bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Costs and Muscle Activity Patterns During Robotic- and Therapist-Assisted Treadmill Walking in Individuals With Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Israel Jeffrey F , Campbell Donielle D , Kahn Jennifer H , Hornby T George 
Published: February 2007

AbstractBackground and Purpose. Robotic devices that provide passive guidance and stabilization of the legs and trunk during treadmill stepping may increase the delivery of locomotor training to subjects with neurological injury. Lower-extremity guidance also may reduce voluntary muscle activity as compared with compliant assistance provided by therapists. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in metabolic costs and lower-limb muscle activity patterns during robotic- and therapist-assisted treadmill walking. Subjects. Twelve ambulatory subjects with motor incomplete spinal cord injury participated. Methods. In 2 separate protocols, metabolic and electromyographic (EMG) data were collected during standing and stepping on a treadmill with therapist and robotic assistance. During robotic-assisted walking, subjects were asked to match the kinematic trajectories of the device and maximize their effort. During therapist-assisted walking, subjects walked on the treadmill with manual assistance provided as necessary. Results. Metabolic costs and swing-phase hip flexor EMG activity were significantly lower when subjects were asked to match the robotic device trajectories than with therapist-assisted walking. These differences were reduced when subjects were asked to maximize their effort during robotic-assisted stepping, although swing-phase plantar-flexor EMG activity was increased. In addition, during standing prior to therapist- or robotic-assisted stepping, metabolic costs were higher without stabilization from the robotic device. Discussion and Conclusion. Differences in metabolic costs and muscle activity patterns between therapist- and robotic-assisted standing and stepping illustrate the importance of minimizing passive guidance and stabilization provided during step training protocols.
A Comparison of Physical Functional Performance and Strength in Women With Fibromyalgia, Age- and Weight-Matched Controls, and Older Women Who Are Healthy
Authors: Panton Lynn B , Kingsley J Derek , Toole Tonya , Cress M Elaine , Abboud George , Sirithienthad Prawee , Mathis Reed , McMillan Victor 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Background and Purposes. The purpose of this study was to compare functionality and strength among women with fibromyalgia (FM), women without FM, and older women. Subjects. Twenty-nine women with FM (age [X̅±SD]=46±7 years), 12 age- and weight-matched women without FM (age=44±8 years), and 38 older women who were healthy (age=71±7 years) participated. Methods. The Continuous Scale–Physical Functional Performance Test (CS-PFP) was used to assess functionality. Isokinetic leg strength was measured at 60°/s, and handgrip strength was measured using a handgrip dynamometer. Results. The women without FM had significantly higher functionality scores compared with women with FM and older women. There were no differences in functionality between women with FM and older women. Strength measures for the leg were higher in women without FM compared with women with FM and older women, and both women with and without FM had higher grip strengths compared with older women. Discussion and Conclusion. This study demonstrated that women with FM and older women who are healthy have similar lower-body strength and functionality, potentially enhancing the risk for premature age-associated disability.
Effect of a Virtual Reality–Enhanced Exercise Protocol After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Chuang Tien-Yow , Sung Wen-Hsu , Chang Hwa-Ann , Wang Ray-Yau 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Background and Purpose. Virtual reality (VR) technology has gained importance in many areas of medicine. Knowledge concerning the application and the influence of VR-enhanced exercise programs is limited for patients receiving coronary artery bypass grafting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a virtual “country walk” on the number of sessions necessary to reach cardiac rehabilitation goals in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Subjects. Twenty subjects who were seen for cardiac rehabilitation between January and June 2004 comprised the study sample. Methods. The protocol for this study included an initial maximum graded exercise tolerance test, given to determine the subsequent training goals for the subject, followed by biweekly submaximal endurance training sessions. All subjects were assigned by lot to 1 of 2 submaximal endurance training programs, one (group 2) with and the other (group 1) without the added VR environment. In all other respects, the 2 programs were identical. Each training session lasted for 30 minutes and was carried out twice per week for about 3 months. The primary outcome measures were maximum load during the work sessions, target oxygen consumption, target heart rate (beats per minute), and number of training sessions required to reach rehabilitation goals. Results. By the end of 20 training sessions, only 4 of the 10 control subjects had reached the heart rate target goal of 85% their maximum heart rate. In contrast, 9 of the 10 subjects in the VR program had attained this goal by 9 or fewer training sessions. When target metabolic cost (75% peak oxygen consumption) was used as the training goal, all 10 subjects in the VR program had reached this target after 2 training sessions (or, in some cases, 1 training session), but not until training session 15 did a cumulative number of 9 control subjects reach this goal. Discussion and Conclusion. These study outcomes clearly support the notion that incorporating a VR environment into cardiac rehabilitation programs will accelerate maximum recovery of patients’ cardiovascular function.
Pain, Fatigue, and Intensity of Practice in People With Stroke Who Are Receiving Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy
Authors: Underwood Julie , Clark Patricia C , Blanton Sarah , Aycock Dawn M , Wolf Steven L 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Background and Purpose. There is little available information about changes in pain and fatigue status among people receiving constraint-induced movement therapy (CI therapy). This study examined such changes. Subjects. All participants were a subset of individuals with stroke enrolled in the Extremity Constraint-Induced Therapy Evaluation (EXCITE) trial and received 2 weeks of CI therapy either 3 to 9 months after stroke (subacute therapy group, n=18) or 1 year later (chronic therapy group, n=14). Methods. Pain, fatigue, and intensity of therapy were evaluated. The Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and the pain scale of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for the upper extremity were administered before and after training. Single-item measures for pain and fatigue were administered twice daily during therapy. Results. All participants reported low mean pain (X̅=2.0, SD=0.93) and fatigue (X̅=2.7, SD=1.23) scores. Generally, differences between the subacute and the chronic therapy groups for pain, fatigue, intensity, and WMFT change scores were nonsignificant. Discussion and Conclusion. For selected patients with stroke, the intensive practice associated with CI therapy may be administered without exacerbation of pain or fatigue, even early during the recovery process. [Underwood J, Clark PC, Blanton S, et al. Pain, fatigue, and intensity of practice in people with stroke who are receiving constraint-induced movement therapy. Phys Ther. 2006;86:1241–1250.]
Cortical Reorganization Following Bimanual Training and Somatosensory Stimulation in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report
Authors: Hoffman Larisa R , Field-Fote Edelle C 
Published: February 2007

