The purpose of this QI project is to educate current allopathic and osteopathic residents on the fundamentals of OMT as well as appropriate indications and contraindications for osteopathic manipulation therapy. In order to accomplish this goal, we propose to administer a pretest before giving a presentation on fundamentals of OMT and appropriate OMT referrals. Afterwards, we will perform a posttest to see if there was a significant increase in overall scores from the residents. We will then compile the scores into a spreadsheet and using data analysis, evaluate to see if current residents have had a significant improvement in overall knowledge of OMT fundamentals, indications and contraindications.

Habitually poor posture can lead to repetitive strain injuries that lower an individual's quality of life and productivity. Slouching over computer screens and smart phones, asymmetric weight distribution due to uneven leg loading, and improper loading posture are some of the common examples that lead to postural problems and health ramifications. To help cultivate good postural habits, researchers have proposed slouching, balance, and improper loading posture detection systems that alert users through traditional visual, auditory or vibro-tactile feedbacks when posture requires attention. However, such notifications are disruptive and can be easily ignored. We address these issues with a new physiological feedback system that uses sensors to detect these poor postures, and electrical muscle stimulation to automatically correct the poor posture. We compare our automatic approach against other alternative feedback systems and through different unique contexts. We find that our approach outperformed alternative traditional feedback systems by being faster and more accurate while delivering an equally comfortable user experience.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / Sports Science / Master / Master of Science in Sports Science

The aims of this thesis were to 1) investigate the effect of SB431542 <i>in vitro</i> and <i>ex vivo</i> as a novel approach towards promoting the functional hypertrophy of skeletal muscle by inhibiting the myostatin-Smad pathway, 2) to investigate the expression and function of the Yes-associated protein (Yap) in skeletal muscle and C2C12 cells as a novel regulator of C2C12 differentiation and 3) to generate a GFP-RCASBP-hYAP1 S127A retrovirus to allow the study of the function of Yap in skeletal muscle differentiation <i>in vivo</i>. The results presented in this thesis show that SB431542 promotes the hypertrophy of C2C12 myotubes and mature <i>Xenopus</i> skeletal muscle fibres. However, SB431542 treatment also results in a reduction in specific force of mature <i>Xenopus</i> muscle fibres suggesting that SB431542 is not suitable as a treatment for skeletal muscle atrophy. These results also show that Yap is expressed in mouse skeletal muscle <i>in vivo</i> and that Yap is a novel regulator of C2C12 differentiation. Finally, these results descried the generation of a GFP-RCASBP-hYAP1 S127A retrovirus that can be used to assess the role of Yap <i>in vivo </i>during skeletal muscle formation in the chick embryo. Together, these results suggest that Yap is a novel regulator of C2C12 differentiation that should be studied as a potential therapeutic target in musculoskeletal diseases.

Purpose: The objectives of this pilot study for women breast cancer survivors with lymphedema was 1) to evaluate recruitment rates, retention rates, adherence to Bowenwork (a noninvasive complementary therapy involving gentle muscle movements), home exercises, safety and comfort; 2) determine the effect of Bowenwork on quality of life (QOL), functional status, perceived pain, range of motion (ROM), arm/ankle circumference (to assess for localized and systemic changes). Methods: Participants received 4 Bowenwork sessions with home exercises. Initial and post assessments included QOL, functional status, and pain. ROM, arm/ankle circumference and pain measures were recorded before each session. Results: Twenty-one women enrolled in the study; 95% completion; adherence 100%; home exercises 95%; no adverse events. The intervention improved mental health (SF-36-MCS); breast cancer-related functional (FACT-B); increased ROM; reduced arm circumferences. P value set at <0.05. Conclusions: The Bowenwork intervention was safe and acceptable for women breast cancer survivors with lymphedema.

