No association between posture and musculoskeletal complaints in a professional bassist sample.

BACKGROUND: Professional musicians receive little attention in pain medicine despite reports of high prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints. This study aims to investigate the association between work-related postures and musculoskeletal complaints of professional bass players. METHOD: Participants were 141 professional and professional student double bassists and bass guitarists. Data about self-reported functioning, general and mental health status, location and intensity of musculoskeletal complaints and psychosocial distress were collected online with self constructed and existing questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses were performed to analyse associations between work-related postural stress (including type of instrument and accompanying specific exposures) and physical complains, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses revealed no association between complaints and the playing position of the left shoulder area in double bassists (p = 0.30), the right wrist area in the bass guitarists (p = 0.70), the right wrist area for the German versus French bowing style (p = 0.59). CONCLUSION: All three hypotheses were rejected. This study shows that in this sample of professional bass players' long-lasting exposures to postural stress were not associated with musculoskeletal complaints. This challenges a dominant model in pain medicine to focus on ergonomic postures.

Force control in the absence of visual and tactile feedback.

Motor control tasks like stance or object handling require sensory feedback from proprioception, vision and touch. The distinction between tactile and proprioceptive sensors is not frequently made in dynamic motor control tasks, and if so, mostly based on signal latency. We previously found that force control tasks entail more compliant behavior than a passive, relaxed condition and by neuromuscular modeling we were able to attribute this to adaptations in proprioceptive force feedback from Golgi tendon organs. This required the assumption that both tactile and visual feedback are too slow to explain the measured adaptations in face of unpredictable force perturbations. Although this assumption was shown to hold using model simulations, so far no experimental data is available to validate it. Here we applied a systematic approach using continuous perturbations and engineering analyses to provide experimental evidence for the hypothesis that motor control adaptation in force control tasks can be achieved using proprioceptive feedback only. Varying task instruction resulted in substantial adaptations in neuromuscular behavior, which persisted after eliminating visual and/or tactile feedback by a nerve block of the nervus plantaris medialis. It is concluded that proprioception adapts dynamic human ankle motor control even in the absence of visual and tactile feedback.

Tizanidine does not affect the linear relation of stretch duration to the long latency M2 response of m. flexor carpi radialis.

The long latency M2 electromyographic response of a suddenly stretched active muscle is stretch duration dependent of which the nature is unclear. We investigated the influence of the group II afferent blocker tizanidine on M2 response characteristics of the m. flexor carpi radialis (FCR). M2 response magnitude and eliciting probability in a group of subjects receiving 4 mg of tizanidine orally were found to be significantly depressed by tizanidine while tizanidine did not affect the significant linear relation of the M2 response to stretch duration. The effect of tizanidine on the M2 response of FCR is supportive of a group II afferent contribution to a compound response of which the stretch duration dependency originates from a different mechanism, e.g., rebound Ia firing.

Shoulder pain and external rotation in spastic hemiplegia do not improve by injection of botulinum toxin A into the subscapular muscle.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of botulinum toxin A in the subscapular muscle on shoulder pain and humerus external rotation. METHODS: 22 stroke patients with spastic hemiplegia, substantial shoulder pain and reduced external rotation of the humerus participated in a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled effect study. Injections of either botulinum toxin A (Botox, 2x50 units) or placebo were applied to the subscapular muscle at two locations. Pain was scored on a 100 mm vertical Visual Analogue Scale; external rotation was recorded by means of electronic goniometry. Assessments were carried out at 0 (baseline), 6 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: 21 patients completed the study. We observed no significant changes in pain or external rotation as a result of administration of botulinum toxin A. External rotation improved significantly (p = 0.001) for both the treatment group (20.4 degrees (16.6) to 32.1 degrees (14.0)) and the control group (10.3 degrees (19.5) to 23.7 degrees (20.7)) as a function of time. CONCLUSIONS: Application of botulinum toxin A into the subscapular muscle for reduction of shoulder pain and improvement of humeral external rotation in spastic hemiplegia does not appear to be clinically efficacious.