Background and Purpose
Deficits in upper-extremity function in individuals with tetraplegia are primarily due to the loss of motor pathways. Detrimental cortical reorganization, however, may create further loss of function. The purpose of this case report is to describe the cortical changes associated with a combination intervention using bimanual massed practice training with somatosensory stimulation.

Case Description
“BR” was a 22-year-old man with C6 tetraplegia and hand impairment who participated in this training intervention for 3 weeks.

Outcomes
BR demonstrated improvements in sensory function, strength (the force-generating capacity of muscle), and performance of functional hand skills. Following the training, the cortical motor map of the biceps brachii muscle shifted anteriorly and increased in area and volume.

Discussion
This is the first documented case in which changes in the size and location of the cortical map were associated with an intervention and improvement in function in an individual with tetraplegia. This case suggests that an intensive training intervention may induce both functional and neurophysiological changes.
Impact of Continuing Education Interventions on Clinical Outcomes of Patients With Neck Pain Who Received Physical Therapy
Authors: Brennan Gerard P , Fritz Julie M , Hunter Stephen J 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Background and Purpose. Physical therapists frequently attend continuing education courses with the goal of providing better care, yet the effectiveness of continuing education for improving outcomes has not been examined. Subjects. Data were obtained for all eligible patients (n=1,365; mean age=42.1 years, SD=14.0 years; 69.9% female) with a chief complaint of neck pain who were treated in 13 physical therapy clinics over a 24-month period. Disability data (Neck Disability Index scores) from the initial and final therapy sessions were recorded from clinical databases. Methods. Thirty-four of 57 physical therapists employed within the 13 clinics attended a 2-day continuing education course. Eleven of the 34 attendees also participated in an ongoing clinical improvement project for patients with neck pain. Clinical outcomes were compared in the pre- and post-course periods for therapists attending or not attending the course, and for therapists participating or not participating in the ongoing project. Results. There were no differences in clinical outcomes based on attendance at the continuing education course. There was an interaction between time and participation in the ongoing project, such that participants achieved greater change in disability after the course. The percentage of patients achieving at least the minimum detectable amount of change in disability with treatment increased significantly for participants after the course. Discussion and Conclusion. Attendance at a 2-day continuing education course was not associated with improvement in clinical outcomes, but participation in an ongoing improvement project did result in greater clinical improvement for patients with neck pain. Further investigation of educational methods to improve clinical outcomes is needed. These results suggest that traditional continuing education formats may not be effective for improving patient care. [Brennan GP, Fritz JM, Hunter SJ. Impact of continuing education interventions on clinical outcomes of patients with neck pain who received physical therapy. Phys Ther. 2006;86:1251–1262.]
Trunk Muscle Activation Patterns, Lumbar Compressive Forces, and Spine Stability When Using the Bodyblade
Authors: Moreside Janice M , Vera-Garcia Francisco J , McGill Stuart M 
Published: February 2007

Background and Purpose
The objective of this study was to analyze the trunk muscle activation patterns, spine kinematics, and lumbar compressive forces that occur when using the Bodyblade, a popular tool in physical medicine clinics.

