scholarly journals Kinematic Analysis of Gait in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Branco ◽  
Rita Santos-Rocha ◽  
Liliana Aguiar ◽  
Filomena Vieira ◽  
António Veloso

The kinematic analysis of gait during pregnancy provides more information about the anatomical changes and contributes to exercise and rehabilitation prescription. The purposes were to quantify the lower limb kinematics of gait and to compare it between the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and with a control group. A three-dimensional analysis was performed in twenty-two pregnant women and twelve nonpregnant. Repeated Measures and Manova tests were performed for comparisons between trimesters and between pregnant and controls. The walking speed, stride width, right-/left-step time, cycle time and time of support, and flight phases remain unchanged between trimesters and between pregnant and controls. Stride and right-/left-step lengths decreased between trimesters. Double limb support time increased between trimesters, and it increased when compared with controls. Joint kinematics showed a significant decrease of right-hip extension and adduction during stance phase between trimesters and when compared with controls. Also, an increase in left-knee flexion and a decrease in right-ankle plantarflexion were found between trimesters. The results suggested that pregnant women need to maintain greater stability of body and to become more efficient in locomotion. Further data from the beginning of pregnancy anthropometric data may contribute to the analysis.

Author(s):  
N.A. Venchikova, À.À. Ershova-Pavlova, I.V. Novikova et all

As part of the population-based prenatal screening of 900 pregnant women, who underwent 1st trimester screening at the RPMC “Mother and Child” in 2018–2019, an ultrasound scan of the fetal palate was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of new ultrasound markers in detecting orofacial clefts (OFC). Fetal palatal defects were screened at a 2D assessment of bone markers of the palate – the image of the palatal line in the sagittal section, the retronasal triangle in the coronary section, the alveolar arch of the upper jaw in the axial section. If a palate abnormality was detected or suspected in the 2D study, the fetal palate was evaluated using the 3D mode. In 50 pregnant women of the control group, 3D sonography of the fetal palate was performed in the norm. In total, during the gestation period of 10+5–12+5 weeks, 10 cases of OFC were detected, of which 1 case was a median lip/palate cleft (LPC), 6 — bilateral LPC, 1 — left-sided LPC, 1 — unspecified LPC, 1 — PC. Visualization of 2D ultrasound markers was possible in 9 cases of palate anomalies, 3D assessment worked out in all 10 cases. In all identified OFC cases, cytogenetic and/or pathomorphological studies were performed.


