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A biomechanical model of the glenohumeral joint has been developed to investigate muscle and joint loading during real life three-dimensional activities. Based on a rigid body mechanics approach, the model incorporates algorithms to correct for curved muscle paths and bone geometry, providing realistic muscle orientation over a wide range of limb positions. An optimization routine has been incorporated, minimizing overall maximum muscle stress in the 26 individual muscle elements considered. The model utilizes anatomical muscle and bone data, subject anthropometric data, kinematics measured using a 6 camera Vicon motion analysis system and hand loading measured using a force-plate and mobile six-component strain gauged force transducer developed for this project. Model stability and sensitivity to input data uncertainties have been investigated. Data used for this was actual subject activity data. Random uncertainties of a known statistical distribution were generated using a Monte Carlo data perturbation technique and superimposed on the subject data. No model instability or unacceptable error magnification was demonstrated in this investigation. A study of real life three-dimensional activities has been conducted using five male subjects. Normalized, averaged muscle and joint forces were calculated for each activity. Using the same five subjects, electromyographic (EMG) muscle activation was measured for the same five activities. Both surface and intra-muscular fine wire electrode techniques were used. Eight muscles including infraspinatus, subscapularis and supraspinatus were instrumented. The resulting EMG data was normalized and averaged for each activity. Muscle activation appears in good agreement with published EMG and our own EMG study. Overall joint compressive and shear forces of up to 7 and 2 times body weight respectively have been calculated. Results of the study indicate glenohumeral joint forces for athletic activities can be as high as 7 times those forces previously predicted in other studies for simple abduction and flexion.

Dissertation thesis submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Technikon Natal, 2001. / The aim of this placebo-controlled study was to investigate the homoeopathic simillimum treatment of acute arthritis in primary gout in terms of the illness intrusiveness scale, blood uric acid levels using the uricase conversion method as well as the Acupulse Homeostat machine. For this study 30 patients suffering from primary gout were required. The patients were obtained by advertising in local newspapers and at retirement homes. Patients were included in the study if they presented with six of the seven criteria taken from the American Rheumatism Association's criteria for acute arthritis of primary gout. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: a treatment group, receiving homoeopathic simillimum treatment and a control group, receiving a placebo. Two follow-up consultations were scheduled at two week intervals. Data was obtained by means of a questionnaire (completed by the patient), readings from the Acupulse homeostat machine and a blood uric acid test. This data was collected at all three consultations. Data entry and analysis was done using the SPSS statistical package. Due to the small sample size, data obtained from the questionnaire was statistically analyzed using non-parametric methods. The Mann-Whitney Unpaired Test was done to compare the treatment and placebo groups. Results showed that there was no significant difference between the groups. The Wilcoxon's Signed Rank Test was done to compare data within groups. The only significant difference was found within the treatment group between the first and second consultations as well as the first and third consultations. There was significant improvement with regard to active recreation. The tests were performed at a = 5% level of significance. Data obtained from the Acupulse Homeostat machine as well as the blood tests were analyzed using parametric tests because of the fact that they were continuous variables (regardless of the small sample size per group). In the case of both variables, comparison between the treatment and placebo group was made using the Two-Sample Paired T-Test and comparison within groups / M

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No description available.