147 research outputs found
Luk flere forskere ind - og verden ændres
No full textShellie A. Boudreau, lektor ved Institut for Medicin og Sundhedsteknologi ved Aalborg Universitet og CEO og grundlægger af Aglance Solutions ApS, opfordrer til, at der bygges bro mellem akademisk tankegang og erhvervslivet uden at gå på kompromis med den videnskabelige integritet. Hun har selv oplevet denne udfordring i et økonomisk styret samfund eksempelvis i forbindelse med Aglance Solutions ApS’ realisering af software-værktøjet Navigate Pains, som er udviklet på Aalborg Universitet, fulde potentiale. Hun mener dog, at hun formåede at gøre dette og opfordrer til, at andre også tager chancen
Chronic neck pain alters muscle activation patterns to sudden movements
No full textThe aim of this study was to assess the activation of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and splenius capitis (SC) muscles in response to unanticipated, full body perturbations in individuals with chronic neck pain (NP) and age-matched healthy controls (HC). Individuals with NP had a history of NP for 8.9 ± 7.8 years, rated the intensity of NP as 4.2 ± 2.0 (score out of 10), and scored 15.3 ± 6.5 on the Neck Disability Index. Participants stood on a moveable platform during which 32 randomized postural perturbations (eight repetitions of four perturbation types: 8 cm forward slide (FS), 8 cm backward slides, 10° forward tilt, and 10° backward tilt) with varying inter-perturbation time intervals were performed over a period of 5 min. Bilateral surface electromyography (EMG) from the SCM and SC was recorded, and the onset time and the average rectified value of the EMG signal was determined for epochs of 100 ms; starting 100 ms prior to and 500 ms after the perturbation onset. Individuals with NP, as compared to HC, demonstrated delayed onset times and reduced EMG amplitude of the SCM and SC muscles in response to all postural perturbations. Such findings were most pronounced following the FS postural perturbation (healthy vs. NP for SCM 83.3 ± 8.0 vs. 86.3 ± 4.4 and SC 75.6 ± 3.5 vs. 89.3 ± 4.2), which was also associated with the greatest change (expressed in % relative to baseline) in EMG amplitude (healthy vs. NP for SCM 206.6 ± 50.4 vs. 115.9 ± 15.7 and SC 83.4 ± 19.2 vs. 69.2 ± 10.9) across all postural perturbations types. Individuals with NP display altered neural control of the neck musculature in response to rapid, unanticipated full body postural perturbations. Although the relative timing of neck musculature activity in individuals with NP appears to be intact, simultaneous co-activation of the neck musculature emerges for unanticipated anterior-posterior postural perturbations.</p
Localized pressure pain sensitivity is associated with lower activation of the semispinalis cervicis muscle in patients with chronic neck pain
No full textOBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between localized pressure pain sensitivity and the amplitude and specificity of semispinalis cervicis muscle activity in patients with chronic neck pain.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pressure pain detection thresholds (PPDTs) were measured over the C2-C3 and C5-C6 cervical zygapophyseal joints in 10 women with chronic neck pain and 9 healthy age-matched and sex-matched controls. Intramuscular electromyography (EMG) was acquired from the semispinalis cervicis at the levels of C2 and C5 during isometric circular contractions in the horizontal plane at 15 and 30 N, with continuous change in force direction in the range 0 to 360 degrees. The average rectified value and directional specificity of semispinalis cervicis muscle activity were computed and regression analyses were performed between measures of EMG and PPDT.RESULTS: Patients showed significantly lower PPDT compared with controls (P<0.01). Patients also displayed lower EMG amplitude of the semispinalis cervicis at both spinal levels during the circular contractions (average across spinal levels, mean±SD: 129.01±58.99 and 126.83±58.78 µV for the 15- and 30-N contractions, respectively) compared with controls (158.69±66.27 and 187.64±87.82 µV; P<0.05). Furthermore, the directional specificity of semispinalis cervicis muscle was lower for the patients during the circular contractions (P<0.05). The PPDT (C2 and C5 pooled) was positively correlated to both, directional specificity (R=0.22, P<0.05) and amplitude (R=0.15, P<0.05) of the EMG.DISCUSSION: In contrast to asymptomatic individuals, the semispinalis cervicis muscle displays reduced and less-defined EMG activity during a multidirectional isometric contraction in patients with chronic neck pain. The altered behavior of the semispinalis cervicis is weakly associated to pressure pain sensitivity.</p
