The assessment of pain, flexibility and daily activity level in the patients who had facet tropism

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis(VKC)is a chronic bilateral inflammation of the conjunctiva, commonly associated with a personal or family history of atopy. It is characterized by severe itching, foreign body sensation, thick ropy discharge, photophobia and conjunctival injection. VKC has palpebral, limbal and mixed forms. The classical conjunctival sign in palpebral VKC is the presence of giant papillae, which are predominantly seen on the superior tarsal conjunctiva. The limbal form occurs in dark skinned individuals and the papillae tend to occur at the limbus and have a thick gelatinous appearance. Clinical findings and laboratory investigations support the presence of IgE mediated type1 hypersensitivity reaction. Involvement of CD4 T helper (Th2) driven type IV hypersensitivity has also been confirmed. There has been an increase in the prevalence of allergic disorders in recent years and exaggerated manifestations of these diseases have been recognized in patients living with Human immunodeficiency virus

Kinematic Differences Between Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation and Healthy People in Three Daily Activities Based on Refined Trunk Model / 医用生物力学

Objective To establish a refined model of trunk composed of different lumbar segments, lumped thoracic spine and pelvis, analyze the kinematic differences between patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and healthy people during three daily activities, and to compare the refined trunk model with the simplified trunk model adopting the whole lumbar segment, and discuss the necessity of using the refined trunk model for kinematic analysis of LDH patients. Methods Motion capture system NDI was used to collect kinematic parameters of each segment from 15 healthy people and 7 male LDH patients during level walking, trunk flexion and contralateral pickup, then the kinematic differences between patients and healthy people by the two models were compared respectively. Results During level walking, the rotation of the thoracic segment and pelvis for LDH patients increased, while no significant change was found in motion angle of the whole lumbar segment, and the rotation angle of L4-5 segment significantly reduced. During trunk flexion, the flexion angles of all lumbar segments for LDH patients were reduced by varying degrees, and the flexion angle of L3-4 segment was significantly different from that of healthy people. During contralateral pickup, the performance on the sagittal plane was similar to that during flexion. However, the lateral bending angles of L3-4 segment and L4-5 segment for LDH patients were significantly lower than those for healthy people. ConclusionsLDH patients mainly restrict the motion of injured lumbar segments in daily activities. During some motions, only refined model can discover the abnormal motion of injured lumbar segments. Therefore, it is necessary to subdivide the lumbar spine into 5 independent segments for analyzing the kinematic characteristics of LDH patients.

Yasuní - a hotspot for jaguars Panthera onca (Carnivora: Felidae)? Camera-traps and jaguar activity at Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Ecuador / Yasuní - Un hotspot para jaguares Panthera onca (Carnivora: Felidae)? Cámaras trampa y actividad del jaguar en la Estación de Biodiversidad Tiputini, Ecuador

Jaguars (Panthera onca) are the largest predator in lowland forests of Amazonia but there have been few studies on their occurrence and activity in such forests. Here, we used camera traps to document the occurrence and activity of jaguars within a local area (~650ha) of lowland forest of Eastern Ecuador, over two sample periods (2005-2008, 7 222 trap days; 2010-2012, 6 199 trap days). We accumulated 151 independent photos of jaguars (189 total photographs) that represented 21 different individuals, including 11 males (114 photographs), seven females (32 photographs), and three that could not be assigned to a sex. Individual jaguars varied in the number of months they were recorded in the area; ten were photographed in only one month; five were photographed over periods of 8 to 22 months; and five from 45 to 81 months. Capture rates across all camera stations averaged 10.6/1 000 trap days; capture rates did not differ between the two sample periods. Male jaguars were more active during the day (06:00am-18:00pm; 71% of photographs), whereas females were equally active during the day and night. Monthly activity was variable but showed no consistent pattern. Although the study area is much smaller than typical home ranges of jaguars, the area is clearly visited by a large number of different individuals, some of whom repeatedly visit the area, indicating that it forms part of their home range. Other individuals likely were simply passing through the area. Based on the number of jaguars recorded during this study, it is clear that the region is an important area for conservation. Continued protection will be needed to ensure that populations of jaguars and other species remain viable. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (2): 689-698. Epub 2014 June 01.