A multidisciplinary hand clinic for patients with rheumatic diseases: a pilot study.

To describe the characteristics, management strategies and outcomes of patients with rheumatic diseases and complex hand function problems referred to a multidisciplinary hand clinic. Assessments (baseline and after three months of follow-up) included sociodemographic and disease characteristics and various hand function measures. The most frequently mentioned impairments and limitations of the 69 patients enrolled in the study pertained to grip, pain, grip strength, and shaking hands. Fifty-six patients received treatment advice, conservative therapy (n=39), surgery (n=12), or a combination of both (n=5). In 38 of 56 patients (68%) the recommended treatment was performed, and 33 completed the follow-up assessment. On average, patients improved, with an increase in grip strength and the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire scores reached statistical significance. Two-thirds of patients with rheumatic conditions visiting a multidisciplinary hand clinic reportedly followed the treatment advice (recommendations), with an overall trend toward a beneficial effect on hand function. To further determine the added value of a structured, multidisciplinary approach a controlled comparison with other treatment strategies is needed.

Treatment of recurrent posterior dislocation of the shoulder in cerebral palsy by injection with botulinum toxin A into the M. subscapularis.

SUBJECTS: A 20-year-old woman, known to have cerebral palsy and a spastic hemiparesis, suffered from frequent (up to 20 times a day) and painful posterior dislocation of the affected shoulder. INTERVENTIONS: For the last two years we have treated her with injections with botulinum toxin A (100 U Botox) in the M. subscapularis. RESULTS: Pain and dislocation rate have improved substantially.

Physical functioning and quality of life after cancer rehabilitation.

In order to overcome cancer-related problems and to improve quality of life, an intensive multi-focus rehabilitation programme for cancer patients was developed. We hypothesised that this six-week intensive rehabilitation programme would result in physiological improvements and improvement in quality of life. Thirty-four patients with cancer-related physical and psychosocial problems were the subjects of a prospective observational study. A six-week intensive multi-focus rehabilitation programme consisted of four components: individual exercise, sports, psycho-education, and information. Measurements (symptom-limited bicycle ergometry performance, muscle force and quality of life [RAND-36, RSCL, MFI]) were performed before (T0) and after six weeks of rehabilitation (T1). After the intensive rehabilitation programme, statistically significant improvements were found in symptom-limited bicycle ergometry performance, muscle force, and several domains of the RAND-36, RSCL and MFI. The six-week intensive multi-focus rehabilitation programme had immediate beneficial effects on physiological variables, on quality of life and on fatigue.

The long-term course of shoulder complaints: a prospective study in general practice.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the long-term course of shoulder complaints in patients in general practice with special focus on changes in diagnostic category and fluctuations in the severity of the complaints. DESIGN: Prospective descriptive study. SETTING: Four general practices in The Netherlands. METHOD: All patients (101) with shoulder complaints seen in a 5 month period were included. Assessment took place 26 weeks and 12-18 months after inclusion in the study with a pain questionnaire and a physical examination. RESULTS: A total of 51% of the patients experienced (mostly recurrent) complaints after 26 weeks and 41% after 12-18 months. Diagnostic changes were found over the course of time, mostly from synovial disorders towards functional disorders of the structures of the shoulder girdle, but also the other way round. Although 52 of the 101 patients experienced complaints in week 26, 62% of those patients considered themselves 'cured'. After 12-18 months, 51% of the 39 patients experiencing complaints felt 'cured'. CONCLUSION: Many patients seen with shoulder complaints in general practice have recurrent complaints. The nature of these complaints varies considerably over the course of time, leading to changes in diagnostic category. Because of the fluctuating severity of the complaints over time, feeling 'cured' or not 'cured' is also subject to change over time.

Effects of day-hospital rehabilitation in stroke patients: a review of randomized clinical trials.