The relative timing of trunk muscle activation is retained in response to unanticipated postural-perturbations during acute low back pain
No full textThe purpose of this study was to assess the activation of the erector spinae (ES) and external oblique (EO) in response to unanticipated, bi-directional postural perturbations before and after the induction of acute low back pain (LBP) in healthy individuals. An experimental session consisted of a baseline, control, and an acute LBP condition. For the control and acute LBP condition, isotonic or hypertonic saline (HS), respectively, was injected into the right ES muscle. In each condition, participants stood on a moveable platform during which 32 randomized postural perturbations (8 repetitions of 4 perturbation types: 8 cm anterior slides, 8 cm posterior slides, 10° anterior tilts, and 10° posterior tilts) with varying inter-perturbation time intervals were performed over a period of 4-5 min. Bilateral surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the ES and EO in addition to subjective pain records. During the acute LBP condition: (1) the onset time of the ES and EO was delayed for the forward and backward sliding perturbations (P < 0.05); (2) EMG amplitude was reduced bilaterally for all perturbations (P < 0.05); (3) the order of activation and interval between the onset times of the ES and EO were unaltered and (4) ES, but not EO, activity was adjusted to account for the directional differences between the perturbations. This study revealed that re-establishment of posture and balance was a result of the individuals' ability to rapidly modulate ES with respect to EO activity and that the bi-directional postural responses, although shifted in time and amplitude, retained temporal features in the presence of acute LBP.</p
Effectiveness of an 8-week exercise programme on pain and specificity of neck muscle activity in patients with chronic neck pain:a randomized controlled study
No full textBACKGROUND: Although exercise can be effective for relief of neck pain, little is known about the effect of exercise on the neural control of neck muscles.METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 46 women with chronic neck pain to investigate the immediate effectiveness of an 8-week exercise programme on pain and directional specificity of neck muscle activity. At baseline, the patients completed questionnaires including the neck disability index (NDI) and performed a circular contraction of their head in the horizontal plane at 15 N force, with continuous change in force direction in the range 0-360°. Electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and splenius capitis (SCap) muscles. Tuning curves of the EMG amplitude were computed, which depicts muscle activity over a range of force directions. The mean point of the tuning curves defined a directional vector, which determined the specificity of muscle activity. Patients were randomly assigned either to a training or control group.RESULTS: A significant between-group difference in the change in NDI was observed. A reduction in NDI was observed following training (pre: 18.2 ± 7.4; post: 14.1 ± 6.5; p < 0.01) but not for the control group (pre: 17.5 ± 6.3; post: 16.6 ± 7.4). The training group showed higher specificity of muscle activity post-intervention (pre: 18.6 ± 9.8%, post: 24.7 ± 14.3%; p < 0.05), whereas no change occurred for the control group (pre: 19.4 ± 11.9%, post: 18.2 ± 10.1%).CONCLUSION: An exercise programme that aims to enhance motor control of the cervical spine improves the specificity of neck muscle activity and reduces pain and disability in patients with neck pain.</p
Determining the effects of NADA acupuncture - The physiologic response to young healthy subjects and the subjective experience in chronic pain patients
No full textSamlet ResumeBaggrund: Det er estimeret at én ud af fem voksne på verdensplan lider af kroniske smerter. Over tid kan disse udvikle sig til komplekse kroniske smerter, som bliver komplekse på grund af de komorbide lidelser der kan følge med. Dette kan bl.a. være lidelser såsom depression, angst, søvnproblemer og stress. Udover at medføre komorbide lidelser, ses det også at komplekse kroniske smerter kan være svære at behandle. Forskellige medikamenter ses ofte som værende, ikke dækkende og med følgeskab af en lang række bivirkninger. Der er derfor brug for mere viden indenfor behandlingen af kroniske smerter. Et eksempel kunne være National aupuncture detoxification association (NADA) metoden, som er en standard akupunktur