[Biomechanical analysis of dynamics and statics of the moving arm in musical instrumentalists]. / Analiza biomechaniczna dynamiki i statyki narzadu ruchu u muzyków instrumentalistów.

BACKGROUND: Biomechanical measurements of the motion organ in musicians are a separate issue of studies because of specific conditioning of complex motion functions which can be observed during playing an instrument. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in a group of 368 instrumentalists, taking into consideration the measurement of biomechanical parameters before, during and after musical performance. RESULTS: An analysis of adduction in the shoulder joint during playing an instrument showed that the largest average abduction angle appears in cellists, bassists, pianists and flutists, and it is larger in the left arm in the case of the double bass, and in the right arm in the case of the flute. The lowest average values are lowest in violinists and violists, but the static adduction of their right arm is remarkably larger. CONCLUSIONS: The study proves that playing an instrument causes specific load of the motion organ, both static and dynamic.

[Analysis of selected parameters of functional system in accordionists]. / Analiza wybranych parametrów czynnosciowego zespolu wykonawczego u akordeonistów.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to carry out a complex analysis of loading and overloading of a musician. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty students of music school accordion class, and 60 students of colleges, participated in a pilot test. The test estimated the function of hand muscles, the body statics, the body posture, the presence of spinal curvatures, the time of straight reaction, the accuracy of movement, and the coordination of movement and vision. RESULTS: The study indicated better conditions for the function of hand muscles in accordionists, better indicators of static and dynamic muscular force, but the increased frequency of the disturbed body statics manifested by faulty posture and lateral curvature of the spine. CONCLUSIONS: In view of more frequent incidence of faulty posture and lateral curvature of the spine in accordionists it is necessary to perform corrective physical exercises in the course of musical education.

[Effectiveness of manual therapy combined with physiotherapy in musicians' occupational overloads]. / Analiza skutecznosci terapii manualnej wspomaganej fizjoterapia w przeciazeniach zawodowych muzyków.

BACKGROUND: Manual therapy, kinesitherapy and physiotherapy are very helpful in the treatment of musicians' occupational overloads. The aim of this work is the estimation of the effectiveness of these three methods in the therapy of instrumentalists' occupational overloads. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Examinations were made among 689 professional musicians. They were divided into three groups: functional disorders, primary organic disorders, and secondary organic disorders. Before and after the treatment some parameters of the movement organs were estimated. RESULTS: Among patients with functional disorders, after manual therapy all estimated movement organs' parameters improved, however among patients with organic disorders, bigger improvement of some parameters were noticed after kinesitherapy and physiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Manual therapy is effective method of treatment of movement functions disorders caused by occupational overloads.

The analgesic effectiveness of laser therapy in patients with gonarthrosis: an evaluation.

Background. Osteoarthrosis is a very common disease of the musculo-skeletal system. Laser therapy can be used to alleviate the pain associated with this syndrome, which markedly impinge the patients physical comfort and limit physical activity. Material and methods. The research involved 32 patients (26 women and 6 men, average age 57.3 A+/-12.1 years) with pain complaints in one knee joint and radiologically confirmed degenerative changes. The control group consisted of 32 matched patients awaiting treatment. Laser biostimulation was applied with a semiconductor laser (400 mW, wave length 810 nm). Contact (point) irradiation was applied, with a surface energy density of 12.7 J/cm2. One series of 10 procedures was performed on one knee joint, 5 days a week. Pain intensity was evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a modified version of the Laitinen questionnaire. Results. In 29 patients (91%) there was a statistically significant reduction in pain complaints in the affected knee measured by VAS. In 19 patients (59%) there was a statistically significant reduction in the frequency and intensity of pain complaints on the Laitinen questionnaire. The improvement in daily motor activity and the reduced use of antalgesic drugs were not statistically significant. Conclusions. Laser biostimulation in patients with knee pain reduces symptoms on the VAS, and significantly reduces the intensity and frequency of pain as assessed by the Laitinen questionnaire. One series of laser treatments has no significant effect on motor activity and use of painkillers in patients with chronic knee pain due to osteoarthrosis.

The impact of kinesitherapy supported by katalitic worm compresses for some of biomechanical indexes of the movement organ of patients with degeneration disease.

Background. Degenerative disease limits physical efficiency of patients. The aim of our research was estimating the efficacy of kinesitherapy complemented by thermotherapy. Material and methods. Our research involved 53 patients with degeneration disease. We used kinesitherapy with thermotherapy in treatment. The Ritchie's index, range movements of selected joints and morning stiffness time were estimated. Results. Significant decrease of studied factors was obtained as a result of kinesitherapy complemented by thermotherapy applied in treatement of patients with degeneration disease. Conclusions. Our results indicate thermotherapy as a good complement of kinesitherapy in case of degeneration diseases.