Thesis (M.S.)--A.T. Still University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brock University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-81).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-114).

Thesis (M.S.)--A.T. Still University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Sam Houston State University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-44). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (M.A.)--Sam Houston State University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 38-44).

No description available.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Biological cells are constantly subjected to mechanical forces such as tension, compression and shear. The importance of these forces in mediating cell signals, maintenance of lineages, promoting embryonic cell differentiation and tissue engineering is only now coming into focus. It has been shown that stretch stimulus can influence growth, differentiation, as well as tissue strength and integrity. Most stretch systems built to understand more of these phenomena suffer from shortcomings, as accurately replicating the in vivo environment is quite challenging. Many of the devices currently available are very expensive as well as limited to a single application. The objective of this thesis is to design, manufacture, test, and validate a novel uniaxial cyclic cell stretch device that overcomes most of the major limitations of existing systems, and to experimentally demostrate that uniaxial cyclic stretch causes a shift towards in vivo characteristics of smooth muscle cells. The stretch mechanism is driven by a single servo motor which makes its operation simple and straight forward. Coolworks Lite, a proprietary software of the servo motor supplier, is used to control the motor and LabVIEW is used to obtain feedback from the sensors. Validation for the stretch machine was done by evaluating the performance of the device against engineering requirements. Methods were suggested to improve shortcomings that were encountered. Also, the machine's unique design allows its extension to a biaxial stretch unit while keeping the same driver platform, a concept for which has been discussed and illustrated.

Objective: To compare changes in hamstring flexibility from treatments of pulsed short- wave diathermy and prolonged stretch versus sham diathermy and prolonged stretch and control and to observe how long those changes last. Background: Heat and stretch techniques have been touted for years. To date, the effect of short-wave diathermy and hamstring stretching has not been thoroughly studied. Because diathermy heats a large area and penetrates deep into the muscle, use of this device prior to or during hamstring stretching may increase flexibility and these gains may last longer. Study Design: A randomized, counterbalanced 3x2x6 repeated measures design. The 3 independent variables were day, pretest/posttest, and treatment mode. Treatment mode had 3 levels: diathermy and stretch, sham diathermy and stretch, and control. The dependent variable was the change in knee extension range of motion (ROM). Methods and Measures: Thirty college-age students with tight hamstrings (inability to achieve >160° knee extension at 90° hip flexion) participated. Subjects were assigned to 1 of 3 groups, (diathermy and stretch; sham diathermy and stretch; control). Range of motion was recorded before and after each treatment every other day for 2 weeks. Additional ROM measures were taken on days 15, 22, 29, and 36. A straight-leg raise stretch was performed using a mechanical apparatus. Subjects in the diathermy and stretch group received 10 minutes of diathermy (distal hamstrings), 5 minutes of diathermy and stretch, followed by 5 minutes of stretching only. Subjects in the sham diathermy and stretch group followed the same protocol, except the diathermy unit was turned off. Subjects in the control group lay on the table for 20 minutes. Data were analyzed using an ANOVA, an ANCOVA, and post hoc t-tests. Results: Least Squares (LS) Mean (± Pooled SE) increases in knee extension after 6 treatments were: 11.3 ± 1.2° for the diathermy and stretch group; 10.0 ± 1.2° for the sham diathermy and stretch group; and 3.2 ± 1.2° for the control group. At Day 15, 3 days after the last treatment, the diathermy and stretch group lost 6.9 ± 0.8°; the sham diathermy and stretch group lost 6.6 ± 0.8°; and the control group changed 1.6 ± 0.8°. At Day 22 the diathermy and stretch group had lost 7.4 ± 0.8°; the sham diathermy and stretch group lost 6.8 ± 0.8°; and the control group changed 1.7 ± 0.8° from the last treatment. At Day 29 the diathermy and stretch group had lost 8.2 ± 0.9°; the sham diathermy and stretch group lost 7.1 ± 0.9°; and the control group changed 1.7 ± 0.8° from the last treatment. At Day 36 the diathermy and stretch group had lost 8.3 ± 0.8°; the sham diathermy and stretch group lost 7.4 ± 0.8°; and the control group changed 2.1 ± 0.8° from the last treatment. Conclusion: These results indicate that hamstring flexibility can be improved when long-duration or prolonged stretching is used and that those improvements will slowly diminish over several weeks. Clinicians should consider the use of long-duration stretch to help patients with tight hamstrings increase flexibility and maintain those gains over time.

No description available.