Upper limb deficits post stroke affect up to 60% of stroke survivors. The assessment of motor deficits post stroke is important for identifying rehabilitation goals and assessing treatment efficacy. Current clinical tools used to assess motor impairment utilize clinical observation to describe the performance of diagnostic motor tasks. However there are some concerns regarding the ability of these scales to fully describe the quality of performance, and detect small but important changes which reflect motor recovery. Kinematic analysis has been increasingly suggested to augment clinical assessment; however, current kinematic tools are not well suited to the time and financial constraints of a clinical environment. The objective of this thesis was to investigate the feasibility of utilizing low-cost, depth sensing technology (Kinect sensor) to augment the current upper limb stroke assessment. Study one characterizes the accuracy of the Kinect sensor, and defines optimal markers and conditions for data collection. Results revealed sufficient ability to quantify metrics for the hand, and the trunk. Study two explored the feasibility of clinical use for the Kinect sensor, specifically its ability to distinguish kinematic performance between the affected and less-affected limbs within an individual, and differences in the affected limb between individuals. Results from study 2 indicated that the Kinect is able to identify interlimb differences and correlations with upper limb impairment scores for some kinematic metrics. Findings from this thesis suggest a potential use for the Kinect in a clinical environment for the purposes of upper limb stroke assessment; however, there are many factors and limitations which need to be considered prior to its use.

Fantomsmärta är ett komplext fenomen som drabbar många patienter efter amputation av extremitet. Syftet var att utforska hur fantomsmärtor efter amputation av extremitet kan upplevas och lindras. Litteraturstudiens resultat utgörs av 15 vetenskapliga artiklar som presenteras i tre huvudteman vilka är fantomsmärtans komplexitet, lindring genom transkutan elektrisk nervstimulering och lindring genom rörelseterapi. Det har visat sig att upplevelsen av fantomsmärta medför en negativ påverkan för patienter efter amputation av extremitet. Olika behandlingsmetoder till exempel transkutan elektrisk nervstimulering och rörelseterapi har beprövats med varierande resultat. Vidare forskning är nödvändig för att klarlägga den bakomliggande patofysiologin gällande fantomfenomenet för att generera bättre anpassade lindringsmetoder. Vidare forskning är även angelägen för att få en ökad förståelse för patienters upplevelser kring smärtproblematiken. Utformande av PM gällande vård av patienter som lider av fantomsmärtor efter amputation av extremitet vore betydelsefulla. / Phantom limb pain is a complex phenomenon that affects numerous patients following amputation of the extremities. The aim of this study was to explore how phantom limb pain following amputation of extremities can be experienced and alleviated. The study was conducted as a literature review where 15 scientific articles were the basis for the results. Three major themes are presented in the result: the complexity of phantom limb pain, alleviation through transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and alleviation through movement therapy. It has been shown that the experiences of phantom limb have a negative impact on patients following amputation of extremities. Different options regarding treatment, for example transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and movement theory, has been proven with variation in the results. Further research is required to elucidate the underlyingpathophysiology regarding the phantom phenomenon for better understanding and suitable alleviation options. Specific guidelines regarding nursing for patients who suffer from phantom limb pain would be of importance.

