1,720,992 research outputs found
Postural Strategies of Bus Drivers During a Regular Work Shift in Urban Area: A Pilot Study
No full textBus drivers are forced to adopt constrained postures for a long time on a daily basis. This may cause discomfort and, in the long term, represent a co-factor for the onset of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), particularly in the low back. Objective measurements of biomechanical variables associated to sitting posture may be useful to better estimate the risk of MSD and, in this context, in recent times in chair movements (ICM) have been shown to represent a reliable tool to characterize sitting postural strategies. This study aimed to evaluate postural strategies of bus drivers during actual long-term driving session in urban area, through the analysis of ICM trend with shift time. Seven professional drivers were tested during regular 6- hours work-shift divided in 50 min point-to-point routes, interspersed by 10 minutes breaks at each last stop. Body-seat interface pressures were collected using a pressure sensitive mat and subjective discomfort rating was evaluated using a 2-parts questionnaire. The results show that, during the whole shift, most drivers report a constant increase in perceived discomfort and a correspondent increase in the overall number of ICM. However, it was interesting to observe that considering a single point-to-point route (i.e. the maximum amount of time in which the drivers must remain seated continuously) the number of ICM increase at the beginning of the period but then decrease significantly, probably when the optimal position to minimize discomfort is reached
Robot-assisted rehabilitation of people with breast cancer developing upper limb lymphedema: protocol of a randomized controlled trial with a 6-month follow‐up
Full text linkUpper limb lymphedema (ULLy) is an external (and/or internal) manifestation of lymphatic system insufficiency and deranged lymph transport for more than 3 months and frequently affects people as a consequence of breast cancer (BC). ULLy is often underestimated despite diminished motor skills, mood, and cognitive-behavioral complaints negatively condition the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of persons. BC can also metastasize to the jawbone, further impacting on the HRQoL. In time, the implementation of robot-assisted rehabilitation (RR) for neurological diseases has grown to improve HRQoL and pain. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a RR program in the treatment of individuals who develop an ULLy; as a further analysis, the study will assess the effectiveness of the same program in people with jawbone metastases from BC who will also develop ULLy. A randomized, parallel-group superiority-controlled trial will be conducted. 44 participants will be randomly allocated to either the experimental (receiving a RR program) or the control group (regular rehabilitation). Both groups will follow individual-based programs three times a week for 10 weeks. The main outcome measure will be the Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes will be a pain intensity numerical rating scale and the Cranio-Facial Pain Disability Inventory. Evaluations are before and after training and 6 months later. Findings may provide evidence on the effectiveness of a RR program on inducing improvements in the HRQoL and pain of individuals with ULLy due to BC. People with ULLy and jawbone metastases from BC are expected for similar or higher improvements as per the same comparisons above. This trial might contribute towards defining guidelines for good clinical rehabilitation routines and might be used as a basis for health authorities' endorsements.Trial registration OSF REGISTRIES, osf-registrations-jz7ax-v1 . Registered on 26 June 2023
Postural strategies among office workers during a prolonged sitting bout
Full text linkSedentary behavior has increased steadily over prior decades, primarily due to increased computer use at work and at home. The total sedentary time per day has been associated with increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases; increased sitting time at work has been associated with musculoskeletal discomfort particularly in the low back. Office workers spend many hours sitting, thus efforts to increase movement through changes of posture (sit to stand) or moving while sitting have been proposed as ways to mitigate the negative effects of prolonged sitting. Yet, few studies have investigated differences in the movement patterns of office workers while sitting performing their actual work. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize movement patterns during a prolonged sitting bout and to determine their association with musculoskeletal pain. Twenty-eight office workers participated in this field study that used a pressure sensitive mat to quantify seat pan pressure (4 regions) and trunk sway parameters over a 2-hour bout of computer work. Data were stratified by breakers who stood up at least once within the 2-hour test and prolongers who remained sitting throughout the test. Overall, there was a decreasing trend in trunk sway parameters (mean COP position, sway path, sway area, sway velocity, maximum displacement, and in-chair movements) over time (p < 0.05), with significant changes in sitting strategies. There were significant differences in trunk sway parameters and perceived musculoskeletal discomfort between breakers and prolongers with breakers having more consistent movement while sitting over the prolonged sitting bout (p < 0.05) and lower discomfort ratings. This may indicate that interrupting prolonged bouts of sitting with short periods of standing can maintain sitting movement patterns and reduce the development of musculoskeletal discomfort. Trunk sway monitoring and promoting periodic standing may be useful tools for maintaining in chair movements that may reduce or prevent the onset of musculoskeletal discomfort during prolonged sitting
