Static and dynamic sonography of facial muscles in healthy subjects – Intra-observer and inter-observer reliability in dependence of time interval between measurements

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (S 01) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Heinzl ◽  
T Schüler ◽  
GF Volk ◽  
O Guntinas-Lichius
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Observer Reliability ◽  
Facial Muscles

scholarly journals Evaluation and Validation of a Joint Stress Test to Induce Activity-Related Knee Joint Discomfort — a Prospective Case-Control Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Schön ◽  
Claudia Reule ◽  
Katharina Knaub ◽  
Antje Micka ◽  
Manfred Wilhelm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Stress Test ◽  
Osteoarthritis Of The Knee ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Short Time Interval ◽  
Joint Stress ◽  
Joint Health ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Health Function

Abstract Background The assessment of improvement or maintenance of joint health in healthy subjects is a great challenge. The aim of the study was the evaluation of a joint stress test to assess joint discomfort in subjects with activity-related knee joint discomfort (ArJD). Results Forty-five subjects were recruited to perform the single-leg-step-down (SLSD) test (15 subjects per group). Subjects with ArJD of the knee (age 22–62 years) were compared to healthy subjects (age 24–59 years) with no knee joint discomfort during daily life sporting activity and to subjects with mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis of the knee joint (OA, Kellgren score 2–3, age 42–64 years). The subjects performed the SLSD test with two different protocols: (I) standardization for knee joint discomfort; (II) standardization for load on the knee joint. In addition, range of motion (ROM), reach test, acute pain at rest and after a single-leg squat and knee injury, and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) were assessed. In OA and ArJD subjects, knee joint discomfort could be reproducibly induced in a short time interval of less than 10 min (200 steps). In healthy subjects, no pain was recorded. A clear differentiation between study groups was observed with the SLSD test (maximal step number) as well as KOOS questionnaire, ROM, and reach test. In addition, a moderate to good intra-class correlation was shown for the investigated outcomes. Conclusions These results suggest the SLSD test is a reliable tool for the assessment of knee joint health function in ArJD and OA subjects to study the improvements in their activities. Further, this model can be used as a stress model in intervention studies to study the impact of stress on knee joint health function.

scholarly journals Time perception and age

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 299-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Fernanda Moreira Ferreira ◽  
Gabriel Pina Paiva ◽  
Natália Prando ◽  
Carla Renata Graça ◽  
João Aris Kouyoumdjian
Keyword(s):  
Time Perception ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Internal Clock ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Comparison Test ◽  
Clock System ◽  
Multiple Comparison Test ◽  
The Common ◽  
Bonferroni Multiple Comparison Test

ABSTRACT Our internal clock system is predominantly dopaminergic, but memory is predominantly cholinergic. Here, we examined the common sensibility encapsulated in the statement: “time goes faster as we get older”. Objective To measure a 2 min time interval, counted mentally in subjects of different age groups. Method 233 healthy subjects (129 women) were divided into three age groups: G1, 15-29 years; G2, 30-49 years; and G3, 50-89 years. Subjects were asked to close their eyes and mentally count the passing of 120 s. Results The elapsed times were: G1, mean = 114.9 ± 35 s; G2, mean = 96.0 ± 34.3 s; G3, mean = 86.6 ± 34.9 s. The ANOVA-Bonferroni multiple comparison test showed that G3 and G1 results were significantly different (P < 0.001). Conclusion Mental calculations of 120 s were shortened by an average of 24.6% (28.3 s) in individuals over age 50 years compared to individuals under age 30 years.

scholarly journals Development of a Facial Expression Scale Using Farrowing as a Model of Pain in Sows

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2113
Author(s):  
Elena Navarro ◽  
Eva Mainau ◽  
Xavier Manteca
Keyword(s):  
Facial Expression ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Severe Pain ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Moderate Pain ◽  
Pain Model ◽  
Observer Reliability ◽  
Silver Standard ◽  
Standard Observer

Changes in facial expression have been shown to be a useful tool to assess pain severity in humans and animals, but facial scales have not yet been developed for all species. A facial expression scale in sows was developed using farrowing as a pain model. Five potential facial zones were identified: (i) Tension above eyes, (ii) Snout angle, (iii) Neck tension, (iv) Temporal tension and ear position (v), and Cheek tension. Facial zones were examined through 263 images of a total of 21 sows at farrowing, characterizing moments of non-pain (19 days post-farrowing; score 0), moderate pain (time interval between the delivery of two consecutive piglets; score 1) and severe pain (during active piglet delivery; score 2). Images were evaluated by a “Silver Standard” observer with experience in sows’ facial expressions, and by a group of eight animal welfare scientists, without experience in it, but who received a one-hour training session on how to assess pain in sows’ faces. Intra- and inter-observer reliability of the facial expression ranged from moderate to very good for all facial expression zones, with Tension above eyes, Snout angle, and Neck tension showing the highest reliability. In conclusion, monitoring facial expressions seems to be a useful tool to assess pain caused by farrowing.