The purpose of this study was to review the literature on the effects of day-hospital rehabilitation (DHR) in stroke patients. In The Netherlands DHR concerns a multidisciplinary approach to decrease disability and handicap and to optimize quality of life in an outpatient setting. Data were collected by a computer-aided search of published randomized trials. Fifteen articles reporting on seven randomized controlled trials were selected. Data extraction included a score for quality of the methods, based on four categories: "study population", "interventions", "effects" and "data presentation and analysis". To each criterion a weight was attached and the maximum score was set at 100 points. In judging the methodological quality of the selected studies, one study proved insufficient. Of the remaining studies the sum score varied from 34 to 67, with a mean of 50. Comparison of the results of the studies is complicated by different definitions of DHR, different natures of the control group and the study population, and the variety of measurement instruments applied. Often instruments were applied whose reliability and validity was not proven. As of now it is not possible to prove that DHR for stroke patients is effective. In future research a standardized definition of DHR, a uniform control group, and acceptable research methodology and adequate measurement instruments must be applied.

Ten-metre walk, with or without a turn?

OBJECTIVE: To compare results obtained using different procedures to measure 10-metre walking time. DESIGN: Walking was timed over a straight 10 m, and over 5 m with return. Further, the time taken to turn was measured directly. SETTING: Rehabilitation department of a university hospital. SUBJECTS: Patients who had walking disability after stroke. RESULTS: In the group of 43 patients, the time taken to walk 5 m and return was 3.3 (SD 5.0)s longer than the time to walk 10 m straight, but there was a large variation with some patients walking faster. The measured time to turn in a second group of 27 patients was 3.2 (SD 1.6)s. The times taken to walk 10 m straight and 5 m and return, and the time taken to turn were all highly correlated (r = 0.69 or more). CONCLUSIONS: Timing walking over 5 m with a return is an acceptable alternative to the 10 m straight walk, but the actual time taken varies. On average, the walk with a turn is 3.2 s longer but in individual patients the difference may be much more or less. Sometimes the walk with a turn is even faster than that without.

Physical examination of the cervical spine and shoulder girdle in patients with shoulder complaints.

OBJECTIVE: To look for differences in mobility in randomly selected patients without shoulder complaints depending on age, gender and left- or right-handedness; to investigate in the patient group whether specific differences exist, depending on the diagnosis made or the afflicted side; and to detect differences between the findings on the mobility examination of the cervical and cervicothoracic spine in patients with shoulder complaints compared with the healthy population. DESIGN: Comparative study. METHOD: The physical examination findings after inclusion and after 26 wk of 101 shoulder patients were compared with those of 75 randomly selected patients without shoulder complaints and adjusted for age and gender. RESULTS: In the population of patients without shoulder complaints, the mobility in the cervical and upper thoracic spine was found to decrease with aging. Significant differences were found between the healthy and the afflicted population at the time of inclusion as well as after 26 wk, even though the majority of patients felt cured at that time. With all types of shoulder complaints, functional disorders in the shoulder girdle were found in which, at the time of inclusion, the emphasis was on pain and, after 26 wk, on restricted motion. Thus, functional disorders in the cervical spine, the higher thoracic spine and the adjoining ribs are not extrinsic causes of shoulder complaints, but an integral part of the intrinsic causes of shoulder complaints. CONCLUSION: Further study is needed to determine if this finding explains the high recurrence rate of shoulder complaints. It may be advisable to include the treatment of functional disorders of the shoulder girdle in treatment of patients with shoulder complaints.

The course of pain and the restriction of mobility in patients with shoulder complaints in general practice.