El jaguar (Panthera onca) es el depredador más grande de los bosques bajos de la Amazonía, pero existen pocos estudios sobre su presencia y actividad en los mismos. En este estudio utilizamos cámaras trampa para documentar la presencia y actividad de jaguares dentro de una área de bosque bajo de la Amazonía este de Ecuador (~650 ha) en dos períodos (2005-2008, 7 222 trampas noche; 2010-2012, 6 199 trampas noche). Acumulamos 151 fotos independientes de jaguares (189 fotografías en total) que representaron 21 individuos, incluyendo 11 machos (114 fotos), siete hembras (32 fotos) y tres a los que no se les pudo asignar sexo. Los jaguares individuales variaron en el número de meses en que fueron registrados en el área; diez fueron fotografiados solo en un mes; cinco fueron fotografiados en un periodo entre 8 y 22 meses; y cinco jaguares entre 45 y 81. Las tasas de captura a través de las estaciones de trampeo promediaron 10.6/1 000 trampas noche; las tasas de captura no presentaron diferencias en los dos períodos de muestreo. Los jaguares machos fueron más activos durante el día (06:00am-18:00pm; 71% de las fotografías) mientras que las hembras fueron igualmente activas tanto en el día como en la noche. La actividad mensual fue variable pero no mostró un patrón consistente. Aunque el área de estudio es mucho más pequeña que el rango de vida típico para un jaguar, el área es claramente visitada por un alto número de individuos diferentes, algunos de los cuales visitan repetidamente el lugar, indicando que este forma parte de su rango de vida. Es probable que otros individuos solamente sean transeúntes del área.

O Serviço Social no Judiciário: construções e desafios com base na realidade paulista / The Social Work in the Judiciary: constructions and challenges based on the reality of São Paulo State

Este artigo apresenta algumas construções históricas e importantes desafios colocados ao Serviço Social no Judiciário. Para isso, toma como base o cotidiano profissional no Tribunal de Justiça do Estado de São Paulo, particularidades teórico‑metodológicas e éticas que se fazem presentes no exercício profissional nessa área, e movimentos políticos da categoria em direção ao acesso e à garantia de direitos.

This article presents some historical constructions and important challenges for the Social Work in the Judiciary. For so, it is based on the professional daily activity in the Supreme Court of São Paulo State, on the theoretical‑methodological particularities and ethical principles of the professional practice in this area, and on the category's political movements aiming at the access and the guarantee of rights.

Description of Culicoides lisicarruni (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), a new species from Cundinamarca, Colombia

A new species of Culicoides of the subgenus Diphaomyia Vargas from high altitudes of the Andes in Colombia is described and photographied. The species is compared with its similar congener Culicoides marinkellei Wirth & Lee. Data on the collecting site and notes on the species daily activity are also provided.

Cleaning behaviors in four scorpion species

Scorpions rely predominantly on mechanosensory and chemosensory organs to guide their orientation behaviors. Once sensory organs are affected by the presence of dirt such as clay or prey bodily fluid, scorpions may display a cleaning behavior to reduce or eliminate its influence on their sensory capabilities. In the laboratory, cleaning behaviors of two buthid species, Mesobuthus eupeus (Koch, 1839) and Mesobuthus caucasicus (Nordmann, 1840), and one euscorpiid species, Scorpiops luridus Zhu Lourenço & Qi, 2005 from China, were observed before and after feeding. Moreover, two distinct cleaning behaviors in Scorpiops luridus and three in Heterometrus petersii (Thorell, 1876) (Scorpionidae) were noted for several times during daily activities. Based on these observations, we were able to conclude that different tools and the same tool with diverse applications are used for cleaning the same object in numerous scorpion species.(AU)

Cement Vertebroplasty In The Elderly With Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures. A Preliminary Study On The Change In Activity Of Daily Living After Treatment

Background: To assess the effect of cement vertebroplasty on the activity of daily living of elderly patients who have sustained a vertebral osteoporotic fracture. Patients and Methods: Seven patients with clinically significant and radiologically proven osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures suitable to be treated with percutaneous cement vertebroplasty were recruited. Evaluation was based on pre- and postprocedure activity by clinical documentation (including interview) and by a self-developed questionnaire (including quality of life). Results: Following the procedure, 54% of patients resumed their activities of daily living with minimal pain while 46% of patients were able to do so without any pain (p<0.05). Up to 85% of patients did not require any form of medication (p<0.05) and 77% of patients were found to have no pain. In addition to that, almost 62% of patients were able to ambulate normally. Conclusion: Percutaneous cement vertebroplasty appears to significantly improve the activities of daily living of elderly patients who have sustained vertebral osteoporotic fractures. It is also found to be a safe procedure which contributes to reduced usage of medication, immediate pain reduction and improvement in functional status of the patient.