scholarly journals Detection of Walk Tests in Free-Living Activities Using a Wrist-Worn Device

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daivaras Sokas ◽  
Birutė Paliakaitė ◽  
Andrius Rapalis ◽  
Vaidotas Marozas ◽  
Raquel Bailón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Walk Test ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
6Mwt Distance ◽  
The One ◽  
Over 40 Years ◽  
Walk Tests

Exercise testing to assess the response to physical rehabilitation or lifestyle interventions is administered in clinics thus at best can be repeated only few times a year. This study explores a novel approach to collecting information on functional performance through walk tests, e.g., a 6-min walk test (6MWT), unintentionally performed in free-living activities. Walk tests are detected in step data provided by a wrist-worn device. Only those events of minute-to-minute variation in walking cadence, which is equal or lower than the empirically determined maximal SD (e.g., 5-steps), are considered as walk test candidates. Out of detected walk tests within the non-overlapping sliding time interval (e.g., 1-week), the one with the largest number of steps is chosen as the most representative. This approach is studied on a cohort of 99 subjects, assigned to the groups of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and healthy subjects below and over 40-years-old, who were asked to wear the device while maintaining their usual physical activity regimen. The total wear time was 8,864 subject-days after excluding the intervals of occasionally discontinued monitoring. About 82% (23/28) of patients with CVD and 88% (21/24) of healthy subjects over 40-years-old had at least a single 6MWT over the 1st month of monitoring. About 52% of patients with CVD (12/23) and 91% (19/21) of healthy subjects over 40-years-old exceeded 500 m. Patients with CVD, on average, walked 46 m shorter 6MWT distance (p = 0.04) compared to healthy subjects. Unintentional walk testing is feasible and could be valuable for repeated assessment of functional performance outside the clinical setting.

scholarly journals Comparison of Facial Muscle Activation Patterns Between Healthy and Bell’s Palsy Subjects Using High-Density Surface Electromyography

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Cui ◽  
Weizheng Zhong ◽  
Zhuoxin Yang ◽  
Xuemei Cao ◽  
Shuangyan Dai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Bell’S Palsy ◽  
Facial Muscle ◽  
Bell's Palsy ◽  
Activation Patterns ◽  
Facial Movements ◽  
Facial Muscles ◽  
Muscle Activation Patterns ◽  
Density Surface

Facial muscle activities are essential for the appearance and communication of human beings. Therefore, exploring the activation patterns of facial muscles can help understand facial neuromuscular disorders such as Bell’s palsy. Given the irregular shape of the facial muscles as well as their different locations, it should be difficult to detect the activities of whole facial muscles with a few electrodes. In this study, a high-density surface electromyogram (HD sEMG) system with 90 electrodes was used to record EMG signals of facial muscles in both healthy and Bell’s palsy subjects when they did different facial movements. The electrodes were arranged in rectangular arrays covering the forehead and cheek regions of the face. The muscle activation patterns were shown on maps, which were constructed from the Root Mean Square (RMS) values of all the 90-channel EMG recordings. The experimental results showed that the activation patterns of facial muscles were distinct during doing different facial movements and the activated muscle regions could be clearly observed. Moreover, two features of the activation patterns, 2D correlation coefficient (corr2) and Centre of Gravity (CG) were extracted to quantify the spatial symmetry and the location of activated muscle regions respectively. Furthermore, the deviation of activated muscle regions on the paralyzed side of a face compared to the healthy side was quantified by calculating the distance between two sides of CGs. The results revealed that corr2 of the activated facial muscle region (classified into forehead region and cheek region) in Bell’s palsy subjects was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) lower than that in healthy subjects, while CG distance of activated facial region in Bell’s palsy subjects was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher than that in healthy subjects. The correlation between corr2 of these regions and Bell’s palsy [assessed by the Facial Nerve Grading Scale (FNGS) 2.0] was also significant (p &lt; 0.05) in Bell’s palsy subjects. The spatial information on activated muscle regions may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of Bell’s palsy in the future.

scholarly journals Maximum voluntary muscle contraction and fatigue in multibacillary leprosy

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciane Lobato Sobral ◽  
Marcio Clementino de Souza Santos ◽  
Larissa Salgado de Oliveira Rocha ◽  
Bianca Callegari ◽  
Givago da Silva Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Contraction ◽  
Fatigue Test ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Maximum Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Onset Time ◽  
Voluntary Contraction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Leprosy Patients ◽  
Multibacillary Leprosy