2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingli Yang ◽  
Roy Lyster

Conducted in English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) classrooms at the university level in China, this quasi-experimental study compared the effects of three different corrective feedback treatments on 72 Chinese learners’ use of regular and irregular English past tense. Three classes were randomly assigned to a prompt group, a recast group, or a control group and then participated in form-focused production activities that elicited the target forms. In the two feedback groups, teachers consistently provided one type of feedback (i.e., either recasts or prompts) in response to learners’ errors during the activities, whereas in the control group, the teacher provided feedback only on content. Pretests, immediate posttests, and delayed posttests administered 2 weeks after the treatment assessed participants’ acquisition of regular and irregular past tense forms in both oral and written production. Comparisons of group means across testing sessions using a repeated-measures ANOVA consistently revealed large effects for time. Post hoc within-group analyses of the eight immediate- and delayed-posttest measures revealed significant gains by the prompt group on all eight measures, the recast group on four, and the control group on three. The effects of prompts were larger than those of recasts for increasing accuracy in the use of regular past tense forms, whereas prompts and recasts had similar effects on improving accuracy in the use of irregular past tense forms.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamora A. Callands ◽  
Kandyce Hylick ◽  
Alethea Desrosiers ◽  
Shantesica M. Gilliam ◽  
Erica N. Taylor ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Following 14 years of civil war in Liberia, war-exposure, gender-based violence, and extreme poverty have been identified as key challenges to the mental and sexual health of young pregnant women, and the health of their unborn children. Despite ongoing efforts to rebuild the country’s healthcare infrastructure, empirical research and interventions focused on addressing the consequences of war on the mental and sexual health of young pregnant women in Liberia are severely limited. To address these concerns, we developed Project POWER (Progressing Our Well-being, Emotions, and Relationships) (POWER), a mindfulness-infused cognitive-behavioral intervention for young adult pregnant women. This study sought to: 1) assess the feasibility and acceptability of POWER; and (2) determine the preliminary efficacy of POWER for improving mental and sexual health outcomes among Liberian war-exposed pregnant young adult women. Methods Eighty-seven women ages 18-25 years were recruited from three catchment areas in Monrovia, Liberia. Participants participated in one of two ten-session programs delivered over 5-weeks: POWER or a control group (a health education program). Feasibility and acceptability of POWER were examined using program log (e.g., the number of participants screened and enrolled, facilitator satisfaction, etc.) data from an exit interview. Results Preliminary efficacy of POWER’s effects on mental and sexual health outcomes was assessed using a series of four one-way repeated measures ANOVA with time and group as predictors. Analyses provided preliminary support for the feasibility and acceptability of POWER. Preliminary efficacy of POWER showed significant reductions in depression symptoms, PTSD symptoms, prenatal distress, and transactional sex over time. Conclusions Findings suggest that POWER may be a feasible and acceptable intervention to promote mental and sexual health for young adult pregnant women in Liberia. Future research is needed to determine the efficacy of POWER on a larger scale in Liberia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-281
Author(s):  
Guy Nam Kim ◽  
Eun-Young Jun

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effects of the Unpleasant Symptom-Relief Program to mitigate preterm labor stress, anxiety, physical discomfort, and situational discomfort in hospitalized high-risk pregnant women.Methods: This study used a nonequivalent control group nonsynchronized design and analyzed 23 participants from the experimental group and 23 from the control group. The participants from both the groups were matched and diagnosed with preterm labor, incompetent internal os of the cervix, preterm premature rupture of membrane, placenta previa, or gestational diabetes mellitus. The effects of the Unpleasant Symptom-Relief Program were measured using tools such as preterm labor stress, anxiety, physical discomfort, and situational discomfort. The data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 21.0 using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square test, paired t-test, and repeated measures analysis of variance.Results: The Unpleasant Symptom-Relief Program was effective in reducing preterm labor stress (F= 8.24, p=0.001), anxiety (F=17.80, p≤0.001), and situational discomfort (F=5.95, p=0.004). However, it was not effective in reducing the physical discomfort (F=1.20, p=0.311). Post hoc analysis between time points revealed effective reduction in the preterm labor stress and anxiety in both the groups immediately after the end of the program and at 7 days after the program. Situational discomfort was reduced at 7 days after the end of the program in both the groups.Conclusion: The Unpleasant Symptom-Relief Program can be applied in practice by nurses. It can contribute to alleviating the symptoms and discomfort of high-risk pregnant women.


Author(s):  
S Jenifer Augustina ◽  
MG Kaviya ◽  
D Indrani

Background: Restless legs syndrome also known as Willis-Ekbom disease is a sensor motor disorder composed of an urge to move with or without associated discomfort that occurs with inactivity and improves with movement. The symptoms occur in leg muscles like calves and thighs. The feet and arms also affected and it causes the functional disability in pregnant women. Sleep disorder is typically the biggest complication of this condition. Unpleasant sensations are deep in the legs. Sensations appear during periods of rest or inactivity particularly in the evening and at night and relived by movement. Prevalence of RLS among pregnant women ranged from 10 to 34%. Aim: The aim of the study is to prove the effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) with Stretching and Exercises in restless leg syndrome among pregnant women. Objectives: To determine and prove the effectiveness of TENS with stretching to relive pain and improve the functional ability in restless leg syndrome among pregnant women. Materials and Methods: A Quasi-experimental study was conducted on 30 subjects using convenient sampling technique based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects were allotted into 2 groups i.e., Group A with 15 subjects and Group B with 15 subjects using odd even method of sampling. Experimental group will be treated with TENS and Stretching. Control group will be treated with exercises and massage. Result: Statistical Analysis of Post test for pain and functional performance revealed that patients who received Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) with Stretching in Group A showed marked improvement compared to patients who received Massage and Exercises in Group B. Conclusion: From the result of the study it concluded that Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) with Stretching is more effective than massage and exercises in subjects with restless leg syndrome among pregnant women.


