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M.Tech. (Homoeopathy) / Myofascial pain syndrome is a common yet one of the least understood problems encountered in adults. It often goes unrecognised, misdiagnosed and mistreated. There are many effective treatments to date, however there is very little research to substantiate which of these treatments are the most effective. Unfortunately there is no known research available into the effectiveness ofa Homoeopathic remedy in the treatment ofmyofascial pain. The aim of this double blind randomised study is to prove whether Saline or Traumeel (a complex Homoeopathic remedy) injected into an active trigger point would prove to be effective in tenus of pain relief. Patients presenting with head and neck pain were considered for this study. Only patients that adhered to the specified delimitations and diagnostic criteria were accepted. The sample size of twenty patients was divided randomly into two groups, consisting often patients each. Group A received saline injections and Group B received Traumeel injections. Only active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle were injected. The treatment period consisted oftwo injections administered one week apart. The neck pain and disability index (questionnaire) and the numerical rating scale collected data concerning each patient's pain. Patients were also required to draw their pain on body charts. Data was analysed statistically, showing the mean decrease in pain expressed as a percentage for each group. A level of confidence was set at 95% for each group. Results were displayed with the aid of graphs. Each group shows significant improvement with regards to pain reduction. However Traumeel shows a greater percentage decrease in pain compared to Saline. Therefore in terms of pain management in myofascial pain of the upper trapezius muscle, Traumeel is slightly more effective than Saline.

published_or_final_version / Pathology / Master / Master of Philosophy

The mechanisms by which hormones and metabolites control muscle proteolysis remain unclear. The redox state of muscle has been investigated as a possible mediator of these effects. In diaphragms of traumatized and starved animals, faster proteolysis correlated with a more oxidized NAD(P) redox couple. In diaphragm, leucine lowered proteolysis and increased lactate/pyruvate ratios. The soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from young growing rats had faster proteolysis and lower lactate/pyruvate ratios than of older rats. The lower proteolysis and high lactate/pyruvate ratios in larger muscles from older rats are not due to experimental oxygen diffusion limitations, but are probably inherent characteristics of the muscles themselves. Proteolysis, and medium and incubated tissue lactate/pyruvate ratios gave significant multiple correlations with the soleus (R = 0.939) and EDL (R = 0.973) weights. Up to four days of streptozotocin diabetes, the lactate/pyruvate ratios were lower and proteolysis was faster in soleus and EDL muscles compared to weight matched controls. Conversely, after six to 12 days, proteolysis was lower and lactate/pyruvate ratios were higher. In EDL of young fasted rats accelerated proteolysis was associated with lower lactate/pyruvate ratios. In older rats, proteolysis increased and lactate/pyruvate ratios decreased during short-term fasting. The reverse was true following long-term fasting, indicating a "protein-sparing" effect. In contrast, the soleus showed little change in redox state and proteolysis during starvation. Concentrations of reduced, oxidized and protein-bound glutathione were measured in normal, diabetic and fasting rats to determine whether the glutathione redox couple responded similarly to the NAD(P) redox couple. In muscles from fasted and diabetic rats decreases in reduced glutathione content lowered the reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio. The relationship between proteolysis and the glutathione redox state, however, was not strong. Likewise, incubations with insulin of leg muscles of fed, fasted, and diabetic muscles, decreased proteolysis but affected little the NAD and glutathione redox couples. Generally, in muscle accelerated proteolysis was associated with an oxidation of the NAD(P) redox couple and vice versa. These data suggest that, in muscle, the redox state may be important in the regulation of proteolysis.

A dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban Institute of Technology, 2005. / To compare the relative activation and endurance of core stability muscles in 2 different populations i.e. elite athletes and non-athletes, and establish whether these findings correspond to episodes of mechanical lower back pain. / M

Although there is abundant scientific information regarding vitamin E and selenium deficiency disease in domestic poultry, there is only scant information on exotic species, such as ratites. Several necropsy cases involving ostriches, emus and rheas were presented to the Oregon State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory with gross and/or histologic lesions of degenerative myopathy. Investigation of these cases led to determination of tissue levels of vitamin E and selenium and to determination of the dietary levels of these same substances. A small group of emus with a post-mortem diagnosis of degenerative myopathy was supplemented with dietary vitamin E with excellent clinical results. This success prompted a survey of vitamin E and selenium levels in blood and feed from clinically normal ratites. This information was then used to make recommendations for dietary levels of vitamin E and selenium in ratite formulated diets. Since overzealous supplementation can result in selenium toxicosis in birds, a safe, but effective level of dietary selenium and vitamin E is necessary for optimal propagation of the various ratites species. / Graduation date: 1998