Subjects
The participants were 14 male subjects who were healthy and who were recruited from a university population.

Methods
With data collected from surface electromyography of selected trunk and shoulder muscles, video analysis, and a 3-dimensional lumbar spine position sensor, modeling methods were used to quantify L4−5 compressive forces and spine stability.

Results
Large-amplitude oscillation of a vertically oriented Bodyblade resulted in the greatest activation levels of the internal oblique and external oblique muscles (average amplitude=48% and 26% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction, respectively), which were associated with L4−5 compressive forces as high as 4,328 N. Instantaneous stability increased with well-coordinated effort, muscle activation, and compression, but decreased when subjects had poor technique.

Discussion and Conclusion
The way the Bodyblade is used may either enhance or compromise spine stability. Associated lumbar compressive forces may be inappropriate for some people with compression-intolerant lumbar spine pathology.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation at Both High and Low Frequencies Reduces Primary Hyperalgesia in Rats With Joint Inflammation in a Time-Dependent Manner
Authors: Vance Carol GT , Radhakrishnan Rajan , Skyba David A , Sluka Kathleen A 
Published: February 2007

Background and PurposeClinical studies of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) have used a variety of outcome measures to assess its effectiveness, with conflicting results. It is possible that TENS is effective on some measures of pain and not on others. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that TENS reduces primary hyperalgesia of the knee induced by joint inflammation.SubjectsMale Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study.MethodsInflammation of the knee joint was induced by intra-articular injection of a mixture of 3% kaolin and 3% carrageenan. Primary hyperalgesia was measured as the compression withdrawal threshold of the knee joint before and after the induction of inflammation (4 hours, 24 hours, and 2 weeks) and after sham TENS treatment, treatment with high-frequency TENS (100 Hz), or treatment with low-frequency TENS (4 Hz).ResultsThe compression withdrawal threshold was significantly reduced at 4 hours, 24 hours, and 2 weeks after the induction of inflammation. Either high-frequency TENS or low-frequency TENS completely reversed the compression withdrawal threshold when applied at 24 hours or 2 weeks after the induction of inflammation but not when applied at 4 hours after the induction of inflammation.Discussion and ConclusionThese data suggest that TENS inhibits primary hyperalgesia associated with inflammation in a time-dependent manner after inflammation has already developed during both acute and chronic stages.
Gait Symmetry and Walking Speed Analysis Following Lower-Extremity Trauma
Authors: Archer Kristin R , Castillo Renan C , MacKenzie Ellen J , Bosse Michael J 
Published: February 2007

Abstract
Background and PurposeGait has been shown to be a major determining factor of function following limb-salvage surgery. However, little is known regarding the measures associated with gait recovery for this patient population. The purpose of this study was to identify clinical measures associated with impaired walking speed and gait asymmetry in patients with lower-extremity reconstruction. Subjects. Study subjects were 381 patients from the Lower Extremity Assessment Project (LEAP) who had undergone reconstruction following severe lower-extremity trauma. Methods. The LEAP study was a longitudinal study of outcomes following lower-extremity reconstruction. The present study used 24-month clinical follow-up data. A combined outcome measure of reduced walking speed and gait deviation was chosen to provide a comprehensive measure of impaired physical mobility. Results. The most significant clinical factors associated with decreased walking speed and gait deviation were impaired ankle plantar-flexion range of motion, knee flexion strength, and a nonreciprocal stair-climbing pattern. Discussion and Conclusion. The findings provide clinicians with specific clinical measures associated with functional recovery in patients with lower-limb reconstruction. These measures, in turn, can be considered to inform treatment decision making and to prioritize interventions.
Participant Perception of Recovery as Criterion to Establish Importance of Improvement for Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Outcome Measures: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Fritz Stacy L , George Steven Z , Wolf Steven L , Light Kathye E 
Published: February 2007

