Clinical biomechanics
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Clinical biomechanics · Aug 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialHead and neck position sense in whiplash patients and healthy individuals and the effect of the cranio-cervical flexion action.
Whiplash may damage structures within the neck that can affect position sense. Deep neck flexor muscle retraining may improve position sense. The current study compared range of motion and position sense in whiplash and control subjects and investigated the effects of a muscle training session on position sense. ⋯ There was no evidence of position sense impairment in the mildly disabled whiplash subjects. The performance of the cranio-cervical flexion action had no effect on position sense, and hence clinical improvements observed from using this action may be more associated with mechanical stabilisation.
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Clinical biomechanics · Jun 2005
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialSupplementation of general endurance exercise with stabilisation training versus general exercise only. Physiological and functional outcomes of a randomised controlled trial of patients with recurrent low back pain.
Determination of the mode of action of new exercise techniques in different back pain populations is lacking. The effectiveness of supplementing an exercise programme with stabilisation exercises concerning physiological and functional parameters in non-specific back pain patients is unknown. ⋯ An 8-week stabilisation exercise-enhanced approach presented equal benefits to a general endurance-based exercise programme for patients with recurrent non-specific back pain. A slightly steeper slope for the erector spinae in the G group was the only electromyographic fatigue alteration noted. Concomitant strength improvement probably reflects neural input changes rather than histochemical muscle changes. Physical exercise alone and not the exercise type was the key determinant for improvement in this patient group.
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Clinical biomechanics · May 2005
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialThe influence of different unloading positions upon stature recovery and paraspinal muscle activity.
To determine whether stature recovery and paraspinal muscle activity can be altered in individuals with and without chronic low-back pain by assuming different unloading positions. ⋯ Elevated muscle activity was found in the chronic low-back pain group supporting the existence of this explanation for delayed stature recovery. The gravity inverted position resulted in the lowest EMG and the greatest stature recovery. Further research is required to determine whether improving stature recovery has clinical implications by reducing pain/disability.
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Clinical biomechanics · Mar 2005
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialEvaluation of efficacy and 3D kinematic characteristics of cervical orthoses.
Cervical orthoses are often prescribed for both extrication stabilization of trauma patients and a treatment option of injuries to the cervical spine. The objective of this study was to compare effectiveness of two new and two established cervical orthoses in restricting 3D range of motion in the cervical spine. ⋯ The results suggested that C-Breeze and XTW along with the Miami J and Aspen collars are effective in restricting range of motion in the cervical spine. The two new cervical orthoses also performed either comparably as or better than the two established cervical orthoses.
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Clinical biomechanics · Mar 2005
Comparative StudyRegional morphology of the transversus abdominis and obliquus internus and externus abdominis muscles.
The mechanisms by which the abdominal muscles move and control the lumbosacral spine are not clearly understood. Descriptions of abdominal morphology are also conflicting and the regional anatomy of these muscles has not been comprehensively examined. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphology of regions of transversus abdominis and obliquus internus and externus abdominis. ⋯ This study provides quantitative data of morphological differences between regions of the abdominal muscles, which suggest variation in function between muscle regions. Precise understanding of abdominal muscle anatomy is required for incorporation of these muscles into biomechanical models. Furthermore, regional variation in their morphology may reflect differences in function.