Actividad diari de colonización del recurso almenticio en un ensamblaje de esscarabajos coprófagos (coleoptera: scarabaeidae) en la amazonía Colombiana / Daily colonization of food resourses by Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) in the Colombian Amazone Region

Los escarabajos coprófagos pertenecientes a la familia Scarabaeidae presentan una fuerte competencia por el recurso alimenticio, debido a la baja agregación espacial y al carácter efímero del mismo. Un mecanismo que puede contribuir a diluir la competencia es la segregación temporal, conduciendo a una especialización en las horas de actividad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar la actividad diaria en un ensamblaje de escarabajos coprófagos en un bosque húmedo tropical en la amazonía colombiana. Se establecieron dos transectos lineales de 225 m y en cada uno se montaron diez tram-pas de caída por 24 horas, cebadas con excremento humano de dos investigadores, colectando su contenido cada hora, en la época de sequía. Se registraron un total de 23 especies, contenidas en diez géneros y cinco tribus. La abundancia del gremio de los cavadores fue mayor que la de los otros grupos. Igualmente, los escarabajos diurnos fueron más abundantes que los crepusculares y los nocturnos. Se presentaron algunas especies con horas de actividad muy específicas, evidenciando el problema de tomar tiempos de captura muy amplios donde se pierde el detalle de la restricción horaria. La riqueza y abundancia de especies en los cebos de los dos investigadores mostró diferencias, insinuando que pueden existir variaciones dentro del excremento humano, como cebo. Finalmente, se propone que la restricción en la actividad diaria puede ser un mecanismo importante de dilución de la competencia inter e intraespecífica, que facilita a las especies la coexistencia y repartición del recurso en el tiempo.

Dung beetles belonging to the Scarabaeidae family have strong competition for food resources given the low spatial aggregation and ephemeral character of those resources. Temporal segregation through specialization in hours of activity is a mechanism that can decrease that competition. The objective of this paper is study the daily activity of an assemblage of dung beetles in a tropical wet forest in the colombian amazon. During the dry season, two linear transects of 225 m were established, with 10 pitfall traps mounted for 24 hours, baited with human excrement of two researchers. Trap contents were collected hourly. 23 total species were recorded, within 10 genera and 5 tribes. The abundance of the diggers guild were higher then the others groups. Diurnal beetles were more abundant than nocturnal and crepuscular species. Some species with very specific hours of activity were present, evidencing the problem of allowing a long time between collections, thus losing the detail of restricted activity. Differences existed in the abundance and richness of species on the bait, implying that there can be variations between human excrement. Finally, it was shown that restriction in daily activity can be an important mechanism for diminishing inter and intra specific competition, which facilitates the coexistence of species and the division over the resource in time.

Horário de atividade de machos de Euglossina (Hymenoptera: Apidae) e preferência por fragrâncias artificiais em mata e dunas na Área de Proteção Ambiental da Barra do Rio Mamanguape, Rio Tinto, PB / Activity time of male Euglossina and preference for artificial fragrances in forest and dunes in the Environmental Protection Area of the Mamanguape River Bar, Rio Tinto, Paraíba, Brazil

As abelhas Euglossina formam um grupo com cerca de 200 espécies conhecidas, distribuídas na Região Neotropical. Os machos coletam compostos aromáticos em flores e com a utilização de análogos artificiais é possível realizar levantamentos faunísticos e estudar diversos aspectos ecológicos dessas abelhas. Neste trabalho foram estudados o horário de atividade dos machos de Euglossina e sua preferência por fragrâncias artificiais em áreas de mata e restinga na Área de Proteção Ambiental da Barra do Rio Mamanguape, Rio Tinto, PB, de agosto de 2002 a julho de 2004. Seis fragrâncias artificiais foram utilizadas como atrativos: acetato de benzila, beta ionona, escatol, eucaliptol, eugenol e vanilina. Foram amostradas nove espécies, sendo duas exclusivas da mata. Euglossa cordata (L.) e Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier foram as mais abundantes tanto na mata quanto na restinga. Os machos foram mais ativos entre 8:00h e 10:00h nas duas áreas, sem variação ao longo do ano. Eucaliptol e eugenol foram as fragrâncias que atraíram o maior número de espécies. E cordata demonstrou preferência pela beta ionona e eucaliptol e E. nigrita pelo escatol e eucaliptol.

