Age and Gender as Factors of Pressure Sensitivity of Pain-Free Persons: Are They Meaningful?

Purpose Prior findings suggest that women and elderly persons are more sensitive to pressure than men and younger persons; however, the magnitudes of these differences are substantially inconsistent. We answered the question whether the higher sensitivity of women and elderly persons is quantitatively meaningful. Specifically, we investigated if it is large enough to hamper the diagnosis, classification and follow-up of pain conditions by clinicians. Materials and Methods From each age stratum (18-20, 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71-80, and >80 years), 40 pain-free women and 40 pain-free men were recruited. They rated the intensity of pressure of ten Newtons over ten seconds on an analogue zero to ten rating scale. The pressure was applied on their middle fingers and ear lobes with a threshold algometer. Centile curves visualized the sex- and age-dependent fluctuation of pressure sensitivity. Results Over the entire age range from 20 to 80 years, the median curves fluctuated within the interval of less than two points. The distance between the median curves of men and women was also less than two points. On the average, the median difference was half a point on the finger (p = 0.249) and the ear lobe (p = 0.083). Conclusion Less than two points is below the minimal clinically important difference for a zero to ten analogue pain rating scale; differences smaller than one point are even below the resolution of the scale. Sex differences and age fluctuations of pressure sensitivity are negligible

An Intervention to Promote Mind-Body Awareness in a University Wind Ensemble

The interdisciplinary Riverside Performing Arts Medicine team, consisting of a conductor, physician, physical therapy assistant, and psychologist, developed strategies to reduce musician performance anxiety with the goal of increasing the level of creative performance and member satisfaction. An intervention based on research and theory in medicine and psychology is described in this paper. While only a single-group pre-test post-test research design was possible, this theory-based intervention led to positive reactions and provides useful tools for music ensembles to incorporate into their repertoires

Arthroscopic management of traumatic TFCC tears

Background: Triangular fibrocartilage complex is a critical component of wrist biomechanics, serving important functions in both load transmission and distal radioulnar joint stability. This work aimed to assess the clinical outcome of wrist arthroscopy in the management of triangular fibrocartilage traumatic tears as a diagnostic aid and definitive therapeutic tool in terms of functional restoration, and patients’ satisfaction. Methods: This prospective study included 27 patients diagnosed with TFCC tear. Patients were categorized in two groups: group I: had arthroscopic TFCC debridement for central tears and group II: had an arthroscopic assisted capsular TFCC repair. All patients were subjected to ulna carpal stress test, ballottement of the DRUJ, hand grip, evaluation scores [visual analogue scale, Mayo wrist score and patient-rated wrist evaluation score] and radiographic evaluation. Results: PRWE score was signifcantly improved in patients to whom TFCC debridement was done P <0.01. In patients to whom TC repair was done reported overall improvement of the PRWE score P < 0.02. Conclusions: The two patterns of tears included, and the short term follow up period, but has shown significant improvement following the arthroscopic intervention chosen for each pattern in a reproducible and predictable manner in the majority of our series

The volatile fraction ofSenecio glaucus subsp.Coronopifolius

The volatile constituents of Senecio glaucus subsp. coronopifolius (Maire Alexander) were investigated by capillary GC-MS of the essential oil obtained by steam distillation and of the headspace. Out of more than 80 volatiles, 30 components, accounting for 90% of the oil, were identified by their Kováts indices on stabilized OV-1 columns and mass spectral data. Chief components of the oil are: myrcene (24%) and dehydrofukinone (I) (21%). (I) was isolated and characterized by UV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and MS. The oil smells apricot-like, while the odour of the intact plant is herbaceous, spicy and floral fruity. (I) is the character impact compound of the oil