Analgesia by Sacral Surface Electrical Stimulation for Primary Dysmenorrhoea.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of analgesia by sacral surface electrical stimulation on lower abdominal pain in women with primary dysmenorrhoea. DESIGN: Explorative study. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven female university students, who regularly experience difficulty in their university work due to menstrual pain, or who use analgesics for more than one day each month, were recruited. METHODS: Sacral surface electrical stimulation, 5 Hz for 15 min, was performed after the onset of menstruation. Electrodes were placed on the skin, directly above the second and fourth sacral foramina. Visual analogue scale and degree of pain (calculated by using a low current to assess pain) were determined before and after electrical stimulation. RESULTS: Visual analogue scale score and degree of pain decreased significantly immediately after electrical stimulation (p < 0.001). A correlation was observed between visual analogue scale score and degree of pain before and after electrical stimulation (r=0.516, p <0.001). No side-effects were observed in any participant. CONCLUSION: Sacral surface electrical stimulation may provide immediate pain relief in women with dysmenorrhoea and lower abdominal pain.

Association Between Toe Flexor Strength and Activity Levels in Community-Dwelling Japanese Older Women.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between toe flexor strength and the daily activity levels in 56 Japanese older women aged between 70 and 88 years. The activity levels were measured as the average number of steps/day using a pedometer and the life space assessment (LSA) scores. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare toe flexor muscle strength and the LSA scores between those with fewer than and more than 6,000 steps/day. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between toe grip strength according to age and each variable. The LSA scores were significantly higher in the group with >6,000 steps/day (ß = 0.188, p < .05). A correlation was found between the number of steps/day and toe flexor strength (r = .424, ß = 0.419, p < .05) and the LSA scores (r = .417, ß = 0.435, p < .05) in the participants in their 80s. Increasing the number of steps/day may benefit women in their 80s.

Foot Characteristics and Falls among Community-dwelling Independent Elderly Women Who Can Walk Outdoors.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the toe flexor strength, foot morphology, and falls in community-dwelling elderly women who could walk outdoors independently without aids. METHODS: The presence or absence of falls in 1 year, the toe flexor strength, and foot morphology were recorded in 70 women. Hallux valgus was defined as a first phalangeal angle ≥16°. Falls were compared based on the presence or absence of hallux valgus using the chi-squared test. The toe flexor strength, arch height ratio (medial longitudinal arch), and spread ratio (lateral arch) were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test according to the presence or absence of hallux valgus. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to compare toe flexor strength and foot morphology. RESULTS: No difference in the fall rate was noted between those with hallux valgus on at least one foot and those without hallux valgus. No difference in toe flexor strength was noted between feet with and without hallux valgus. Correlations were found between the hallux valgus angle and the arch height (r=-0.228, P<0.01) and spread ratios (r=0.494, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Among community-dwelling elderly women who can walk independently outdoors without aids, the presence or absence of hallux valgus does not affect the incidence of falls. The lack of correlation between toe flexor strength and foot morphology may support this conclusion.