Article
Sport Sciences
Amanda S. Ferreira, Danilo de Oliveira Silva, Deisi Ferrari, Fernando H. Magalhaes, Evangelos Pappas, Ronaldo Briani, Marcella F. Pazzinatto, Fabio M. de Azevedo
Summary: The study compared knee extension and hip abduction force steadiness and maximal strength between women with patellofemoral pain (PFP) and pain-free women, finding lower force steadiness in PFP patients. The results suggest that treating PFP should not only focus on improving knee and hip muscle strength, but also on enhancing force steadiness.
JOURNAL OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Orthopedics
Iker Villanueva-Ruiz, Deborah Falla, Ion Lascurain-Aguirrebena
Summary: The study compared the effectiveness of Specific neck exercises (SNE) with alternative exercise interventions (AEI) for reducing pain and disability in patients with nonspecific neck pain (NSNP). SNE were found to be more effective in the short to medium term, but not in the long term, with limited evidence. The overall quality of evidence is low, and using specific exercises tailored to each patient based on motor control dysfunction is not supported by the evidence.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
J. Greig Inglis, David A. Gabriel
Summary: This study found that females exhibit lower force steadiness and higher coefficient of variation of motor unit action potential inter-pulse interval compared to males at submaximal and maximal force outputs. This may be due to differences in motor unit behaviors leading to the observed differences in force steadiness between the sexes.
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY NUTRITION AND METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Physics, Applied
Simiao Yu, Jiayu Liang, Wenzhong Yang, Dongmei Xu, Chao Xu
Summary: This paper proposes a longitudinal-bending hybrid sandwich type ultrasonic actuator based on the Lissajous curve. By combining longitudinal and bending vibration modes, an 8-shaped trajectory is used as the driving trajectory. Only one channel driver is needed for the excitation signal, which is formed by the superposition of two sinusoidal signals. The prototype of the actuator is manufactured and the output performance is evaluated, with an output velocity of 59.70 rpm under an excitation voltage of 300 Vp-p.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jose A. Mingorance, Pedro Montoya, Jose G. Vivas Miranda, Inmaculada Riquelme
Summary: The study indicates that whole body vibration therapy is effective for patients with fibromyalgia, improving functional disability, static equilibrium, and pain sensitivity among other key parameters.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Eduard Kurz, Kay Brehme, Thomas Bartels, Martin Pyschik, Manuel Jenz, Wiebke Kadler, Karl-Stefan Delank, Rene Schwesig
Summary: This study assessed standing steadiness and pain intensity among patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent HTO surgery. Results showed an increase in weight distribution under the HTO side over time, while standing stability remained consistent throughout the study period.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Igor Macedo Tavares Correia, Arthur de Sa Ferreira, Jessica Fernandez, Felipe Jose Jandre Reis, Leandro Alberto Calazans Nogueira, Ney Meziat-Filho
Summary: The study found that in adults, text neck is not associated with the prevalence, frequency, or intensity of neck pain.
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Albin Stjernbrandt, Hans Pettersson, Per Vihlborg, Jens Wahlstrom, Charlotte Lewis
Summary: This study aimed to determine the association between occupational exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) and neck pain. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of the general population in northern Sweden. The results showed a significant association between occupational exposure to WBV and neck pain in men, but not in women.
Article
Neurosciences
Jennifer Cleary, Brooke K. Coombes, Paul Hodges, Kylie Tucker
Summary: Pain alters motor unit discharge properties in muscles, even in muscles unrelated to the source of pain or in antagonist muscles. Understanding the changes in motor unit discharge during pain is important for understanding how the body adapts to and perceives pain.
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Norollah Javdaneh, Feridon Molayei, Nazanin Kamranifraz
Summary: Combining motor imagery training with neck stabilization exercises showed superior effects in reducing pain, disability, and kinesiophobia in patients with chronic neck pain compared to neck stabilization exercises alone, with statistically significant differences observed between the two groups.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Satya Rungta, Debaleena Basu, Naveen Sendhilnathan, Aditya Murthy
Summary: This study demonstrates that the temporal aspects of motor planning in the oculomotor circuitry can be accessed by peripheral neck muscles hundreds of milliseconds before initiating a saccadic eye movement. The coupling between central and peripheral processes during the delay period is mediated by the recruitment pattern of motor units with smaller amplitudes. These findings suggest that information processed in cortical areas can be read from the periphery before execution.
