scholarly journals ROLE OF MANUAL THERAPY AND MASSAGE IN THE TREATMENT OF FIBROMYALGIA: TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 182-189
Author(s):  
Burhan Fatih Koçyiğit ◽  
Ahmet Akyol ◽  
Serkan Usgu
Keyword(s):  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Manual Therapy ◽  
Symptom Control ◽  
Applied Pressure ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Therapeutic Procedures ◽  
High Level ◽  
Therapeutic Alternatives

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic rheumatic disease in which pain is predominant and accompanied by fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and cognitive dysfunction. Although there are numerous pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic alternatives, symptom control is frequently problematic. Manual therapy covers manipulating soft tissue and various joints using the hands. It is organized by mapping of soft tissue structures with rhythmically applied pressure to improve physical function, facilitate daily activities, promote rehabilitation procedures and decrease pain.  Massage is generally accepted as an essential component of manual therapy. Stretching and mobilizations are also part of manual therapy. Although numerous beneficial effects of manual therapy and massage on the musculoskeletal system and pain have been proven, the data in FMS patients studies are inconclusive. We hypothesize that manual therapy and massage are beneficial therapeutic options for the control of symptoms of FMS patients. Furthermore, these strategies can be employed in conjunction with well-established and high-evidence therapeutic procedures. Future research should focus on establishing standardized protocols for manual therapy and massage, which is one of the major limitations. To ensure a high level of evidence, research studies with large sample sizes, long follow-up periods and methodologically complete are needed.

scholarly journals Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined with Conventional Therapy for Blood Pressure Variability in Hypertension Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuo Chen ◽  
Liqiong Wang ◽  
Guoyan Yang ◽  
Hao Xu ◽  
Jianping Liu
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Conventional Therapy ◽  
Blood Pressure Variability ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
High Level

Objective. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate effect of Chinese medicine combined with conventional therapy on blood pressure variability (BPV) in hypertension patients.Methods. All randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing Chinese medicine with no intervention or placebo on the basis of conventional therapy were included. Data extraction, analyses, and quality assessment were performed according to the Cochrane standards.Results. We included 13 RCTs and assessed risk of bias for all the trials. Chinese medicine has a significant effect in lowering blood pressure (BP), reducing BPV in the form of standard deviation (SD) or coefficient of variability (CV), improving nighttime BP decreased rate, and reversing abnormal rhythm of BP.Conclusions. Chinese medicine was safe and showed beneficial effects on BPV in hypertension patients. However, more rigorous trials with high quality are warranted to give high level of evidence before recommending Chinese medicine as an alternative or complementary medicine to improve BPV in hypertension patients.

scholarly journals Advanced techniques in amputation surgery and prosthetic technology in the lower extremity

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 724-741
Author(s):  
Gerhard M. Hobusch ◽  
Kevin Döring ◽  
Rickard Brånemark ◽  
Reinhard Windhager
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Cutting Edge ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Interface ◽  
Muscle Innervation ◽  
High Level

Bone-anchored implants give patients with unmanageable stump problems hope for drastic improvements in function and quality of life and are therefore increasingly considered a viable solution for lower-limb amputees and their orthopaedic surgeons, despite high infection rates. Regarding diversity and increasing numbers of implants worldwide, efforts are to be supported to arrange an international bone-anchored implant register to transparently overview pros and cons. Due to few, but high-quality, articles about the beneficial effects of targeted muscle innervation (TMR) and regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI), these surgical techniques ought to be directly transferred into clinical protocols, observations and routines. Bionics of the lower extremity is an emerging cutting-edge technology. The main goal lies in the reduction of recognition and classification errors in changes of ambulant modes. Agonist–antagonist myoneuronal interfaces may be a most promising start in controlling of actively powered ankle joints. As advanced amputation surgical techniques are becoming part of clinical routine, the development of financing strategies besides medical strategies ought to be boosted, leading to cutting-edge technology at an affordable price. Microprocessor-controlled components are broadly available, and amputees do see benefits. Devices from different manufacturers differ in gait kinematics with huge inter-individual varieties between amputees that cannot be explained by age. Active microprocessor-controlled knees/ankles (A-MPK/As) might succeed in uneven ground-walking. Patients ought to be supported to receive appropriate prosthetic components to reach their everyday goals in a desirable way. Increased funding of research in the field of prosthetic technology could enhance more high-quality research in order to generate a high level of evidence and to identify individuals who can profit most from microprocessor-controlled prosthetic components. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:724-741. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190070

Power of Modified Brown-Forsythe and Mixed-Model Approaches in Split-Plot Designs

Methodology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Livacic-Rojas ◽  
Guillermo Vallejo ◽  
Paula Fernández ◽  
Ellián Tuero-Herrero
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Covariance Structure ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Repeated Measures Design ◽  
Fixed And Random Effects ◽  
Split Plot ◽  
High Level