Trunk sway changes in professional bus drivers during actual shifts on long-distance routes
Full text linkAlthough professional bus drivers are required to perform their task while adopting a prolonged constrained sitting posture, existence of possible effects in terms of postural strategies has been scarcely investigated under actual working conditions. This study aimed to characterize modifications of trunk sway in 14 professional bus drivers during regular shifts performed on non-urban routes using a pressure-sensitive mat placed on the seat. Center-of-pressure (COP) time series were extracted from body-seat pressure data to calculate sway parameters (i.e. sway area, COP path length, COP displacements and velocities). Results show generalized increase in trunk sway as driving progresses, which becomes statistically significant after approximately 70-100 minutes of continuous driving. This may indicate the adoption of specific strategies to cope with discomfort onset or a fatigue-induced alteration of postural features. Trunk sway monitoring of bus drivers may be useful in detecting postural behaviors potentially associated with deteriorating performance and discomfort onset.Practitioner Summary: Professional bus drivers operate in sitting position for prolonged time. Such constrained posture may induce discomfort and fatigue. We investigated trunk sway during actual shifts using pressure-sensitive mats. Significant increase of sway was detected after 70min of continuous driving. Body-seat pressure data could be used as discomfort and fatigue markers
Performance of the Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire in a sample of people with traumatic brain injury living in Italy
Full text linkTo Stand or to Sit? Examining the Influence of Player Posture on Balance Alterations Associated to Immersive Virtual Reality Exposure
No full textDue to reduced cost and improved performance, immersive Virtual Reality (VR) is spreading in different fields such as education, industry, and rehabilitation. However, while considered promising for improving health and well-being, there is evidence regarding the possibility to originate adverse effects in terms of motion sickness symptoms, which can be objectively assessed by means of balance alterations. Among other factors that influence this phenomenon (i.e., exposure time, optical flow, hardware type, etc.) player's posture is particularly important especially in the case of immersive VR administration for training or rehabilitation purposes in special populations. However, empirical data on how user's posture is associated to cybersickness during immersive VR experiences are limited. To this aim, we investigated the impact of seated and standing postures on postural control, measured by postural sway, in response to immersive VR. Seventy-six healthy participants underwent pre- and post-VR assessments following a 10-minute simulated rollercoaster experience. Results revealed that postural control is differently affected by standing or sitting position only when sway analysis is performed in absence of visual cues. Both sway area and Center-of-Pressure (COP) path length significantly decreased for the sitting group, while no changes were observed for the standing position. These differences highlight the primary role of visual input in postural performance and elucidates distinct effects of VR player’s posture on the postural control system. Standing during VR exposure posed challenges to balance maintenance due to conflicting sensory inputs, leading to temporary and slight increases in postural sway. Conversely, seated posture was characterized by decreased engagement of lower limbs, facilitating enhanced postural stability post-VR session, possibly due to VR training effect. Our study emphasizes the importance of considering user’s posture in VR interventions, suggesting for customized approaches in therapeutic and training settings. Clinicians should carefully consider patients’ postures during VR interventions to improve outcomes and safety
Responsiveness and minimal important change of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale in Italian patients with chronic low back pain undergoing multidisciplinary rehabilitation
Full text linkBackground: There is still a lack of information concerning MIC of the QBPDS, that limits its use for clinical and research purposes. Aim: Evaluating responsiveness and minimal important change (MIC) of the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale (QBPDS) in Italians with chronic low back pain (LBP). Design: Methodological research based on an observational study. Setting: Outpatient rehabilitation hospital. Population: Two hundred and one patients with chronic LBP. Methods: At the beginning and end of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme, patients completed the QBPDS. At the end of treatment, they completed a 7-level global perceived effect (GPE) scale, which was split to obtain a dichotomous outcome (improved vs. stable). Responsiveness was calculated by distribution-based [effect size (ES); standardised response mean (SRM); minimum detectable change (MDC95)] and anchor-based methods [Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curves]. ROC curves were also used to compute the MIC (based on QBPDS change