Gait signatures of endurance runners with low back pain: A case controlled cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is an understudied condition among runners, and it is unclear what biomechanical features could be targeted for gait retraining to mitigate pain. RESEARCH QUESTION: How do running biomechanics differ between healthy individuals and those with running-related LBP? METHODS: This was a case-controlled, comparative study design of community runners: running-related LBP (n=52) and healthy controls (n=52). All runners completed running history forms and performed a 3-dimensional gait analysis. Kinematic data were collected using a motion capture system and normalized to a gait cycle, while participants ran on a level grade at self-selected speed on an instrumented treadmill. Current running volume, temporal-spatial, kinetic and kinematic features were compared between groups. RESULTS: The LBP group had 39.5 % lower weekly distance and 15.4 % fewer were currently training for a race (all p<.05). Runners with LBP demonstrated lower cadence (166±10 step/min vs. 171±9 step/min; p=.05), greater center of gravity lateral displacement (1.4±0.5 cm vs. 1.2 ±.3 cm; p=.044) and greater stride width variability (1.3±0.4 cm versus 1.0 ± 0.04 cm; p=.008). Runners with LBP had a greater Vertical Average Loading Rate ([VALR] 67.7±22.2 bodyweights [BW]/s vs. 62.2±21.5 BW/s; p=.022), and higher joint moments (N*m/(kg*m)) at the knee in the sagittal plane (2.13±0.50 vs. 1.87±0.56; p <.001), frontal plane (1.44±0.39 vs. 1.29±0.29; p=.013), and at the hip in the frontal plane (2.04±0.51 vs. 1.84±0.41; p=.024). No differences were found between groups in the pelvis, hip, knee, and ankle joint excursions in any plane of motion during a typical gait cycle. SIGNIFICANCE: These collective motion signature may reflect challenges with control of motion and VALR in the presence of back pain. Cadence training to increase step rate, coupled with core/hip muscle activation, may be an important strategy to reduce motion variability, impact loading rate and pain symptoms while running.

Pilot Study on Therapeutic Horticulture for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is common and associated with disability worldwide. Therapists trained in Therapeutic Horticulture (TH) use gardening activities and proximity to nature for therapy and rehabilitation. Patients seeking care for LBP would benefit physically and psychologically from participating in TH. Primary study objectives: The first aim of this study was to determine if and which patients who were receiving care for chronic LBP were interested in TH to help manage their pain. The second aim of the project was to quantify changes in LBP, functional tasks and anxiety upon completion of a TH session in patients with LBP. Methods/Design: This was a 2-part study with a mixed methods design: the cross-sectional survey Group and the pilot experimental Group. The Cross-sectional Survey component comprised a total of 170 patients; age 55.9±17.3 years; 58% women. The Pilot Experimental component comprised a total of 9 patients; age 48±14.7 years; 78% women. Participants Cross-sectional component: Patients receiving medical care for LBP with or without additional joint pain sites (n=170; age 55.9 ± 17.3 years; 58% women. Participants Pilot experimental component: A total of 9 patients (7 women); mean age 48 ± 14.7 years and mean duration of back pain 12.6 ± 8.1 years. Setting: Patients were receiving medical care at the University of Florida Health Comprehensive Spine Center in the United States, in the tertiary care health system. Intervention: 1-hour TH session that involved trained therapists using propagating and harvesting herbs planted at various heights in an outdoor setting for therapy and rehabilitation. Primary outcome measures: A therapeutic horticulture interest survey, PROMIS Pain Interference and Physical Function scores, functional tests (timed-get-up-and-go [TUG], spine range of motion), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), 11-point Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NRSpain), 10-item PROMIS Global Health Questionnaire, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11 and patient enjoyment. Results: Cross-sectional survey component: A total of 2% of patients had not previously heard of TH and 68% were interested in learning more about it. Patients who expressed interest in TH reported a higher level of agreement that TH could improve mood, improve muscle strength, lower stress level, increase movement and enable patients to perform self-care activities with less pain (all P < .001). PROMIS Pain Interference and Physical Function scores did not differ by interest in TH (P > .05). Pilot Experimental component: In the pilot session, 44% reported using pain medication to manage their low back pain and 66% believed gardening could provide pain relief. Improvements were observed in anxiety (55.3%; P =.017), spine flexion (31.4%; P =.003) and spine rotation to the left (26.7%; P =.005). All participants believed that gardening improved overall health and spine motion while reducing low back pain. All patients reported having gardening experience at home and none had TH experience. Conclusion: Patients presenting to an outpatient spine clinic may be receptive to trying TH in conjunction with or in place of conventional medicine to promote health and well-being. The pilot experimental group data suggested that acute TH is enjoyable and may confer the benefits of reducing anxiety and improving spine motion. Future larger studies could use different dose response approaches, explore different TH activity types and involve participants from different geographic locations while controlling for LBP history and psychological status.

Writing in the granular gel medium.

Gels made from soft microscale particles smoothly transition between the fluid and solid states, making them an ideal medium in which to create macroscopic structures with microscopic precision. While tracing out spatial paths with an injection tip, the granular gel fluidizes at the point of injection and then rapidly solidifies, trapping injected material in place. This physical approach to creating three-dimensional (3D) structures negates the effects of surface tension, gravity, and particle diffusion, allowing a limitless breadth of materials to be written. With this method, we used silicones, hydrogels, colloids, and living cells to create complex large aspect ratio 3D objects, thin closed shells, and hierarchically branched tubular networks. We crosslinked polymeric materials and removed them from the granular gel, whereas uncrosslinked particulate systems were left supported within the medium for long times. This approach can be immediately used in diverse areas, contributing to tissue engineering, flexible electronics, particle engineering, smart materials, and encapsulation technologies.