Abstract Introduction: The impairment of muscle strength and fatigue in leprosy remains a problem that requires careful attention to avoid or minimize its progression, as well as prevention of disabilities and deformities. Objective: To investigate the maximum voluntary contraction and time to muscle fatigue in leprosy patients. Method: A total of 21 leprosy patients and 21 healthy subjects completed the sample. The method used to determine the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the handgrip followed the recommendation of the American Society of Hand Therapists with the use of a hydraulic hand grip dynamometer. The test was performed three times with each hand, with a time interval of 60 seconds between successive trials. The subject was instructed to perform a maximal isometric force against the dynamometer for 5 seconds. The peaks were recorded and used for the fatigue test. For the fatigue test, we recorded the electromyogram of the forearm muscles to offline determine the onset time for the muscle contraction (14 bits, Miograph 2 USB®, Miotec, Brazil). Results: Leprosy patients had lower MVC compared with healthy subjects (p > 0.05), both in the dominant and the non-dominant hands. The time to fatigue in the leprosy and control groups was similar (p < 0.05). We observed that leprosy patients had more contractions than the healthy subjects (22.6 ± 11.8 contractions for the leprosy group vs. 12.3 ± 6.9 contractions for the control group, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Multibacillary leprosy patients lost muscle force without modifying the resistance to fatigue.

A rapid approach to assess cardiac contractility by ballistocardiogram and electrocardiogram

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianwen Zhang ◽  
Liyan Zhang ◽  
Kun Wang ◽  
Chao Yu ◽  
Tiangang Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Cardiac Contractility ◽  
Heart Association ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
New York Heart Association ◽  
Systolic Time

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a rapid assessment on cardiac contractility by using the time interval between the I wave of ballistocardiogram (BCG) and the R wave of electrocardiogram (ECG) which is referred to as the RI interval. The whole work can be divided into two parts. First, the correlation between the RI interval and the ejection fraction (EF), which is a clinical index to assess systolic performance, was computed. For 39 subjects, the correlation coefficient is −0.54 (p<0.001). Moreover, RI intervals of heart failure (HF) patients and healthy subjects were measured, and a significant difference was found among different New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes and the healthy group. Second, the beat-to-beat correlation analysis between the RI interval and the pre-ejection period (PEP), which is a parameter of systolic time interval to evaluate the cardiac contractility, was calculated. For 4578 heart beats across eight healthy subjects, the correlation coefficient is 0.85 (p<0.001). As a conclusion, these results indicate that the RI interval can be used as a noninvasive assessment of cardiac contractility.

scholarly journals Exercise training reduces circulating adiponectin levels in patients with chronic heart failure

2009 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
An M. Van Berendoncks ◽  
Paul Beckers ◽  
Vicky Y. Hoymans ◽  
Nadine Possemiers ◽  
Floris L. Wuyts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Chronic Heart Failure ◽  
Exercise Training ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Exercise Capacity ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Systolic Dysfunction ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Similar Time

High adiponectin concentrations have emerged as an independent risk factor of outcome in patients with CHF (chronic heart failure); however, modification of adiponectin in CHF patients has not been assessed to date. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of exercise training on adiponectin levels in CHF patients. A total of 80 patients with CHF due to systolic dysfunction were included. The effect of 4 months exercise training was studied in 46 patients, whereas the remaining 34 untrained CHF patients served as a sedentary control group. Circulating adiponectin concentrations, exercise capacity, anthropometric data and NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) levels were assessed. Adiponectin levels were significantly higher in CHF patients compared with healthy subjects [9.3 (7.1–16.1) and 4.9 (3.9–8.6) mg/l respectively; P=0.015]. Stratification of CHF patients according to tertiles of NT-proBNP revealed an increase in adiponectin with disease severity (P<0.0001). Exercise training reduced circulating adiponectin levels in CHF patients [10.7 (7.2–17.6) mg/l before training to 9.4 (5.9–14.8) mg/l after training; P=0.013], whereas no changes were observed in the sedentary CHF group [9.0 (7.0–13.5) mg/l before training and 10.1 (6.0–15.7) mg/l after a similar time interval]. A significant time×group interaction (P=0.008) was observed for the mean change in adiponectin between the trained and untrained CHF patients. Adiponectin concentrations were positively associated with NT-proBNP and HDL (high-density lipoprotein)-cholesterol and negatively correlated with BMI (body mass index), triacylglycerols and exercise capacity. In conclusion, circulating adiponectin concentrations are higher in CHF patients compared with healthy subjects and increase with disease severity. Exercise training for 4 months lowers circulating adiponectin levels.

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