Investigation of controllable multi electrode based FES (functional electrical stimulation) system for restoration of grasp-preliminary study on healthy individuals

Functional electrical stimulation applied via surface electrode can be used for hand rehabilitation particularly for enabling grasp in patients with stroke or spinal cord injury. The use of multi-pad electrode and multi-channel electrical stimulator based improve the effectiveness of conventional FES. Such a system consists of a multi-pad surface electrode and a matching multi-channel stimulator. This system will allow the targeting of motor neurons which activate muscle groups to produce corresponding functional movements of the hand. This paper presents our study on normal subjects to quantify the movement resulting from stimulation of electrodes spatially distributed around the forearm. The device was tested on four healthy subjects and the results show that multi-pad electrode provide desired amount of selectivity and can be used for generating functional grasp. The results also show that the effect of stimulation varies from person to person reflecting inters subject anatomical variability

The Effect of Prolonged Physical Activity Performed during Extreme Caloric Deprivation on Cardiac Function

Background: Endurance exercise may induce transient cardiac dysfunction. Data regarding the effect of caloric restriction on cardiac function is limited. We studied the effect of physical activity performed during extreme caloric deprivation on cardiac function. Methods: Thirty-nine healthy male soldiers (mean age 2060.3 years) were studied during a field training exercise lasted 85– 103 hours, with negligible food intake and unlimited water supply. Anthropometric measurements, echocardiographic examinations and blood and urine tests were performed before and after the training exercise. Results: Baseline VO2 max was 5965.5 ml/kg/min. Participants ’ mean weight reduction was 5.760.9 kg. There was an increase in plasma urea (11.662.6 to 15.863.8 mmol/L, p,0.001) and urine osmolarity (6926212 to 10946140 mmol/kg, p,0.001) and a decrease in sodium levels (140.561.0 to 136.662.1 mmol/L, p,0.001) at the end of the study. Significant alterations in diastolic parameters included a decrease in mitral E wave (93.6 to 83.5 cm/s; p = 0.003), without change in E/A and E/E9 ratios, and an increase in iso-volumic relaxation time (73.9 to 82.9 ms, p = 0.006). There was no change in left or right ventricular systolic function, or pulmonary arterial pressure. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were significantly reduced post-training (median 9 to 0 pg/ml, p,0.001). There was no elevation in Troponin T or CRP levels. On multivariate analysis, BNP reduction correlated with sodium levels and weight reduction (R = 0.8, p,0.001)

Dietary intake and stress fractures among elite male combat recruits

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Appropriate and sufficient dietary intake is one of the main requirements for maintaining fitness and health. Inadequate energy intake may have a negative impact on physical performance which may result in injuries among physically active populations. The purpose of this research was to evaluate a possible relationship between dietary intake and stress fracture occurrence among combat recruits during basic training (BT).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data was collected from 74 combat recruits (18.2 ± 0.6 yrs) in the Israeli Defense Forces. Data analyses included changes in anthropometric measures, dietary intake, blood iron and calcium levels. Measurements were taken on entry to 4-month BT and at the end of BT. The occurrence of stress reaction injury was followed prospectively during the entire 6-month training period.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twelve recruits were diagnosed with stress fracture in the tibia or femur (SF group). Sixty two recruits completed BT without stress fractures (NSF). Calcium and vitamin D intakes reported on induction day were lower in the SF group compared to the NSF group-38.9% for calcium (589 ± 92 and 964 ± 373 mg·d^-1, respectively, <it>p </it>< 0.001), and-25.1% for vitamin D (117.9 ± 34.3 and 157.4 ± 93.3 IU·d^-1, respectively, <it>p </it>< 0.001). During BT calcium and vitamin D intake continued to be at the same low values for the SF group but decreased for the NSF group and no significant differences were found between these two groups.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The development of stress fractures in young recruits during combat BT was associated with dietary deficiency before induction and during BT of mainly vitamin D and calcium. For the purpose of intervention, the fact that the main deficiency is before induction will need special consideration.</p

Effectiveness of an Articulated Knee Hyperextension Orthosis in Genu Recurvatum

Genu Recurvatum is a deformity of knee joint that tends to push it backwards by excessive extension in tibio-femoral joints. This poses a significant challenge because of technical difficulties and a high incidence of recurrence. This report describes a 63 years old male diagnosed as post-polio residual paralysis who showed excessive genu recurvatum of his left knee during long standing and walking. An Articulated Knee Hyperextension Orthosis (KAFO) was tried to check its effectiveness in terms of gait and energy expenditure

A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Phenol Blocks to Peripheral Nerves in Reducing Spasticity in Patients with Paraplegia and Brain Injury

Primary objective: To evaluate effectiveness of phenol blocks of peripheral nerves in reducing spasticitybrain injured and spinal cord injured patients.Secondary objectives: To measure the change in the range of motion after phenol blocks to peripheralnerves, to identify the electrophysiological changes and to study the cost effectiveness and side effects ofphenol blocks.Study design: Descriptive studySetting: Tertiary referral centre, India.Methods: This study was conducted from March 2000 to January 2002 among 20 patients with spasticity.Spasticity was measured by modified Ashworth scale and range of motion was measured with a standardgoniometer on 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st days of the study. Nerve conduction studies, gait analysis, and functionalindependence measure was measured on 1st and 21st day of the study. Nerve blocks were done on 7th and14th day of the study with 0.5% bupivacaine and 6% phenol in water respectively.Results: 20 patients were included in the study, out of which 85% had spinal cord injury and 15% patientshad brain injury sequelae. Spasticity measured by modified Ashworth scale, showed a statistically significantreduction with neurolysis. Following obturator neurolysis abduction of hip joint improved significantly andwith posterior tibial neurolysis there was significant improvement in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion rangeof the ankle joint. Functional improvement measured with the FIM score also showed statistically significantimprovement after neurolysis. H reflex amplitude was significantly reduced following neurolysis. Therewas a statistically significant reduction in the consumption of systemic medications for spasticity followingthe injection.Conclusion: Range of motion in neighboring joints improved significantly after blockade of spasticity usingPhenol neurolysis. There was statistically significant reduction in the amplitude of the H reflex. Therewere no major adverse effects following neurolysis with phenol and it was found to be significantly costeffective when compared to systemic antispastic medications