The intervertebral disc (IVD), situated between adjoining vertebrae, consists of the gelatinous nucleus pulposus (NP) in the centre surrounded by the tougher annulus fibrosus (AF). Its main roles are to distribute loads and to act as joints. With aging, degenerative disc disease (DDD) occurs due to an imbalance in anabolic and catabolic events in the IVD, which results in a loss of function. Lower back pain (LBP) affects 84% of people at some point in their lifetime and is strongly associated with DDD. Current LBP treatments have limited long term efficacy and are symptomatic rather than curative. Cell-based therapies are regarded to hold great potential for the treatment of DDD as it has been hypothesised that they could regenerate the damaged tissue and alleviate LBP. A number of natural and synthetic biomaterials have been investigated as NP tissue engineering scaffolds with varying results. In this study, a self assembling peptide hydrogel (SAPH) was investigated for its potential as a cell carrier and/or scaffold for NP tissue engineering. SAPHs display the advantages of natural polymer hydrogels such as biocompatibility and biodegradability whilst combining the advantages of synthetic materials such as controlled structural and mechanical propertiesCharacterisation determined that the SAPH nanofibrous architecture had features that were of similar scale to extracellular matrix (ECM) components of the human NP. The mechanical properties of the SAPH could be optimised to closely match the native tissue. The system could shear thin and self-heal making the system ideally suited to delivery via minimally invasive procedure. The three dimensional (3D) culture of bovine NP cells (bNPCs) in the SAPH demonstrated that the NP phenotype could be restored after de-differentiation during monolayer culture. Gene expression results demonstrated that ‘traditional’ and ‘novel’ NP markers were highly expressed throughout in vitro culture. Cell viability was high, cell population remained stable and bNPCs adopted the characteristic rounded morphology of native NPCs. Finally, type II collagen and aggrecan, the main ECM components of the NP, were deposited with increasing production over culture period. Growth differentiation factor 6 (GDF-6) has been identified as the most promising current growth factor for inducing discogenic differentiation from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (h-BMMSCs). After samples were stimulated with GDF-6, gene expression results confirmed that a NP-like phenotype could be induced with high expression of ‘traditional’ and ‘novel’ NP markers. Cell viability was high, cell population remained stable and NP associated ECM components were deposited with cells displaying a rounded morphology. Interestingly, when h-BMMSCs were cultured without GDF-6, it was strongly suggested that spontaneous discogenic differentiation occurred after culture in the SAPHs as ‘traditional’ and ‘novel’ NP markers were highly expressed, morphology was comparable to native NPCs and type II collagen and aggrecan were deposited extracellularly. If these findings were accurate then this is the first study to demonstrate that a NP-like phenotype could be induced from MSCs without use of an exogenous growth factor or a discogenic bioactive motif. Despite exciting and novel results, further work is required to confirm the potential of SAPHs for NP tissue engineering scaffolds.