Euglossina bees form a group with about 200 species known, widespread in Neotropical Region. Males collect aromatic compounds on flowers and by using synthesized analogs it is possible to accomplish faunistic inventories and study several ecological aspects of these bees. In this work we studied the activity hours and the preference of aromatic compounds by Euglossina males in forest and dunes at Environmental Protection Area of the Mamanguape River Bar, Rio Tinto, Paraíba State, between August 2002 and July 2004. Six artificial compounds were used as attractive: benzyl acetate, ionone beta, skatole, eucalyptol, eugenol and vanillin. Nine species were sampled, being two of them exclusive of the forest. Euglossa cordata (L.) and Eulaema nigrita Lepeletier were the most abundant species as in the forest as on dunes. Males were more active between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. in both areas, with no variation throughout the year. Eucalyptol and eugenol attracted most number of species. E. cordata demonstrated preference by ionone beta and eucalyptol and E. nigrita by skatole and eucalyptol.

Sazonalidade e atividade diurna de Tabanidae (Diptera: Insecta) de dossel na Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, Manaus, AM / Seasonality and diurnal activity of Tabanidae (Diptera: Insecta) of canopy in the Adolpho Ducke Forested Reserve, Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil

A sazonalidade e periodicidade diurna de vôo de tabanídeos de dossel na Reserva Ducke, Manaus, AM, foram analisadas utilizando-se uma armadilha suspensa instalada a 20 m de altura, conectada a um cilindro de gás carbônico. Realizaram-se coletas quinzenais, com duração de um dia, no período de abril de 2000 a junho de 2001. O material foi retirado da armadilha em intervalos de 2h e acondicionado em tubos plásticos. Coletaram-se 955 indivíduos, correspondendo a trinta espécies. Philipotabanus stigmaticalis (Krõber) (37,9 por cento) ocorreu ao longo do ano, com maior atividade de vôo entre 12:00h e 16:00h. Acanthocera marginalis Walker (16,3 por cento) ocorreu ao longo do ano, sendo mais abundante nos meses menos chuvosos (julho a novembro), com maior atividade no período entre 10:00h e 12:00h. Acanthocera gorayebi Henriques & Rafael (9,0 por cento) foi mais abundante em julho, com maior atividade entre 10:00h e 12:00h. Dichelacera damicornis (Fabricius) (10,9 por cento) ocorreu nos meses de maior precipitação (janeiro, fevereiro e abril), com maior atividade diurna entre 10:00h e 14:00h. Diachlorus podagricus (Fabricius) (6,6 por cento) ocorreu ao longo de todo o ano exceto em fevereiro, mostrando maior atividade entre 10:00h e 14:00h. Os fatores climáticos, quando correlacionados com a riqueza de tabanídeos, somente mostraram correlação com a precipitação; enquanto a abundância dos espécimes foi correlacionada com a umidade e com a precipitação.

The seasonality and diurnal flight activity of tabanids from canopy was studied at Ducke Reserve, in the county of Manaus, Amazonas State, Brazil, using a suspended trap installed at 20 m above the soil, connected to the carbon dioxide gas cylinder. During one day, twice monthly collects of Tabanidae were taken from April 2000 to June 2001. The material was collected from the trap in intervals of 2h and placed in plastic tubes. A total of 955 individuals, corresponding to thirty species were collected. Philipotabanus stigmaticalis (Krõber) (37.9 percent) was caught all over the year and showed higher flight activity between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Acanthocera marginalis Walker (16.3 percent) was more abundant in the less rainy months (July to November) with a higher activity period between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Acanthocera gorayebi Henriques & Rafael (9.0 percent) was more abundant in July with more activity between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Dichelacera damicornis (Fabricius) (10.9 percent) was more abundant in the months of heavier rainfall (January, February and April) and showed higher diurnal activity between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Diachlorus podagricus (Fabricius) (6.6 percent) was caught throughout the year except in February and showed higher activity between 10:00 a.m. and 14:00 p.m. The climatic factors when correlated to the tabanids richness just showed significant correlation with precipitation, while the specimens abundance was correlated to humidity and precipitation.