With the general increase in Rugby union's popularity the past decade, there has been an increase in sport injuries, both from acute and overuse trauma. Approximately half of all sport injuries may be attributed to overuse or repetitive micro trauma rather than a single traumatic event. Although very few overuse injuries have an established aetiology, the fact that over 80% of these injuries occurs at or below the knee suggests that there may be some common mechanisms in the aetiology. It could only be stated with certainty that the aetiology of these injuries is multifactorial and diverse, with both extrinsic and intrinsic factors contributing. Many intrinsic factors (personal) predispose athletes to develop overuse injuries. Intervention of intrinsic injury risk factors is more problematic, as intrinsic risk factors are often difficult to examine and even more difficult to rehabilitate than external factors. Extrinsic risk factors (environmental) that are independent of the injured person can be influenced through the intervention of the extrinsic factors. Main attention should be paid not to the treatment of the site of injury but to the possible cause of the symptoms. It is therefore vital that coaches and medical teams have a complete understanding of the incidence, nature, severity, and causes of injuries in order to review the adequacy of their injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of selected anthropometric parameters, biomechanical malalignment and flexibility on the prevalence of Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) in U/19 university rugby players of the 2006 season of the North-West University (NWU) Rugby Institute (RI). A prospective once-off subject availability study was performed that included U/19 rugby union players of the RI of the NWU (n=91). Selected biomechanical and anthropometrical assessments were made. Biomechanical and anthropometrical assessments were preformed on all subjects before the start of the season. All existing injuries were recorded by means of an injury history questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (e.g. mean and standard deviations) and contingency tables were used to analyse the data. Effect sizes were used to decide on the practical significance of the findings. A cut-off point of 0.8 (large effect) was set for practical significance of differences between means. Players with MTSS had a wider Bi-iliocristal width than those without MTSS. There were leg length differences for both players with and without MTSS for Hiospinale, Trochanterion-Tibiale lateral and Tibial lateral length. Iliospinale- and Trochanterion-Tibiale lateral length differences presented with the largest length difference. Iliospinale, Trochanterion-Tibiale lateral and Tibial lateral length difference had a small effect. Only Bi-iliocristal width presented with a medium effect. Hamstrings, Gastrocnemius and Plantaris as well as Soleus and Popliteus flexibility of players without MTSS were tighter than those of players who suffered from MTSS. Only Hamstring tightness had a small effect. Gastrocnemius and Plantaris as well as Soleus and Popliteus presented with a medium effect. Players without MTSS had a more flexible TFL on their right side. All the other flexibility measurements of the Thomas test presented that players without MTSS had a more inflexible profile. Effect size was not analysed because of the small sample sizes in some of the cells. Players without MTSS presented with an overall more inflexible profile than those with MTSS. More players without MTSS supinated at heel contact on both their feet, compared to the players with MTSS. Players without MTSS supinated more on both their feet during mid stance. A small percentage of players with and without MTSS supinated during the propulsion phase. More players without MTSS had a neutral right foot mid stance compared to players with MTSS who had a more neutral mid stance on their right foot. Players with MTSS pronated more with both their feet during propulsion. Players with MTSS pronated mostly during the propulsion phase and mostly had flatter and higher arched feet than players without MTSS. More players with MTSS had a light flat foot, flat foot as well as a high arched foot than players without MTSS. Most of the players with MTSS had normal right arched foot type. None of the players with MTSS had either a light high right foot or a high arched left foot. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

With the general increase in Rugby union's popularity the past decade, there has been an increase in sport injuries, both from acute and overuse trauma. Approximately half of all sport injuries may be attributed to overuse or repetitive micro trauma rather than a single traumatic event. Although very few overuse injuries have an established aetiology, the fact that over 80% of these injuries occurs at or below the knee suggests that there may be some common mechanisms in the aetiology. It could only be stated with certainty that the aetiology of these injuries is multifactorial and diverse, with both extrinsic and intrinsic factors contributing. Many intrinsic factors (personal) predispose athletes to develop overuse injuries. Intervention of intrinsic injury risk factors is more problematic, as intrinsic risk factors are often difficult to examine and even more difficult to rehabilitate than external factors. Extrinsic risk factors (environmental) that are independent of the injured person can be influenced through the intervention of the extrinsic factors. Main attention should be paid not to the treatment of the site of injury but to the possible cause of the symptoms. It is therefore vital that coaches and medical teams have a complete understanding of the incidence, nature, severity, and causes of injuries in order to review the adequacy of their injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of selected anthropometric parameters, biomechanical malalignment and flexibility on the prevalence of Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) in U/19 university rugby players of the 2006 season of the North-West University (NWU) Rugby Institute (RI). A prospective once-off subject availability study was performed that included U/19 rugby union players of the RI of the NWU (n=91). Selected biomechanical and anthropometrical assessments were made. Biomechanical and anthropometrical assessments were preformed on all subjects before the start of the season. All existing injuries were recorded by means of an injury history questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (e.g. mean and standard deviations) and contingency tables were used to analyse the data. Effect sizes were used to decide on the practical significance of the findings. A cut-off point of 0.8 (large effect) was set for practical significance of differences between means. Players with MTSS had a wider Bi-iliocristal width than those without MTSS. There were leg length differences for both players with and without MTSS for Hiospinale, Trochanterion-Tibiale lateral and Tibial lateral length. Iliospinale- and Trochanterion-Tibiale lateral length differences presented with the largest length difference. Iliospinale, Trochanterion-Tibiale lateral and Tibial lateral length difference had a small effect. Only Bi-iliocristal width presented with a medium effect. Hamstrings, Gastrocnemius and Plantaris as well as Soleus and Popliteus flexibility of players without MTSS were tighter than those of players who suffered from MTSS. Only Hamstring tightness had a small effect. Gastrocnemius and Plantaris as well as Soleus and Popliteus presented with a medium effect. Players without MTSS had a more flexible TFL on their right side. All the other flexibility measurements of the Thomas test presented that players without MTSS had a more inflexible profile. Effect size was not analysed because of the small sample sizes in some of the cells. Players without MTSS presented with an overall more inflexible profile than those with MTSS. More players without MTSS supinated at heel contact on both their feet, compared to the players with MTSS. Players without MTSS supinated more on both their feet during mid stance. A small percentage of players with and without MTSS supinated during the propulsion phase. More players without MTSS had a neutral right foot mid stance compared to players with MTSS who had a more neutral mid stance on their right foot. Players with MTSS pronated more with both their feet during propulsion. Players with MTSS pronated mostly during the propulsion phase and mostly had flatter and higher arched feet than players without MTSS. More players with MTSS had a light flat foot, flat foot as well as a high arched foot than players without MTSS. Most of the players with MTSS had normal right arched foot type. None of the players with MTSS had either a light high right foot or a high arched left foot. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

PURPOSE. To determine the influence of cataractous and refractive blur on postural stability and limb-load asymmetry (LLA) and to establish how postural stability changes with the spatial frequency and contrast of the visual stimulus. METHODS. Thirteen elderly subjects (mean age, 70.76 ± 4.14 [SD] years) with no history of falls and normal vision were recruited. Postural stability was determined as the root mean square [RMS] of the center of pressure (COP) signal in the anterior¿posterior (A-P) and medial¿lateral directions and LLA was determined as the ratio of the average body weight placed on the more-loaded limb to the less-loaded limb, recorded during a 30-second period. Data were collected under normal standing conditions and with somatosensory system input disrupted. Measurements were repeated with four visual targets with high (8 cyc/deg) or low (2 cyc/deg) spatial frequency and high (Weber contrast, 95%) or low (Weber contrast, 25%) contrast. Postural stability was measured under conditions of binocular refractive blur of 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 D and with cataract simulation. The data were analyzed in a population-averaged linear model. RESULTS. The cataract simulation caused significant increases in postural instability equivalent to that caused by 8-D blur conditions, and its effect was greater when the input from the somatosensory system was disrupted. High spatial frequency targets increased postural instability. Refractive blur, cataract simulation, or eye closure had no effect on LLA. CONCLUSIONS. Findings indicate that cataractous and refractive blur increase postural instability, and show why the elderly, many of whom have poor vision along with musculoskeletal and central nervous system degeneration, are at greater risk of falling. Findings also highlight that changes in contrast sensitivity rather than resolution changes are responsible for increasing postural instability. Providing low spatial frequency information in certain environments may be useful in maintaining postural stability. Correcting visual impairment caused by uncorrected refractive error and cataracts could be a useful intervention strategy to help prevent falls and fall-related injuries in the elderly.

Šis magistro baigiamasis darbas yra apie arklių šlubavimus ir dažniausiai naudojamus klinikinės diagnostikos metodus juos diagnozuoti. Šiam tyrimui buvo pasirinkta Danijos Horsholm Hestepraksis klinika, tyrimas atliktas nuo Liepos 1d iki Spalio 1d. Ši klinika yra viena iš didžiausių specializuotų arklių veterinarijos klinikų Danijoje. Šis darbas susideda iš 4 skyrių, kurie susideda iš įvado, literatūros apžvalgos, rezultatų, rezultatų aptarimo ir išvadų. Darbe yra 34 puslapiai, su 2 lentelėmis ir 22 paveikslėliais. Šiam tyrimui pasirinkta šimtas atsitiktinų arklių, kuriem buvo diagnozuota galūnių ligos. Buvo analizuojama kaip šlubavimui įtakos turi lytis, amžius, arklio veislė. Buvo nustatyta, kad dažniausiai šlubavimo problemų turintys arkliai, gydyti Horsholm Hestepraksis, yra sportui naudojami arkliai. Todėl pagrindinės galūnių ligos yra susyjusios su sąnarių, sausgyslių ir raiščių problemomis. Pagrindinės pažeistos kojos yra priekinės kojos, ypač priekinė kairė koja. / The current work is about horse lameness and the most common and useful clinical diagnostic methods to find it. For this research the Horsholm Hestepraksis clinic in Denmark was chosen, the term from July 01 to October 01 in 2013. This clinic is one of Denmark's largest specialised veterinary clinics in the field of equine diseases. This work consists of 4 chapters which consist from introduction, literature review, results, discussion of the results and conclusion. There are 34 pages with 2 tables and 22 pictures. 100 random horses were choosen for this work, which had diagnosed limb lameness. It was analyzed what is most common sex, age, breed of the horses. It was analyseds that the most common horses, which are treated in Horsholm Hestepraksis, are horses used for sport activity. Therefore the main limb diseases are related to joint, tendon and ligaments damage. The most common legs are front legs, especially front left leg.

