Journal of musculoskeletal & neuronal interactions最新文献

Objective: This study aims to assess how enhancing upper limb function on the affected side of stroke influences the gait of the lower limb.

Methods: Forty eligible stroke patients were randomly assigned to either a control group or a treatment group, with 20 patients in each group. Both groups underwent dynamic evaluation using artificial intelligence and computer vision before treatment. This evaluation focused on analyzing the range of motion of the shoulder and elbow during the gait cycle, as well as various gait parameters (such as step length, step speed, and percentage of stance phase) on the affected side. Following evaluation, the control group received routine rehabilitation treatment.

Results: The results indicated that there was no significant difference between the two groups before treatment. However, following treatment, there was a notable improvement in the motion of the shoulder and elbow joints on the affected side among patients in the treatment group (p<0.05), whereas the control group showed only slight improvement, which was not statistically significant (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The improvement in upper limb function on the affected side also appears to positively influence gait recovery. However, it's important to note that the observation period was relatively short. Further studies are needed to confirm whether this effect is sustained over the long term.

Leiomyomas and schwannomas are both types of rare benign soft tissue tumours. Leiomyomas are more commonly found in the lower limbs than in the upper extremities, while schwannomas are rare peripheral nerve sheath tumours that can occur in different anatomical regions. However, they rarely occur in the saphenous nerve. This case study presents a 41-year-old female patient with a solitary mass lesion located deep in the soft tissue of the anteromedial lower extremity. The physical examination revealed a palpable, elastic-hard, mobile and non-tender mass. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an oval-shaped subcutaneous mass on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sections. The initial MRI images suggested a schwannoma, but the tumour was later confirmed to be a leiomyoma after total enucleation. An immunohistochemical study was performed for differential diagnosis. Solitary mass lesions in the lower extremities can be mistaken for various types of tumours and misdiagnosed and require histopathological examination and good radiological imaging for differential diagnosis. Complete surgical excision is usually a safe and effective treatment for leiomyomas.

Objective: It is known that neuropathic pain frequently accompanies rheumatological diseases. In this study, neuropathic pain in Ankylosing Spondylitis(AS) and its relationship with disease activity were investigated.

Methods: Forty patients with AS were included. Laboratory data and disease status parameters were recorded. Neuropathic pain questionnaires were administered. Electrophysiological examination was performed on all patients. The relationship between neuropathic pain and disease activity parameters was investigated.

Results: According to the Pain Detect and LANSS questionnaire results, the rate of neuropathic pain was 57.5% and 42.5%. ASQoL, BASDAI, and ASDAS-ESH parameters are statistically significantly higher in the group with neuropathic pain according to the PainDetect (p:0.018, p:0.04, p:0.028). MASES, ASQoL, BASDAI, BASFI, and ASDAS-ESH parameters are statistically significantly higher in the group with neuropathic pain according to the LANSS (p:0.004, p:0.005, p: 0.001, p:0.005, p:0.02). Disease activity is higher in patients with neuropathic pain for both scales. Peripheral neuropathy is detected in nine patients. There is a positive correlation between disease activity parameters and neuropathic pain scales. A strong positive correlation was detected between ASQoL and BASDAI parameters and the Pain Detect questionnaire (r:0.533, r:0.606).

Conclusions: The majority of patients with AS have a neuropathic pain. This condition is associated with high disease activity and adversely affects the patient's quality of life.

Objective: The bench press is a resistance training exercise that targets several upper body muscles, including the pectoralis major (PM), anterior deltoid (AD), and triceps brachii (TB). The purpose of this study was to influence the PM activity pattern during the bench press after a 10-week targeted resistance training intervention.

Methods: Sixteen men with significant experience in strength training participated in this study. They were divided into two groups: experimental and control. The experimental group underwent targeted training of PM and bench press, while the control group only did bench press. Electromyography (EMG) was used to assess muscle activity before and after the intervention.

Results: The experimental group had a significant increase in PM activity after the intervention (p=0.0002; ES=2.6), while the control group did not show any significant change (p=0.14). The activity of AD and TB remained relatively stable across both groups and time points.

Conclusions: These findings indicate that focused resistance training can improve PM involvement in the bench press, potentially optimizing muscle excitation patterns and performance.

Objectives: To compare the pre-competition nutrition practices of Lithuanian elite international-level (IL) and national-level (NL) bodybuilders.

