Effect of early supervised progressive resistance training compared to unsupervised home-based exercise after fast-track total hip replacement applied to patients with preoperative functional limitations. A single-blinded randomised controlled trial

SummaryObjectiveTo examine if 2 weekly sessions of supervised progressive resistance training (PRT) in combination with 5 weekly sessions of unsupervised home-based exercise is more effective than 7 weekly sessions of unsupervised home-based exercise in improving leg-extension power of the operated leg 10 weeks after total hip replacement (THR) in patients with lower pre-operative function.MethodA total of 73 patients scheduled for THR were randomised (1:1) to intervention group (IG, home based exercise 5 days/week and PRT 2 days/week) or control group (CG, home based exercise 7 days/week). The primary endpoint was change in leg extension power at 10 week follow up. Secondary outcomes were isometric hip muscle strength, sit-to-stand test, stair climb test, 20 m walking speed and patient-reported outcome (HOOS).ResultsSixty-two completed the trial (85%). Leg extension power increased from baseline to the 10 week follow up in both groups; mean [95% CI] IG: 0.29 [0.13; 0.45] and CG: 0.26 [0.10; 0.42] W/kg, with no between-group difference (primary outcome) (P = 0.79). Maximal walking speed (P = 0.008) and stair climb performance (P = 0.04) improved more in the IG compared to CG, no other between-group differences existed.ConclusionsIn this trial, supervised PRT twice a week in addition to 5 weekly sessions of unsupervised exercise for 10 weeks was not superior to 7 weekly sessions of unsupervised home-based exercise for 10 weeks in improving the primary outcome, leg-extension power of the operated leg, at the primary endpoint 10 weeks after surgery in THR patients with lower pre-operative function.Trial registration: NCT01214954

Multi-MeV Li/sup 0/ beam as a diagnostic for fast confined alpha particles

We discuss a method of measuring the velocity distribution of confined energetic alpha particles resulting from deuterium-tritium fusion reactions in a magnetically contained plasma. We calculate the characteristics of the signals to be expected from injecting multi-MeV Li/sup 0/ into the plasma to undergo double charge-exchange reactions with the alpha particles. Neutralized alpha particles then escape from the plasma to be detected by a charge-exchange analyzer. We also examine the feasibility of producing a Li/sup 0/ beam of the required current and energy, and we discuss a conceptual design for an appropriate beam system

Status report of the fusion alpha confinement test, March 1980

The Fusion Alpha Confinement Test (FACT) investigates the ability of tokamaks and other magnetic devices to confine fusion-produced alpha particles and be heated by them. This report summarizes the progress made since the initial conception, and lists and discusses the remaining unresolved issues. Preliminary results are given for two experiments at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory (LBL) in which He/sup -/ currents of 30 mA and 69 mA, respectively, were obtained from two different ion sources. A number of atomic physics issues relevant to the utility of He/sup -/ as a source for He/sup 0/ are discussed, and a review of considerations for HeH/sup +/ and Li/sup -/ accelerators is presented