score, both absolute and expressed as percentage). Correlations between the change score of the QBPDS and GPE were calculated. Results: The ES was 0.29, the SRM was 0.43, and the MDC95 was 12 points. ROC analysis of the absolute change scores showed a MIC value of 6 points, with an area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of 0.83 (95%C.I. 0.77-0.90), 77.7% and 80.8%, respectively. ROC analysis based on the percent change score from baseline revealed a MIC of 18% with an AUC, sensitivity and specificity of 0.85 (95%C.I. 0.79-0.91), 80.6% and 80.8%, respectively. Correlation between change score of the QBPDS and GPE was ρ=-0.67. Conclusions: The QBPDS score change (expressed in both absolute value and percentage from baseline) was sensitive in detecting clinical changes in Italian subjects with chronic LBP undergoing multidisciplinary rehabilitation. In clinical practice, we recommend -where absolute change is lower than MDC- to rely on the MIC taking into account the percentage change from baseline condition. Clinical rehabilitation impact: The present study investigated the responsiveness and MIC of the QBPDS in a group of patients with chronic LBP. Our findings showed that the QBPDS score may classify with good to excellent discriminatory accuracy subjects who consider themselves as improved. Where examining change, we recommend to consider both MICs we provided (expressing score change both in absolute value and as a percentage from baseline), and disregard values lower than MDC95, not being discernible from measurement error
Movement Behavior and Health Outcomes among Sedentary Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Full text linkBackground: Sedentary behavior, which is highly prevalent among office workers, is associated with multiple health disorders, including those of the musculoskeletal and cardiometabolic systems. Although prior studies looked at postures or physical activity during work or leisure time, few analyzed both posture and movement throughout the entire day. Objective: This cross-sectional pilot study examined the movement behavior of sedentary office workers during both work and leisure time to explore its association with musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and cardiometabolic health indicators. Methods: Twenty-six participants completed a survey and wore a thigh-based inertial measuring unit (IMU) to quantify the time spent in different postures, the number of transitions between postures, and the step count during work and leisure time. A heart rate monitor and ambulatory blood pressure cuff were worn to quantify cardiometabolic measures. The associations between movement behavior, MSD, and cardiometabolic health indicators were evaluated. Results: The number of transitions differed significantly between those with and without MSD. Correlations were found between MSD, time spent sitting, and posture transitions. Posture transitions had negative correlations with body mass index and heart rate. Conclusions: Although no single behavior was highly correlated with health outcomes, these correlations suggest that a combination of increasing standing time, walking time, and the number of transitions between postures during both work and leisure time was associated with positive musculoskeletal and cardiometabolic health indicators among sedentary office workers and should be considered in future research
Age-Related Changes in Smoothness of Gait of Healthy Children and Early Adolescents
No full textIn this study, we acquired and processed trunk accelerations during level walking in 85 children aged 8- 13 years to calculate spatio-temporal parameters and Harmonic Ratio (HR), which is a metrics representative of gait smoothness and step-to-step symmetry. The results show that while spatio-temporal parameters remain unchanged once normalized considering individuals’ anthropometry, significantly higher values of HR for both the antero-posterior and vertical directions were found in participants aged 12–13 with respect to those of 8–9. This indicates an improvement of gait symmetry, which suggests that the gait maturation process is still ongoing for the age ranges tested here
Dynamic postural stability, is associated with competitive level, in youth league soccer players
No full textObjectives
To assess the effect of competitive level on dynamic postural stability in young elite and sub-elite soccer players.
Design
Cross-sectional study.
Setting
Laboratory.
Participants
Fifty-four male soccer players of Under 16 and Under 17 categories (mean age 15.9±0.6), divided into two groups who regularly compete at national (n = 28) and regional (n = 26) levels.
Main outcome measures
Dynamic Postural Stability Index (DPSI) and vertical Time to Stabilization (vTTS) for a forward-jump landing. Static postural sway was calculated on the basis of center-of-pressure trajectories for a 20s one-legged stance.
Results
Players at national level exhibit better dynamic postural control than those at regional level, as indicated by the significantly lower DPSI (0.327 vs. 0.373, p<0.001) and vTTS (0.887 vs. 1.158s, p=0.003). In con- trast, no differences between groups were found in any of the postural sway parameters for the static test. Conclusions
Young soccer players at national level are characterized by better balance performance in terms of faster and more efficient stabilization after a forward jump, while one-leg static standing tests appear not challeng- ing enough to reveal differences in balance abilities associated with the combination of superior technical and physical features
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