Introdução: A dor lombar crônica inespecífica é um importante problema de saúde e de ordem socioeconômica responsável por alto índice de absenteísmo no trabalho e redução do desempenho funcional. A utilização da acupuntura manual como terapia alternativa no tratamento de dor lombar e a eletroacupuntura para potencializar o tratamento, tem se mostrado eficaz, entretanto, com poucas evidências sobre sua efetividade. Objetivo: Comparar a efetividade da eletroacupuntura versus acupuntura manual no tratamento da dor e incapacidade funcional em pacientes com dor lombar crônica inespecífica Método: Sessenta e seis pacientes com dor lombar crônica inespecífica foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: Grupo eletroacupuntura (GE n=33) e grupo acupuntura (GA n=33). Os desfechos clínicos primários foram dor, avaliada com a escala numérica de dor e incapacidade funcional pelo questionário de Incapacidade Roland Morris e os desfechos secundários foram: qualidade da dor medida com o questionário McGill de dor, percepção global com escala da percepção do efeito global, qualidade de vida por meio do Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36), depressão com o inventário Beck de Depressão, e cinesiofobia com a Escala Tampa de Cinesiofobia. Os grupos foram tratados duas vezes por semana com duração de 40 minutos, durante seis semanas, totalizando 12 sessões. Foram realizadas três avaliações: inicial, final e follow-up de três meses. O nível de significância foi de alfa < 0,05. Resultados: Ambos os grupos relataram melhora na intensidade da dor e incapacidade funcional, sem diferença entre os grupos. Na intensidade e incapacidade escores de dor entre os grupos foram -0,4 (95% intervalo de confiança [IC] = -1,7 a -0,8) e -2,5 pontos (IC 95% = -5,6 a 0,6), respectivamente. Nos desfechos secundários, observamos uma diferença entre grupos apenas para cinesiofobia (diferença = -4.1 pontos, IC95% = -7,0 a -1,1) no grupo acupuntura manual. Conclusão: A eletroacupuntura e a acupuntura manual são eficazes na melhora da dor e incapacidade funcional em pacientes com dor lombar crônica inespecífica / Introduction: Chronic nonspecific low back pain is significant problem of health and socioeconomic order responsible for high rate of absenteeism at work and reduced functional performance. The use of manual acupuncture as an alternative therapy in the treatment of low back pain and electroacupuncture to enhance the treatment has been proven effective, however, with little evidence of effectiveness. Objective: Compare the effectiveness of electroacupuncture versus manual acupuncture in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Methods: Sixty-six patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain were divided into: electroacupuncture (n=33) and acupuncture group (n=33). The primary clinical outcomes were pain, assessed with the numerical Scale of Pain and functional disability by questionnaire Disability Roland Morris and secondary outcomes were quality of pain measure with the McGill Pain Questionnaire, global perception with the perception of the Global Scale Effect, quality of life through the Short-Form Health Survey questionnaire (SF- 36), depression with the Beck depression inventory, and kinesiophobia with Tampa Scale kinesiophobia. The groups were treated twice a week lasting 40 minutes for six weeks, 12 sessions. Were three evaluations: baseline, post treatment and follow-up of three months. The level of significance was alfa < 0.05. Results: Both groups reported improvements in pain intensity and disability with no difference between groups. Differences in intensity and disability scores of pain between groups were -0.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.7 to - 0.8) and -2.5 points (95% CI = -5 6 to 0.6), respectively. Regarding secondary outcomes, we observed a difference between-groups for kinesiophobia (difference= -4.1 points, 95% CI - 7.0 -1.1) in acupuncture group. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture have similar efficacy in reducing pain and disability in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain

Objetivo: Comparar a efetividade da atividade gradual versus programa de exercícios supervisionados em pacientes com dor lombar crônica não específica para os desfechos intensidade da dor, qualidade da dor, incapacidade funcional, qualidade de vida, percepção do efeito global, retorno ao trabalho, atividade física, capacidade física e cinesiofobia. Método: Participaram do estudo 66 indivíduos com idade entre 18 a 65 anos com dor lombar crônica não específica, randomizados em dois grupos: Grupo atividade gradual (n=33) e Grupo fisioterapia (n=33). Os desfechos primários foram: intensidade da dor (Escala Numérica de dor) e incapacidade funcional (Questionário de Incapacidade de Roland Morris) e os defechos secundários: Qualidade da dor (Questionário de dor de McGill) qualidade de vida (Short-Form Health Survey Questionnaire), Percepção do Efeito Global (Escala de Percepção do Efeito Global), retorno ao trabalho, atividade física (Questionário de atividade física habitual de Baecke), capacidade física (Teste sentado para de pé e Teste de Caminhada de 15,2 metros), cinesiofobia (Escala Tampa para Cinesiofobia). As intervenções foram individualizadas, com duração de uma hora, por seis semanas e frequência de duas vezes por semana. Cada indivíduo foi avaliado na linha de base e no follow up de seis semanas, três e seis meses após o tratamento. O nível de significância estabelecido foi de ?=0,05. Resultados: Após seis meses, ambos os grupos melhoraram, porém não houve diferença significante entre os grupos para intensidade da dor (média da diferença de 0,1 pontos; IC a 95% -1,1 a 1,5) e incapacidade funcional (média da diferença de 0,0; IC a 95% -2,9 a 3,0). Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significante entre os grupos para os demais desfechos. Conclusão: Nossos resultados sugerem que atividade gradual e fisioterapia apresentam efetividade similar na redução da intensidade da dor e melhora da incapacidade funcional em pacientes com dor lombar crônica não específica / Objective: To compare the effectiveness of graded activity versus physiotherapy in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain for pain intensity, quality of pain, disability, quality of life, global perceive effect, return to work, physical capacity and kinesiophobia. Methods: Sixty-six patients between 18 to 65 years old with chronic nonspecific low back pain were randomized into two groups: Graded activity group (n=33) and physiotherapy group (n = 33). The primary outcomes were: Intensity pain (Numerical Pain Scale) and disability (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire). The secondary outcomes were: Quality of pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire), quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey Questionnaire), Global perceived effect (Global perceived effect scale), return to work, physical activity (Baecke Questionnaire of Habitual Physical Activity), physical capacity (sit-to-stand test and 15.24m walk test) and kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia) The intervention was individualized, twice a week, one hour for six weeks. The participants were assessment for a blind assessor in the baseline and six weeks, three and six month\'s follow-up. The level of significance was established in ?=0.05. Results: After six weeks, both groups improved, but we not observed significance difference between groups (mean difference 0.1 points; CI 95% -1.1 a 1.5) and disability (mean difference 0.0; IC a 95% -2.9 a 3.0). We not observed statistical difference between groups for all outcomes. Conclusion: Our study provide high quality evidence that graded activity and physiotherapy have similar effectiveness reducing intensity pain and disability in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain

In this study, the use of hypnosis in the treatment of chronic low back pain is described in terms of Ecosystemic thinking, as opposed to traditional conceptualisations of hypnosis. Six case studies were used. Each is described in detail, as well as the therapeutic rationale behind each case, in order to present the reader with an understanding of the thinking behind using Ecosystemic hypnotherapy. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

L'objectif de ce travail de thèse est de compléter le diagnostic et le suivi des patients lombalgiques chroniques par l'analyse biomécanique de leurs comportements moteurs lors de la réalisation de différents mouvements du tronc et lors de l'initiation de la marche. Ainsi, afin de participer à l’optimisation de la prise en charge de ce type de patient, trois études sont réalisées.Dans l'étude 1, la comparaison des paramètres cinématiques du tronc entre une population saine et une population de patients lombalgiques chroniques révèle non seulement la présence d’un déconditionnement physique, mais aussi d'un déconditionnement moteur, chez les patients réalisant différents mouvements du tronc à vitesse rapide. Dans l'étude 2, le suivi des patients à court et à long terme après un programme de restauration fonctionnelle du rachis (fin programme, 3 mois, 6 mois et 1 an) montre que ce déconditionnement moteur est résistant au traitement malgré des améliorations importantes au niveau des capacités physiques (souplesse, force, endurance). Dans l'étude 3, l'évaluation spatiotemporelle, cinématique et dynamique de l'initiation de la marche confirme la présence d'un déconditionnement moteur lors de l'initiation de la marche qui est, lui aussi, résistant au programme de restauration fonctionnelle du rachis.En conclusion, ce travail de thèse montre que la résolution du problème croissant de la lombalgie chronique ne consiste pas uniquement en la lutte contre le déconditionnement physique mais, aussi, en la lutte contre le déconditionnement moteur Il est possible que la prise en charge de ce déconditionnement moteur permette d'avoir de meilleurs résultats à long terme favorisant alors le retour des patients à la vie active. / The main aim of this PhD thesis is to complete the diagnosis and the monitoring of chronic low back pain patients by analyzing their motor behaviors during different trunk movements and during gait initiation. Then, in order to take part in the optimization of the care proposed to this type of patients, three studies are then conducted.Study 1 shows that, in addition to a physical deconditioning, chronic low back pain patients exhibit a motor deconditioning when asked to move there trunk as fast as possible. In Study 2, short-term and long-term monitorings following a functional restoration program (end of the program, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year) show a preservation of this motor deconditioning in chronic low back pain patients, despite improvements in physical abilities (flexibility, strength, endurance). Study 3 highlights that chronic low back pain affects the motor control during gait initiation and, as observed in Study 2, this motor deconditioning is preserved following functional restoration program.In conclusion, this PhD thesis shows that the resolution of the growing problem of chronic low back pain cannot be reached by only resolving the physical deconditioning but, also, by resolving the motor deconditioning detected within this research work. The reduction or annihilation of this motor deconditioning would allow better long-term results, promoting the return of patients to active life.

