A novel mobile phone and tablet application for automatized calculation of pain extent.

BACKGROUND: Pain drawings (PDs) are used for assessing pain extent as a complementary outcome to other pain measurements, consisting of shading a body chart template to report the location and extent of pain. However, the accuracy and reliability of digital PDs remain controversial due to the heterogeneity of methods used. This study aimed to develop an easy-to-use application for assessing its diagnostic accuracy in comparison with the classic paper-and-pencil method. METHODS: A test-retest reliability study was conducted, recruiting 95 patients with musculoskeletal pain symptoms. Participants shaded 2 sets of 3 different PDs (paper-and-pencil PD, digital PD using the finger and digital PD using the digital stylus). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of measurement and minimal detectable changes (MDC) were calculated for each method. Finally, repeated measure analysis of variance assessed the mean differences between trials and methods and the convergent validity between methods was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: All methods were excellently reliable (all, ICC>0.94). However, digital PDs obtained higher ICCs (ICC≥0.970) and greater accuracy to detect whether changes reflect a real change and are not due to a measurement errors (MDC = 0.72%-0.80 % for digital PDs versus MDC = 1.13 % for paper-and-Pencil PDs). No significant score differences were found among the instruments for assessing pain extent (p > 0.05). Finally, the PAIN EXTENT app showed adequate convergent validity (r > 0.850). CONCLUSION: The PAIN EXTENT app is a fast and easy-to-use instrument compatible with operative systems and devices commonly used for assessing and monitoring pain extent in the clinical and research settings.

Urinary Incontinence Among Elite Track and Field Athletes According to Their Event Specialization: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Physical effort in sports practice is an important trigger for urinary incontinence (UI). Among high-impact sports, all track and field events require continuous ground impacts and/or abdominal contractions that increase intra-abdominal pressure and impact on the pelvic floor musculature. However, studies to date have not taken into account the specific sports tasks that elite track and field athletes perform according to the competitive events for which they are training. METHODS: This cross-sectional study describes the prevalence, type, and severity of UI among elite track and field athletes considering their event specialization and training characteristics. A total of 211 female and 128 male elite track and field athletes answered an online questionnaire including anthropometric measures, medical history, training characteristics, and UI symptoms. To determine self-reported UI, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-UI Short-Form (ICIQ-UI-SF) was used. To determine UI type and severity, the incontinence questionnaire and incontinence severity index were used, respectively. RESULTS: The ICIQ-UI-SF showed that 51.7% of female and 18.8% of male athletes had UI, with stress UI (SUI) being the most frequent type (64.4%) for female and urge UI for male athletes (52.9%). Of athletes who were not identified as having UI according to the questionnaires, 24.6% of female and 13.6% of male athletes experienced urine leakage during training, mainly during jumping. Although training characteristics (experience, volume, and resting) were not related to UI, female athletes specializing in vertical jumps showed significantly lower UI prevalence compared to those specializing in horizontal jumps (χ2 [1] = 4.409, p = 0.040), middle-distance running (χ2 [1] = 4.523, p = 0.033), and sprint/hurdles events (χ2 [1] = 4.113, p = 0.043). These female athletes also displayed the lowest training volume. No differences were shown for males (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Over half of the elite track and field female athletes have self-reported UI, especially SUI, and prevalence is higher when considering urine leakage events during training. Training characteristics and specialization were not related to UI identified by questionnaires, but female athletes specializing in vertical jump events showed the lowest prevalence and training volume. Males showed significantly lower prevalence, without correlation with their specialization. Sport professionals should increase UI detection among elite athletes and design-specific approaches that consider their physical demands to make visible, prevent, or improve pelvic floor dysfunction in this population.

Acoustic Environmental Conditions (Do Not?) Affect the Static Posturography Diagnostic Accuracy: A Test-Retest Reliability Study.

Static posturography assessed with force platforms is a procedure used to obtain objective estimates related to postural adjustments. However, controlling multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing the diagnostic accuracy is essential to obtain reliable measurements and recommend its use with clinical or research purposes. We aimed to analyze how different environmental acoustic conditions affect the test−retest reliability and to analyze the most appropriate number of trials to calculate a valid mean average score. A diagnostic accuracy study was conducted enrolling 27 healthy volunteers. All procedures were taken considering consistent device settings, posture, feet position, recording time, and illumination of the room. Three trials were recorded in a silent environment (35−40 dB) and three trials were recorded in a noisy environment (85−90 dB). Results showed comparable reliability estimates for both acoustic conditions (ICC = 0.453−0.962 and 0.621−0.952), but silent conditions demonstrated better sensitivity to changes (MDC = 13.6−76%). Mean average calculations from 2 and 3 trials showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). Cross-sectional studies can be conducted under noisy or silent conditions as no significantly different scores were obtained (p > 0.05) and ICC were comparable (except oscillation area). However, longitudinal studies should consider silent conditions as they demonstrated better sensitivity to real changes not derived from measurement errors.

