Prevalence and Associated Factors of Clinical Myelopathy Signs in Smartphone-Using University Students with Neck Pain.

University students have the highest smartphone-use addiction, which coincides with a rising number in instances of neck pain. As the time in smartphone use increases, neck flexion tends to increase. These positions can affect the spinal cord by the direct and indirect mechanisms which lead to cervical myelopathy. Thus, the current study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of clinical myelopathic signs in smartphone-using university students with neck pain. A total of 237 smartphone-using university students with neck pain participated in the study. They were 20 to 25 years old. Their clinical myelopathic signs were evaluated using standardized test procedures. The prevalence of the clinical myelopathic sign was the Trömner sign at 41.35%, the finger escape sign at 28.27%, Hoffmann's sign at 25.74%, and the inverted supinator sign at 18.14%. Smartphone usage ≥9.15 h per day was associated with ≥1 of a positive clinical myelopathic sign (adjusted OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.05 to 3.26, p = 0.05). The current study highlighted that prolonged smartphone usage may affect the spinal cord. Long duration (≥9 h per day) was associated with at least one positive clinical myelopathic sign. Therefore, smartphone-using university students need to keep their duration of smartphone use to less than 9 h per day. More attention should be given to increasing awareness about the importance of having healthy positions when using smartphones and using them for restricted durations in order to control the increasing prevalence of cervical myelopathy among smartphone-using university student in our societies.

Validity and feasibility of using a seated push-up test among community-dwelling older adults.

Background: Older individuals face a high risk of mobility and body composition decline, which can affect their independence. In light of a current uncertain healthcare situation created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare paradigm has been shifted with increased demand for a practical measure to promote standard home healthcare services for all individuals, including older adults. Objective: This study explored the feasibility and validity of seated push-up tests (SPUTs) as clinical measures to reflect the body composition, muscle strength, and mobility among community-dwelling older individuals, aged ≥65 years (n=82). Methods: Participants were cross-sectionally assessed using SPUTs with various demanding forms, including the 1-time SPUT (1SPUT) along with its upper limb loading SPUT (ULL-SPUT), 5-time SPUT (5SPUT), 10-time SPUT (10SPUT), and 1-min SPUT (1minSPUT) and standard measures. Results: Participants who passed and failed a 1SPUT showed significant differences in the outcomes of all standard measures (p<0.05). The ULL-SPUT significantly correlated to all body composition, muscle strength, and mobility (r=0.247-0.785; p<0.05). Outcomes of 1minSPUT significantly correlated with muscle strength and mobility outcomes (r=0.306-0.526; p<0.05). Participants reported no adverse effects following the SPUTs. Conclusion: The findings suggest the use of the 1SPUT, ULL-SPUT, and 1minSPUT as practical measures to reflect the body composition, muscle strength, and mobility of older individuals, according to their functional levels. The tests may especially clinically benefit those with lower limb limitations and those in settings with limited space and equipment.

Outcomes of the five times sit-to-stand test could determine lower limb functions of ambulatory people with spinal cord injury only when assessed without hands.

Context/Objectives: Various clinical application of the five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), with or without hands, may confound the outcomes to determine the lower limb functions and mobility of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). This study assessed the concurrent validity of the FTSST in ambulatory individuals with SCI who completed the test with or without hands as verified using standard measures for lower extremity motor scores (LEMS) and functional mobility necessary for independence and safety of these individuals.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: Tertiary rehabilitation centers and community hospitals.Participants: Fifty-six ambulatory individuals with motor incomplete SCI who were able to walk independently with or without a walking device over at least 10 m.Outcome Measures: Time to complete the FTSST with or without hands according to individuals' abilities, LEMS, and functional mobility.Results: Time to complete the FTSST showed moderate-to-strong correlation with the LEMS scores and all functional mobility tests (ρ = -0.38 to -0.71, P < 0.05), but only in those who performed the test without hands. By contrast, data of those who completed the FTSST with hands were significantly correlated only with the ankle muscle strength and the functional mobility measures that allow upper limb contribution in the tests (ρ = -0.40 to 0.52, P < 0.05).Conclusion: Upper limb involvement could confound the outcomes of the FTSST. The present findings suggest the use of FTSST without hands to determine the lower limb functions of ambulatory individuals with SCI.

Thai dance exercises benefited functional mobility and fall rates among community-dwelling older individuals.

BACKGROUND: With dramatic increase in the number of older individuals, special efforts have been made to promote the levels of independence and reduce fall rates among these individuals. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Thai dance exercises over 6 weeks on functional mobility and fall rates in community-dwelling older individuals. METHODS: Sixty-one community-dwelling older adults were interviewed and assessed for their demographics and fall data during 6 months prior to participation in the study. Then they completed the quasi-experimental Thai dance exercise program for 50 minutes/day, 3 days/week over 6 weeks. Their functional mobility relating to levels of independence and safety were assessed prior to training, at 3-week and 6-week training. After completing the program at 6 weeks, participants were prospectively monitored for fall data over 6 months. RESULTS: Participants improved their functional mobility significantly after 3- and 6-week training ( p < 0.01 ) . The number of faller individuals obviously decreased from 35% ( n = 21 ) prior to training to only 8% ( n = 5 ) after training ( p < 0.01 ) . CONCLUSION: The current findings further extend benefits of Thai dance as an alternative musical exercise program to promote levels of independence and safety among community-dwelling older adults.

Effects of Exercises on a Hard, Soft, and Sand Surface on Functional Outcomes of Community-Dwelling Older Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This single-blind, randomized controlled trial compared the effects of Thai dance exercise training on hard, soft, and sand surfaces on the functional outcomes of 120 community-dwelling older adults (40 subjects/group). The subjects were involved in a Thai dance exercise program on each surface, according to their groups, for 50 min/day, 3 days/week, for 6 weeks. The functional outcomes were assessed prior to training, at Week 3, and Week 6 after training. Subjects showed a significant improvement in all functional tests at 3 and 6 weeks after training, particularly in those who were trained on a sand surface and a soft surface (7-30% improvement, p < .05). The improvement was especially demonstrated in the complex and demanding motor activities after exercise on a soft and sand surface. Aside from attempting to modify training programs on a hard surface, the current findings suggest an alternative and cost-effective program to promote the levels of independence and safety that can be applied easily in clinical, home-based, and community settings.