Pastaruoju metu Europos Sąjungoje ir kitose pasaulio valstybėse daug dėmesio skiriama gyvūnų sveikatos užtikrinimui ir naujų technologijų diegimui, susijusių su ligų prevencija. Siekiama tobulinti ir vykdyti ligų prevencijos ir kontrolės programas, ieškanti naujų modernių tyrimų metodų gyvūnų sveikatos būklei tirti.Daugelis patologinių pakitimų atsiranda dėl temperatūros pokyčių. Infraraudonųjų spindulių termografija (IRT) yra neinvazinis metodas matuojantis spinduliuojamos šilumos skleidimą iš odos, atspindintis medžiagų apykaitą (Jones, Plassmann, 2002). Šio metodo pagalba galima aptikti organizmo funkcinius sutrikimus, lūžių, sąnarių ir raiščių traumas, patempimus, uždegimo procesus, karščiavimą.Šiandien termografiniai tyrimai veterinarijos kryptyje Lietuvoje nevykdomi, jie vis plačiau naudojam medicinojoe įvairiose srityse ir net onkologijoje. Darbo tikslas- išanalizuoti, susisteminti ir ištirti infraraudonosios spinduliuotės (IFR) taikymo galimybes veterinarijoje bei atlikti karvių galūnių termografinius tyrimus. Darbo uždaviniai: 1. Išanalizuoti ir susisteminti termografijos taikymo galimybes veterinarijoje. 2. Nustatyti FLIR sistemos. THERMA CAM P640 taikymą karvių bandoje kojų būklei vertinti kartu naudojant ir šlubavimo taškų vertinimo sistemą. 3. Atlikti karvių galūnių ortopedinį tyrimą. Darbo metodika: darbas atliktas 2012 kovo– birželio mėnesiais tirta Lietuvos juodmargių populiacijos aukšto pieningumo karvių banda (n=97).Karvių priekinių ir užpakalinių kojų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Recently, the European Union and other countries of the world has paid much attention to animal health security and the introduction of new technologies related to the prevention of disease. The aim is to improve and promote programs of the prevention and control of disease by searching for new modern research methods to examine the animal health condition. Many pathological changes are caused by temperature changes. Infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-invasive method of measuring the intensity of heat dissemination from the skin, reflecting metabolism (Jones, Plassmann, 2002). This method helps to detect functional disorders of the body, fractures, joint and ligament injuries, sprains, inflammation processes, and fever. Currently, thermographic research is not carried out in the field of veterinary in Lithuania, although they are widely applied in various fields of medicine and even cancer treatment. The aim of the research- to analyse, systematize and investigate the possibility to apply infrared rays (IR) in the field of veterinary medicine as well as to perform the thermal analysis of cows limbs. The tasks of the research: 1. To analyse and systematize the possibility to apply thermography in the field of veterinary medicine. 2. To determine the possibility to apply FLIR system THERMA CAM P640 in the assessment of the cow leg condition in a herd also using the assessment system of limping points. 3. To perform the orthopedic examination of the cow limbs. The research was... [to full text]

Cross-correlation is often used as the primary technique to compare two biological signals. The cross-correlation technique is an effective means to measure the synchronization of two signals if the relative phases at all frequencies are distributed linearly, that is, there is a group delay. The group delay assumption of cross-correlation analysis imposes an unfavourable restriction on signals with relative phase correlation which varies at different frequencies. Traditional Fourier analysis applied to a short data segments, namely the Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT), provides phase information for each frequency component, but it is not suitable for biological signals with non-stationary statistics for which the ideal segment length is unknown. The application of a wavelet based phase analysis technique is discussed in this study. The frequency decomposition and temporally localized nature of the wavelet transform provides localized phase-frequency information for two signals. A wavelet frequency temporal relative phase pattern (WFT-RPP) technique to extract relative phase information at specific frequencies over the time course of a time-varying signal was developed. The technique was tested on simulated data and surface electromyographic (sEMG) data recorded from upper limb muscles in human subjects as they performed a series of dynamic push and pull tasks. Selected sEMG channel pairs are compared against each other using the WFT-RPP technique to extract the relative phase information and repetitive relative phase patterns for certain muscle pairs were observed. The properties of the WFT-RPP and the merits and weaknesses of using the technique for determining intermuscular sEMG synchronization is discussed. / Thesis (Master, Electrical & Computer Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2011-09-13 11:58:16.014