Title: Analysis of plantar pressures distribution at patients after microdiscectomy L5/S1 Author: Petra Végsöová Objective: The topic of the thesis is to analyze distribution of plantar pressure at "broken" and "healthy" foot. The work is based on comparison of plantar pressure distribution on "broken and healthy" footprint in static position before and after intensive daily rehabilitation. Method of solution: Twelve 40-65 years-old individuals were chosen for the study. They were treated for L5/S1 microdiscectomy and rehabilitated daily at Rehabilitation clinic Malvazinky in Prague. This group of individuals was examined in two ways; by a physiotherapist, who analysed their state of health using kinesiology analysis, and by Plantograph V07, which is used for examination of state of pressure between sole of foot and miniature pressure sensors shaped in a grid. Three weeks of rehabilitation was ended by the same ways of examination used at the beginning of therapy. The results were processed and compared by a computer. Key words: back pain, radicular syndrome, microdiscectomy, radicular pain, analysis of plantar pressures, plantograph

1 Abstract Title: Exploitation of regular exercise based on the elements of developmental kinesiology for people suffering with back pain. Objectives: The aim of my diploma thesis was observing the effect of a group motional program based on tenets of developmental kinesiology for function of the motional system of clients suffering from back pain. Methods: The theoretical part of my diploma thesis was done with a method of literary recherché using technical literature, articles and studies. Experiment was chosen for the practical part, quasi in particular, which was complemented by method of qualitative research, personal case study in particular. There are two clinical casuistries paced in my thesis. There were two following methods for collecting data during my research: kinesiology analysis focused on anamnesis, check-up by sight, check-up by touch and functional probing (dynamic check-up of spine, diagnostically testing of deep stabilizing muscles.) Another methods used in my diploma thesis were assessments of pain with a usage of visual analogy scale and semi-structured interview. Pre-tests and post-test were identical. 10 people suffering from chronic back pain in an area of cervical spine or lumbar spine (5 clients suffering from chronic back pain in an area of lumbar spine and 5 clients suffering...

Title: Physiotherapy of patients with low back pain of viscerovertebral etiology. Objectives: The objective of this study is to verify the significance of inclusion of procedures of a comprehensive therapeutic approach according to Eastern techniques to classical physiotherapy and to find out whether these Eastern techniques can contribute to the enrichment of standard physiotherapy. Another goal is to develop appropriate regimen measures according to TCM and Ayurveda, to create a yoga regimen suitable for patients who have renal and bladder dysfunction according to TCM and whose main common symptom is chronic non-specific low back pain. The study is based upon a comparison of a four-week physiotherapy program according to the physician's indication and a physiotherapy program enriched with compiled regimen measures and yoga exercises in selected probands. Methods: This diploma thesis is an experimental qualitative pilot study. The theoretical part of the thesis was elaborated on the basis of information from book and electronic sources in the Czech and English language in the form of a research. For the practical part two groups of probands were used - experimental and control group. There were 6 probands in each group. The effect of the four-week therapy, which took place twice a week for 60...

This thesis is focusing on objectifying the postural function of diaphragm with a biofeedback sensor in patients with low back pain (LBP). The theoretical part provides an overview of known facts about the postural function of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm and the connection between their activation and the change in intra-abdominal pressure and the origin of LBP. The thesis gives specifics of LBP, its etiology and possible methods of classification of non-specific LBP, as well as the methods of evaluating subjective disability. Other methods of objectifying postural functions other than the one used in this thesis are mentioned briefly. Methodology: In the experimental part, we used a capacitive force sensor to test 31 patients with non-specific chronic LBP (aver. age 25.25, SD ± 4.66, aver. height 176.77 cm, SD ± 9.97, aver. weight 77.93 kg, SD ±18.40) in 3 posturally different seated scenarios - resting breathing, with added external load when the subjects held a dumbbell of 20 % of their body weight) and with maximum voluntary increase in intra-abdominal pressure (the diaphragm test). The sensor position was on lumbar triangle and in the groin area. Oswestry Questionaire v2.1a was used to evaluate subjective disability. Results: An independent t-test analysis showes increase in the...

Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) presents a significant challenge in healthcare, requiring effective tools for rehabilitation and assessment. This study explores the use of virtual reality (VR) for the assessment of CLBP and addresses two research questions. Firstly, it investigates how movements and tasks considered problematic for individuals with CLBP can be incorporated into the VR application for assessment purposes. Secondly, it examines physiotherapists' perceptions of the VR application regarding tasks, feasibility, user experience, and overall design. To answer our questions, we conducted three design workshops with physiotherapists and HCI researchers and designed three VR applications that we evaluated with six physiotherapy students. The study provides valuable insights into participants' perceptions and experiences, shedding light on both the promising aspects and potential pitfalls of using VR in physiotherapy assessment. The findings underscore the value of incorporating user feedback into the design and implementation process, emphasizing the need for a user-centered approach, and provide several implications for the design of VR applications for assessment. This study lays the groundwork for the integration of VR as a valuable tool in physiotherapy assessment for CLBP.