Kinematic and electromyographic parameters of gait were recorded in 17 patients and 17 controls. LGX818 nmr Ankle and knee antagonist muscle co-activation indexes were measured
throughout the gait cycle and during the sub-phases of gait. The indexes of ataxic patients were compared with those of controls and correlated with clinical and gait variables. Patients showed increased co-activity indexes of both ankle and knee muscles during the gait cycle as well as during the gait sub-phases. Both knee and ankle muscle co-activation indexes were positively correlated with disease severity, while ankle muscle co-activation was also positively correlated with stance and swing duration variability. Significant negative correlations were observed between the number of self-reported falls per year and knee muscle co-activation. The increased co-activation observed in these cerebellar ataxia patients may represent a compensatory strategy serving to reduce gait instability. Indeed, this mechanism allows patients to reduce the occurrence of falls. The need for this strategy, which results in excessive muscle co-contraction, increased metabolic costs and cartilage degeneration processes, could conceivably be overcome through the use of supportive braces specially designed to provide greater joint stability.”
“Objectives.
Pain is among the most
frequently reported, bothersome, and disabling symptoms described by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the experience of pain is partially shaped by catastrophizing, a set of cognitive Src inhibitor and emotional pain-related learn more processes. However, other variables may moderate catastrophizing’s influence on the experience of pain. In this study, we investigated a variety of factors that might buffer or magnify catastrophizing’s deleterious consequences among patients with RA.
Methods.
A total of 185
RA patients were surveyed to determine levels of catastrophizing, pain, general psychological distress, and physical functioning.
Results.
Catastrophizing was associated with increased pain severity and psychological distress, and with poorer physical functioning. Some of these relationships were significantly moderated by education and social functioning; among RA patients with above-average social functioning and a college education, minimal relationships of catastrophizing with pain and distress symptoms were observed, while these associations were highly significant (Ps < 0.001) among patients with lower levels of education or social functioning.
Conclusions.
Collectively, educational achievement and positive social interactions may protect against some of the deleterious effects of catastrophizing. The design of future interventions to reduce catastrophizing or ameliorate its impact on pain outcomes may benefit from further study of these subgroups of patients.”
“Whole body vibration (WBV) is a biomechanical treatment used widely in professional sports and rehabilitation.