The psychometric properties of a new high-level mobility outcome measure for Service Members (SMs) with traumatic lower limb loss called the Comprehensive High-level Activity Mobility Predictor (CHAMP) was developed in order objectively evaluate functional abilities and measure change in function throughout the rehabilitation process. The CHAMP was administered to a population of SMs with traumatic lower limb loss who were representative of those who have suffered limb loss in recent conflicts. In addition, a population of non-amputee Active Duty soldiers completed the CHAMP and provided normative data for high-level mobility and threshold levels of performance for those SMs with lower limb loss. A simple grading system, absent of floor and ceiling effects, generates a composite score providing a single numeric value representing the physical performance factors of high-level mobility in different plane of motion and under different conditions. The CHAMP was found to be a safe, reliable, valid, and responsive performance-based outcome measure of high-level mobility. It was found to have excellent interrater and test-retest reliability suggesting that it is a stable and repeatable measure of high-level mobility. Convergent construct validity and known group methods were utilized to establish the CHAMP as a valid measure of high-level mobility. Predictive models of CHAMP performance were established utilizing variables representing impairments of body structure and function and contextual factors by level of lower limb amputation. The CHAMP has the potential to be used for lower limb amputees throughout the rehabilitation process and could translate to the non-amputee population for assessment of high-level mobility capabilities.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the efficacy of a multifaceted gait analysis approach using a group of twenty osteosarcoma patients who underwent limb salvage surgery. Mean age at time of surgery was 16.1 years (range: 7-29), mean age at time of evaluation was 23.55 years (range: 11-43). Nine patients were treated with a Stryker Howmedica Modular Resection System (Stryker Kalamazoo, USA) and eleven patients were treated with a Stanmore custom made prosthesis (Stanmore implants worldwide Ltd, Stanmore, UK). Ten control participants with a mean age of 24.9 (range: 14-36) were recruited for the study. Ethical approval was gained through The University of Queensland Ethics Committee and The Royal Children’s Hospital and Health Service district Ethics Committee. Investigations included subjective, kinematic, kinetic, electromyographic and bioenergetic assessments. The subjective assessment incorporated results from the Musculoskeletal Tumour Society Rating Scale (MSTS) and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). Overall impairment was found to be 83.33% according to results of the MSTS and overall disability was found to be 86.00% according to results of the TESS. Kinematic findings showed that limb salvage participants walked with reduced velocity (p < 0.01) and increased step asymmetry (p < 0.01). Patients exhibited an increase in plantarflexion during the loading response (p < 0.001) and during terminal stance (p < 0.05), and an increase in dorsiflexion during mid-stance (p < 0.001). Knee kinematics revealed reduced extension during the loading response (p < 0.001) and increased frontal plane excursion throughout the gait cycle (p < 0.01). Patients exhibited increased lateral lean during loading response at the trunk (p < 0.05). Kinetic findings revealed a reduction in the magnitude of vertical ground reaction force during the loading response (p < 0.001) and a reduction in the magnitude of the anterior/posterior ground reaction shear force during terminal stance (p = 0.01). Furthermore, the internal ankle plantarflexor moment in terminal stance was reduced (p < 0.001), all sagittal plane knee moments were reduced (p < 0.05) and the internal hip adductor moment in terminal stance was reduced (p < 0.01). Electromyographic findings found that the limb salvage participants activated their rectus femoris for a significantly prolonged period (p < 0.5) and exhibited increased bilateral co-contraction of their rectus femoris and medial hamstring muscles (p < 0.05) compared with control participants. Bioenergetic findings revealed that the limb salvage participants exhibited an increased energetic cost (p < 0.01) and consumption rate (p < 0.01). Moderate correlations were observed between electromyographic and bioenergetic findings. Multivariate methods suggested that muscle removal, knee extension strength and knee flexion range of motion were all significant predictors of locomotor function. Length of bone resection and time from surgery were not predictive of post-operative function. The findings supported the efficacy of a multifaceted gait analysis approach for the assessment of pathological function under research conditions. The combined approach, using multiple measurements, allowed determination of functional status following musculoskeletal alteration. This enabled identification of primary and secondary compensations and allowed recommendations for improved treatment and rehabilitation.