[Symmetry of cervical multifidus muscle in females with chronic non-specific neck pain and healthy by ultrasonography]

Multifidus muscle is one of the short and deep posterior Paraspinal muscles, which gives stability to the spine during various activities. Studies have shown that in people with neck pain, weakness and atrophy of neck muscles are major factors in the incidence of neck pain. Measurement of muscle's dimensions by ultrasonography provides an opportunity to be able to objectively assess muscle atrophy or hypertrophy. This study aimed to assess symmetry of cervical multifidus muscle size in females with chronic non-specific neck pain and healthy by ultrasonography apparatus. Twenty five women with unilateral chronic nonspecific neck pain and 25 healthy women were participated in this study. All subjects were employed and more than 4 hours working with computers or paying office in a day. Imaging of the cervical multifidus muscles were done bilaterally in the level of the fourth vertebra. Anterior-Posterior Dimension [APD], Lateral Dimension[LD], Cross-Sectional Area [multiplied of two diameters[APD and LD]] and the Shape ratio [Lateral diameter divided by the Anterior-Posterior diameter[LD/APD]] of the muscle were measured and recorded. Multifidus muscle size in patients group was smaller than the healthy group. In patients group, size of multifidus muscle in the painful side was smaller than the opposite side. Asymmetry of muscle size between the two sides, in the patient group was higher than the control group [P < 0.05]. The ratio of smaller size to the larger size of the muscle, in the healthy group was higher than the ratio in the patient group [P < 0.05]. In patients group, asymmetry of the muscle size between two sides, also smaller size of the muscle in the painful side, showed that muscle atrophy has happened in the involved side

[ effect of shoe-heel height on the static and dynamic postural stability in healthy young women]

Wearing high-heeled shoes increases the height of the center of gravity and takes the line of gravity away from the center of the base of support. This may result in the loss of body balance. In this study the effect of 3 heel heights on the static and dynamic postural stability in healthy young women was investigated. In this cross-over quasi-experimental study with repeated measures, three dynamic indices of anteroposterior, mediolateral, and overall stability were determined using Biodex stabilometer and static stability using a modified CTSIB test. The measurements were made at 4 conditions of the feet, i. e., barefoot, and wearing shoes with a heel height of 3, 5, or 7 centimeters. The mean static stability index in the barefoot condition was significantly different from that in any the 3 conditions of wearing heels. With the eyes closed, the most unstable condition was in the case of the 7-cm heel, which caused also the most unstable dynamic condition; the differences were all statistically significant. The findings indicate that postural instability increases with increases in the height of shoe heels. On the whole, considering both the static and dynamic stability, the 3-cm heel can be recommended as the optimum-height hee

[Studying the effect of lumbar stabilization exercise on proprioception of lumbosacral spine in healthy young women]

Despite the fact that joint injury influences different aspects of the proprioception such as posture and balance, and despite the role of rehabilitation programs in increasing the function and activity, the importance of these programs on proprioception has been remained under question. The aim of this study was evaluating the effect of lumbar stabilization exercises on the lumbosacral proprioception in healthy young women. In this clinical trial study, 30 healthy young women were randomly assigned in two exprimental [n=20] and control groups [n=10]. Since the change in pelvic position affects on the lumbar spine position, evaluation of the pelvic proprioception was considered as an scale to evaluate the lumbosacral proprioception. Target angle reproducing error for evaluation of the pelvic proprioception was measured by pelvic inclinometer. The lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt in rest position were measured to examine the probable effects of the exercises on the alignment of the pelvis and lumbar spine. Subjects in the exprimental group attended in ten exercise sessions and subjects in control group did not do any exercises. Proprioception error was measured before and after ten sessions in both groups and analysed by nonparametric tests. In the exprimental group, the absolute proprioception error was reduced statisticaly [P<0.0001] from the 1.4 +/- 1.2 in first session to 0.006 +/- 0.1 in last session but in the control group the absolute proprioception error did not change significantly. The absolute error was different significantly [P<0.0001] between the two groups after ten sessions. Also there was excellent relationship between the proprioception error at the first session and its changes [R=0.99]. The amount of lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt angle did not change in none of the groups after the sessions. Ten sessions of lumbar stabilization exercises reduces the lumbosacral proprioception error in young healthy women. The amount of this reduction had significant relationship with proprioception error at the first session; that is the subjects who had more innitial error gained more improvement through exercises

[Frequency of cannabis use in patients admitted to psychiatry emergency ward]

Introduction: Cannabis use is frequently found in patients suffering psychiatric disorders and studies show that it results in recurrence, need for rehospitalization, diminished efficacy of drugs and worsening of prognosis

Objective: The aim of this study was to detect the relative frequency of cannabis users in patients admitted to psychiatry emergency ward of Shafa psychiatry hospital in Rasht ,Iran, during 2004-2005

Materials and Methods: In a cross- sectional study, urinary test by RIA search for urinary metabolite of cannabis [THC…] and also an interview with pt their families was done for all pts having BPRS equal or more than 4, were tested through urinary test for Tetrahydrocannabinol[THC],the urinary metabolite of cannabis ,via Rapid immunoassay[RIA] and interview with patients and their families was done. Each patient was physically examined as well. Variables such as sex, age group, marital and educational status, place of residence and history of psychiatric problems were included in our assessment. Collected data were and analyzed by Chi-square and Fisher exact test [a = 0.05]

Results: From 404 patients admitted to the emergency ward within 4 months, 20 were excluded for different reasons [such as discharge with own satisfactim, refusal inability to give urine sample]. 384 were included in the study. Urine test for cannabis use was positive in 77[20.1%] cases who were all men [THC

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, a considerable fraction of patients admitted to psychiatric emergency ward are cannabis users in our hospital. Preventive ways are commended for lowering this frequency

Effects of balance and closed and opened chain exercises on properioception error of knee in healthy females

Injuries such as osteoarthritis may impair knee joint properioception that could result in further knee joint injuries. Different exercises are attempted to recover this sense so that favorable movement and stability can be achieved in different static and dynamic situations. Prior investigators have recommended a combination of closed chain and balance exercise for the affected individuals, however, the exact course of treatment have not been yet clarified. The present study was conducted to compare 3 different exercise techniques [closed chain, opened chain and balance] on properioception error of knee joint in healthy females. For this quasi-experimental study, 26 healthy female students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were selected. Subjects were randomly assigned in 3 groups. The first group [9 subjects] had exercise on balance board, the second group [9 subjects] had closed chain exercise for knee joint and the last group [8 subjects] had opened chain exercise. Evaluation was achieved before, during, and after the exercise. A goniometer was used for properioception error measurement. Following 10 exercise sessions, properioception error was significantly reduced in the first group, thus, balance exercise could improve knee joint position sense; however, the other 2 techniques failed to show any significant reduction. Those who have greater error before the exercise have shown better outcome following the therapy. Balance exercise can be considered as an effective technique for repositioning of knee joint