Abstract. Low precision of the inferences of data analyzed with univariate or multivariate models of the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) in repeated-measures design is associated to the absence of normality distribution of data, nonspherical covariance structures and free variation of the variance and covariance, the lack of knowledge of the error structure underlying the data, and the wrong choice of covariance structure from different selectors. In this study, levels of statistical power presented the Modified Brown Forsythe (MBF) and two procedures with the Mixed-Model Approaches (the Akaike’s Criterion, the Correctly Identified Model [CIM]) are compared. The data were analyzed using Monte Carlo simulation method with the statistical package SAS 9.2, a split-plot design, and considering six manipulated variables. The results show that the procedures exhibit high statistical power levels for within and interactional effects, and moderate and low levels for the between-groups effects under the different conditions analyzed. For the latter, only the Modified Brown Forsythe shows high level of power mainly for groups with 30 cases and Unstructured (UN) and Autoregressive Heterogeneity (ARH) matrices. For this reason, we recommend using this procedure since it exhibits higher levels of power for all effects and does not require a matrix type that underlies the structure of the data. Future research needs to be done in order to compare the power with corrected selectors using single-level and multilevel designs for fixed and random effects.

A Comparison of General Anesthesia and Regional Anesthesia as a Risk Factor for Deep Vein Thrombosis Following Hip Surgery: A Critical Review

1990 ◽  
Vol 64 (04) ◽  
pp. 497-500 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin H Prins ◽  
Jack Hirsh
Keyword(s):  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
General Anesthesia ◽  
Regional Anesthesia ◽  
Lower Incidence ◽  
Hip Surgery ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Postoperative Thrombosis ◽  
High Level ◽  
Deep Vein

SummaryWe evaluated the evidence in support of the suggestion that the risk of deep vein thrombosis after hip surgery is lower with regional than with general anesthesia. A literature search was performed to retrieve all articles which reported on the incidence of postoperative thrombosis in both fractured and elective hip surgery. Articles were included if the method of anesthesia used was reported and if they used mandatory venography. Based upon the quality of study design the level of evidence provided by a study was graded.In patients who did not receive prophylaxis there were high level studies in elective and fractured hip surgery. All studies showed a statistically significantly lower incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis with regional anesthesia (relative risk reductions of 46-55%). There were no direct comparative studies in patients who received prophylaxis. However, between study comparisons did not show even a trend towards to lower incidence of postoperative thrombosis with regional anesthesia.

COVID-19 Outbreak Prediction with Machine Learning

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Faizollahzadeh Ardabili ◽  
Amir Mosavi ◽  
Pedram Ghamisi ◽  
Filip Ferdinand ◽  
Annamaria R. Varkonyi-Koczy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Fuzzy Inference ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Inference System ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Standard Models ◽  
High Level

Several outbreak prediction models for COVID-19 are being used by officials around the world to make informed-decisions and enforce relevant control measures. Among the standard models for COVID-19 global pandemic prediction, simple epidemiological and statistical models have received more attention by authorities, and they are popular in the media. Due to a high level of uncertainty and lack of essential data, standard models have shown low accuracy for long-term prediction. Although the literature includes several attempts to address this issue, the essential generalization and robustness abilities of existing models needs to be improved. This paper presents a comparative analysis of machine learning and soft computing models to predict the COVID-19 outbreak as an alternative to SIR and SEIR models. Among a wide range of machine learning models investigated, two models showed promising results (i.e., multi-layered perceptron, MLP, and adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system, ANFIS). Based on the results reported here, and due to the highly complex nature of the COVID-19 outbreak and variation in its behavior from nation-to-nation, this study suggests machine learning as an effective tool to model the outbreak. This paper provides an initial benchmarking to demonstrate the potential of machine learning for future research. Paper further suggests that real novelty in outbreak prediction can be realized through integrating machine learning and SEIR models.

Yogic Intervention in Sexual Dysfunction - A Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakshith K. R. ◽  
Shivakumar . ◽  
Kaushal Sinha ◽  
Vijeth Kumar L. A.
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Yoga Therapy ◽  
Cognitive Component ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
The Mind

Yoga is an ancient practice with Eastern roots that involves both physical postures (Asanas) and breathing techniques (Pranayamas). Yoga therapy for male sexual problems can effectively be treated through Yoga therapy, particularly with the help of Yoga poses and breathing exercises, Yoga has proven itself highly very effective in the treatment of a number of incurable and sometimes terminable diseases. Then again, Yoga's therapeutic effects are just a spin-off and supplementary. Yoga which has proved to be very effective in the treatment of many impossible and incurable diseases, the therapeutic effect of Yoga is only a by product and incidental. Problems related to sex can very well be handled with Yoga as most often these problems are more related to the mind than body. Either they are caused by lack of confidence or stress or fatigue or fear and very few times some physical cause is there. There is also a cognitive component focusing on meditation and concentration, which aids in achieving the goal of union between the self and the spiritual. Although numerous empirical studies have found a beneficial effect of Yoga on different aspects of physical and psychological functioning, claims of Yoga's beneficial effects on sexuality derive from a rich but no empirical literature. The goal of this article is to review the philosophy and forms of Yoga, to review the no empirical and (limited) empirical literatures linking Yoga with enhanced sexuality, and to propose some future research avenues focusing on Yoga as a treatment for sexual disorder.

