227 research outputs found
From Male Master To Caring Mediator. Lieven De Cauter on utopia, the commons, urban gardening and the changing role of the architect
No full textINTRODUCTION This interview took place in early January, 2023 between Belgian philosopher, art historian, writer, and activist, Lieven De Cauter (b. 1959), and Ralph Ghoche, Assistant Professor of Architecture at Barnard College, Columbia University. De Cauter is Professor of the Philosophy of Culture in the Department of Architecture, Urbanism and Planning at KU Leuven and the author of some 20 books. Beyond his academic writings, De Cauter has published poems, essays in architectural critic..
“Literature and Energy” at TALES (Tampere Literary Evenings), 10 April 2024
No full textLooking forward to today's TALES event (Tampere Literary Evenings), where I join author/energy activist Risto Isomäki to talk about literature and energy. Risto Isomäki does not really need an introduction to a Finnish audience, but for an international public it might be interesting to know that he is the author of one of the first novels to explicitly consider man-made future climate catastrophe in his novel The Sands of Sarasvati (Sarasvatin hiekkaa; 2005), also made into a fascinating gr..
Back-to-Back, a proof of concept study investigating the role of back muscle characteristics to tailor exercise therapy for recurrent non-specific low back pain: study protocol and preliminary analysis of proprioceptive postural control results
No full textBackground and aim
Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is the main cause of disability worldwide and current treatments have limited effects. Alterations in macroscopic, microscopic, electrophysiological and hemodynamic lumbar muscle characteristics and proprioceptive postural control (PPC) are found in people with NSLBP and directing treatment based on shared underlying mechanisms (phenotypes), could improve its effects. Therefore, this study aims to determine the most discriminating lumbar muscle characteristics between patients with NSLBP and healthy controls, investigate their interrelatedness and relationship with PPC and delineate NSLBP phenotypes based on them. Additionally, to investigate whether proprioceptive exercises have a greater effect on specific NSLBP phenotypes.
Methods
Lumbar multifidus and erector spinae muscle characteristics will be evaluated and compared in 53 people with recurrent NSLBP and 47 healthy controls. For PPC, the COP displacements in response to vibration to the ankle and back muscles are measured on a force plate, while standing on stable and unstable surface with vision occluded. Proprioceptive dominance is evaluated by the Relative Proprioceptive Weighting (RPW) ratio, with lower RPW values indicating more lumbar proprioceptive reliance. Muscle volume is investigated with 3D freehand ultrasound, and muscle activation and oxygenation with electromyography and near-infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The 53 people with NSLBP also receive a 16-week intervention focusing on improving their ability to sense and discriminate low back position, muscle activation and lumbar movement. These proprioceptive exercises are integrated into the patients’ daily lives and comprise a high-load lifting exercise. Their effects are evaluated at 8 weeks, 16 weeks and 16 weeks after the end of the intervention.
Results
Recruitment is ongoing, currently five people with recurrent NSLBP are enrolled and analysed descriptively. Preliminary results on PPC include increased lumbar proprioceptive reliance after eight (Pre: 0.69 ± 0.04; Post: 0.46 ± 0.30 stable and Pre: 0.58 ± 0.13; Post: 0.44 ± 0.31 unstable) and 16 weeks (Post: 0.40 ± 0.30 stable and Post: 0.34 ± 0.16 unstable) and increased COP displacement in response to lumbar vibration on stable (Pre: 0.018 ± 0.011; Post: 0.020 ±0.012) and unstable (Pre: 0.015 ± 0.013; Post: 0.021 ± 0.009) after 16 weeks of intervention.
Conclusion
Preliminary results show increased lumbar proprioceptive use and a switch in dominant reliance from ankle to lumbar proprioception in response to this proprioceptive intervention, translating to improved PPC. Further effects on the different lumbar muscle characteristics and their correlation with PPC will be investigated. Phenotypes of people with NSLBP will be delineated and the effects of this intervention on them will be examined. Results may improve patient-tailored exercise therapy for people with NSLBP.Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) - grant numbers 11B6522N and G072122
Future of the Novel - syllabus update and guest lecture
No full textThe course I am co-teaching with Natalya Bekhta on "The Future of the Novel" is nearing its final stages, with the most recent classes on Bulgarian author Gospodinov's Time Shelter and Polish author Tokarczuk's The House of Day, the House of Night, and the final class in a few weeks on Norwegian author Rimbereid's Solaris corrected. Full updated syllabus below and in this pdf. Today (25 March), instead of a regular class, our students are listening in to a guest lecture by Eric Hayot on "The..
