Dynamic balance as measured by the Y-Balance Test is reduced in individuals with low back pain: A cross-sectional comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of current LBP (cLBP) and LBP history (hxLBP) on Y-Balance Test (YBT) reach and establish relationships between YBT performance and demographic, behavioral, and disability measures. DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparative study. SETTING: Research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-two participants (24 males, 18 females) aged 18-50 years (30.9 ± 8.2 yr) in three groups: cLBP, hxLBP, and healthy controls. INTERVENTIONS: Three YBT trials in anterior (ANT), posterolateral (PL), and posteromedial (PM) directions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: YBT reach (relative to leg length) was measured and compared amongst groups. Pearson correlations were calculated between reach distances and pain, disability, and fear avoidance scores in the cLBP and hxLBP groups and age and activity level in all participants. RESULTS: For PL reach, cLBP (94.7 ± 10.6 cm) and hxLBP (94.2 ± 9.2 cm) groups demonstrated shorter distances versus controls (105.8 ± 6.6 cm). For PM reach, cLBP (100.7 ± 8.4 cm) and hxLBP (102.3 ± 7.6 cm) groups' distances were shorter versus controls (109.3 ± 6.7 cm). No significant difference was found for ANT reach (control = 66.4 ± 7.0 cm; cLBP = 66.2 ± 6.2 cm; hxLBP = 66.4 ± 3.1 cm). No significant correlations were identified. CONCLUSION: YBT performance is reduced in individuals with cLBP and hxLBP in the PL and PM directions but not ANT. The YBT is useful for measuring balance deficits in these populations.

Effectiveness of cell phones and mypyramidtracker.gov to estimate fruit and vegetable intake.

AIM AND BACKGROUND: Inadequate fruit and vegetable intake is linked to leading causes of global mortality and rise in obesity. Measuring fruit and vegetable intake is problematic. Advances in cell phone technologies may improve the accuracy and ease of recording diet. This study tested the effectiveness of using cell phones with digital pictures to prompt memory and mypyramidtracker.gov to estimate self-reported fruit and vegetable intake in 69 college students. METHODS: A repeated measures design was used. Focus groups provided feedback on the acceptability, usability, and feasibility of cell phones for diet recording in this population. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in fruit and vegetable scores, F(1, 58)=4.64, p=.04, was supported between cell phone use for short-term memory prompt and mypyramidtracker.gov alone. CONCLUSIONS: Cell phone pictures improved memory and accuracy of recall when using an online self-reported interactive diet record and was considered an easy, relevant, and accessible way to record diet.

Evidence review of technology and dietary assessment.

SIGNIFICANCE: Diets high in fruit and vegetable consumption are associated with a decrease in chronic diseases. Dietary factors are linked to 4 of the 10 leading noncommunicable causes of death: cardiovascular disease, some cancers, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Accurately measuring dietary patterns has many challenges. Dietary intake measurement has traditionally relied on self-report instruments such as 24-hour recall, food record, and food frequency questionnaires to record consumption history. These methods have inherent limitations in detecting small but important changes in fruit and vegetable consumption patterns. Promising advances in technology have made more sophisticated techniques for recording dietary intake possible. Computers and Web-based programs, handheld personal digital assistants with cameras and telephone cards, smart phones, cameras, and video recorders options may reduce the burden of recording what has been consumed. Furthermore, technology-based methods of dietary assessment may provide a higher degree of reliability and validity in visually determining fruit and vegetable consumption, and additional study is warranted. PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to present a review of the evidence on the effectiveness of technology-based methods for dietary assessment, which included fruit and vegetable consumption. APPROACH: One hundred and eighty-seven articles published between 1998 and 2008 were initially identified. Fifteen met the study inclusion criteria and were evaluated by an interdisciplinary team using the Stetler Strength of Evidence Scale. RESULTS: Six technology-based methods for dietary assessment were identified. Findings from validity and reliability testing of technology-based methods are encouraging and need replication. Clinically important features offered through technology may reduce reporting burden and offer behavioral feedback to users. Methodologically sound, empirical research into using technology-based application for dietary assessment in a variety of populations of sufficient size is needed.