify a superradiating part of the Stokes radiation that exhibit beam characteristics. We show how the intensity in this beam builds up in time and at some point largely dominates the total Stokes radiation of the gain medium. We show how the SRS depends on geometric factors such as the Fresnel number and the optical depth, and that in fact these two factors are the only factors describing the coherent radiation.Comment: 21 pages 14 figure