Efficacy of cervical spine mobilization versus peripheral nerve slider techniques [neurodynamics] in cervicobrachial pain syndrome

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of cervical spine mobilization versus peripheral nerve slidertechniques [neurodynamics] incervicobrachial pain syndrome. The study design was arandomized interventional study. This study was conducted at the Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences [AFIRM], Rawalpindi from August 2014 to January 2015. Forty patients [n=40] were included by using purposive sampling technique. Patients of Age 30 to 60 years with Radiating neck pain, Limited ROM of neck and Pain persisting for more than 2 months, were included in study. Then randomly divided into two groups, each group contains 20 participants. One group was treated with neck mobilization and other was treated with neurodynamic treatment protocol. Pain and Active Range of Motion [AROM] was measured by Visual analog scale [VAS] and Inclinometer respectively. Neck Disability Index was also used. Patients were assessed before and after six week intervention. Data was analyzed on SPSS 20 and Independent t Test was used to compare the results of two groups. Pain was measured on VAS, the mean of Mobilization and Neurodynamics were [2.0+1.892 vs.4.8+2.397] respectively. There is significant [p<0.05] difference between two groups. There is also significant [p<0.05] difference for Range of Motion between two groups. The mean value for NDI of both groups were [14.5+7.564 vs 26.80+11.484]. It also shows better treatment is mobilization. The results of this comparison between two single interventions indicate that cervical mobilization treatment in neck pain is more useful than anneurodynamic treatment. For daily practice, we can recommend treatment according to the expert guidelines investigated

Human skin model serving in electrical stimulation of anterior tibial artery

Cardiac activities are one of the vital signs of life. To monitor these activities there are several methods including electrocardiography [ECG], photo plysthesmography, electrical impedance plythesmography. The purpose of the paper is to design external electrodes placed on the uppermost skin layer called stratum corneum which are capable of stimulating human anterior tibial artery without damaging it. This artery is present along the length of human tibia bone or shin bone. The designed electrodes are diminutive enough to attach with any easily wearable device. These electrodes when supplied with potential stimulate the artery helping in the procedure of electrical impedance plethysmography, this method is simple and low-cost.On the other hand, Electrical Impedance Plethysmography appears to be the most practical solution as compared to the above mentioned techniques of monitoring cardiovascular activities By varying electrode size and the distance between the electrodes we can skillfully judge the point where the electric field reaches the artery. The simulation of this model is done by Comsol Multiphysics.