The objective of this research was to study the course of the pain and the restriction of mobility of the scapulohumeral joint (ROM) over time, and the factors influencing it, in patients with shoulder complaints in general practice. A total of 101 patients participated in this 25-week follow-up study. For the first 2 weeks, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) was prescribed, after that period the physician could follow his usual therapeutic approach. The NSAIDs prescribed during the first 2 weeks resulted in a rapid decrease in the pain and the ROM. The group with the most severe pain consumed the most tablets, which resulted in a significant decrease in the pain and the ROM. It appeared that the course of the pain from week 2 to week 8 was significantly influenced by pain at inclusion, diagnosis and therapy. The most rapid decrease in the ROM appeared in the first 2 weeks. At week 0 and week 2, differences, in the ROM were seen in the subgroups for diagnosis pain score and age. The pain and the ROM showed most decrease in the first weeks. After 6 weeks hardly any changes were seen in the pain score and the ROM score. The margin of the pain score and the ROM score between the "cured" and the "not cured" patients was a very narrow one.

A shoulder pain score: a comprehensive questionnaire for assessing pain in patients with shoulder complaints.

This study describes the validation and application of a comprehensive questionnaire (the shoulder pain score) in assessing pain experienced by patients with shoulder complaints. The shoulder pain score comprised six pain symptom questions selected from the literature, together with a 101-Numerical Rating Scale (NRS-101). The score was tested in a follow-up study of 101 patients with shoulder complaints. The coefficient for the internal consistency of the shoulder pain score was 0.82. A factor analysis disclosed two factors: one containing the NRS-101 with the "active" items of the shoulder pain score and another containing the "passive" items. The shoulder pain score gave a reliable impression of the pain experienced and proved to be a useful instrument for following the course of the disorder over time and giving an indication when a patient feels cured.

The influence of the mobility in the cervicothoracic spine and the upper ribs (shoulder girdle) on the mobility of the scapulohumeral joint.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of the cervicothoracic spine and upper ribs (shoulder girdle) on glenohumeral mobility and the development of shoulder complaints. DATA COLLECTION AND SYNTHESIS: Literature was collected by a search in Medline and Embase for English, German and Dutch publications, by further checking references in the articles found and by perusal of already collected literature regarding shoulder research. Articles referring directly or indirectly to a mutually influencing anatomical connection between the cervicothoracic spine, upper ribs (shoulder girdle) and scapulohumeral joint were selected during a consensus meeting of all reviewers. RESULTS: Eight relevant articles, differing strongly in supposition and objective, were found and subsequently classified and presented according to the anatomical relations indicated in the articles. Indications were found that suggested anatomical relations between the mobility in the shoulder girdle and the scapulohumeral joint, between the mobility in the spinal column and the first rib (shoulder girdle) and between the spinal column and the scapulohumeral joint. No relevant indications regarding the development of shoulder complaints were found. CONCLUSIONS: Although no direct evidence was found, a comparison of the results of this study with theories postulated by other researchers on this subject suggests that a certain relation does exist.

An electromyographic study of the hip muscles of transfemoral amputees in walking.

The aim of this study was to obtain insight into the electromyographic activity of the hip muscles after transfemoral amputation and to determine whether the cleaved hip muscles are still functional in locomotion. The electromyographic activity of the superficial hip muscles of both legs was studied in 11 men who had a unilateral transfemoral amputation. The intact muscles at the intact and amputated side showed the same sequence of activity as did those in healthy subjects, but during a longer period of time. The activity of the cleaved muscles with intact muscle fibers (gluteus maximus, tensor fasciae latae) was dependent on whether the iliotibial tract was reanchored. If the iliotibial tract was fixed, the same activity was found in the muscles of the patients as in those of healthy subjects. The activity of the cleaved, once biarticular, muscles (sartorius, rectus femoris, hamstring muscles, gracilis) was dependent on whether the muscles were reanchored and on the level of amputation. If the cleaved muscles were reanchored correctly, the muscles remained functional in locomotion in patients with an amputation in the distal half of the femur. In patients with high amputation levels, these muscles were almost continuously active; they probably play a role in fixing the socket.

Changes in hip muscles after above-knee amputation.

