Acute effect of dry needling on trunk kinematics and balance of patients with non-specific low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Limited knowledge exists about the effectiveness of dry needling (DN) concerning the torso kinematics in patients with non-specific low back pain (NS-LBP). Acute effects of DN in NS-LBP patients from a functional perspective were investigated. METHODS: Sixteen NS-LBP patients and 11 healthy individuals (HG) were examined. NS-LBP patients received a single session of DN at the lumbar region. Baseline and immediate post-treatment measurements during flexion-extension and lateral bending of the trunk were conducted for the NS-LBP patients. HG were measured only at baseline to be used as a reference of NS-LBP patients' initial condition. Algometry was applied in NS-LBP patients. Centre of pressure, range of motion of the trunk and its' derivatives were obtained. FINDINGS: HG performed significantly faster, smoother and with greater mobility in the performed tasks compared to the pre intervention measurements of the NS-LBP patients. For the NS-LBP patients, significant greater angular velocity in frontal plane and significant lower jerk in the sagittal plane were demonstrated post intervention. DN alleviated pain tolerance significantly at the L5 level. Regarding the effectiveness of the DN upon spine kinematics, their derivatives were more sensitive. INTERPRETATION: It appeared that the pathological type of torso movement was acutely affected by DN. NS-LBP patients showcased smoother movement immediately after the intervention and better control as imprinted in the higher derivative of motion although range of motion did not improve. This quantitative variable may not be subjected to acute effects of DN but rather need additional time and training to be improved.

The effects of dry needling on pain relief and functional balance in patients with sub-chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Pain relief is important both for the movement of patients suffering from low back pain and the quality of life. Dry needling is effective on myofascial trigger points but its effect on the area of pain and the functional balance is not fully known. OBJECTIVE: To examine the immediate effect of dry needling on pain and functional balance of patients suffering from low back pain. METHODS: Twenty five patients with sub-chronic low back pain were randomly divided into two groups: the intervention or control group. Needles were used for the participants of the intervention group, bilaterally at the spinus level, one and a half finger breath from the midline in levels L2-L5 of the lumbar spine. A third line of needles was inserted in the interspinosus spaces, except L5-S1 level. Bipedal stance, lateral loading and mediolateral body sway were assessed using a pair of force plates. Pain tolerance was assessed using an algometer. RESULTS: The pain tolerance significantly increased in the intervention group from (M = 4.87, SE 0.663) to (M = 6.52, SE 0.547) (F(1,23) = 7.8, p< 0.05) after intervention. During mediolateral body sway the force signal in the dominant frequency significantly increased in the intervention group from (M = 43.2, SE 4.6) to (M = 54,9, SE 3.6) (F(1,23) = 4.63, p< 0.05) after intervention, exhibiting more controlled rhythmic behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Dry needling in painful areas and penetrating all the muscle groups seems to improve pain and functional balance, yet its effect on specific muscles needs to be studied further.

Gamifying Motion Control Assessments Using Leap Motion Controller.

In rehabilitation, exergames and serious games are widely usedin order to motivate patients in the therapeutic procedure. Patients are asked to modify their incorrect motor patterns or reinforce the proper ones through activity rather than exercise. Interactive applications as such, can have a huge impact on a patient's motivation making repetitive physical exercises into pleasant experiences, thus maximizing the gains of therapy. In this paper we present the design and implementation of a serious game platform based on virtual 3D game environment and leap motion controller for interaction. For each session, achieved goals and response to stimuli is recorded and analyzed. Preliminary analysis results from evaluating the game with healthy subjects are encouraging.

Neuroprotective effect of long-term MgSO4 administration after cerebral hypoxia-ischemia in newborn rats is related to the severity of brain damage.

Previous studies have shown contradictory results regarding magnesium-mediated neuroprotection in animal models of perinatal asphyxia. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of MgSO(4) postasphyxial treatment on hypoxia-ischemia (HI)-induced brain injury in neonatal rats and the possibility that this effect is related to the severity of brain damage. Seven-day-old rats underwent unilateral carotid artery ligation followed by 1 or 2 hours of hypoxia (8% O(2)) and MgSO(4) administration. Adenosine triphosphate/phosphocreatine and glutamate/glutamine measurements and neuropathological evaluation of the hippocampus were used to assess the effects of HI and MgSO(4). HI caused time-dependent changes in energy stores, amino acid concentrations, and brain damage. Administration of MgSO(4) after 1 hour but not after 2 hours of hypoxia resulted in significant prevention of HI-induced brain injury. MgSO(4) administration results in a significant protection against moderate HI-induced brain damage, whereas it fails to offer a similar effect against severe brain damage.