Methods: Sixteen male bodybuilders (n=8 per group) were enrolled. The IL group comprised individuals achieving 1^st to 4^th place in the World and European Championships organized by the IFBB, whereas the NL group ranked between 1^st and 6^th place in the national championships. Body mass and diet data were obtained via a questionnaire. A repeated-measures ANOVA was performed using time as a within factor and group as a between factor.

Results: Both groups experienced a reduction in body mass during the pre-competition phase (p<0.001), which was slower in the IL than in the NL group (p=0.048). Both groups exhibited a reduction in caloric (p<0.001), carbohydrate (p<0.001), and fat (p=0.006) intake relative to body mass, but not in protein intake. Nevertheless, the IL group had a higher intake of calories (p=0.015), protein (p<0.001), but not carbohydrates relative to body mass vs. the NL group.

Conclusions: The Lithuanian IL and NL bodybuilders both reduced calories by cutting fat and carbohydrates during pre-competition. The IL group maintained higher calorie and protein intake, resulting in similar body mass loss but at a slower rate than the NL group.

Objectives: Bilateral Deficit (BLD) occurs when the force generated by both limbs together is smaller than the sum of the forces developed separately by the two limbs. BLD may be modulated by physical training. Here, were investigated the effects of unilateral or bilateral plyometric training on BLD and neuromuscular activation during lower limb explosive extensions.

Methods: Fourteen young males were randomized into the unilateral (UL_) or bilateral (BL_) training group. Plyometric training (20 sessions, 2 days/week) was performed on a sled ergometer, and consisted of UL or BL consecutive, plyometric lower limb extensions (3-to-5 sets; 8-to-10 repetitions). Before and after training, maximal explosive efforts with both lower limbs or with each limb separately were assessed. Electromyography of representative lower limb muscles was measured.

Results: BL_training significantly and largely decreased BLD (p=0.003, effect size=1.63). This was accompanied by the reversion from deficit to facilitation of the electromyography amplitude of knee extensors during bilateral efforts (p=0.007). Conversely, UL_training had negligible effects on BLD (p=0.781). Also, both groups showed similar improvements in their maximal explosive power generated after training.

Conclusions: Bilateral plyometric training can mitigate BLD, and should be considered for training protocols focused on improving bilateral lower limb motor performance.

Objective: To compare the effects of anchor reconstruction of posterior tibial tendon with the traditional Kidner's procedure for accessory navicular bone syndrome.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 40 young athletes diagnosed with accessory navicular bone syndrome who were admitted to our hospital from 2018 to 2021. Among them, 20 patients underwent the modified Kidner procedure for the anchor reconstruction of the posterior tibial tendon (Experimental group), while the remaining 20 patients were treated with the traditional Kidner's procedure (Control group). Regular follow-ups were conducted to evaluate the degree of relief of foot symptoms and functional recovery.

Results: All patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months (mean duration: 18.6±3.7) after the operation. At the last follow-up, significant differences were observed in the function and symptom relief of the affected foot compared to the preoperative state. The experimental group had a mean operation time of 52.10 ± 3.41 minutes, significantly shorter than the control group's 61.25 ± 2.75 minutes. The mean time to return to normal activity was 12.65 ± 1.23 weeks for the experimental group, compared to 15.25 ± 1.16 weeks for the control group.

Conclusion: The modified Kidner procedure demonstrates a higher patient satisfaction rate compared to the traditional Kidner procedure. This is attributed to its shorter duration, reduced trauma, and quicker recovery of normal activity.

Objectives: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a highly successful and effective surgery for improving hip functions and relieving pain. However, the lower extremities are prone to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and swelling after surgery, thereby delaying recovery. In this study, we investigated the preventive effects of fondaparinux sodium (FS) and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) on DVT of the lower extremity after THA.

Methods: Firstly, 60 patients who underwent THA at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College from March 2020 to December 2020 were included. Next, the patients were randomly divided into an LMWH group (n = 30) and an FS group (n = 30). Then, the indexes related to DVT were compared between both groups.

Results: Specifically, the differences in baseline data, such as age, gender and body mass index (BMI), between the two groups were not statistically significant. The postoperative weight bearing time of patients in the FS group was much shorter than that in the LMWH group.

Conclusion: Subcutaneous injection of FS not only exhibits superior effects to LMWH in preventing DVT after THA but also has a correlation with reducing the risk of thrombosis and improving patient symptoms.