2018 ◽  
Vol 122 (6) ◽  
pp. 2063-2073 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Abdolvahab Samavi ◽  
Samaneh Najarpourian ◽  
Moosa Javdan

In the present study, the effect of group hope therapy on labor pain and mental health of pregnant women was investigated, in consideration of the Iranian health policy’s emphasis on encouraging women to have a healthy delivery. The research plan was a semiexperimental pretest–posttest design with a control group. A total of 36 pregnant women were assigned to the treatment and control group using a random procedure. General Health Questionnaire and a Visual Analog Scale were used to collect data about dependent variables. For the analysis of hypotheses, independent samples t test and covariance analysis were used. The findings showed that hope therapy had a significant effect on labor pain (t = 5.17; P < 0.001) and mental health (F = 28.21; P < 0.001). In general, the findings of the present study confirm the application of group hope therapy in relieving labor pain and increasing the mental health of pregnant women. This therapeutic approach can simultaneously reduce the labor pain, generate positive emotions in women, and turn the experience of delivery into a pleasant one.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 95
Author(s):  
Maria Stella Valle ◽  
Antonino Casabona ◽  
Ilenia Sapienza ◽  
Luca Laudani ◽  
Alessandro Vagnini ◽  
...  

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test quantifies physical mobility by measuring the total performance time. In this study, we quantified the single TUG subcomponents and, for the first time, explored the effects of gait cycle and pelvis asymmetries on them. Transfemoral (TF) and transtibial (TT) amputees were compared with a control group. A single wearable inertial sensor, applied to the back, captured kinematic data from the body and pelvis during the 10-m walk test and the TUG test. From these data, two categories of symmetry indexes (SI) were computed: One SI captured the differences between the antero-posterior accelerations of the two sides during the gait cycle, while another set of SI quantified the symmetry over the three-dimensional pelvis motions. Moreover, the total time of the TUG test, the time of each subcomponent, and the velocity of the turning subcomponents were measured. Only the TF amputees showed significant reductions in each SI category when compared to the controls. During the TUG test, the TF group showed a longer duration and velocity reduction mainly over the turning subtasks. However, for all the amputees there were significant correlations between the level of asymmetries and the velocity during the turning tasks. Overall, gait cycle and pelvis asymmetries had a specific detrimental effect on the turning performance instead of on linear walking.


2021 ◽  
Vol 81 (01) ◽  
pp. 5-12
Author(s):  
Eduardo Reyna-Villasmil ◽  
◽  
Jorly Mejía-Montilla ◽  
Nadia Reyna-Villasmil ◽  
Duly Torres-Cepeda ◽  
...  

Objective: To establish the diagnostic utility of the platelet-lymphocyte ratio in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Methods: A case-control study was carried out at the Hospital Central “Dr. Urquinaona” Maracaibo, Venezuela. A total of 180 pregnant women were selected. Ninety preeclamptic women were included as the study group (group A) and a control group selected for their age and body mass index similar to the study group, which consisted of 90 healthy normotensive pregnant women (group B). The general characteristics, platelet-lymphocyte ratio values and diagnostic efficacy were determined. Results: Group A patients presented lower platelet and lymphocyte values compared to group B patients (p <0.001). However, no statistically significant differences were found in platelet-lymphocyte ratio between group A patients (115.2 ± 32.7) and group B patients (122.3 ± 23.8; p = 0, 0971). A cut-off value of the platelets-lymphocyte ratio of 117 presented a value below the curve of 0.57, the sensitivity of 47.8%, the specificity of 50.0%, the positive predictive value of 48.9%, and the negative predictive value of 52.2%, with a diagnostic accuracy of 48.9%. Conclusion: Platelet-lymphocyte ratio is not a useful tool in the diagnosis of preeclampsia, since patients with the syndrome present similar values to normotensive pregnant women. Keywords: Platelet-lymphocyte ratio, Preeclampsia, Diagnosis, Pregnancy.


