RESUMEN
The reference values of motor unit action potentials(MUAP) of first dorsal interosseous and tibialis anterior muscles were measured in 50 healthy subjects. The MUAPs were recorded with a concentric needle electrode and extracted with a decomposition method. Sixty six patients with neuropathy were also studied in the same way with a count of outliers and measurement of mean values. The mean values of amplitude, area, duration and thickness were 667.74+/-204.34 V, 992.26+/-253.18 Vms, 9.75+/-1.95 ms and 1.49+/-0.26 ms, respectively in the first dorsal interosseous muscles, and 612.88+/-140.13 V, 1172.84+/-199.21 Vms, 11.41+/-2.48 ms and 1.93+/-0.34 ms respectively in the tibialis anterior muscles. There was no significant difference in age and gender of normal subjects. The amplitude was the most sensitive parameter to detect abnormality in a count of outliers and measurement of mean values. The outliers count in duration showed a higher sensitivity than the measurement of mean values(p<0.05), but not in amplitude, area or thickness. Based on the results of this study, the count of outliers was more sensitive than the measurement of mean values in the diagnosis of patients with neuropathy. Further more, less numbers of MUAPs were needed for the evaluation of the outliers count. Through this method we could save the evaluation time and the patients felt more comfortable.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Diagnóstico , Electrodos , Músculos , Agujas , Valores de ReferenciaRESUMEN
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topically applied capsaicin cream for the treatment of chronic low back and posterior neck pain. Fourty-one patients with chronic low back or posterior neck pain of more than 6 months despite comprehensive management in our rehabilitation department were selected for this study. Of these subjects, a group of 21 patients used capsaicin cream, and the other 21 patients used NSAID gel as a control group. Pain intensities in both groups were measured with the visual analogue scale(VAS) before the treatment, 2 weeks and 5 weeks after the treatment. McGill Pain Questionnaire(MPQ) was used before and 5 weeks after the treatment. According to followed-up VAS, MPQ-number of words chosen, and MPQ-pain rating index, there was an evidence of effective pain relief by capsaicin cream for the low back and posterior neck pain 5 weeks after the treatment. We conclude that continuous use of capsaicin cream for 5 weeks can be beneficial for the chronic pain patients in relieving pain and subsequently helping their rehabilitation process.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Capsaicina , Dolor Crónico , Dolor de Cuello , RehabilitaciónRESUMEN
No abstract available.