Pain relief is associated with decreasing postural sway in patients with non-specific low back pain

Background Increased postural sway is well documented in patients suffering from non-specific low back pain, whereby a linear relationship between higher pain intensities and increasing postural sway has been described. No investigation has been conducted to evaluate whether this relationship is maintained if pain levels change in adults with non-specific low back pain. Methods Thirty-eight patients with non-specific low back pain and a matching number of healthy controls were enrolled. Postural sway was measured by three identical static bipedal standing tasks of 90 sec duration with eyes closed in narrow stance on a firm surface. The perceived pain intensity was assessed by a numeric rating scale (NRS-11). The patients received three manual interventions (e.g. manipulation, mobilization or soft tissue techniques) at 3-4 day intervals, postural sway measures were obtained at each occasion. Results A clinically relevant decrease of four NRS scores in associated with manual interventions correlated with a significant decrease in postural sway. In contrast, if no clinically relevant change in intensity occurred ([less than or equal to]1 level), postural sway remained similar compared to baseline. The postural sway measures obtained at follow-up sessions 2 and 3 associated with specific NRS level showed no significant differences compared to reference values for the same pain score. Conclusions Alterations in self-reported pain intensities are closely related to changes in postural sway. The previously reported linear relationship between the two variables is maintained as pain levels change. Pain interference appears responsible for the altered sway in pain sufferers. This underlines the clinical use of sway measures as an objective monitoring tool during treatment or rehabilitation

Low loss coatings for the VIRGO large mirrors

présentée par L. PinardThe goal of the VIRGO program is to build a giant Michelson type interferometer (3 kilometer long arms) to detect gravitational waves. Large optical components (350 mm in diameter), having extremely low loss at 1064 nm, are needed. Today, the Ion beam Sputtering is the only deposition technique able to produce optical components with such performances. Consequently, a large ion beam sputtering deposition system was built to coat large optics up to 700 mm in diameter. The performances of this coater are described in term of layer uniformity on large scale and optical losses (absorption and scattering characterization). The VIRGO interferometer needs six main mirrors. The first set was ready in June 2002 and its installation is in progress on the VIRGO site (Italy). The optical performances of this first set are discussed. The requirements at 1064 nm are all satisfied. Indeed, the absorption level is close to 1 ppm (part per million), the scattering is lower than 5 ppm and the R.M.S. wavefront of these optics is lower than 8 nm on 150 mm in diameter. Finally, some solutions are proposed to further improve these performances, especially the absorption level (lower than 0.1 ppm) and the mechanical quality factor Q of the mirrors (thermal noise reduction)

Segregating fluidization of two-solid beds:development of the approach based on the fluidization velocity interval

Dottorato di Ricerca in: Dottorato di Ricerca in Ingegneria Chimica e dei Materiali, Ciclo XXIII, a.a.2009-2010Università della Calabri

Continual use of augmented low-Dye taping increases arch height in standing but does not influence neuromotor control of gait

This study investigated the effect of continual use of augmented low-Dye (ALD) taping on neuromotor control of the lower limb during gait, as well as foot posture and mobility. Twenty-eight females were randomly allocated to wear ALD tape continuously or a no-tape control for a mean 12 +/- 2 days. Electromyographic activity from 12 lower limb muscles, three-dimensional motion at the ankle, knee, hip and pelvis (i.e., measures of neuromotor control) and foot posture and mobility was measured before and after the tape or control interventions. For the tape group, arch height ratio (=arch height/distance from heel to first metatarsophalangeal joint line) was greater by 0.006 (95% confidence interval: 0.0002-0.01, p = 0.04) following the intervention period, whereas no change was observed for the control group (-0.003 (-0.01-0.004), p = 0.36). The difference between groups (0.009 (0.0004-0.02), p = 0.04) equated to a 0.16 cm increase in arch height for the tape group following continual use of ALD tape. There was no change in neuromotor control of gait following continual use of ALD taping (p > 0.05). Continual use of ALD tape for approximately 12 days produced a small change in foot posture, but no alteration in neuromotor control. Previous literature suggests that this increase in arch height is likely to be clinically relevant and may be one factor that contributes to the known efficiency of ALD tape in the treatment of lower extremity pain and injury. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Selection criteria for patients with chronic ankle instability in controlled research: a position statement of the International Ankle Consortium

Item does not contain fulltextWhile research on chronic ankle instability (CAI) and awareness of its impact on society and health care systems has grown substantially in the last 2 decades, the inconsistency in participant/patient selection criteria across studies presents a potential obstacle to addressing the problem properly. This major gap within the literature limits the ability to generalise this evidence to the target patient population. Therefore, there is a need to provide standards for patient/participant selection criteria in research focused on CAI with justifications using the best available evidence. The International Ankle Consortium provides this position paper to present and discuss an endorsed set of selection criteria for patients with CAI based on the best available evidence to be used in future research and study designs. These recommendations will enhance the validity of research conducted in this clinical population with the end goal of bringing the research evidence to the clinician and patient

Attitudes, beliefs and common practices of hand therapists for base of thumb osteoarthritis in Australia (The ABC Thumb Study)

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to identify attitudes, beliefs and common practices of hand therapists in Australia regarding assessment and management of base of thumb osteoarthritis. Methods: Monthly emails with a link to a 57-item cross-sectional survey were sent to members of the Australian Hand Therapy Association between November 2015 and February 2016. The survey included a case scenario of a patient with base of thumb osteoarthritis with questions about assessment and non-pharmacological and non-surgical treatment interventions for this case. Participants also rated their agreement with a series of 20 attitude and belief statements on a 6-point Likert scale. Data underwent descriptive analysis. Results: A total of 124 therapists accessed the survey, of which 77 (62%) returned completed answers and 47 (38%) partially completed it. The majority were occupational therapists (n = 92, 74%), and the remaining were physiotherapists. The most common clinical assessment methods used for base of thumb osteoarthritis were palpation (96%), range of motion (90%), the grind test (85%), and pain on opposition across the palm (82%). The commonly reported treatments included a combination of orthosis prescription (92%), pain education (78%), heat (75%) and exercise (74%). Conclusion: The findings highlight commonly used assessment tools and treatments for a typical patient with base of thumb osteoarthritis. Despite the low response rate, there is consistency among general treatment for base of thumb osteoarthritis. Variation exists within the specifics of exercise and orthosis prescription. The results of the survey reflect the lack of standardised recommendations for the management of base of thumb osteoarthritis