Punctual mechanical oscillation in modulation of muscular tonus in children with spasticity

Spasticity is a motor condition present in 75 to 88% of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). One form of treatment is called punctual mechanical oscillation (PO). The current study aimed to study different protocols for the application of PO and the magnitude of their effects. In total, 7children with medical diagnosis of CP and ICD (International Classification of Diseases) were included. The first intervention protocol (Int1) consisted of the application of PO to the spastic muscle tendon and the second intervention protocol (Int2) to the muscle belly ofthe spastic antagonist muscle. For evaluation, the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) was used, while simultaneously capturing the mechanomyography (MMG) signals. Data were collected pre-intervention and 1 (Post1), 15 (Post15), 30 (Post30), 45 (Post45), and60 (Post60) minutes after the interventions. The MAS values (median ± interquartile range) post intervention were statistically lower when compared to the pre values in the 2 protocols studied; in Int1between Pre (2 ± 0) andPost15 (0 ± 1.75), Post30 (0 ± 1), Post45 (1 ± 1),and Post60 (1 ± 1), and in Int2only between Pre (2 ± 1) and Post1 (0 ± 1).The values found in the MMG in both its temporal and spectral domains did not follow a pattern (p>0.05). The comparison between the protocols did not demonstrate statistical differences in any characteristics (MAS, MMGMF, and MMGRMS). However, PO was shown to be a therapeutic resource that modulated spasticity for up to 60 minutes after its application, and PO could contribute as a tool to aid the treatment of spasticity.

A self-oscillating gel system with complex dynamic behavior based on a time delay between the oscillations

The time delay existing between the chemical oscillation and mechanical oscillation (C-M delay) in a self-oscillating gel (SOG) system is observable in previous experimental studies. However, how the C-M delay...

Lever ties: possibilities of creating dynamic conditions in mechanical oscillation systems

The paper considers the possibilities to assess, create and change dynamic conditions of mechanical oscillation systems with additional ties in tasks of dynamics that are typical to technological and transport objects. The aim of the paper is in development of methodological basics of system analysis, detailed elaboration of notions about shapes, peculiarities and possibilities of functions interaction of elements in oscillation systems in the presence of dynamic ties in the shape of lever mechanisms. The paper uses methods of structural mathematical modeling based on analytical apparatus of automatic control theory. The authors developed a method of creating mathematical models obtained with the use of the Laplace transformations of the original equations formed on the basis of the Lagrange formalism. They propose a technology of creating structural mathematical models with the exception of intermediate coordinates. They also consider the introduction of new type transfer functions surrounding the distribution of the oscillation amplitudes of the mass-inertial element in the form of a rigid body performing plane motion and variants of appearance of specific dynamic modes in a connected motion under the influence of external disturbances. The study shows the possibilities of interpreting the modes of dynamic absorption of oscillations through a connection with definition of a node (or centre) of oscillations. As a result, the authors propose a number of analytical ratios to evaluate peculiarities of the dynamic conditions of vibrational interactions and present the results of numeric modeling.