A Study on Effects of Balance Taping Therapy applied on the patients with Arthritis caused upon the Pain in Legs and Obstacle in Daily Activity / 성인간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study is to examine the effect of balance taping therapy applied on the old people who suffer from arthritis upon the pain in legs and obstacle in daily activity. Methods: The research period was from Dec. 2003 to Feb. 2004, and among the old female people who visited one of the welfare halls in Seoul downtown and 4 assembly hall for old people who aged over 60 years. 30 of the experimental group and 33 of control group were optionally collected. RESULTS: The pain degree in legs and the uneasiness degree of the obstacle in the daily life of the experimental group who were treated by the balance taping was decreased than those of the control group(p=0.015, p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Based upon the above result, it was confirmed that the balance taping therapy has influence in decreasing the degree of the uneasiness in the leg pain and daily activity obstacle of the old people who suffer from the arthritis, and therefore it is thought that this therapy can be usefully applied for one of the nursing methods for the old patients, and besides the repeated future researches are needed.

Efficacy of Influenza Vaccine among Elderly Patients by Physical Activity Status

Objective: Although many studies have shown the usefulness of influenza vaccine in elderly in-patients, the efficacy of vaccination with regard to the daily physical activities of patients has not been fully evaluated. To address this issue, we correlated the use of medical resources with vaccination status in patients categorized according to their daily activity levels. Methods: The subjects comprised 237 in-patients at or above 51 years of age, who were hospitalized in the long-term care unit of a Japanese hospital between January and March, 1999. The vaccination status and medical resources use (i.e., oral antibiotics, injected antibiotics, blood cell count, chest X-ray) of each patient were recorded, and the patients were assigned to three subgroups, based on daily life activity scores. Results: Vaccinated in-patients in the ‘bed-bound’ category required fewer medical resources, i.e., oral antibiotics (−2.29 days, P<0.05), injected antibiotics (−5.02 days, P<0.001), blood cell counts (−4.66 times, P<0.001), and chest X-rays (−4.31 times, P<0.001), compared with unvaccinated in-patients. There were no significant differences in treatment parameters between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in the ‘partly limited’ or ‘no limitation’ categories. Conclusions: It is suggested that influenza vaccination significantly reduces the need for medical treatment only among those in-patients who are the least physically active. Further studies are required to replicate these findings, and to elucidate the underlying reasons for this reduction.

A Longitudinal Study of the Relationship between Osteo Sono-Assessment Index and Lifestyle in Elderly Female in Nursing Homes

The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal effect of mobility and daily activity, in the form of exercise and everyday activities, on the bones of 102 elderly female nursing home residents who had physical disabilities as well as marked postmenopausal bone loss, using calcaneal ultrasound apparatus for bone evaluation. Of the 102 subjects initially measured, 74 (mean age, 83.5±6.55 years; range, 64−99 years) could be measured again approximately one year later. The osteo sono-assessment index (OSI) in this study was determined using an ultrasound bone evaluation device. This device measures the speed of sound (SOS) and transmission index (TI) as ultrasound passes through the calcaneus. The OSI is calculated by computer analysis (OSI=TI×SOS2). For mobility, the OSI decreased significantly by an average of 1.8% after 11.8 months in all of the residents who were using a wheelchair (n=41, p<0.01). In contrast, the OSI rose significantly by a mean of 1.9% in the ambulatory group (n=33, p<0.01). The OSI increased significantly in residents who exercised every day, were out of bed for at least seven hours per day, and walked on a regular basis, suggesting that exercise, mainly in the form of walking, may increase the calcaneal OSI.

A longitudinal study of the relationship between osteo sono-assessment index and lifestyle in elderly female in nursing homes

The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal effect of mobility and daily activity, in the form of exercise and everyday activities, on the bones of 102 elderly female nursing home residents who had physical disabilities as well as marked postmenopausal bone loss, using calcaneal ultrasound apparatus for bone evaluation.Of the 102 subjects initially measured, 74 (mean age, 83.5±6.55 years; range, 64-99 years) could be measured again approximately one year later. The osteo sono-assessment index (OSI) in this study was determined using an ultrasound bone evaluation device. This device measures the speed of sound (SOS) and transmission index (TI) as ultrasound passes through the calcaneus. The OSI is calculated by computer analysis (OSI=TI×SOS(2)). For mobility, the OSI decreased significantly by an average of 1.8% after 11.8 months in all of the residents who were using a wheelchair (n=41, p<0.01). In contrast, the OSI rose significantly by a mean of 1.9% in the ambulatory group (n=33, p<0.01).The OSI increased significantly in residents who exercised every day, were out of bed for at least seven hours per day, and walked on a regular basis, suggesting that exercise, mainly in the form of walking, may increase the calcaneal OSI.

