ABSTRACT
The evaluation of manual Trigger Point Therapy (TrPt) on mandible abduction range of Analog Astronauts (AA) surviving isolation conditions during consecutive missions at the LunAres Habitat was performed. This physiotherapy method was applied to decrease stress-related neuromuscular tension. Abduction measurements were conducted on the two groups of five AA, who endured severe isolation conditions for 14 days in the limited space of the LunAres Research Station Habitat (Pila, Poland) during missions. The test group consisted of abduction measurements of AA who received TrPt and control group of abduction measurements of AA who did not receive TrPt. All measurements were noted in the TemporoMandibular Joint (TMJ) diagnosis aspect of the integrated dental examination card SZOPPDP©. The ischemic compression was performed on an active localized trigger point-resulting in cessation of pain. Maximum abduction measurements were made with an electronic caliper, and the abduction range was compared. The change of abduction range in AA with TrPt was bigger than in AA without TrPt. A larger increase in abduction range was observed in every case in the group receiving TrPt compared to the control group. TrPt effectively decreases the neuromuscular tension, which results in an increased mandibular abduction range of AA. Observations conducted in LunAres Research Station regarding stress-related neuromuscular tension can help identify effective therapeutic methods for circumstances of social isolation.
Subject(s)
Astronauts , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders , Ecosystem , Humans , Physical Therapy Modalities , Temporomandibular Joint , Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/therapyABSTRACT
Analog space missions were created to study the human factor in extraordinary conditions that would occur in future space habitats. Isolation has been shown to cause stress and disrupt individuals' daily routine, which can also affect their oral hygiene and lead to an increased risk of dental caries and gingivitis. The astronauts' specific freeze-dried diet is associated with "lazy" chewing, potential dehydration and vitamin A deficiency, which may adversely affect their saliva. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the freeze-dried diet on selected oral hygiene indicators in analog astronauts (AA) enduring strict isolation conditions during six consecutive analog space missions at the LunAres Research Station. During the experiment the oral hygiene and gingival inflammation status measurements were conducted on the group of AAs at the beginning and at the end of each mission. Measurements included four oral hygiene indicators: API, sOHI, PI by Silness and Loe and GBI by Ainamo and Bay. Each AA's individual scores were noted and analyzed. Statistically significant reduction in the amount of plaque and intensity of gingival bleeding was observed over the course of the study, which could indicate positive results of applied oral hygiene procedures despite unfavorable dietary and stressful isolation conditions.
Subject(s)
Dental Caries , Gingivitis , Dental Caries/complications , Diet , Humans , Oral HygieneABSTRACT
Thank you very much for your great interest and compliments [...].
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Public Health , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Search EngineABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak may have a large impact on orthodontic treatment. Regular orthodontic visits were strongly and widely interrupted by the unprecedented epidemiological threat. METHODS: The data regarding orthodontic queries were investigated in a real-time surveillance using Google Trends. Search terms "braces", "invisalign", "get braces", "get braces off", "braces pain" and the phrase "social distancing" were analyzed regarding the year preceding the pandemic outbreak and the time of the pandemic. Moreover, the five-year trend for queries "braces" vs. "invisalign", as an example of different types of orthodontic appliances, was compared. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in orthodontics phrase queries in the spring of 2020, connected with the worldwide restrictions and lockdowns announced all over the world. There was a lower interest in the "braces pain" query during the first lockdown in 2020. The number of searches for "invisalign" increased steadily over time, while the number of searches for "braces" was relatively stable across the investigated time period. CONCLUSIONS: The course of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a large impact on the orthodontic-related search queries. Orthodontists must be better-prepared for any sudden changes in the possible future in the epidemiological situation that may change accessibility to dental offices.