Back muscle characteristics to tailor exercise therapy for low back pain: study protocol and preliminary results of the “Back-to-Back” proof of concept study
No full textNon-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is the leading cause of disability. People with NSLBP exhibit alterations in their lumbar muscle characteristics and proprioceptive postural control (PPC). Defining shared underlying mechanisms and guiding treatment based on them may improve the limited effects of current treatments. This study will define the most distinctive lumbar muscle characteristics among people with NSLBP and healthy controls, and examine their interrelatedness and correlation with PPC to delineate NSLBP phenotypes. The effects of a proprioceptive intervention on these phenotypes will be investigated.
In 53 people with recurrent NSLBP and 47 healthy controls, the characteristics of the lumbar multifidus and erector spinae muscles will be investigated and compared. To evaluate PPC, ankle and back muscle vibration are applied during standing on stable and unstable ground with vision occluded. The vibration-induced Center of Pressure (COP) displacements are measured with a force plate and used to calculate relative proprioceptive reliance. Muscle activation and oxygenation are measured with electromyography and near-infrared spectroscopy, respectively, and muscle volume with 3D freehand ultrasound. The 53 people with NSLBP participate in a 16-week proprioceptive intervention, integrated into their daily lives and comprising a high-load lifting exercise. Its effects are evaluated midway, at the end and 16 weeks after the end of-intervention.
Recruitment is in progress and preliminary descriptive results of the five enrolled participants with NSLBP on PPC comprise an increase in back vibration induced COP displacement (Pre: 0.018 ± 0.011; Post: 0.020 ±0.012 stable and Pre: 0.015 ± 0.013; Post: 0.021 ± 0.009 unstable) at the end of intervention and an increased lumbar proprioceptive reliance at midway (Pre: 0.69 ± 0.04; Post: 0.46 ± 0.30 stable and Pre: 0.58 ± 0.13; Post: 0.44 ± 0.31 unstable) and end (Post: 0.40 ± 0.30 stable and Post: 0.34 ± 0.16 unstable) of intervention.
This proprioceptive intervention improved PPC, based on preliminary results. It increased the use of lumbar proprioception, leading to a shift from dominance in ankle proprioception to lumbar. The lumbar muscle characteristics and their correlation with PPC will be examined and the effects of this intervention on the delineated NSLBP phenotypes will be assessed. Patient-tailored exercise therapy for NSLBP may benefit from these results.Research Foundation Flanders - FWO (grant G072122N
Back-to-Back, a proof of concept study investigating the role of back muscle characteristics to tailor exercise therapy for recurrent non-specific low back pain: study protocol and preliminary analysis of proprioceptive postural control results
No full textBackground and aim
Non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is the main cause of disability worldwide and current treatments have limited effects. Alterations in macroscopic, microscopic, electrophysiological and hemodynamic lumbar muscle characteristics and proprioceptive postural control (PPC) are found in people with NSLBP and directing treatment based on shared underlying mechanisms (phenotypes), could improve its effects. Therefore, this study aims to determine the most discriminating lumbar muscle characteristics between patients with NSLBP and healthy controls, investigate their interrelatedness and relationship with PPC and delineate NSLBP phenotypes based on them. Additionally, to investigate whether proprioceptive exercises have a greater effect on specific NSLBP phenotypes.
Methods
Lumbar multifidus and erector spinae muscle characteristics will be evaluated and compared in 53 people with recurrent NSLBP and 47 healthy controls. For PPC, the COP displacements in response to vibration to the ankle and back muscles are measured on a force plate, while standing on stable and unstable surface with vision occluded. Proprioceptive dominance is evaluated by the Relative Proprioceptive Weighting (RPW) ratio, with lower RPW values indicating more lumbar proprioceptive reliance. Muscle volume is investigated with 3D freehand ultrasound, and muscle activation and oxygenation with electromyography and near-infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The 53 people with NSLBP also receive a 16-week intervention focusing on improving their ability to sense and discriminate low back position, muscle activation and lumbar movement. These proprioceptive exercises are integrated into the patients’ daily lives and comprise a high-load lifting exercise. Their effects are evaluated at 8 weeks, 16 weeks and 16 weeks after the end of the intervention.
Results
Recruitment is ongoing, currently five people with recurrent NSLBP are enrolled and analysed descriptively. Preliminary results on PPC include increased lumbar proprioceptive reliance after eight (Pre: 0.69 ± 0.04; Post: 0.46 ± 0.30 stable and Pre: 0.58 ± 0.13; Post: 0.44 ± 0.31 unstable) and 16 weeks (Post: 0.40 ± 0.30 stable and Post: 0.34 ± 0.16 unstable) and increased COP displacement in response to lumbar vibration on stable (Pre: 0.018 ± 0.011; Post: 0.020 ±0.012) and unstable (Pre: 0.015 ± 0.013; Post: 0.021 ± 0.009) after 16 weeks of intervention.