Efficacy of influenza vaccine among elderly patients by physical activity status

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Although many studies have shown the usefulness of influenza vaccine in elderly in-patients, the efficacy of vaccination with regard to the daily physical activities of patients has not been fully evaluated. To address this issue, we correlated the use of medical resources with vaccination status in patients categorized according to their daily activity levels.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The subjects comprised 237 in-patients at or above 51 years of age, who were hospitalized in the long-term care unit of a Japanese hospital between January and March, 1999. The vaccination status and medical resources use (i.e., oral antibiotics, injected antibiotics, blood cell count, chest X-ray) of each patient were recorded, and the patients were assigned to three subgroups, based on daily life activity scores.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Vaccinated in-patients in the 'bed-bound' category required fewer medical resources, i.e., oral antibiotics (-2.29 days,P<0.05), injected antibiotics (-5.02 days,P<0.001), blood cell counts (-4.66 times,P<0.001), and chest X-rays (-4.31 times,P<0.001), compared with unvaccinated in-patients. There were no significant differences in treatment parameters between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in the 'partly limited' or 'no limitation' categories.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is suggested that influenza vaccination significantly reduces the need for medical treatment only among those in-patients who are the least physically active. Further studies are required to replicate these findings, and to elucidate the underlying reasons for this reduction.</p>

Effect of TEAS(Transcutaneous Electrical Acupuncture Point Stimulation) on Intellect and Daily Activity of the Aged / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

We investigated whether TEAS affected intellect in the elderly, prevented the decline of daily activity and/or improved HDS-R and elderly activity valuation scale in 93 aged patients over 70.<BR>As a result, HDS-R and the elderly activity valuation scale increased after 8 weeks, in the physical exercise group that also received TEAS treatment, indicating a tendency to improve. Improved intellect was measured by asking subject to guess the time and date, recollect some words, and remember five items in HDS-R. All items on the elderly activity valuation scale were improved except for hearing and appetite. Many patients showed increased scores in combination with TEAS. Before treatment, patients in both groups were divided into 4 subgroups by HDS-R score and change in HDS-R was investigated after treatment for 8 weeks. Those scoring 16 points or more on the initial test tended to show an increased score in both groups, those showing 11-15 points initially demonstrated an increased score only in exercise in the combined group, and those showing 10 points or less did not demonstrate any change in either group.<BR>Based on these results, physical therapy combined with TEAS appeared to accelerate daily activity and promote intellect and cognition in the elderly.

The Effects of Exercise Therapy on Joint Mobility, Daily Activity, pain and Depression in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis / 간호학회지

This study was designed to investigate the effects of exercise therapy on joint mobility, daily activity, pain and depression of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. 25 persons with the experimental group and 25 persons with the control group were conveniently sampled among out-patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at the rheumatism center of H University Medical Center. The control patients were matched to the experimental group and they were selected considering sex and age. The exercise therapy was developed by the author with the assistance of exercise specialists. The program includes muscle relaxation, flexibility, muscle strengths, breathing strengths and straight posture exercises. The 20-minute exercise therapy was carried out to the experimental group once a day for eight weeks from October, 1997 to February, 1998. Before and after the experiments, joint mobility, daily activity, pain and depression were measured respectively. Data were analyzed by x2-test, t-test, paired t-test and unpaired t-test. The results were as follows : Joint mobility(cervical flexion, extension, shoulder flexion, abduction, hip abduction, knee flexion and fingertip to floor distance) and daily activity in the experimental group after the exercise were significantly increased than that in the control group. The pain and depression score in the experimental group after the exercise were significantly decreased than that in the control group. These findings may indicate that the exercise therapy is effective in increasing the joint mobility and daily activity, and also effective in decreasing pain and depression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Accordingly, the exercise therapy can be adopted as an effective nursing intervention for ankylosing spondylitis.