Background and PurposeChanges in function following constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) are characterized primarily by improvements in performance; however, the importance of these outcome measures to the participant may be unclear. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether either change scores or raw follow-up scores for the Motor Activity Log amount scale (MALa) and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) predicted participants’ self-reports of recovery of upper-extremity function at 4 to 6 months after starting CIMT.Subjects and MethodsThis study was a secondary analysis of a cohort of subjects (N=46) who participated in CIMT trials. Subjects completed measures at baseline and 4 to 6 months later. Hierarchical regression models determined whether change scores or raw follow-up scores of CIMT outcome measures were predictive of perceived recovery. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves determined cutoff scores for measures that significantly contributed to participants’ reports of perceived recovery.ResultsThe regression models indicated that raw follow-up MALa scores (β=0.80, P=.024) and WMFT scores (β=−0.37, P=.03) contributed to perceived recovery. Proposed cutoff scores for the MALa scores were less than 1.15 (negative likelihood ratio [LR]=0.17) for predicting less than 50% recovery and greater than 2.50 (positive LR=2.75) for predicting 50% or greater recovery. Proposed cutoff scores for follow-up WMFT scores were greater than 34.0 seconds (negative LR=0.24) for predicting less than 50% recovery and less than 11.0 seconds (positive LR=5.96) for predicting 50% or greater recovery.Discussion and ConclusionRaw follow-up scores for the MALa and WMFT were better predictors of self-report of recovery in comparison with change scores. These data also serve as a starting point for developing cutoff scores that accurately predict self-report of recovery.
Development of a Clinical Prediction Rule for Guiding Treatment of a Subgroup of Patients With Neck Pain: Use of Thoracic Spine Manipulation, Exercise, and Patient Education
Authors: Cleland Joshua A , Childs John D , Fritz Julie M , Whitman Julie M , Eberhart Sarah L 
Published: February 2007

Background and PurposeTo date, no studies have investigated the predictive validity of variables from the initial examination to identify patients with neck pain who are likely to benefit from thoracic spine thrust manipulation. The purpose of this study was to develop a clinical prediction rule (CPR) to identify patients with neck pain who are likely to experience early success from thoracic spine thrust manipulation.SubjectsThis was a prospective, cohort study of patients with mechanical neck pain who were referred for physical therapy.MethodsSubjects underwent a standardized examination and then a series of thoracic spine thrust manipulation techniques. They were classified as having experienced a successful outcome at the second and third sessions based on their perceived recovery. Potential predictor variables were entered into a stepwise logistic regression model to determine the most accurate set of variables for prediction of treatment success.ResultsData for 78 subjects were included in the data analysis, of which 42 had a successful outcome. A CPR with 6 variables was identified. If 3 of the 6 variables (positive likelihood ratio=5.5) were present, the chance of experiencing a successful outcome improved from 54% to 86%.Discussion and ConclusionThe CPR provides the ability to a priori identify patients with neck pain who are likely to experience early success with thoracic spine thrust manipulation. However, future studies are necessary to validate the rule.
Oxygen production using dense ceramic hollow fiber membrane modules with different operating modes
Authors: Tan Xiaoyao , Li K. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractOxygen production with three operating modes, i.e. high‐pressure operation, sweep‐gas operation, and vacuum operation, using dense La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−α (LSCF) hollow fiber membrane modules has been investigated both theoretically and experimentally. The results indicate that the vacuum operation is the best and the most economical operating mode to produce oxygen from air. The sweep‐gas operation using water vapor is another choice to obtain a high capacity of oxygen production, providing that problems associated with high temperature sealing can be solved. The high‐pressure operation failed to achieve the expected oxygen production capacity. For the LSCF hollow fiber membranes, the surface exchange reaction at the downstream side plays a key role in the oxygen production at operating temperatures lower than 900°C. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
Scale‐up of a continuous‐jet hydrate reactor for CO2 ocean sequestration
Authors: Tsouris Costas , McCallum Scott , Aaron Douglas , Riestenberg David , Gabitto Jorge , Chow Aaron , Adams Eric 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn previous work in our laboratories and in the ocean, we have investigated the formation and dissociation of composite CO2 particles made of CO2 hydrate, liquid CO2, and water. The composite is formed by partially converting liquid CO2 into hydrate at mid‐ocean depth (1000–1200 m) conditions. Partial conversion of CO2 into hydrate enables injection of CO2 in seawater in the form of a dense composite material that will drive CO2 to ocean depths well below the injection point. Thermodynamic conditions allowing the formation of negatively buoyant composite particles have been established for a laboratory‐scale, continuous‐jet hydrate reactor (CJHR). An investigation has been performed to explore the issues related to the scale‐up of the CJHR. Hydrate was formed using two CJHR geometries; the first sprayed water in CO2, and the second sprayed CO2 in water. Using a plot of Ohnesorge vs. Reynolds numbers allowed flow rates to be selected that would yield a spray regime and maximize hydrate formation. The effect of varying pressure and liquid flow rates on hydrate behavior was observed. Depending on these parameters, hydrate particles were observed to sink, float, or be neutrally buoyant. A two‐order‐of‐magnitude scale‐up in the flow rates of the two fluids has been achieved with the larger CJHR geometries without losing the important characteristics of the hydrate particles (i.e., density and cohesiveness). Temperature changes as a result of hydrate formation were also monitored. A mathematical model has been developed to predict the fate of sinking CO2 hydrate particles after release in the seawater. These results can guide further field and laboratory investigations related to the scale‐up of ocean CO2 sequestration. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007