Pilot study: rapidly cycling hypobaric pressure improves pain after 5 days in adiposis dolorosa

Adiposis dolorosa (AD) is a rare disorder of painful nodular subcutaneous fat accompanied by fatigue, difficulty with weight loss, inflammation, increased fluid in adipose tissue (lipedema and lymphedema), and hyperalgesia. Sequential compression relieves lymphedema pain; we therefore hypothesized that whole body cyclic pneumatic hypobaric compression may relieve pain in AD. To avoid exacerbating hyperalgesia, we utilized a touch-free method, which is delivered via a high-performance altitude simulator, the Cyclic Variations in Altitude Conditioning™ (CVAC™) process. As a pilot study, 10 participants with AD completed pain and quality of life questionnaires before and after 20–40 minutes of CVAC process daily for 5 days. Participants lost weight (195.5 ± 17.6–193.8 ± 17.3 lb; P = 0.03), and bioimpedance significantly decreased (510 ± 36–490 ± 38 ohm; P = 0.01). There was a significant decrease in scores on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (P = 0.039), in average (P = 0.002), highest (P = 0.029), lowest (P = 0.04), and current pain severity (P = 0.02) on the Visual Analogue Scale, but there was no change in pain quality by the McGill Pain Questionnaire. There were no significant changes in total and physical SF-36 scores, but the mental score improved significantly (P = 0.049). There were no changes in the Pain Disability Index or Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. These data present a potential, new, noninvasive means of treating pain in AD by whole body pneumatic compression as part of the CVAC process. Although randomized, controlled trials are needed to confirm these data, the CVAC process could potentially help in treating AD pain and other chronic pain disorders

Technical Note: Evaluation of a Crucible Furnace Retort for Laboratory Torrefactions of Wood Chips

Torrefaction is a thermal process that improves biomass performance as a fuel by property enhancements such as decreased moisture uptake and increased carbon density. Most studies to date have used very small amounts of finely ground biomass. This study reports the testing of a crucible furnace retort that was fabricated to produce intermediate quantities of torrefied material and to allow processing of wood chips. Yields ranging from 51 to 96% were impacted to a greater extent by differences in temperature than time of treatment. Although temperature-control issues (gradients, slow heating) were experienced with the crucible furnace retort, this equipment proved to be useful for its intended purpose

Comparison of force and tactile feedback for grasp force control in telemanipulation

The comparative efficacy of using direct force feedback or a simple vibrotactile display to convey changes in the intensity of remote grasp force relayed from a robotic end effector is examined. The findings show that a simple vibrotactile cue, in the absence of direct force feedback, is effective in signaling abrupt changes in remote grasp force regardless of magnitude, and when changes in force are not too slow or protracted in nature (i.e., ramp time less than 2 s). In cases where the operator must dynamically tract and respond to slow but large variations in grasp force, the comparatively crude vibrotactile display would prove helpful; but would not be as effective as that of a direct contact force display. Immediate applications and utility of current generation and near-term prototype tactile displays are discussed

Comorbidities and Race/Ethnicity Among Adults with Stimulant Use Disorders in Residential Treatment

Comorbid physical and mental health problems are associated with poorer substance abuse treatment outcomes; however, little is known about these conditions among stimulant abusers at treatment entry. This study compared racial and ethnic groups on baseline measures of drug use patterns, comorbid physical and mental health disorders, quality of life, and daily functioning among cocaine and stimulant abusing/dependent patients. Baseline data from a multi-site randomized clinical trial of vigorous exercise as a treatment strategy for a diverse population of stimulant abusers (N = 290) were analyzed. Significant differences between groups were found on drug use characteristics, stimulant use disorders, and comorbid mental and physical health conditions. Findings highlight the importance of integrating health and mental health services into substance abuse treatment and could help identify potential areas for intervention to improve treatment outcomes for racial and ethnic minority groups

ESTIMATION OF THE MOVING JOINT AXIS IN THE KNEE JOINT BY MOTION ANALYSIS DATA

It is essential to use individually parameterized models for the knee joint as well as for the patellofemoral joint while analyzing the correlations between external and internal loads and the efficiency of specific training exercises for the lower extremities. A new approach to estimate the moving joint axis within the knee joint using motion analysis data was evaluated. The results of this single case study show that this approach might offer a possibility to parameterize an individualized knee joint model without using MRI scans

INVESTIGATION OF SHOULDER KINEMATICS IN VOLLEYBALL SPIKES

This study investigated the shoulder kinematics of volleyball spikes, performed during European League Games. For the kinematic description of the shoulder movement quaternions and the axis-angle approach was used to avoid the gimbal lock. The orientation of the resulting axis of rotation in the shoulder joint and the rotational angle were calculated. Additionally, the 3D coordinates of the elbow movement around the shoulder and the internal and external rotation were investigated. The results show that specific movement strategies for the humerus could be detected using these methods. Interdependencies of internal and external rotation with abduction and adduction were found for shoulder movements during volleyball spikes

ASPECTS OF A THREE DIMENSIONAL MOTION ANALYSIS OF THE VOLLEYBALL SPIKE IN HIGH LEVEL COMPETITION

The purpose of the study was a three dimensional motion analysis of the volleyball spike from position four during competition. Spikes were analysed at a tournament of the European league. Regarding the jump technique, only few athletes performed the discussed coordination pattern of the impulses within the body. It may be concluded that there exists reserves within the training process concerning the coordination in the takeoff phase even in high level athletes

ANALYSIS OF SKELETAL MOTION KINEMATICS FOR A KNEE MOVEMENT CYCLE

This study estimated the skeletal motion for a knee motion cycle. The surface markers on the thigh and the shank showed the computed displacement during in vivo motion analysis. This error was minimized using optimization procedure. The displacement was generally greater on the thigh than the shank. The minimization of error produced by this procedure was more successful on the thigh than the shank. The purpose of this study was to require high value motion data. These results provide the basis to calculate the instantaneous knee axis of rotation in a follow up stud