Versatile clinical movement analysis using statistical parametric mapping in MovementRx.

Clinical gait analysis is an important biomechanics field that is often influenced by subjectivity in time-varying analysis leading to type I and II errors. Statistical Parametric Mapping can operate on all time-varying joint dynamics simultaneously, thereby overcoming subjectivity errors. We present MovementRx, the first gait analysis modelling application that correctly models the deviations of joints kinematics and kinetics both in 3 and 1 degrees of freedom; presented with easy-to-understand color maps for clinicians with limited statistical training. MovementRx is a python-based versatile GUI-enabled movement analysis decision support system, that provides a holistic view of all lower limb joints fundamental to the kinematic/kinetic chain related to functional gait. The user can cascade the view from single 3D multivariate result down to specific single joint individual 1D scalar movement component in a simple, coherent, objective, and visually intuitive manner. We highlight MovementRx benefit by presenting a case-study of a right knee osteoarthritis (OA) patient with otherwise undetected postintervention contralateral OA predisposition. MovementRx detected elevated frontal plane moments of the patient's unaffected knee. The patient also revealed a surprising adverse compensation to the contralateral limb.

Comparison of In Vivo Intradiscal Pressure between Sitting and Standing in Human Lumbar Spine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Non-specific low back pain (LBP) is highly prevalent today. Disc degeneration could be one of the causes of non-specific LBP, and increased intradiscal pressure (IDP) can potentially induce disc degeneration. The differences in vivo IDP in sitting and standing postures have been studied, but inconsistent results have been reported. The primary objective of this systematic review is to compare the differences in vivo IDP between sitting and standing postures. The secondary objective of this review is to compare effect size estimates between (1) dated and more recent studies and (2) healthy and degenerated intervertebral discs. METHODS: An exhaustive search of six electronic databases for studies published before November 2021 was conducted. Articles measuring in vivo IDP in sitting and standing postures were included. Two independent researchers conducted the screening and data extraction. RESULTS: Ten studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the systematic review, and seven studies with nine independent groups were included in meta-analyses. The sitting posture induces a significantly higher IDP on the lumbar spine (SMD: 0.87; 95% CI = [0.33, 1.41]) than the standing posture. In studies published after 1990 and subjects with degenerated discs, there are no differences in vivo IDP between both postures. CONCLUSIONS: Sitting causes higher loads on the lumbar spine than standing in the normal discs, but recent studies do not support this conclusion. Furthermore, the degenerated discs showed no difference in IDP in both postures.

An Asian-centric human movement database capturing activities of daily living.

Assessment of human movement performance in activities of daily living (ADL) is a key component in clinical and rehabilitation settings. Motion capture technology is an effective method for objective assessment of human movement. Existing databases capture human movement and ADL performance primarily in the Western population, and there are no Asian databases to date. This is despite the fact that Asian anthropometrics influence movement kinematics and kinetics. This paper details the protocol in the first phase of the largest Asian normative human movement database. Data collection has commenced, and this paper reports 10 healthy participants. Twelve tasks were performed and data was collected using Qualisys motion capture system, force plates and instrumented table and chair. In phase two, human movement of individuals with stroke and knee osteoarthritis will be captured. This can have great potential for benchmarking with the normative human movement captured in phase one and predicting recovery and progression of movement for patients. With individualised progression, it will offer the development of personalised therapy protocols in rehabilitation.

Oral health of foreign domestic workers: exploring the social determinants.

Foreign domestic helpers constitute a significant proportion of migrant workers worldwide. This population subgroup provides an opportunity for understanding social determinants of oral health in immigrant community. A random sample of 122 Indonesian domestic helpers in Hong Kong completed a questionnaire on their demographic background, social characteristics (competency in local languages, immigration history, living condition, social connections, and leisure activities) and oral health behaviours (knowledge, attitudes, practice and self-efficacy). Their tooth status and periodontal health were assessed. Participants tended to start flossing after settling in Hong Kong. Favourable oral health knowledge was found in more acculturated participants, as indicated by proficiency in local languages and immigration history. Engagement in social and/or religious activities and decent living condition provided by employers were associated with favourable oral health behaviours and/or better oral health. Social determinants explained 13.2 % of variance in caries severity. Our findings support the significant impact of social circumstances on oral health of domestic workers.