behandling der er bygget på isætning af fem akupunktur-nåle i fem forskellige zoner i hvert øre. Disse zoner er de samme hver gang og uanset hvad der behandles for. NADA metoden er brugt ved forskellige lidelser bl.a. stofafhængighed, depression, angst, kroniske smerter of søvnproblemer. Der findes dog stadig meget lidt undersøgelse på området, både omkring de virkefulde mekanismer der ligger bag, men også på hvorvidt NADA metoden egentlig har en reel effekt på de fordele både patienter og udøvere oplever.Metode: Denne afhandling indeholder to undersøgelser. Den første beror på en undersøgelse af den akutte effekt af NADA akupunktur sammenlignet med afslapning i raske unge deltagere. Dette er undersøgt ved to 45 minutters NADA behandling eller afslapning over to dage. For at undersøge de virksomme mekanismer bag NADA akupunktur, blev både blodtryk og hjertefrekvens målt samt Pressure pain threshold (PPT) på tre forskellige lokationer (Tibia knoglen, Musculus Deltoid and Musculus Vastus Lateralis (MVL)). For at undersøge fordelene ved NADA metoden blev forsøgsdeltagerne bedt om at selvrapportere deres livskvalitet og hvordan de subjektivt oplevede sessionerne med NADA eller afslapning. Den anden undersøgelse beror på en undersøgelse af NADA akupunktur som et supplement til den eksisterende behandling, i et 8-ugers behandlingstilbud til personer tilknyttet en Smerteklinik med komplekse kroniske smerter. Fordelene af NADA metoden blev undersøgt både ved behandlingens start og igen ved behandlingens ophør, ved at patienternes selvrapportering af smerteopfattelse, medicinforbrug, livskvalitet og personlighed.Resultater: Det første studie viste at PPT i MVL var øget i session 2 i NADA gruppen og et fald i PPT i Deltoid musklen i session 1 for både NADA of afslapningsgruppen. Derudover, viste der sig for både NADA og afslapnings gruppen et fald i hjertefrekvensen allerede indenfor det første minut, hvorefter denne forblev nogenlunde stabil. Den anden undersøgelse viste en korrelation imellem søvnkvalitet og personlighedstrækket organiseret, samt et fald i personlighedstrækket spontan. Ingen andre forskelle eller ændringer sås for hverken det første eller andet studie. Konklusion: Denne afhandling viser at det i NADA gruppen blev fundet en øget PPT vedd den ene af tre placeringer i raske unge forsøgsdeltagere. Derudover sås en ændring i personlighedstrækket spontan samt at ændrede søvnkvaliteten var korrelateret til personlighedstrækket organiseret. Der er dog nogle mangler i denne afhandling, som skal tages i betragtning før det kan bestemmes hvorvidt resultaterne af disse undersøgelser er faktiske resultater. En analyse viser bl.a. at begge studier var underdimensioneret i antallet af forsøgspersoner, derudover var undersøgelsen af NADA behandlingens effekt på kroniske smerte patienter ensidet, idet kontrolgruppen ikke kunne gennemføres grundet manglende mentalt overskud fra forsøgspersonerne. Sidst, var undersøgelsen af NADA akupunkturs effekt på raske unge forsøgsdeltagere randormiseret på en måde således at NADA gruppen kun bestod af kvinder. Background: One of five adults worldwide is estimated to suffer from chronic pain. This is often complicated by co-morbidities including depression, anxiety, sleeping problems, stress etc., which makes it a great challenge to overcome and remain a life with high quality. Moreover, does treatment often include medication, which has shown poor effects and a lot of side effects, thus, there is a need for new treatment options. One suggested method is the National acupuncture detoxification association (NADA), a standardized five-point needles acupuncture method which has been widely used to ease several symptoms including anxiety, sleep, chronic pain, drug addiction, and depression. However, there is a great lack of evidence about the benefits of the NADA method and the mechanisms of action behind.Method: Two studies are included in this thesis. The first study explored the acute and initiate effect in response to two consecutive 45 minutes sessions divided by 24 hours, of NADA acupuncture in comparison to Rest in healthy young participant. The mechanisms of action was explored by measuring heart rate, blood pressure and Pressure pain threshold (PPT) on three different locations including Tibia Bone, Musculus Deltoid and Musculus Vastus Lateralis (MVL). The benefits of NADA acupuncture was explored by self-reporting of quality of life and subjective experiences of NADA acupuncture. The second study explored the effect of NADA acupuncture as an adjuvant to existing treatment in an 8-week treatment program in patients at the Center for Complex Chronic Pain. The