Pain threshold measurements with cutaneous argon laser, comparing a forced choice and a method of limits.

1. With the argon laser technique cutaneous nociceptors can be activated with high specificity and reproducibility making it a useful tool in psychophysical pain studies. This study was designed to examine and compare two different psychophysical methods combined with the argon laser technique. 2. Pain thresholds on different locations of the body and on different skin types were measured with (i) the method of limits and (ii) the forced choice method. 3. A significant correlation between the pain thresholds measured with the two different methods was detected on feet and hands. The method of limits yielded significantly higher pain thresholds in glabrous skin than hairy skin. Higher pain thresholds were also detected on the right side of the body. No statistically significant difference between sexes was found. A high reproducibility over time as well as in-between investigators was found for the method of limits. 4. Its concluded that the argon laser for pain threshold measurement with the method of limits is useful and preferred to the forced choice, since the method of limits is easier to perform and also less time consuming.

Effects of acupuncture treatment on daily life activities and quality of life: a controlled, prospective, and randomized study of acute stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A number of studies have indicated that acupuncture might improve the functional recovery of stroke patients. These studies vary in inclusion criteria, sample size, and evaluation methods. The present study was designed to investigate whether electroacupuncture treatment favorably affects stroke patients' ability to perform daily life activities, their health-related quality of life, and their use of health care and social services. METHODS: One hundred four consecutive patients >40 years of age admitted to hospital because of an acute stroke were randomized to 3 groups: deep, superficial, and no acupuncture treatment. The acupuncture treatment given by 4 physiotherapists started 4 to 10 days after randomization and was given twice a week for 10 weeks. All patients underwent conventional stroke rehabilitation as well. Two occupational therapists, blinded regarding the patients' allocation, evaluated the treatment effects. The assessments were performed 4 times during the first year after randomization by means of interviews and observations. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups with reference to changes in the neurological score and the Barthel and Sunnaas activities of daily living index scores after 3 and 12 months. Regarding the Nottingham Health Profile, the no acupuncture group had somewhat fewer mobility problems. No differences in health care and social services were found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study does not give support to the previous studies, which indicates that acupuncture treatment may have a beneficial effect on acute stroke patients' ability to perform daily life activities, their health-related quality of life, and their use of health care and social services.

Isokinetic strength training in below-knee amputees.

Eight below-knee amputees performed isokinetic training of knee extensor- and knee-flexor muscles for a period of 8-12 weeks at angular velocities of 60 degrees/s, 180 degrees/s and 240 degrees/s. Before and after training isokinetic and isometric knee extensor/flexor strength was measured. Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis and the cross-sectional area of the thigh muscles was measured with computerized tomography. Peak torque of the amputated leg increased significantly in all knee-extension tests and in knee-flexion at 180 degrees/s, and in the non-amputated leg in extension at 180 degrees/s, 240 degrees/s and for isometric strength at 60 degrees knee angle. Knee-flexion strength increased at 240 degrees/s. The cross-sectional area of the muscle fibers increased in the amputated leg in all patients except one. There was no significant increase in the non-amputated leg which also was trained. The quotient between the cross-sectional areas of type II and type I fibers increased from 1.04 to 1.20 in the amputated leg, demonstrating an increase specially in the type II fibers. There was no difference in the non-amputated leg. The cross-sectional area of the thigh muscles did not show any significant change in either leg. The patients estimated their ability to walk after training to more than double the distance compared to before training. They could also manage better without walking aids. The increase in strength and the synchronous increase in the size of type II (fast twitch) fibers indicate that the training model has activated also these motor units which probably have not been given as much training earlier.

Body height changes from vibration.

A device for measuring body height is reported (SD, 1 mm). The change in body height before and after vibration and quiet sitting respectively was studied in eight men aged 22-44 years who were free of back pain. The vibration frequency was set at 5 Hz and the acceleration at 2 msec-2. Subjects were asked to report for testing within 2 hours after arising from bed. Body height was measured before and immediately after vibration or sitting exposure and the measurements were repeated at different intervals up to 2 hours after the experiment. Results show that exposure to vibration increases the overall creep response in most subjects. There is a great deal of variability in response between subjects, but most of them show a recovery to the average creep response within a 2-hour time interval.

Height changes due to autotraction.

Studies have demonstrated a diurnal change in spine height. In this study, the height of volunteers was tested prior to and following the application of autotraction. The autotraction consisted of 15 pulls of 500-600 N. Immediately thereafter, the height measurement was repeated at intervals of 15 min, 30 min, 60 min and 120 min. On a separate occasion, the subjects repeated the same protocol and postures, but did not exert any pulling forces. It was found that both autotraction and recumbency caused a height increase, but the height increase was greater in recumbency alone. The height gained was lost in 2 h.