JOURNAL OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michail Arvanitidis, David Jimenez-Grande, Nadege Haouidji-Javaux, Deborah Falla, Eduardo Martinez-Valdes
Summary: This study quantified the relationship between sEMG activity and trunk-extension torque in individuals with and without chronic low back pain. The results showed differences in sEMG-torque coherence between the two groups during different tasks.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Sport Sciences
Georgios Trypidakis, Ioannis G. Amiridis, Roger Enoka, Irini Tsatsaki, Eleftherios Kellis, Francesco Negro
Summary: The study evaluated the influence of changes in ankle- and knee-joint angles on force steadiness and motor unit discharge characteristics in the soleus muscle during steady isometric contractions. The findings suggest the dominant role of the soleus muscle in controlling submaximal forces generated by the plantar flexor muscles.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biology
Cheolki Im, Hyoung-Ihl Kim, Sung Chan Jun
Summary: Electrical brain stimulation is a treatment method for brain disorders, but its effectiveness in brain atrophy is unclear. This study used anatomical head models with varying degrees of brain atrophy to investigate the effects of cortical stimulation. The results showed a significant decrease in effective volumes of cortical stimulation with brain atrophy, and a strong correlation between cerebrospinal fluid and brain atrophy. Overall, epidural cortical stimulation was more sensitive to the severity of brain atrophy than subdural cortical stimulation.
COMPUTERS IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Hailey Tabbert, Ushani Ambalavanar, Bernadette Murphy
Summary: Experimentally induced neck fatigue and pain affect neural processing, and vibration-induced alterations in neck sensory input can influence cerebellar pathways, potentially impacting proprioceptive-based tasks.
Article
Rehabilitation
Nicholas C. Clark, Jamie Pethick, Deborah Falla
Summary: Musculoskeletal conditions are a major cause of disability globally, indicating that current rehabilitation techniques do not effectively target the most influential characteristics for long-term musculoskeletal health. Traditional measurements in neuromuscular control lack the ability to capture the hidden information of a physiological system's status over time. Utilizing measurement approaches that consider the complexity of muscle force control could provide valuable insights for diagnosing and prognosing musculoskeletal diseases and injuries.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Tania Mendes Fernandes, Roberto Mendez-Sanchez, Ana S. Puente-Gonzalez, Francisco J. Martin-Vallejo, Deborah Falla, Carolina Vila-cha
Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Global Postural Re-education (GPR) versus a neck specific exercise (SE) program on neck pain in women with non-specific chronic neck pain (NSCNP). The results showed that both GPR and SE were effective in reducing neck pain and disability, improving neck mobility, and decreasing the activity of the superficial cervical flexor muscles.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL AND REHABILITATION MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alison B. Rushton, Feroz Jadhakhan, Martin L. Verra, Andrew Emms, Nicola R. Heneghan, Deborah Falla, Michael Reddington, Ashley A. Cole, Paul C. Willems, Lorin Benneker, David Selvey, Michael Hutton, Martijn W. Heymans, J. Bart Staal
Summary: The objective of this study was to develop clinical prediction rules for lumbar spinal fusion surgery (LSFS) to identify patients with a favorable outcome. The results showed that pre-operative factors such as BMI, ODI, leg and back pain, and previous surgery are important considerations for surgery decision-making, while pre-operative leg and back pain and work status are important considerations for postoperative management decisions. These findings can inform clinical decision-making regarding LSFS and associated rehabilitation.
EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
G. Chini, T. Varrecchia, S. Conforto, A. M. De Nunzio, F. Draicchio, D. Falla, A. Ranavolo
Summary: This study investigates trunk stability during repetitive liftings in relation to risk level, using the Lyapunov's maximum exponent. The results show that trunk stability increases with increasing risk level and as the lifting task progresses over time. There is also a negative correlation between trunk stability and muscle co-activation. These findings suggest that stability measures from kinematic data can be useful in assessing the risk of work-related low back pain disorders and implementing early ergonomic interventions.
