Demonstration of asymmetric muscle perfusion of the back after exercise in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI.

The purpose of this work was to quantify muscular perfusion patterns of back muscles after exercise in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MR perfusion imaging. The paraspinal muscles of eight patients with AIS (Cobb angle 35 ± 10°, range [25-47°]) and nine healthy volunteers were scanned with a 1.5 T MRI, at rest and after performing a symmetric back muscle exercise on a Roman chair. An IVIM sequence with 16 b-values from 0 to 900 s/mm2 was acquired, and the IVIM bi-exponential signal equation model was fitted in two steps. Perfusion asymmetries were evaluated using the blood flow related IVIM fD* parameter in regions of interest placed within the paraspinal muscles. Statistical significance was assessed using a Student t-test. The observed perfusion pattern after performing a Roman chair muscle exercise differed consistently in patients with AIS compared with healthy normal volunteers, and consisted of an asymmetrical increase in IVIM fD* [10-3 mm2 /s] above the lumbar convexity from 6.5 ± 5.8 to 28.8 ± 26.8 (p < 0.005), with no increase in the concavity (decrease from 6.5 ± 10.0 to 3.2 ± 1.5 (p = 0.19)), compared with a bilateral symmetric increase in the healthy volunteers (right, increase from 3.3 ± 2.1 to 10.1 ± 4.6 (p < 0.05); left, 6.7 ± 10.7 to 13.3 ± 7.0 (p < 0.05)). In conclusion, patients with AIS exhibit significant asymmetric muscle perfusion over the convexity of the scoliotic curvature after Roman chair exercise.

Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness: Temporal Assessment With Quantitative MRI and Shear-Wave Ultrasound Elastography.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to assess delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) over time using quantitative MRI and shear-wave ultrasound (US) elastography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Five male (mean age ± SD, 39.6 ± 4.6 years) and five female (30.6 ± 13.5 years) volunteers underwent 1.5-T MRI before and after (15 minutes, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days) performing unilateral eccentric resistance exercise of the elbow flexor muscles. The MRI examinations included fluid-sensitive, DWI, and diffusion-tensor imaging sequences of the distal upper arm. Muscle edema, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and fractional anisotropy (FA) were assessed. US of the brachialis muscle was performed before and after (15 minutes, 12 hours, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, 7 days) exercise to measure mean shear-wave velocity (SWV). Pain and muscle tightness were assessed. RESULTS: For men, muscle edema was moderate and peaked 3 days after exercise; for women, muscle edema was mild and peaked 1-3 days after exercise. ADC was highest 3 days after exercise in men (mean, 1809.22 × 10-6 mm2/s; before exercise, 1529.88 × 10-6 mm2/s) and women (1741.90 × 10-6 mm2/s; before exercise, 1475.80 × 10-6 mm2/s). FA dropped from 361.00 in men and 389.00 in women before exercise to a minimum of 252.12 and 321.28, respectively, 3 days after exercise. Mean SWV increased after exercise in men (before exercise, 3.00 ± 0.30 m/s; peak [15 minutes after exercise], 4.04 ± 0.90 m/s) and women (before, 2.82 ± 0.40 m/s; peak [1 day after exercise], 3.23 ± 0.40 m/s) and subsequently returned to normal. In men, the ADC values of the brachialis muscle positively correlated with mean SWV (r = 0.92, p = 0.028). FA negatively correlated with pain in men (r = -0.993, p = 0.001) Muscle edema outlasted clinical symptoms in most volunteers. CONCLUSION: FA inversely correlates with pain and may be a useful imaging parameter for assessment of DOMS. Shear-wave US elastography shows a temporary increase of muscle stiffness after DOMS-inducing exercise but does not correlate with quantitative MRI parameters or clinical symptoms.

Defining the glenohumeral range of motion required for overhead shoulder mobility: an observational study.

Background: Recovery of overhead mobility after shoulder surgery is time-consuming and important for patient satisfaction. Overhead stretching and mobilization of the scapulothoracic and glenohumeral (GH) joints are common treatment interventions. The isolated GH range of motion (ROM) of flexion, abduction, and external rotation required to move above 120° of global shoulder flexion in the clinical setting remains unclear. This study clarified the GH ROM needed for overhead mobility. Methods: The timely development of shoulder ROM in patients after shoulder surgery was analyzed. Passive global shoulder flexion, GH flexion, abduction, and external rotation ROM were measured using goniometry and visually at 2-week intervals starting 6-week postsurgery until the end of treatment. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify the GH ROM cutoff values allowing overhead mobility. Results: A total of 21 patients (mean age 49 years; 76% men) after rotator cuff repair (71%), Latarjet shoulder stabilization (19%), and arthroscopic biceps tenotomy (10%) were included. The ROM cutoff value that accurately allowed overhead mobility was 83° for GH flexion and abduction with the area under the curve (AUC) ranging from 0.90 to 0.93 (p < 0.001). The cutoff value for GH external rotation was 53% of the amount of movement on the opposite side (AUC 0.87, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Global shoulder flexion above 120° needs almost full GH flexion and abduction to be executable. External rotation ROM seems less important as long as it reaches over 53% of the opposite side.

The continuing need for mentors in nursing.

Peer-reviewed nursing research was surveyed to find progress or change in how nurses guide and nurture other nurses in their practice. Discussions on the characteristics required in an effective mentor, the selection process for a mentor, the role expectations of the partnership, the agreement between the mentor and the mentee, and the preparation for the roles are included. There is a continuing need for further study in this area of nursing to help build a strong, stable, and competent nursing workforce. Nurses involved in staff development may find the short survey a useful tool in planning and implementing a mentoring program.

Paraspinal muscle activity during symmetrical and asymmetrical weight training in idiopathic scoliosis.

CONTEXT: Various studies report decreased muscle activation in the concavity of the curve in patients with scoliosis. Such decreased muscle-performance capacity could lead to sustained postural deficits. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether specific asymmetrical sports therapy exercises rather than symmetrical back strengthening can increase EMG amplitudes of paraspinal muscles in the concavity of the curve. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 16 patients with idiopathic scoliosis. INTERVENTIONS: Patients performed 4 back-strengthening exercises (front press, lat pull-down, roman chair, bent-over barbell row) during 1 test session. Each exercise was performed in a symmetrical and asymmetrical variant and repeated 3 times. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: EMG amplitudes of the paraspinal muscles were recorded in the thoracic and lumbar apexes of the scoliotic curve during each exercise. Ratios of convex- to concave-side EMG activity were calculated. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that the asymmetrical variants of front press at the lumbar level (P=.002) and roman chair and bent-over barbell row at the thoracic level (P<.0001, .001 respectively) were superior in increasing EMG amplitudes in the concavity of the scoliotic curve. CONCLUSIONS: Specific asymmetrical exercises increase EMG amplitudes of paraspinal muscles in the concavity. If confirmed in longitudinal studies measuring improvements of postural deficits, these exercises may advance care of patients with scoliosis.