Prevalence of urinary incontinence among elite athletes of both sexes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) among elite athletes and to compare prevalences between sexes and across different sports modalities. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional, observational study conducted in 754 elite athletes (455 women or girls and 299 men or boys). Participants completed a questionnaire to collect self-reported anthropometric measures, medical history and sport-related data, and the questionnaires International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-UI Short-Form (ICQ-UI SF), Three Incontinence Questions (3IQ) and Incontinence Severity Index (ISI). RESULTS: According to replies to the ICQ-UI SF questionnaire, 33% of the athletes had UI at a mean age of 23.75±7.74 years. Prevalences were 45.1% in female compared to 14.7% male athletes (p<0.001) such that females were 5.45 times more likely to suffer this condition. In 59.9%, incontinence was stress UI. In 30.9%, UI was described as moderate to severe (according to ISI), and quality of life related to UI was scored 4.35±2.98 out of 10 (ICQ-UI SF). 22.7% reported they had experienced urine leakage while training; in 40.5% this occurred when jumping, in 19.6% while running and in 20.2% in different situations. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of UI observed in elite athletes was 33%. This prevalence was greater in females and also varied according to the sport practised.

Learning musculoskeletal anatomy through new technologies: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the influence of the application of new methodologies on learning and the motivation of students of the Anatomy discipline. METHOD: randomized, longitudinal, prospective, intervention study. Sixty-two students were recruited to assess the impact of different methodologies. The sample was randomized to compare the results of teaching with a 3D atlas, ultrasound and the traditional method. The parameters were assessed through a satisfaction evaluation questionnaire and anatomical charts. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: in terms of the usefulness of the seminars, 98.1% of the students considered them to be very positive or positive, stating that they had stimulated their interest in anatomy. The students who learned with the 3D atlas improved their understanding of anatomy (p=0.040). In general, the students improved their grades by around 20%. CONCLUSION: the traditional method combined with new technologies increases the interest of students in human anatomy and enables them to acquire skills and competencies during the learning process.

Learning musculoskeletal anatomy through new technologies: a randomized clinical trial / Aprendizagem de anatomia musculoesquelética por meio de novas tecnologias: um ensaio clínico randomizado / Aprendizaje de la anatomía musculoesquelética a través de las nuevas tecnologías: ensayo clínico aleatorizado

Objective: to investigate the influence of the application of new methodologies on learning and the motivation of students of the Anatomy discipline. Method: randomized, longitudinal, prospective, intervention study. Sixty-two students were recruited to assess the impact of different methodologies. The sample was randomized to compare the results of teaching with a 3D atlas, ultrasound and the traditional method. The parameters were assessed through a satisfaction evaluation questionnaire and anatomical charts. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine statistical significance. Results: in terms of the usefulness of the seminars, 98.1% of the students considered them to be very positive or positive, stating that they had stimulated their interest in anatomy. The students who learned with the 3D atlas improved their understanding of anatomy (p=0.040). In general, the students improved their grades by around 20%. Conclusion: the traditional method combined with new technologies increases the interest of students in human anatomy and enables them to acquire skills and competencies during the learning process.

Objetivo: investigar a influência da aplicação de novas metodologias na aprendizagem e a motivação de alunos da disciplina de Anatomia. Método: estudo de intervenção, prospectivo, longitudinal e randomizado. Um total de 62 alunos foram recrutados para se avaliar o impacto de diferentes metodologias. Eles foram distribuídos de forma aleatória para comparar os resultados de ensino usando o atlas 3D, o ultrassom e o método tradicional. Os parâmetros foram medidos por meio de um questionário de avaliação de satisfação do aluno e uma prova usando lâminas anatômicas. O teste ANOVA de medidas repetidas foi usado para determinar significância estatística. Resultados: relativo à satisfação dos alunos, 98,1% consideraram muito positivo ou positivo o uso dos seminários, além de afirmarem que o seminário havia estimulado seu interesse pela anatomia. Os alunos submetidos ao método com o atlas 3D apresentaram uma melhora em sua compreensão de anatomia (p=0,040). De forma geral, os alunos melhoraram suas pontuações em aproximadamente 20%. Conclusão: o método tradicional, junto com as novas tecnologias, contribui para aumentar o interesse dos alunos pela Anatomia Humana assim como na aquisição de habilidades e competências em seu processo de aprendizagem.

Objetivo: investigar la influencia de la aplicación de nuevas metodologías en el aprendizaje y en la motivación de los alumnos en la asignatura Anatomia. Método: estudio de intervención, prospectivo, longitudinal y aleatorizado. Fueron convocados 62 alumnos para evaluar el impacto de diferentes metodologías. Se los dividió aleatoriamente para comparar resultados entre enseñanza con atlas 3D, ultrasonido y metodología tradicional. Los parámetros fueron analizados mediante un cuestionario de evaluación de satisfacción y láminas anatómicas. Se usó ANOVA de medidas repetidas para determinar la significancia estadística. Resultados: el 98,1% de los alumnos consideraron muy positiva o positiva la utilización de los seminarios, afirmaron asimismo que el seminario había estimulado su interés por la anatomía. Los alumnos que realizaron el aprendizaje con atlas 3D mejoraron su compresión de la anatomía (p=0,040). En general, los alumnos mejoraron sus puntajes en alrededor del 20%. Conclusión: el método tradicional con el agregado de las nuevas tecnologías permite a los alumnos incrementar su interés por la Anatomía Humana, así como adquirir habilidades y competencias en su proceso de aprendizaje.