Conclusion
Preliminary results show increased lumbar proprioceptive use and a switch in dominant reliance from ankle to lumbar proprioception in response to this proprioceptive intervention, translating to improved PPC. Further effects on the different lumbar muscle characteristics and their correlation with PPC will be investigated. Phenotypes of people with NSLBP will be delineated and the effects of this intervention on them will be examined. Results may improve patient-tailored exercise therapy for people with NSLBP.Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) - grant numbers 11B6522N and G072122
The forgotten role of back muscle characteristics to tailor exercise therapy for recurrent non-specific low back pain: Study protocol for the Back-to-Back study
No full textBackground and aims: Current treatments for non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) have only limited effects. Identifying phenotypes of patients that share underlying mechanisms towards which clinicians could direct treatment could improve the effects. Previous studies found macroscopic, microscopic, electrophysiological, and proprioceptive changes in the back muscles of patients with NSLBP. However, no studies delineated NSLBP phenotypes based on back muscle characteristics.
Methods: We will evaluate various characteristics of the lumbar multifidus and erector spinae in 90 patients with NSLBP and 55 healthy controls: muscle volume with 3D freehand ultrasound, muscle fiber type composition with minimally-invasive muscle biopsies, proprioceptive use during postural control by applying muscle vibration during standing on a force plate, and muscle activation and oxygenation with electromyography and near-infrared spectroscopy (Fig. 1). We will determine the most discriminating muscle characteristics between patients with NSLBP and controls, based upon which phenotypes will be delineated. Then, the patients with NSLBP will be randomized into two groups receiving a 16-week program of proprioceptive training or resistance training. The effect of both programs on back muscle characteristics and disability will be evaluated halfway the program, at the end of the program, and 16 weeks after the end of training.
Results: The protocol is submitted to the Ethical Committees of UZ/KU Leuven and UHasselt. The study is funded by the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) (G072122N). Participant recruitment and data collection are anticipated to start in March 2023.
Conclusions: We expect the results to help improve the patient-tailored exercise therapy for NSLBP
The forgotten role of back muscle characteristics to tailor exercise therapy for recurrent non-specific low back pain: Study protocol for the Back-to-Back study
No full textBackground and aims: Current treatments for non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) have only limited effects. Identifying phenotypes of patients that share underlying mechanisms towards which clinicians could direct treatment could improve the effects. Previous studies found macroscopic, microscopic, electrophysiological, and proprioceptive changes in the back muscles of patients with NSLBP. However, no studies delineated NSLBP phenotypes based on back muscle characteristics.
Methods: We will evaluate various characteristics of the lumbar multifidus and erector spinae in 90 patients with NSLBP and 55 healthy controls: muscle volume with 3D freehand ultrasound, muscle fiber type composition with minimally-invasive muscle biopsies, proprioceptive use during postural control by applying muscle vibration during standing on a force plate, and muscle activation and oxygenation with electromyography and near-infrared spectroscopy (Fig. 1). We will determine the most discriminating muscle characteristics between patients with NSLBP and controls, based upon which phenotypes will be delineated. Then, the patients with NSLBP will be randomized into two groups receiving a 16-week program of proprioceptive training or resistance training. The effect of both programs on back muscle characteristics and disability will be evaluated halfway the program, at the end of the program, and 16 weeks after the end of training.
Results: The protocol is submitted to the Ethical Committees of UZ/KU Leuven and UHasselt. The study is funded by the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) (G072122N). Participant recruitment and data collection are anticipated to start in March 2023.
Conclusions: We expect the results to help improve the patient-tailored exercise therapy for NSLBP
Het orthopedisch onderzoeks- en trainingsinstituut
No full texthttps://www.uzleuven.be/nl/iortstatus: Published onlin
The Infinity Loop of Healthcare Innovation: Development of an Integrated Rehabilitation Pathway for Lumbar Fusion Surgery Through Design Thinking
No full textIntroduction: Integrated care pathways may help to bridge evidence-practice gaps. To overcome the limitations of traditional researcher-centred and linear pathway development frameworks, a more user-centred approach is needed. In this study, we propose design thinking as a framework for developing integrated care pathways, specifically targeting rehabilitation of patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery. Description: From 2017 to 2022, we utilized the design thinking infinity loop to create an evidence-based rehabilitation pathway for patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery. This approach consisted of five phases: (1) empathizing with user needs, (2) defining problem statements, (3) ideating through meta-analysis, expert consensus, and brainstorming, (4) prototyping the pathway, and (5) testing its effectiveness and implementability. Discussion: Through the proposed design thinking phases, innovative elements such as prehabilitation, early mobilization, and consistent communication emerged as the building blocks of the new rehabilitation pathway, addressing the needs of both patients and healthcare providers. These results serve as a practical guide for applying design thinking in developing integrated care pathways. Conclusion: Design thinking, represented by the infinity loop, presents a user-centred framework for developing integrated care pathways, and has the potential to effectively bridge the gap between evidence and clinical practice
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