Effects of Menthol-Based Counterirritant on Quadriceps Motoneuron-Pool Excitability

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel H. Huffman ◽  
Brian G. Pietrosimone ◽  
Terry L. Grindstaff ◽  
Joseph M. Hart ◽  
Susan A. Saliba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Motoneuron Pool ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
History Of ◽  
Anterior Knee

Context:Motoneuron-pool facilitation after cryotherapy may be mediated by stimulation of thermoreceptors surrounding a joint. It is unknown whether menthol counterirritants, which also stimulate thermoreceptors, have the same effect on motoneuron-pool excitability (MNPE).Objective:To compare quadriceps MNPE after a menthol-counterirritant application to the anterior knee, a sham counterirritant application, and a control treatment in healthy subjects.Design:A blinded, randomized controlled laboratory study.Setting:Laboratory.Participants:Thirty healthy subjects (16 m, 14 f; 24.1 ± 3.9 y, 170.6 ± 11.4 cm, 72.1 ± 15.6 kg) with no history of lower extremity surgery volunteered for this study.Intervention:Two milliliters of menthol or sham counterirritant was applied to the anterior knee; control subjects received no intervention.Main Outcome Measures:The average vastus medialis normalized Hoffmann reflex (Hmax:Mmax ratio) was used to measure MNPE. Measurements were recorded at 5, 15, 25, and 35 minutes postintervention and compared with baseline measures.Results:Hmax:Mmax ratios for all groups significantly decreased over time (F4,108 = 10.52, P < .001; menthol: baseline = .32 ± .20, 5 min = .29 ± .18, 15 min = .27 ± .18, 25 min = .28 ± .19, 35 min = .27 ± .18; sham: baseline = .46 ± .26, 5 min = .36 ± .20, 15 min = .35 ± .19, 25 min = .35 ± .20, 35 min = .34 ± .18; control: baseline = .48 ± .32, 5 min = .37 ± .27, 15 min = .37 ± .27, 25 min = .37 ± .29, 35 min = .35 ± .28). No significant Group × Time interaction or group differences in Hmax:Mmax were found.Conclusions:Menthol did not affect quadriceps MNPE in healthy subjects.

scholarly journals Behavioural Measures of Infant Activity but Not Attention Associate with Later Preschool ADHD Traits

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 524
Author(s):  
Amy Goodwin ◽  
Alexandra Hendry ◽  
Luke Mason ◽  
Tessel Bazelmans ◽  
Jannath Begum Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family History ◽  
Child Behaviour ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Early Interventions ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Assessment Protocol ◽  
History Of ◽  
Observer Ratings ◽  
Infant Attention

Mapping infant neurocognitive differences that precede later ADHD-related behaviours is critical for designing early interventions. In this study, we investigated (1) group differences in a battery of measures assessing aspects of attention and activity level in infants with and without a family history of ADHD or related conditions (ASD), and (2) longitudinal associations between the infant measures and preschool ADHD traits at 3 years. Participants (N = 151) were infants with or without an elevated likelihood for ADHD (due to a family history of ADHD and/or ASD). A multi-method assessment protocol was used to assess infant attention and activity level at 10 months of age that included behavioural, cognitive, physiological and neural measures. Preschool ADHD traits were measured at 3 years of age using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and the Child Behaviour Questionnaire (CBQ). Across a broad range of measures, we found no significant group differences in attention or activity level at 10 months between infants with and without a family history of ADHD or ASD. However, parent and observer ratings of infant activity level at 10 months were positively associated with later preschool ADHD traits at 3 years. Observable behavioural differences in activity level (but not attention) may be apparent from infancy in children who later develop elevated preschool ADHD traits.

