The role of peripheral visual cues in planning and controlling movement :|ban investigation of which cues provided by different parts of the visual field influence the execution of movement and how they work to control upper and lower limb motion.

Visual cues have previously been classified as visual exproprioceptive, when defining the relative position of the body within the environment and are continuously updated while moving (online), and visual exteroceptive when describing static features of the environment which are typically elaborated offline (feedforward). However peripheral visual cues involved in the control of movement have not previously been clearly defined using this classification. Hence the role played by peripheral visual cues in the planning and/or online control of movement remains unclear. The aim of this thesis was to provide a systematic understanding of the importance of peripheral visual cues in several types of movement, namely overground locomotion, adaptive gait, postural stability and reaching and grasping. 3D motion capture techniques were used to collect limb and whole body kinematics during such movements. Visual peripheral cues were manipulated by visual field occlusion conditions or by the employment of point-lights in a dark room. Results showed that the visual cues provided by different parts of the peripheral visual field are mainly used for online fine tuning of limb trajectory towards a target (either a floor-based obstacle or an object to grasp). The absence of peripheral visual cues while moving disrupted the spatio-temporal dynamic relationship between subject and target and resulted in increased margins of safety between body and target and increased time and variability of several dependent measures. These findings argue in favour of the classification of peripheral visual cues as visual exproprioceptive

Association between spondylolisthesis and L5 fracture in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta

To investigate if an association between spondylolisthesis and L5 fracture occurs in patients affected by Osteogenesis Imperfecta (O.I.). Methods Anteroposterior and lateral radiograms were performed on the sample (38 O.I. patients, of whom 19 presenting listhesis); on imaging studies spondylolisthesis was quantified according to the Meyerding classification. Genant’s semiquantitative classification was applied on lateral view to evaluate the L5 fractures; skeleton spinal morphometry (MXA) was carried out on the same images to collect quantitative data comparable and superimposable to Genant’s classification. The gathered information were analyzed through statistical tests (O.R., χ 2 test, Fisher’s test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient). Results The prevalence of L5 fractures is 73.7 % in O.I. patients with spondylolisthesis and their risk of experiencing such a fracture is twice than O.I. patients without listhesis (OR 2.04). Pearson’s χ 2 test demonstrates an association between L5 spondylolisthesis and L5 fracture, especially with moderate, posterior fractures (p = 0.017) and primarily in patients affected by type IV O.I. Conclusions Spondylolisthesis represents a risk factor for the development of more severe and biconcave/posterior type fractures of L5 in patients suffering from O.I., especially in type IV. This fits the hypothesis that the anterior sliding of the soma of L5 alters the dynamics of action of the load forces, localizing them on the central and posterior heights that become the focus of the stress due to movement of flexion–extension and twisting of the spine. As a result, there is greater probability of developing an important subsidence of the central and posterior walls of the soma

The use of the greater trochanter marker in the thigh segment model: Implications for hip and knee frontal and transverse plane motion

AbstractBackgroundThe greater trochanter marker is commonly used in 3-dimensional (3D) models; however, its influence on hip and knee kinematics during gait is unclear. Understanding the influence of the greater trochanter marker is important when quantifying frontal and transverse plane hip and knee kinematics, parameters which are particularly relevant to investigate in individuals with conditions such as patellofemoral pain, knee osteoarthritis, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, and hip pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of including the greater trochanter in the construction of the thigh segment on hip and knee kinematics during gait.Methods3D kinematics were collected in 19 healthy subjects during walking using a surface marker system. Hip and knee angles were compared across two thigh segment definitions (with and without greater trochanter) at two time points during stance: peak knee flexion (PKF) and minimum knee flexion (MinKF).ResultsHip and knee angles differed in magnitude and direction in the transverse plane at both time points. In the thigh model with the greater trochanter the hip was more externally rotated than in the thigh model without the greater trochanter (PKF: −9.34° ± 5.21° vs. 1.40° ± 5.22°, MinKF: −5.68° ± 4.24° vs. 5.01° ± 4.86°; p < 0.001). In the thigh model with the greater trochanter, the knee angle was more internally rotated compared to the knee angle calculated using the thigh definition without the greater trochanter (PKF: 14.67° ± 6.78° vs. 4.33° ± 4.18°, MinKF: 10.54° ± 6.71° vs. −0.01° ± 2.69°; p < 0.001). Small but significant differences were detected in the sagittal and frontal plane angles at both time points (p < 0.001).ConclusionHip and knee kinematics differed across different segment definitions including or excluding the greater trochanter marker, especially in the transverse plane. Therefore when considering whether to include the greater trochanter in the thigh segment model when using a surface markers to calculate 3D kinematics for movement assessment, it is important to have a clear understanding of the effect of different marker sets and segment models in use

Classification of lower extremity movement patterns based on visual assessment: reliability and correlation with 2-dimensional video analysis