The Role of Personal Control in Adaptive Functioning

2009 ◽  
pp. 270-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne C. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Differences ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Adaptive Functioning ◽  
Coping Skills ◽  
Personal Control ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sense Of Control ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Controllable Factors

A sense of personal control is an important resource that helps people maintain emotional stability and successfully negotiate their way through life. People foster their perceived control by focusing on reachable goals, creating new avenues for control, and accepting difficult-to-change circumstances. In general, perceived control need not be realistic in order to have beneficial effects, although in the area of health promotion, overestimating one's control can reduce the motivation to engage in protection. Research on ethnic differences in the benefits of a sense of personal control suggests that those from more collectivistic cultures or subcultures may be less benefited by a sense of personal control, relying instead on a socially derived sense of control. Successful interventions to enhance personal control include programs that bolster coping skills, give options and decisions to participants, and provide training that encourages attributions to controllable factors. Future research should further explore ethnic differences in the effects of personal control, the consequences of unrealistic control perceptions, and interventions to enhance the sense of control.

scholarly journals Opportunities and Challenges of Green-Lean: An Integrated System for Sustainable Construction

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammadsoroush Tafazzoli ◽  
Ehsan Mousavi ◽  
Sharareh Kermanshachi
Keyword(s):  
Cost Savings ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Waste Minimization ◽  
Sustainable Construction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Safety Improvement ◽  
The Individual ◽  
High Level ◽  
Industry Professionals

Although the two concepts of lean and sustainable construction have been developed due to different incentives, and they do not pursue the same exact goals, there exists considerable commonality between them. This paper discusses the potentials for integrating the two approaches and their practices and how the resulting synergy from combining the two methods can potentially lead to higher levels of fulfilling the individual goals of each of them. Some limitations and challenges to implementing the integrated approach are also discussed. Based on a comprehensive review of existing papers related to sustainable and lean construction topics, the commonality between the two approaches is discussed and grouped in five categories of (1) cost savings, (2) waste minimization, (3) Jobsite safety improvement, (4) reduced energy consumption, and (5) customers’ satisfaction improvement. The challenges of this integration are similarly identified and discussed in the four main categories of (1) additional initial costs to the project, (2) difficulty of providing specialized expertise, (3) contractors’ unwillingness to adopt the additional requirements, and (4) challenges to establish a high level of teamwork. Industry professionals were then interviewed to rank the elements in each of the two categories of opportunities and challenges. The results of the study highlight how future research can pursue the development of a new Green-Lean approach by investing in the communalities and meeting the challenges of this integration.

scholarly journals Time Granularity Impact on Propagation of Disruptions in a System-of-Systems Simulation of Infrastructure and Business Networks

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 3922
Author(s):  
Mateusz Iwo Dubaniowski ◽  
Hans Rudolf Heinimann
Keyword(s):  
Recovery Time ◽  
System Of Systems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Simulation Experiments ◽  
Huge Impact ◽  
High Level ◽  
Systems Simulation ◽  
Different Characteristics ◽  
The Impact

A system-of-systems (SoS) approach is often used for simulating disruptions to business and infrastructure system networks allowing for integration of several models into one simulation. However, the integration is frequently challenging as each system is designed individually with different characteristics, such as time granularity. Understanding the impact of time granularity on propagation of disruptions between businesses and infrastructure systems and finding the appropriate granularity for the SoS simulation remain as major challenges. To tackle these, we explore how time granularity, recovery time, and disruption size affect the propagation of disruptions between constituent systems of an SoS simulation. To address this issue, we developed a high level architecture (HLA) simulation of three networks and performed a series of simulation experiments. Our results revealed that time granularity and especially recovery time have huge impact on propagation of disruptions. Consequently, we developed a model for selecting an appropriate time granularity for an SoS simulation based on expected recovery time. Our simulation experiments show that time granularity should be less than 1.13 of expected recovery time. We identified some areas for future research centered around extending the experimental factors space.

scholarly journals Manual Therapy in Cervical and Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6176
Author(s):  
Tomasz Kuligowski ◽  
Anna Skrzek ◽  
Błażej Cieślik
Keyword(s):  
Manual Therapy ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lumbar Radiculopathy ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Mean

The aim of this study was to describe and update current knowledge of manual therapy accuracy in treating cervical and lumbar radiculopathy, to identify the limitations in current studies, and to suggest areas for future research. The study was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science databases up to April 2020. The following inclusion criteria were used: (1) presence of radiculopathy; (2) treatment defined as manual therapy (i.e., traction, manipulation, mobilization); and (3) publication defined as a Randomized Controlled Trial. The electronic literature search resulted in 473 potentially relevant articles. Finally, 27 articles were accepted: 21 on cervical (CR) and 6 in lumbar radiculopathy (LR). The mean PEDro score for CR was 6.6 (SD 1.3), and for LR 6.7 (SD 1.6). Traction-oriented techniques are the most frequently chosen treatment form for CR and are efficient in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes. In LR, each of the included publications used a different form of manual therapy, which makes it challenging to summarize knowledge in this group. Of included publications, 93% were either of moderate or low quality, which indicates that quality improvement is necessary for this type of research.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document