Strength Training Using Elastic Bands: Improvement of Muscle Power and Throwing Performance in Young Female Handball Players

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naryana Cristina Mascarin ◽  
Claudio Andre Barbosa de Lira ◽  
Rodrigo Luiz Vancini ◽  
Alberto de Castro Pochini ◽  
Antonio Carlos da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Strength Training ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Interaction Effect ◽  
Muscle Power ◽  
Young Female ◽  
Muscle Performance ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Ball Speed ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Elastic Bands

Context:Imbalance in shoulder-rotator muscles has been considered a risk factor for injuries in handball. Strength training programs (STPs) may play an important preventive role.Objective:To verify the effects of an STP using elastic bands on shoulder muscles and ball-throwing speed.Design:Randomized and prospective controlled trial.Setting:Exercise physiology laboratory.Participants:Thirty-nine female handball players were randomly assigned to an experimental (EG, n = 21, 15.3 ± 1.1 y) or a control (CG, n = 18, 15.0 ± 0.8 y) group.Intervention:The EG performed the STP with elastic-band progressive exercises for 6 wk before regular handball training, and the CG underwent only their regular training.Main Outcome Measures:Before and after the STP, both groups underwent a ball-throwing-speed test and isokinetic test to assess shoulder internal- (IR) and external-rotator muscle performance.Results:Average power values for IR muscles presented a significant group-vs-time interaction effect (F = 3.9, P = .05); EG presented significantly higher values after the STP (P = .03). Ball speed presented higher values in EG after the STP in standing (P = .04) and jumping (P = .03) throws. IR peak-torque values and balance in shoulder-rotator muscles presented no group-vs-time interaction effect.Conclusions:STP using elastic bands performed for 6 wk was effective to improve muscle power and ball speed for young female handball players.

Westeinde Sciatica Trial: randomized controlled study of bed rest and physiotherapy for acute sciatica

2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derk J. Hofstee ◽  
Johanna M. M. Gijtenbeek ◽  
Peter H. Hoogland ◽  
Hans C. van Houwelingen ◽  
Alfred Kloet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Bed Rest ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
And Control ◽  
Acute Sciatica ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The authors conducted a study to compare the efficacies of three nonsurgical treatment strategies in patients with sciatica. Their hypothesis was that bed rest, physiotherapy, and continuation of activities of daily living (ADLs) (control treatment) are each of equivalent efficacy. Methods. This randomized controlled trial was designed for comparison of bed rest, physiotherapy, and continuation of ADLs. The setting was an outpatient clinic. General practitioners were asked to refer patients for treatment as soon as possible. The authors enrolled 250 patients (< 60 years of age) with sciatica of less than 1-month's duration and who had not yet been treated with bed rest or physiotherapy. Primary outcome measures were radicular pain (based on a visual analog pain scale [VAPS]) and hampered ADLs (Quebec Disability Scale [QDS]). Secondary outcome measures were the rates of treatment-related failure and surgical treatment. Measures were assessed at baseline and during follow up at 1, 2, and 6 months. Mean differences in VAPS and QDS scores between bed rest and control treatment were 2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] −6.4 to 11.4) and −4.8 (95% CI −10.6 to 0.9) at 1 month and 0.9 (95% CI −8.7 to 10.4) and −2.7 (95% CI −9.9 to 4.4) at 2 months, respectively. The respective differences between physiotherapy and control treatment were 0.8 (95% CI −8.2 to 9.8) and −0.5 (95% CI −6.3 to 5.3) at 1 month and −0.3 (95% CI −9.4 to 10) and 0.0 (95% CI −7.2 to 7.3) at 2 months. The respective odds ratios for treatment failure and surgical treatment of bed rest compared with control treatment were 1.6 (95% CI 0.8–3.5) and 1.5 (95% CI 0.7–3.6) at 6 months. When physiotherapy was compared with control treatment, these ratios were 1.5 (95% CI 0.7–3.2) and 1.2 (95% CI 0.5–2.9) at 6 months, respectively. Conclusions. Bed rest and physiotherapy are not more effective in acute sciatica than continuation of ADLs.

Testing the Effectiveness of a Strengths-Based Intervention Targeting All 24 Strengths: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
pp. 003329412093744
Author(s):  
Lobna Chérif ◽  
Valerie M. Wood ◽  
Christian Watier
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Character Strengths ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Strength Development ◽  
Character Strength ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Experimental Group

This study assessed the effectiveness of a strengths-based randomized controlled trial focused on fostering all 24 character strengths in a group of 75 participants from a University in Tunisia. Participants randomly assigned to the challenge condition (n = 40) received an email each day for 24 days, that highlighted a particular strength of the day including why the strength is valuable, how to implement the strength behaviourally, and a motto related to that strength. Those in the control condition (n = 35) simply received emails containing the motto for each strength daily for 24 days. We assessed all participants’ levels of happiness before the experiment (T0), the day following the experiment (T1), and one-month following the experiment (T2). Results from a 2 (group) X 3 (time) split plot ANOVA revealed a significant group-by-time interaction, such that at T2 the experimental group had greater happiness scores than the control group. These findings provide some evidence that even “minimalist” interventions (involving the receipt of emails encouraging character-strength development), might be effective for promoting gains in happiness even one month after the intervention.