CONTEXT: Abnormal movement patterns have been implicated in lower extremity injury. Reliable, valid, and easily implemented assessment methods are needed to examine existing musculoskeletal disorders and investigate predictive factors for lower extremity injury. OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability of experienced and novice testers in making visual assessments of lower extremity movement patterns and to characterize the construct validity of the visual assessments. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University athletic department and research laboratory. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 30 undergraduate and graduate students who regularly participate in athletics (age = 19.3 ± 4.5 years). Testers were 2 experienced physical therapists and 1 novice postdoctoral fellow (nonclinician). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): We took videos of 30 athletes performing the single-legged squat. Three testers observed the videos on 2 occasions and classified the lower extremity movement as dynamic valgus, no change, or dynamic varus. The classification was based on the estimated change in frontal-plane projection angle (FPPA) of the knee from single-legged stance to maximum single-legged squat depth. The actual FPPA change was measured quantitatively. We used percentage agreement and weighted κ to examine tester reliability and to determine construct validity of the visual assessment. RESULTS: The κ values for intratester and intertester reliability ranged from 0.75 to 0.90, indicating substantial to excellent reliability. Percentage agreement between the visual assessment and the quantitative FPPA change category was 90%, with a κ value of 0.85. CONCLUSIONS: Visual assessments were made reliably by experienced and novice testers. Additionally, movement-pattern categories based on visual assessments were in excellent agreement with objective methods to measure FPPA change. Therefore, visual assessments can be used in the clinic to assess movement patterns associated with musculoskeletal disorders and in large epidemiologic studies to assess the association between lower extremity movement patterns and musculoskeletal injury

Optimism, Health Locus of Control, and Quality of Life of Women with Initial versus Recurrent Breast Cancer

Health Locus of Control (HLOC) and other predictors of Quality of Life (QL) were examined for women with an initial versus recurrent breast cancer diagnosis. Twenty-eight women with an initial breast cancer (IBC) diagnoses and twenty-eight women with recurrent breast cancer (RBC) diagnoses were recruited from doctors' offices and cancer support groups. Correlational analyses were used to assess the relationships between variables. No significant differences were found between women with IBC and RBC on Psychological QL. Doctor HLOC and Psychological QL were related for women with RBC (r = .481, p = .01) and marginally so for women with IBC (r = .329, p = .09). A positive correlation was also found between Doctor HLOC and Functional QL for both women with IBC (r = .464, p = .01) and women with RBC (r = .390, p = .04). After controlling for stage of cancer, women with RBC reported higher Functional QL than did women with IBC. Advanced (stages III or IV) versus early (stages I or II) cancer stage related to lower Functional QL, controlling for initial versus recurrent diagnosis (r = -.283, p = .01). A marginally significant relationship was also found for cancer stage, regardless of initial versus recurrent diagnosis, with higher Overall QL for women with early stages of breast cancer (r = -.157, p = .09). No significant differences in Optimism or Overall QL were found between women with IBC versus RBC. No differences were found between married and single women. This research begins to explore differences in Quality of Life for women with a new versus a recurrent breast cancer diagnosis

Walk Experience

The Mississauga Music Walk of Fame (MMWF) acknowledges the work of musicians and music industry members who have spent a considerable amount of time in Mississauga. Founded in 2012 and located in Port Credit Memorial Park, The Walk is home to the City’s most accomplished music industry talents. Noticing the lack of engagement at The Walk, the team aims to bring its stars into the 21st century through the introduction of digital innovations. The Walk Experience Project captures the imagination of its visitors and invites them to learn more about the City’s artists and their outstanding work allowing the Mississauga Music Walk of Fame to unlock its true potential. By developing an immersive experience available for mobile devices, visitors of The Walk open themselves to a magical interaction with musical legends, immersing themselves in their legacy. Also, the content management system provides a means through which those who maintain and enter individuals into The Walk of Fame can manage and update inductee content seen by its visitors. The proposed innovations will use augmented reality experiences to promote cultural heritage, and leverage data analytics. Through the acquisition of interactive analytics, the Committee has the potential to pitch and scale the idea to Walks of Fame all over the world. Being the first of its kind, the Walk Experience Project has the capability to be a true staple of how digital innovation can foster and celebrate community

Isolated olecranon fractures in children affected by osteogenesis imperfecta type I treated with single screw or tension band wiring system: outcomes and pitfalls in relation to bone mineral density

The purpose of this study is to compare the results of 2 techniques, tension band wiring (TBW) and fixation with screws, in olecranon fractures in children affected with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type I. Between 2010 and 2014, 21 olecranon fractures in 18 children with OI (average age: 12 years old) were treated surgically. Ten patients were treated with the screw fixation and 11 with TBW. A total of 65% of olecranon fractures occurred as a result of a spontaneous avulsion of the olecranon during the contraction of the triceps muscle. The average follow-up was 36 months. Among the children treated with 1 screw, 5 patients needed a surgical revision with TBW due to a mobilization of the screw. In this group, the satisfactory results were 50%. In patients treated with TBW, the satisfactory results were 100% of the cases. The average Z-score, the last one recorded in the patients before the trauma, was -2.53 in patients treated with screw fixation and -2.04 in those treated with TBW. TBW represents the safest surgical treatment for patients suffering from OI type I, as it helps to prevent the rigidity of the elbow through an earlier recovery of the range of motion, and there was no loosening of the implant. In analyzing the average Z-score before any fracture, the fixation with screws has an increased risk of failure in combination with low bone mineral density