Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine
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Technol Health Care · Jan 2015
Observational StudyInfluence of spinopelvic parameters on non-operative treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.
Non-operative treatment is widely accepted for early stages of lumbar spinal stenosis. In general, a trial of conservative treatment is recommended prior to surgery. ⋯ Subjects with higher pelvic incidence reported significantly greater back pain improvements at three months follow-up. ODI improvements were higher for patients with high sacral slope immediately after treatment and for patients with a higher lumbar lordosis after three months. No influence of sagittal alignment was observed on leg pain or quality of life.
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Technol Health Care · Jan 2015
Comparative StudyDual small fragment plating improves screw-to-screw load sharing for mid-diaphyseal humeral fracture fixation: a finite element study.
A smaller humerus in some patients makes the use of a large fragment fixation plate difficult. Dual small fragment plate constructs have been suggested as an alternative. ⋯ The results support using a dual small fragment locking plate construct as an alternative in cases where crutch weight-bearing (compression) tolerance may be important and where anatomy limits the size of the humerus bone segment available for large fragment plate fixation.
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Technol Health Care · Jan 2015
Anatomical study of preganglionic spinal nerve and disc relation at different lumbar levels: Special aspect for microscopic spine surgery.
Lumbar microdiscectomy is a widespread popular method of treatment. One major challenge is the spine level dependent different anatomy and the limited sight on the nerve root during the surgical procedure. ⋯ The topographical anatomy changes each lumbar segment and demands therefore an exact preoperative planning using this specific knowledge to perform a successful microscopic spine surgery. The results of the study support a better understanding of the relevant anatomy and help to reduce incomplete herniated disc removal and to avoid surgical complications.
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Technol Health Care · Jan 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialSocial interactions in virtual reality exposure therapy: A proof-of-concept pilot study.
Research on virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) has demonstrated good treatment efficacy with regards to several anxiety disorders. Yet, there is lack of knowledge about the value of integrating interaction between clients and virtual humans in VRET. Such interaction might prove effective in treating psychological complaints that involve social interactions, such as social anxiety. ⋯ These findings indicate that virtual reality technology that incorporates social interactions may be successfully applied for therapeutic purposes.
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Technol Health Care · Jan 2015
Kinetic therapy in multiple trauma patients with severe blunt chest trauma: an analysis at a level-1 trauma center.
Chest trauma is a relevant risk factor for mortality after multiple trauma. Kinetic therapy (KT) represents a potential treatment option in order to restore pulmonary function. Decision criteria for performing kinetic therapy are not fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the decision making process to initiate kinetic therapy in a well defined multiple trauma cohort. ⋯ Kinetic therapy is an option in severely injured patients with severe chest trauma. Decision making is not only based on anatomical aspects such as the AIS(Chest), but on overall injury severity, pulmonary contusions and physiological deterioration. It could be assumed that the increased mortality in patients receiving KT is primarily caused by these factors and does not reflect an independent adverse effect of KT. Furthermore, KT was not shown to be an independent risk factor for mortality.