benefits of NADA acupuncture were explored by self-reporting of pain perception, Medication use, quality of life and personality, assessed at both baseline and following the 8-week treatment program.Results: The first study showed an increase in PPT for MVL in session 2 for the NADA group and a decrease in PPT for the deltoid muscle in session 1, for both NADA and Rest group. Heart rate showed a rapid decrease within the first minute for both groups, from where it stayed decreased. The second study revealed a correlation between sleep quality and the personality trait organized, and a decrease in the personality trait spontaneous. No further differences or changes were shown in neither study one nor two. Conclusion: This thesis found alterations in both healthy participant and complex chronic pain patients after NADA acupuncture, however, these two studies has faced some challenges. The second study was a one-sided study which only highlighted the effect of NADA acupuncture, due to the fact that there was no control group. The first study may show a gender effect, rather than a NADA effect, due to randomization of the NADA and Rest group led to only women in the NADA group. Finally, an analysis showed that both studies was underpowered. Combined, it is not possible to reveal whether these changes truly relied on the NADA acupuncture or underlying mechanisms.<br/
Aerobic exercise, pain and motor learning
No full textMultiple evidence suggests the importance of aerobic activity for cognitive and brain functions. Few studies however, have combined exercise with pain stimulation and motor learning in such a way as is the case for the present study. The objective of this study was to uncover causal relations between exercise and nociceptive stimulation, and to monitor said relations through novel motor learning. Background material spans from investigations of animal behavior in relation to exercise, pain and motor learning, to studies on humans that suggest causal conditions within the same field. There is evidence that suggests that exercise has acute analgesic effects, and in addition can promote motor learning. 21 healthy adults were divided into three groups, among whom two worked at high intensity on a bicycle ergometer and one worked at low intensity. Following the cycle regime they were all subject to cuff pressure pain stimulation for 5 min and then asked to complete 8 sets of novel motor learning finger tapping on a custom keyboard. After a 30 min break they completed a final retention test of the finger tapping task. Results revealed no significant correlations for completion time (p=0.144) or accuracy (p=0.950). The results suggest that there may be correlations between higher pain levels and lower ability to learn motor skills, but are non-conclusive
The effects of experimental pain on primary motor cortex neuroplasticity associated with novel orofacial motor learning
No full textThe effects of experimental pain on primary motor cortex neuroplasticity associated with novel orofacial motor learning
No full textPerformance of manual dexterity is deteriorated by acute experimental pain when performed in a combination with a demanding cognitive task
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute pain on performance of a manualdexterity task completed alone or a combination with a demanding cognitive task. Performance ofthe manual dexterity task was measured as the time to complete a grooved pegboard task and thetimes to manipulate each peg during the selection, transport, insertion, and return phases. Twentytwoyoung adults (24.1 ± 2.0 years) went through a crossover design, where every participantunderwent each condition in a randomized order. The grooved pegboard task was used to evaluatewhether simultaneously providing; nothing (Peg), pain (PegPain), a cognitive interference task(PegSub), or a combination of both (PegPainSub) would affect pegboard performance. The cognitivetask consisted of continuous subtractions of seven. No differences in pegboard completion timebetween Peg and PegPain was found. A longer completion time for PegSub and PegPainSub wasfound compared to Peg and PegPain. PegPainSub had longer pegboard completion times comparedto PegSub. This was accounted primary by a longer selection phase duration for PegPainSubcompared to PegSub. The results suggest pain had an interfered effect in completion time in acombination with the cognitive interference task compared to no pain. Furthermore, these resultsrevealed that acute pain reduced performance on a manual dexterity task only in a combinationwith a cognitive task
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