This thesis investigates production optimisation systems such as lean production and their consequences for the health and safety of workers. In particular it examines potential positive effects and adverse effects on stress and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The thesis com-prises an extended literature survey and a field study in the manufacturing and the services sector applying lean production. It provides an extensive review of studies carried out in lean production environments in the last 20 years that aims to identify the effects of lean production (negative or positive) on occupational health and related risk factors. Thirty-six studies of lean effects were accepted from the literature search and sorted by sector and type of outcome. Lean production was found to have a negative effect on health and risk factors; the most negative outcomes being found in the earliest studies in the automotive industry. However, examples of mixed and positive effects were also found in the literature. The strongest correlations of lean production with stress were found for characteristics found in Just-In-Time production that related to reduced cycle time and reduction of resources. In-creased musculoskeletal risk symptoms were related to increases of work pace and lack of recovery time also found in Just-In-Time systems. An interaction model is developed to pro-pose a pathway from lean production characteristics to musculoskeletal and psychosocial risk factors and also positive outcomes. An examination is also made of the changing focus of studies investigating the consequences of lean production over a 20-year period. Theories about the effects of lean production have evolved from a conceptualization that it is an inherently harmful management system, to a view that it can have mixed effects depending on the management style of the organization and the specific way it is implemented. The field study was carried out in lean environments in the manufacturing and services sec-tors, namely in the electronics, beverage, and metal industry and call centres in Greece and UK. For the psychosocial factors and recording of MSD symptoms; self reported questionnaires were administrated to the workers. In total 353 workers responded to the questionnaires. Additionally qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with managers and lean officials, safety officers and workers in the sample. Finally, observation visits in the companies completed the data collection process. The lean implementation level of the companies was estimated on a five-point scale, according to a validated model (Conti et al, 2006). A follow up study to collect qualitative data was possible in one company in the sample. The research hypotheses of the field study tested the relationship between job stress and MSDs with quantitative job demands, job control, performance monitoring, and the level of lean implementation. The hypotheses were partly supported in both sectors: In the service sector findings confirm that quantitative job demands are predictors of job stress, consistent with similar studies in call centres. Stress is strongly asso-ciated with MSD development. In the manufacturing sector, quantitative job demands were not predictors of job stress, neither of MSDs. Positive challenges were a mediator of job stress. Stress was not a predictor for MSDs symptoms. Mechanical exposure increased after lean implementation in manufacturing although the opposite was aimed at. Consultation of workers on lean characteristics was another mediator to MSD development. A comparison was made between manufacturing and the services sectors. Differences be-tween sectors in job demands -with the exception of learning demands that are higher in manufacturing- were not significant. Predictability on the other hand was higher in call centres. Employees in the call centres reported statistically significant more frequent MSD symptoms compared to workers in manufacturing. Stress differences were not significant among sectors whereas job satisfaction was significantly higher in manufacturing. This can partly be explained by the positive social context, job security and management commitment to have no lay offs due to lean application; that workers enjoyed in the manufacturing companies of the sample. This was not the case in the call centres. In conclusion it was not the stressors that were higher in the call centres sample but a significant number of job support and control characteristics that were reported as being higher in the manufacturing sample of the study. Analysis of the relationship between job characteristics, stress and leanness revealed a high degree of non-linearity. The best fit was achieved with quadratic curves. At low levels of lean implementation stress was increasing. At a middle level of implementation stress reached a peak after which, with advanced implementation, it decreased. This is consistent with earlier study findings. The study demonstrates that it is not so much the level of lean implementation that is important for the health & safety effects but the lean characteristics that are employed. Characteristics linked to JIT can be critical and can be associated with increased job demands and for some cases increased stress and MSD symptoms. Moreover it is the social context (management mentality and actual workers participation) in lean application that is crucial for the implications of lean work to health. Further research is needed to compare lean effects between sectors including also other services. Finally, more research is needed on alternatives to intensive systems that would have better consequences for the health & safety of workers. Ergonomics has an obligation to pro-pose work redesign that aims at sustainability for all parties.