scholarly journals Feasibility of Conducting Nonpharmacological Interventions to Manage Dementia Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 153331751987263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juyoung Park ◽  
Magdalena I. Tolea ◽  
Diane Sherman ◽  
Amie Rosenfeld ◽  
Victoria Arcay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Cluster Randomized

This study assessed the feasibility of conducting 3 nonpharmacological interventions with older adults in dementia, exploring the effects of chair yoga (CY), compared to music intervention (MI) and chair-based exercise (CBE) in this population. Using a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT), 3 community sites were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to CY, MI, or CBE. Participants attended twice-weekly 45-minute sessions for 12 weeks. Thirty-one participants were enrolled; 27 safely completed the interventions and final data collection (retention rate of 87%). Linear mixed modeling was performed to examine baseline and longitudinal group differences. The CY group improved significantly in quality of life compared to the MI group (CY mean = 35.6, standard deviation [SD] = 3.8; MI mean = 29.9, SD = 5.3, P = .010). However, no significant group differences were observed in physical function, behavioral, or psychological symptoms (eg, for mini-PPT: slopetime = 0.01, standard error [SE] = 0.3, P = .984 in the CBE group; slopetime = −0.1, SE = 0.3, P = .869 in the MI group; slopetime = −0.3, SE = 0.3, P = .361 in the CY group) over the 12-week intervention period. Overall, this pilot study is notable as the first cluster RCT of a range of nonpharmacological interventions to examine the feasibility of such interventions in older adults, most with moderate-to-severe dementia. Future clinical trials should be conducted to examine the effects of nonpharmacological interventions for older adults with dementia on health outcomes.

Functional Effects of Inertial Training of the Upper Extremity

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd A. McLoda ◽  
Kate M. Murphy ◽  
Steve Davison
Keyword(s):  
Upper Extremity ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Biceps Brachii ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Emg Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Time Interaction ◽  
Size Groups

Context:Inertial training of the shoulder.Objective:To determine the differences of functional and EMG measures between a control group and an exercise group of overhead throwers.Design:Repeated measures.Setting:Research laboratory.Participants:17 intercollegiate baseball players and 19 intercollegiate softball players divided into 2 equal-size groups, control and exercise.Main Outcome Measures:Preliminary data were recorded, including throwing velocity, throwing accuracy, and EMG activity of the biceps brachii, upper pectorals, and posterior deltoid. The exercise group completed a 4-week training regimen on the Impulse Inertial Trainer. All participants returned for follow-up measures.Results:No significant group-by-time interaction occurred relative to ball velocity, accuracy, or EMG activity.Conclusion:For experienced throwers, functional measures and muscle activity during throwing were not affected by inertial training of the upper extremity.

scholarly journals Drawing Direction Effect on a Task’s Performance Characteristics among People with Essential Tremor

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 5814
Author(s):  
Navit Roth ◽  
Orit Braun-Benyamin ◽  
Sara Rosenblum
Keyword(s):  
Essential Tremor ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Distance Curve ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Actual Performance ◽  
Drawing Direction ◽  
Drawing Task ◽  
Group A ◽  
Spiral Drawing

Essential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder affecting the performance of various daily tasks, including drawing. While spiral-drawing task characteristics have been described among patients with ET, research about the significance of the drawing direction of both spiral and lines tasks on the performance process is scarce. This study mapped inter-group differences between people with ET and controls related to drawing directions and the intra-effect of the drawing directions on the tremor level among people with ET. Twenty participants with ET and eighteen without ET drew spirals and vertical and horizontal lines on a digitizer with an inking pen. Time-based outcome measures were gathered to address the effect of the drawing directions on tremor by analyzing various spiral sections and comparing vertical and horizontal lines. Significant group differences were found in deviation of the spiral radius from a filtered radius curve and in deviation of the distance curve from a filtered curve for both line types. Significant differences were found between defined horizontal and vertical spiral sections within each group and between both line types within the ET group. A significant correlation was found between spiral and vertical line deviations from filtered curve outcome measures. Achieving objective measures about the significance of drawing directions on actual performance may support the clinical evaluation of people with ET toward developing future intervention methods for improving their functional abilities.