Article
Neurosciences
A. Cana-Pino, M. D. Apolo-Arenas, D. Falla, E. Lluch-Girbes, L. Espejo-Antunez
Summary: The combination of exercise therapy and Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) can effectively reduce pain intensity, improve function, and decrease pain catastrophizing in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain. Laser-Guided Exercise (LGE) combined with PNE is more effective in reducing pain intensity compared to supervised exercise alone.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND KINESIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Joachim Erlenwein, Anne Kaestner, Mikkel Gram, Deborah Falla, Asbjorn M. Drewes, Michael Przemeck, Frank Petzke
Summary: The aim of this study is to explore how pain chronification modulates whole-brain functional connectivity during clinical and tonic pain in patients with hip osteoarthritis. The results show that women exhibit increased functional connectivity in the low-frequency range during both clinical and tonic pain, while men only show elevated functional connectivity in the tonic cold pain condition.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carlos Romero-Morales, Deborah Falla, Daniel Pecos-Martin, Guillermo Garcia-Perez-de-Sevilla, Paula Garcia-Bermejo, Emmanuel Navarro-Flores, Daniel Lopez-Lopez
Summary: This pilot study used ultrasound imaging to evaluate and compare the thickness of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles between individuals recently diagnosed with moderate Covid-19 infection and healthy individuals. The results showed no significant differences in muscle thickness between the two groups during inspiration, expiration, or contraction.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samia Alamrani, Adrian Gardner, Deborah Falla, Emily Russell, Alison B. B. Rushton, Nicola R. R. Heneghan
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the content validity of Scoliosis Research Society-22 revised (SRS-22r) for assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adolescents with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). In-depth semi-structured interviews revealed that the SRS-22r does not adequately capture important concepts related to the HRQOL of AIS patients. These findings support the need for revising the SRS-22r or developing a new patient-reported outcome measure to evaluate the HRQOL of adolescents with AIS.
Article
Rehabilitation
E. Anarte-Lazo, C. Rodriguez-Blanco, D. Falla, C. Bernal-Utrera
Summary: This study assessed the test-retest reliability of various physical tests in patients with acute whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). The majority of physical tests showed good or excellent test-retest reliability in patients with acute WAD. However, caution should be taken for tests that demonstrated systematic bias. Further research is needed to evaluate inter-rater reliability.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
E. Anarte-Lazo, C. Rodriguez-Blanco, C. Bernal-Utrera, D. Falla
Summary: This study found that mechanical provocation of headache is more frequent in people with whiplash-associated headache (WAH) after a whiplash injury. Provocation of headache during the assessment of C2 and C1-C2 on the most painful side demonstrated the highest association with WAH.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Erik Thoomes, Marloes de Graaf, Alessio Gallina, Deborah Falla, Afroditi Stathi
Summary: This study compared the CRIS subscale 3 and the PSFS 2.0 in assessing activity limitations in patients with CR, established their correlation, and assessed the frequency of reported functional limitations.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Review
Rehabilitation
E. Anarte-Lazo, D. Abichandani, C. Rodriguez-Blanco, C. Bernal-Utrera, D. Falla
Summary: In the studies on the clinical characteristics of whiplash-associated headache (WAH), headache intensity was the most commonly reported feature, followed by duration, frequency, and location. Few studies investigated physical impairments related to WAH, while more studies focused on differentiating it from concussion.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Anesthesiology
Ernesto Anarte-Lazo, Bernard X. W. Liew, Valter Devecchi, Carlos Bernal-Utrera, Cleofas Rodriguez-Blanco, Deborah Falla
Summary: This study used network analysis to determine the interaction between physical and pain-related factors and fear of movement in people with whiplash-associated disorders during acute and chronic pain periods. The results showed that there were strongest associations between headache and neck pain intensity and neck disability and fear of movement.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAIN
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Erik Thoomes, Joshua A. Cleland, Deborah Falla, Robby de Pauw, Francois Maissan, Marloes de Graaf
Summary: This study aimed to assess the interrater reliability, concurrent validity, and responsiveness of the Sen-scoordination 3D Cervical Trainer (SCT) in measuring cervical range of motion (ROM). The results showed high correlation between the measures obtained with the SCT and the CROM device, as well as high interrater reliability. The SCT was found to be a valid, reliable, and responsive instrument for measuring cervical ROM.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Shouq Althobaiti, Deborah Falla
Summary: This study aimed to determine the within-day and between-day test-retest reliability and criterion validity of a handheld dynamometer (HHD) for evaluating maximum isometric trunk strength in people with chronic low back pain (LBP) and asymptomatic individuals. The results showed that the HHD had good to excellent reliability within-day and between-day for both LBP and asymptomatic participants, and there was a moderate to strong correlation between HHD measurements and isokinetic dynamometer measurements.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)