by Cheung Man Kit. / Errata slip inserted / Bibliography: leaves 83-84 / Thesis (M.Ph.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1985

by Shuk-man Yuen. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Bibliography: leaves 108-121. / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Neural Regulation of Muscle Development --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- "Changes in Motoneuron Number, Motoneuron Properties and Innervation during Development" / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Decrease in Motoneuron Number --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Reduction of Synaptic Connections --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Changes in Motoneuron Properties during Development --- p.9 / Chapter 1.4 --- Neural Influence on Muscle Properties in Adult Mammals / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Effect of Denervation on Muscle Properties --- p.10 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Plasticity of Muscle Properties --- p.12 / Chapter 1.5 --- Partial Denervation --- p.15 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS / Chapter 2.1 --- General Plan --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2 --- Normal Unoperated Group / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Innervation of the SOL and EDL --- p.23 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Tension Recordings --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Contributions of L4 and L5 to Normal Tension of the SOL and EDL --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3 --- Young Denervated and Adult Denervated Groups / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Unilateral Partial Denervation --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Tension Recordings --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Measurement of Contraction and Relaxation Speeds --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Recovery in Tension of Partially Denervated Muscles --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Motor Unit Number and Size --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Resting Membrane Potential --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.7 --- Histometric Analysis and Histochemical Study --- p.32 / Chapter 2.3.8 --- Immunocytochemical Study on Different Types of Myosin --- p.34 / Chapter 2.3.9 --- Histological Study on Innervation of Muscle Fibres --- p.35 / Chapter 2.4 --- Retrograde HRP Labelling for HRP Group --- p.37 / Chapter 2.5 --- Statistic Analysis --- p.39 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESULTS / Chapter 3.1 --- Contribution of Spinal Nerves to Tension in Normal Unoperated Group --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2 --- Results from Young Denervated and Adult Denervated Groups / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Recovery in Tension --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Changes in Other Contractile Properties --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Motor Unit Number and Size --- p.49 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Resting Membrane Potential of Adult Denervated Group --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Changes in Cross-sectional Area of Whole Muscle and Number of Muscle Fibres --- p.52 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Histochemical Properties and Types of Myosin --- p.53 / Chapter 3.2.7 --- Histological Study on Innervation of Partially Denervated Muscles --- p.56 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results of HRP Group --- p.58 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- DISCUSSION / Chapter 4.1 --- Contribution of Spinal Nerves to Tension Development --- p.91 / Chapter 4.2 --- Recovery of Partially Denervated Muscles --- p.93 / Chapter 4.3 --- Time Courses of Functional Recovery --- p.98 / Chapter 4.4 --- Effect of Partial Denervation on Properties of Muscles --- p.100 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- CONCLUSION --- p.106 / REFERENCES --- p.108

Farmers and farmworkers are at a high risk for development of musculoskeletal symptoms due to the physically demanding nature of their work environment, the repetitive nature of many agricultural tasks, and the time-dependent nature of agricultural work that often requires greater than full-time hours at various times of the year. The purpose of this dissertation was to gain a better understanding of musculoskeletal symptom prevalence in Iowa farmers, examine age-related effects, determine how those symptoms related to safety on the farm, and to determine musculoskeletal symptom prevalence in migrant farmworkers in Iowa on H-2A Visas. Study data of 438 Iowa farmers was examined retrospectively through a cross-sectional survey that examined musculoskeletal symptoms prevalence, safety scores of the farm environment, and health-seeking behaviors of this population. This study found prevalence rates that varied from 28% (elbow) to 73% (back) with 4.15 (S.D. = 2.75) average painful joints. More farmers in the older age category were in the lower safety category. Significant predictors of seeking healthcare due to musculoskeletal symptoms included arthritis, employee help on the farm, hip pain, or upper back pain. Migrant farmworkers who were in Iowa on an H-2A Visa for agricultural work were surveyed about their musculoskeletal symptom prevalence at the beginning of their work contract in Iowa. The data from these 180 migrant farmworkers was compared to the National Agricultural Workers Survey. A chart review was completed that provided information about musculoskeletal symptoms throughout the contracted work period and also information about the treatment provided through the non-profit migrant health clinic. Baseline prevalence varied from 1.4% (hip) to 15.9% (neck) with 56 (39.7%) workers reporting 1 or more painful joints. Throughout the contracted work, 33.6% of visits were attributed to musculoskeletal complaints with farmworkers over 35 being 2.5 times more likely to have musculoskeletal complaints (OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1-5.5). The information from these studies provides support for the need to develop and test interventions to prevent musculoskeletal symptom development in agricultural worker populations.