An Examination of Feedback Seeking in Individuals With Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, or No History of Mental Disorder Using a Daily Diary Method

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian A. Wilson ◽  
Naomi Koerner ◽  
Martin M. Antony
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Daily Diary ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Generalized Anxiety ◽  
Feedback Seeking ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Diary Data ◽  
Diary Method ◽  
History Of ◽  
Daily Diary Method

This study examined excessive reassurance seeking (or positive feedback seeking; PFS) and negative feedback seeking (NFS) in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or no history of mental health difficulties. A 2-week daily diary method was used to examine potential group differences in the frequency, topics, and targets of PFS and NFS. The SAD and GAD groups reported significantly higher feedback seeking (FS) than the healthy group on self-report questionnaires. The most common targets of FS in each group were other people (e.g., romantic partner, family members). According to diary data, there were no significant group differences in the frequency of PFS, NFS, overall FS, or overall FS adjusted for self-reported compliance with diary completion (after applying Bonferroni correction). There were also no significant group differences in FS topics according to diary data. Future research directions and potential implications of these findings are discussed.

Hip Adduction Does not Affect VMO EMG Amplitude or VMO:VL Ratios during a Dynamic Squat Exercise

2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Boling ◽  
Darin Padua ◽  
J. Troy Blackburn ◽  
Meredith Petschauer ◽  
Christopher Hirth
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Vastus Lateralis ◽  
Test Session ◽  
Surface Emg ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Emg Amplitude ◽  
Squat Exercise ◽  
History Of

Context:Clinicians commonly attempt to facilitate vastus medialis oblique (VMO) activity by instructing patients to squeeze a ball between their knees during squatting exercises.Objective:To determine whether VMO activation amplitude and the VMO to vastus lateralis (VL) activation ratio (VMO:VL) were altered when performing active hip adduction during a dynamic squat exercise.Design:Single test session.Participants:Fifteen healthy subjects, with no history of knee pain, volunteered for this study.Intervention:Surface EMG of the VMO, VL, and hip adductor (ADD) muscles were recorded while subjects performed 10 consecutive squats against their body weight through a range of 0° to 90° of knee flexion. Subjects performed the squat exercises during two different conditions: (1) active hip adduction and (2) no hip adduction.Main Outcome Measures:Average VMO EMG amplitude and VMO:VL ratio were determined during the knee flexion (0° to 90°) and knee extension (90° to 0°) phases of the squat exercise.Results:Active hip adduction did not significantly change VMO amplitude or VMO:VL ratio during the knee flexion or knee extension phases of the dynamic squat exercise.Conclusions:Based on these results, we conclude that VMO amplitude and the VMO: VL ratio are not influenced by performing active hip adduction during a dynamic squat exercise in healthy subjects.

Interactions among Variables in the P300 Response to a Continuous Performance Task in Normal and ADHD Adults

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 666-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. McPherson ◽  
Mimi T. Salamat
Keyword(s):  
Event Related Potential ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
False Alarms ◽  
Continuous Performance Task ◽  
Significant Group ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Number Of False Alarms ◽  
Auditory P300 ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Common

This study investigated the effect of variable interstimulus intervals (ISIs) in a group of normal and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) adults on behavioral reaction time and the auditory P300 event-related potential. This study involved 20 adult subjects with no history of ADHD and 11 adult subjects diagnosed with ADHD. The subjects were instructed to respond to the common stimuli and ignore the rare stimulus. Significant differences in the latency of the P300a, P300b, the amplitude of the P300b, and in the number of false alarms and correct rejections between ISIs were observed in the normal group. The group with ADHD failed to show any significant differences between ISIs. Psychophysical measures of hits showed significant differences for the number of hits for ISI 2 (2 sec) between the two groups. False alarms and correct rejections for all ISIs showed significant differences between groups. Significant group differences were seen for latency of the P300a and P300b at each of the three ISIs, for amplitude of the P300a and P300b for ISI 1 and ISI 3, and for the amplitude of the P300b for ISI 2. There was a greater separation in the group with ADHD between the P300a and P300b suggesting a processing lag in that group.

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