Project description:Background/Objectives: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is prevalent among older adults and leads to significant functional limitations and reduced quality of life. Segmental stabilization exercises (SSEs) are commonly used to treat CLBP, but the selective activation of deep abdominal muscles during these exercises can be challenging for patients. To support muscle activation, physiotherapists use biofeedback methods such as palpation and ultrasound imaging. This randomized controlled pilot study aimed to compare the effectiveness of these two biofeedback techniques in older adults with CLBP. Methods: A total of 24 participants aged 65 years or older with CLBP were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group performed self-palpation biofeedback, while the other group used real-time ultrasound imaging to visualize abdominal muscle activation. Muscle activation and thickness were continuously tracked using a semi-automated algorithm. The preferential activation ratio (PAR) was calculated to measure muscle activation, and statistical comparisons between groups were made using ANOVA. Results: Both groups achieved positive PAR values during all repetitions of the abdominal-draw-in maneuver (ADIM) and abdominal bracing (AB). Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the groups in terms of PAR during ADIM (F(2, 42) = 0.548, p = 0.58, partial η2 = 0.025) or AB (F(2, 36) = 0.812, p = 0.45, partial η2 = 0.043). Both groups reported high levels of exercise enjoyment and low task load. Conclusions: In conclusion, both palpation and ultrasound biofeedback appear to be effective for guiding older adults with CLBP during SSE. Larger studies are needed to confirm these results and examine the long-term effectiveness of these biofeedback methods.
Project description:Transversus abdominis release (TAR) is a myofascial release technique which helps in surgical repair of large ventral abdominal wall defects. In this procedure, the medial margin of muscular part of transversus abdominis (TA) is of great importance. Hence, the authors sought to describe the extent of medial margin of TA muscle. The surgical steps of TAR were performed in 10 formalin-fixed cadavers and distance between medial margin of TA muscle, lateral margin of rectus abdominis, to linea alba at five anatomical levels were documented respectively. The distance between the inferior epigastric vessels and the medial border of TA muscle was also noted. The TA muscle was within the posterior rectus sheath in all cadavers, at the xiphisternum (R, 61.6 mm; L, 58.9 mm), and at midway between xiphisternum and umbilicus (R, 25.4 mm; L, 27.1 mm). The TA muscle exited the posterior rectus sheath between this point and the umbilicus. The mean incongruity at the next three levels were -24.6 mm, -24.9 mm, and -22.9 mm respectively on the right and -21.4 mm, -19.9 mm, and -18.9 mm respectively on the left. The mean distance between the medial border of TA and inferior epigastric vessels was 18.9 mm on the right and 17.2 mm on the left. The muscular part of TA was incorporated within the posterior rectus sheath above the umbilicus, and it completely exited the rectus sheath at the umbilicus. This is contrary to the traditional understanding of posterior rectus sheath formation.
Project description:Senescent cells (SnCs) accumulate because of aging and external cellular stress throughout the body. They adopt a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and release inflammatory and degenerative factors that actively contribute to age-related diseases, such as low back pain (LBP). The senolytics, o-vanillin and RG-7112, remove SnCs in human intervertebral discs (IVDs) and reduce SASP release, but it is unknown whether they can treat LBP. sparc-/- mice, with LBP, were treated orally with o-vanillin and RG-7112 as single or combination treatments. Treatment reduced LBP and SASP factor release and removed SnCs from the IVD and spinal cord. Treatment also lowered degeneration scores in the IVDs, improved vertebral bone quality, and reduced the expression of pain markers in the spinal cord. Together, our data suggest RG-7112 and o-vanillin as potential disease-modifying drugs for LBP and other painful disorders linked to cell senescence.
Project description:Background and aimsTransversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a technique proposed to minimise pain after anterior iliac crest bone harvesting. This study aims to evaluate the postoperative pain in patients who receive ultrasound-guided TAP block to supplement routine wound infiltration.Material and methodsA total of 143 patients aged between 6 and 22 years were randomised into two groups. Patients in group A received supplemental TAP block on the same side. Patients in group B received local anesthetic wound infiltration alone. Pain scores were compared at the first and 24th postoperative hours.ResultsTAP block significantly reduced pain and delirium in the immediate postoperative period. The mean FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) score after 10 min was 0.8 in group A versus 1.8 in group B (P = 0.001). The mean Watcha scale at 10 min was 1.0 in group A versus 1.2 in group B (P = 0.001). After 24 h, 81.7% of patients in group A had no pain versus 59.7% in group B (P = 0.004). The incidence of intolerable pain at 24 h was 5.6% in group B versus 0% in group A (P = 0.04). Cumulative ambulation scores were significantly better in group A (P < 0.05). There was a strong and positive correlation between the analgesia and ability to ambulate comfortably at 24 h postop (Pearson's coefficient 0.95).ConclusionSupplemental ultrasound-guided TAP block given intraoperatively reduces the postoperative pain. The incidence of emergence delirium was low. These patients were also able to ambulate earlier.