Author(s):  
Asia Parveen ◽  
Khan Farooq ◽  
Fatima Arshad ◽  
Modasrah Mazhar ◽  
Nureen Zahra ◽  
...  

Background/ Aim: Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) has been a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. It could be responsible for several complications like hemodilution, altered lipid metabolism and deficiencies of different minerals in body. Although the causes of Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) remains indistinct. The aim of our present study was to evaluate the changes in magnesium serum levels and lipid profile in hypertensive and normotensive pregnant women. Materials and Methods: An analytical case control study comprising 60 individuals was designed. From which 30 normotensive pregnant women served as control group (A) and 30 pregnancy induced hypertensive women served as case group (B). Patients with pre-existing hypertension were excluded. Results: The independent t-test was used for comparison of various parameters between group A and B. Triacylglycerol (TAG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly high in PIH (B) as compare to normotensive group (A). Mean serum values of TG were measured as (195.73 ± 70.28 vs 156.27 ± 55.60 mg dL-1) and LDL-C vs control (87.33 ± 37.74 vs 69.45 ± 28.58 mg dL-1) in PIH and normotensive groups respectively. HDL-C in PIH vs Control (47.40±1.12 vs 54.43 ±1.27 mg dL-1) and Mg+2 PIH vs control (1.36±0.07 vs 1.94±0.35 mg dL-1) were measured respectively. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and magnesium Mg+2 levels were significantly reduced in PIH. Conclusion: The lower serum magnesium levels and abnormal lipids profile may indicate their possible role as risk factors in the development of PIH in pregnant women. Hence initial diagnosis of hypomagnesemia in PIH cases may help in minimizing the complications and development of new cure strategies.


2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 575-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathie M. Cole ◽  
Anna Gawlinski ◽  
Neil Steers ◽  
Jenny Kotlerman

Background Animal-assisted therapy improves physiological and psychosocial variables in healthy and hypertensive patients. Objectives To determine whether a 12-minute hospital visit with a therapy dog improves hemodynamic measures, lowers neurohormone levels, and decreases state anxiety in patients with advanced heart failure. Methods A 3-group randomized repeated-measures experimental design was used in 76 adults. Longitudinal analysis was used to model differences among the 3 groups at 3 times. One group received a 12-minute visit from a volunteer with a therapy dog; another group, a 12-minute visit from a volunteer; and the control group, usual care. Data were collected at baseline, at 8 minutes, and at 16 minutes. Results Compared with controls, the volunteer-dog group had significantly greater decreases in systolic pulmonary artery pressure during (−4.32 mm Hg, P = .03) and after (−5.78 mm Hg, P = .001) and in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure during (−2.74 mm Hg, P = .01) and after (−4.31 mm Hg, P = .001) the intervention. Compared with the volunteer-only group, the volunteer-dog group had significantly greater decreases in epinephrine levels during (−15.86 pg/mL, P = .04) and after (−17.54 pg/mL, P = .04) and in norepinephrine levels during (−232.36 pg/mL, P = .02) and after (−240.14 pg/mL, P = .02) the intervention. After the intervention, the volunteer-dog group had the greatest decrease from baseline in state anxiety sum score compared with the volunteer-only (−6.65 units, P =.002) and the control groups (−9.13 units, P &lt; .001). Conclusions Animal-assisted therapy improves cardiopulmonary pressures, neurohormone levels, and anxiety in patients hospitalized with heart failure.


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