Posture analysis and intervention can improve the lower limb motor function of hemiplegic stroke survivors / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of the posture analysis and intervention on the lower limb motor function of hemiplegic stroke survivors. Methods Forty hospitalized stroke survivors with hemiplegia were di-vided at random into a control group and an experimental group. The control group (n＝20) received conventional re-habilitation training. The experimental group (n＝20) additionally received therapy based on posture analysis. Before the treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, Holden walking function grading was applied, along with Fugl-Meyer motor function rating, and the timed up and go test ( TUGT) was administered. Results After 2 weeks of treatment there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of any of the measures. After 4 weeks of treatment the average Holden and Fugl-Meyer scores of the experimental group were significantly better than those of the control group, though there was still no significant difference in the two groups' average TUGT times. Conclusion Posture analysis-based intervention can improve the lower limb motor function of stroke patients with hemiplegia.

Pattern-specific physiotherapy for chronic neck pain based on functional impairment / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To explore the effect of pattern-specific physical therapy based on functional impair-ment on chronic neck pain ( CNP ) . Methods Ninety-three CNP patients treated in the outpatient department of our hospital between March 2016 and November 2017 were randomly divided into a study group ( n=46) and a control group ( n=47) . The control group received routine physical treatment, while the study group was treated with pattern-specific physical therapy involving local pain management, traction, soft tissue relaxation, mobilization, strength training, posture control training and active exercise as well as health education. Each was based on a physical exami-nation and pattern classification by doctors and therapists. The subjects in both groups were required to complete 3 to 6 ninety-minute sessions of outpatient treatment and 6 thirty-minute sessions of self-training at home over 2 weeks. Pain intensity and cervical dysfunction were rated using a visual analogue scale ( VAS) and a neck disability index ( NDI) before and after the two-week intervention and one month later. Before the intervention and during the follow-up, postural analyses for the head and neck in a standing position were performed. The cranial vertebral angle ( CVA) , protracted shoulder angle ( PSA) and sagittal head elevation were measured. Results Eighty-seven par-ticipants completed the treatments and follow-up. After the 2-week intervention, the average VAS rating at the end of cervical anteflection in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( P≤0.05) . Significantly greater improvement in the NDI scores was observed in the study group than the control group ( P≤0.05) . During the follow-up, it was found that the average CVA score had improved more significantly in the study group than with the control group ( P≤0.01) , but there were no significant differences in the other measurements between the two groups.Conclusion This pattern-specific physical therapy process is more effective for relieving the end pain during cervical anteflection quickly. It can improve functioning and ability in daily activities to some degree, as well as correct head and neck posture in the long term. It may be helpful in regulating physical therapy for neck pain and for developing a standardized treatment protocol for CNP .

Analysis of Endodontist Posture Utilizing Cinemetry, Surface Electromyography and Ergonomic Checklists

The postural risk factors for dentists include the ease of vision in the workplace, cold, vibration and mechanical pressure in tissues, incorrect posture, functional fixity, cognitive requirements and work-related organizational and psychosocial factors. The objective was to analyze the posture of endodontists at the workplace. Eighteen right-handed endodontists aged 25 to 60 years (34±3) participated in the study. Electromyography, kinemetry, ergonomic scales (RULA and Couto's checklist) and biophotogrammetry were used to analyze the posture of endodontists during root canal treatment of the maxillary right first and second molars using rotary and manual instrumentation. The variations observed in the electromyographic activities during the performance of rotary and manual techniques suggest that the fibers of the longissimus region, anterior and medium deltoid, medium trapezium, biceps, triceps brachii, brachioradialis and short thumb abductor muscles underwent adaptations to provide more accurate functional movements. Computerized kinemetry and biophotogrammetry showed that, as far as posture is concerned, rotary technique was more demanding than the manual technique. In conclusion, the group of endodontists evaluated in this study exhibited posture disorders regardless of whether the rotary or manual technique was used.

Os fatores de risco posturais para cirurgiões dentistas incluem o acesso a visão no local de trabalho, frio, vibração, pressão mecânica nos tecidos, postura incorreta, alterações funcionais, requisitos cognitivos e fatores organizacionais e psicossociais relacionados com o trabalho. O objetivo é analisar a postura dos endodontistas no local de trabalho. Participaram dezoito endodontistas destros com idades entre as idades de 25 e 60 anos (34±3). Nesta pesquisa foi utilizado a eletromiografia, cinemetria, escalas de ergonomia (do RULA e Couto checklist) e biofotogrametria para analisar a postura dos endodontistas durante o preparo químico-mecânico do sistema de canais radiculares para primeiros e segundos molares superiores direitos, utilizando a instrumentação rotatória e manual. As variações observadas nas atividades eletromiográficas durante a execução das técnicas rotatórias e manuais sugerem que as fibras da região dos músculos longuíssimo, deltóide anterior e médio, trapézio médio, bíceps, tríceps braquial, braquiorradial e músculos abdutores curtos do polegar passaram por adaptações para promover movimentos funcionais mais precisos. A cinemetria e biofotogrametria computadorizada mostraram que a técnica rotatória foi mais exigente da postura corporal do que a técnica manual. Em conclusão, os endodontistas estudados apresentaram distúrbios de postura, independentemente da técnica utilizada, rotatória ou manual.