Project description:BackgroundPain has a wide spectrum of effects on the body and inadequately controlled postoperative pain may have harmful physiologic and psychological consequences and increase morbidity. In addition, opioid anesthetic agents in high doses can blunt endocrine and metabolic responses following surgery and are associated with side effects including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and respiratory depression.ObjectivesThe current study aimed to investigate if unilateral ultrasound-guided transverse abdominal plane block (TAP-block) could reduce pain and postoperative use of patient requested analgesics following nephrectomy compared to local injection of the same ropivacaine dose in the surgical wound.Patients and methodsRetrospective chart reviews were performed in 42 consecutive patients who received TAP-block in conjunction with nephrectomy from November 2013 to August 2014 (group A). For comparison, data were used from 40 other nephrectomy patients registered as part of a previous study (group B). In this group the patients had received local ropivacaine injection in the surgical wound. On univariate analyses, the groups were compared by t-test and the Fisher exact test. Multivariate analyses were conducted by multiple linear regression.ResultsMean surgical time was 162 minutes in group A and 92 minutes in group B (P < 0.0001). The means of visual analogue scale (VAS) were 3.05 and 1.55 in A and B groups, respectively (P = 0.001). The means of morphine consumption were 5.2 mg and 5.9 mg in groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.58); while the means of sufentanil use were 9.8 μg and 6.0 μg in groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.06). When controlling for age, tumor size and American society of anesthesiologists classification (ASA) score on multivariate analysis, TAP-block was associated with a significant increase in VAS (+1.4 [95% CI, 0.6 - 2.3], P = 0.001) and sufentanil use (+6.2 μg [95% CI, 2.3 - 10.2], P = 0.003). There was no difference in morphine use on multivariate analysis (P = 0.99).ConclusionsTAP-block in conjunction with laparoscopic nephrectomy did not reduce pain or opioid consumption. On the contrary, it seemed to prolong surgical time.
Project description:BackgroundThe transversus abdominis (TrA) is a spine stabilizer frequently targeted during rehabilitation exercises for individuals with low back pain (LBP). Performance of exercises on unstable surfaces is thought to increase muscle activation, however no research has investigated differences in TrA activation when stable or unstable surfaces are used.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether TrA activation in individuals with LBP is greater when performing bridging exercises on an unstable surface versus a stable surface.MethodsFifty one adults (mean ± SD, age 23.1 ± 6.0 years, height 173.60 ± 10.5 cm, mass 74.7 ± 14.5 kg) with stabilization classification of LBP were randomly assigned to either exercise progression utilizing a sling bridge device or a traditional bridging exercise progression, each with 4 levels of increasing difficulty. TrA activation ratio (TrA contracted thickness/TrA resting thickness) was measured during each exercise using ultrasound imaging. The dependent variable was the TrA activation ratio.ResultsThe first 3 levels of the sling-based and traditional bridging exercise progression were not significantly different. There was a significant increase in the TrA activation ratio in the sling-based exercise group when bridging was performed with abduction of the hip (1.48 ± .38) compared to the traditional bridge with abduction of the hip (1.22 ± .38; p<.05).ConclusionBoth types of exercise result in activation of the TrA, however, the sling based exercise when combined with dynamic movement resulted in a significantly higher activation of the local stabilizers of the spine compared to traditional bridging exercise. This may have implications for rehabilitation of individuals with LBP.
Project description:IntroductionChronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) is defined as pain impacting daily activities lasting at least 3 months. With an incidence of 0.5-6.0%, chronic pain affects many patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair (IHR). Early severe postoperative pain has been described as a risk factor for CPIP. Thus, we aim to investigate the impact of the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block on CPIP.MethodsFrom 2013 to 2019 we collected data from individuals who were operated on electively in TAPP technique and who received a preoperative TAP block.ResultsData from 289 patients were selected. 259 patients were male. The mean age was 59.93 years and the mean BMI was 25.72 kg/m2. 252 patients suffered from a primary inguinal hernia. No mesh fixation was conducted. 21 patients reported pain at rest, 26 pain under physical exertion and 13 patients required treatment of their pain. In 6.25% of cases patients reported CPIP. We compared our findings with data from the German Herniamed Registry (unilateral, primary IH, men, no mesh fixation; n = 8.799), because we assume that the majority of these patients did not receive a TAP block. The rate of pain under physical exertion (9.2% vs. 10.05%) and pain requiring treatment (2.45% vs. 2.95%) one year after surgery slightly differs without a statistical significance.ConclusionsWe assume that the TAP block may reduce CPIP, postoperative pain during physical exertion and pain requiring treatment following IHR in TAPP technique. Additional randomized clinical trials are mandatory to evaluate the hypothesis.