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Thesis (MScPhysio)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Muscle weakness is a problem for many young people with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Many studies have reported that selective strength-training programs can improve muscle strength. However, most of these studies are of single group design and do not adequately control for confounding variables. Objective: To determine the impact of a comprehensive strength training program targeting multiple muscle groups on adolescents with CP, using basic inexpensive free weights and resistance devices. Method: A randomised clinical trial evaluated the effects of an eight-week strength-training program on 31 independently ambulant adolescents with spastic CP, with or without walking aids, from Eros School (19 males, 12 females; mean age 16 years 1 month; range 13 - 18 years). The Kin-Com dynamometer, 3-D gait analysis, the Economy of Movement test and a questionnaire was used to evaluate selected muscle strength, the degree of crouch gait, free walking velocity and stride length, energy consumption during walking and perceptions of body image and functional competence. Twenty one subjects took part in the strength-training program and were compared with 10 control subjects. Results were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA and bootstrap analysis. Results: Compared with the control, significant improvement in the degree of crouch as measured by the sum of the ankle, knee and hip angles at midstance (p=0.05) and perceptions of body image (p=0.01) were noted for the experimental group. Significant trends were also noted for isometric knee extension muscle strength at 30° as well as for hip abduction at 10° and 20°. Walking efficiency, -velocity and stride length remained unchanged as well as perceptions of functional ability. Conclusion: A strength-training program targeting multiple muscle groups including upper and lower limbs as well as the trunk, can lead to changes in muscle strength and improve the degree of crouch gait with improved perception of body image. Successful participation in such a program at school may motivate children with CP to continue with home-based basic strength training. Strength training alone did not decrease oxygen consumption during walking and inclusion of aerobic exercise is recommended. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Spierswakheid is 'n probleem vir baie jong mense met serebrale verlamming (SV). Navorsing het getoon dat selektiewe versterkende oefenprogramme selektiewe spiere kan versterk, maar die meeste studies bestaan uit 'n enkel groep met onvoldoende beheer oor verstrengelde veranderlikes. Doel: Om die impak van 'n omvattende versterkende oefenprogram met basiese, goedkoop gewigte en weerstandsaparaat wat vele spiergroepe teiken, op adolesente met spastiese SV te evalueer. Metodologie: Die effekte van 'n agt weke lang versterkende oefenprogram is op 31 onafhanklik mobiel adolesente met spastiese SV, met of sonder loophulpmiddel, van Eros Skool deur middel van 'n ewekansige kliniese proef geevalueer (19 manlike, 12 vroulike deelnemers; gemiddelde ouderdom 16 jaar 1 maand; omvang 13 - 18 jaar). Die Kin-Com dinamometer, "3-D gait analysis", die "Economy of Movement" toets en 'n vraelys is gebruik om geselekteerde spiersterkte, die hoeveelheid knie fleksie gesien in die onderste ledemaat tydens loop, loopspoed en treelengte, energieverbruik tydens loop asook persepsies van liggaamsbeeld en funksionelevermoë te evalueer. Een en twintig het in die versterkende oefenprogram deelgeneem en is met 10 kontrole deelnemers vergelyk. Resultate is met behulp van herhaalde metings "ANOVA" en "bootstrap analysis" geanaliseer. Resultate: In vergelyking met die kontrole groep, het die experimentele groep betekenisvolle verbetering getoon in die hoeveelheid fleksie gesien in die ondersteledemaat (p=0.05) soos bereken deur die som van die enkel-, knie- en heuphoek in midstaan fase tydens loop, asook in liggaamspersepsie (p=0.01). Beduidenisvolle tendense is ook gesien by die experimentele groep vir isometriese knie ekstensie spiersterkte by 30° asook vir heup abduksie by 10° en 20°. Energieverbruik tydens loop asook loopspoed en treelengte was onveranderd asook persepsie van funksionele vermoë. Gevolgtrekking: 'n Versterkende oefenprogram wat verskeie spiergroepe teiken, insluitende die onderste en boonste ledemate asook die romp, kan lei tot In verbetering in spiersterkte, minder fleksie in die onderste ledemate tydens loop asook 'n verbetering in ligaamspersepsie. Suksesvolle deelname aan so 'n program op skool, mag kinders dalk motiveer om In basiese versterkende oefenprogram tuis voort te sit. Versterkende oefening alleen het geen vermindering in suurstofverbruik tydens loop veroorsaak en die insluit van aerobiese oefening word aanbeveel.

Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of requirements for a Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2007. / Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is muscular pain which ranges from mild discomfort to severe debilitating pain, caused by eccentric exercise. It generally sets in 12 - 24 hours after the causative activity and subsides within approximately seven days. The aim of this study was to determine whether proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitated (PNF) stretching immediately after eccentric exercise was more beneficial than PNF stretching 24 hours after eccentric exercise on the muscle pain experienced in DOMS. This study was a prospective, randomised clinical trial. Thirty healthy sedentary male participants were randomly selected to participate in the study by advertising in local newspapers and pamphlet distribution in Durban and its surrounding areas. The patients' ages ranged from 20 to 32 years of age. Subjective and objective readings were taken at the beginning and end of each visit, over the three-day study period. This was done with the numerical pain rating scale and the algometer force gauge, respectively. Baseline measurements were taken before any exercise or stretching at the initial visit. All participants then were asked to do squats until fatigue to induce delayed onset muscle soreness. III The participants were divided randomly into two groups, Group A and Group B. The former group underwent PNF stretching immediately after exercise and the latter group underwent PNF stretching twenty four hours after exercise. Both groups were asked to return for two subsequent days following the initial visit and they again underwent PNF stretching at each visit. Comparison was made between the individual patients' pain perception over time, as well as between each group. Descriptive analysis was done using frequency tables (reporting counts and percentages) for categorical variables and summary statistics (reporting mean, standard deviation and range), for quantitative variables. Baseline and demographic characteristics were compared between the two treatment groups using independent t-tests for quantitative variables and Pearson's chisquare tests for categorical variables. The treatment effect was assessed using repeated measures ANOVA testing. Statistical analysis revealed that there was no difference in the improvement of pain experienced between the two groups. However, Group B (PNF stretching 24 hours after exercise) appeared to improve at a greater rate than Group A (PNF stretching immediately after exercise). A larger study needs to be conducted in order to provide statistically relevant results. / M