To learn about the changes appearing in hip muscles after an above-knee amputation, 3-dimensional reconstructions of the hip and thigh region of 12 patients with above-knee amputations were made based on transverse magnetic resonance images. In all patients, the amputations were done at least 2 years before the study and were necessitated by trauma or osteosarcoma. The results show that, at higher amputation levels, the geometry of the once-biarticular muscles was changed. The cleaved muscles (40%-60%) and the intact muscles (0-30%) at the amputated side were atrophied. The amount of atrophy of the intact muscles at the amputated side was related to stump length. To avoid an abduction contracture in 8 patients with amputations, the iliotibial tract was not fixed. In 4 of these 8 patients, a flexion contracture was visible. If the tract was not fixed, the hip extension torque of the gluteus maximus, which inserts into the tract, decreased. As a result, the risk of appearance of a flexion contracture increased because the strongest hip flexor (iliopsoas muscle) was not involved in the amputation. Abduction contracture could be avoided only if the hip adductors were fixed accurately, especially at higher amputation levels.

Prosthetic gait of unilateral transfemoral amputees: a kinematic study.

OBJECTIVE: The prosthetic gait of unilateral transfemoral amputees. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Laboratory of Gait Analysis (GIGA-system of K-lab) in the Department of Rehabilitation of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Eleven men with transfemoral amputation (mean age 35.7 years) participated. The amputation was performed at least 2 years ago and was caused by trauma or osteosarcoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Stride parameters as well as the patterns of motion of the trunk, hip, and knee joint. RESULTS: The amputees walked with a 29% lower vcomf than normal subjects. The amputees compensate the vrapid with their stride length rather than with their step rate. The amputees showed an asymmetrical walking pattern; the amputees stood a little longer on their intact leg than on their prosthetic leg. Four amputees showed an extreme lateral bending of the trunk toward the prosthetic side during the stance phase of the prosthetic leg. The rebound of the hip at the amputated side at heel strike was very small or absent. The intact knee was flexed at heel strike and remained in a flexed position during the entire stance phase. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of asymmetry of the walking pattern is related to the stump length. The amputees with highly atrophied hip-stabilizing muscles walked with an extreme lateral bending of the trunk toward the prosthetic side. There is no correlation between stride width and lateral bending of the trunk. Amputees with a short and medium stump length showed a fast transition from hip extension to hip flexion.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy: early treatment and psychological aspects.

We report the results of two prospective studies of early treatment and psychological aspects in a series of 26 patients with sympathetic reflex dystrophy of the hand in which treatment was started within 3 months after diagnosis. Ismelin blocks is an often used therapy in sympathetic reflex dystrophy but a probable better therapy in the first stage of the dystrophy was also investigated. Thirteen patients were treated with Regional Intravenous Ismelin blocks and 13 other patients were treated with a hydroxyl radical scavenger, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). After 9 weeks there was a better result in the group treated with DMSO. This report also describes psychological research in a group of 24 dystrophy patients compared with a control group of 42 patients who underwent elective hand-surgery. Women dystrophy patients were more depressed and emotionally unstable. Eighty percent of all dystrophy patients had a recent life-event while only 20% of the control group members reported such an event. These two features seem to be independent. Early diagnosis in combination with early stress management training and a multidisciplinary treatment tends to be a very good solution.

Diagnostic blocks of the tibial nerve in spastic hemiparesis. Effects on clinical, electrophysiological and gait parameters.

The value of a diagnostic block (DB) of the tibial nerve in 17 hemiparetic patients with gait disturbances was investigated. The purpose of this study was to find instruments that help to select patients who will benefit from a long lasting peripheral nerve block. The manually elicited ankle clonus and its abolition after injection of a local anaesthetic appeared to be a useful clinical test for the efficacy of DB. Electrophysiological tests proved valuable when DB failed to produce clinical effects. With a substantial number of blocked nerve fibres walking velocity did not deteriorate. Transient disturbances in sensation can be regarded as unwanted side effects that might adversely affect the walking ability. From the different aspects of gait an improved heelcontact demonstrated the functional gain in patients with a dynamic equinus foot. To differentiate between a dynamic equinus foot and fixed contractures, we recommend the use of a fast acting local anaesthetic for diagnostic nerve blocks.