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To compare training programs for women with trapezius myalgia regarding physical performance and pain, 102 women were randomized to strength, endurance, co-ordination and non-training groups. Before and after the intervention, static strength and dynamic muscular endurance in shoulder muscles were measured on a Cybex II dynamometer. Muscle activity in shoulder muscles was monitored via surface EMG. The signal amplitude ratio between the active and passive phase of repeated contractions indicated the ability to relax. Pain at present, pain in general and pain at worst were measured on visual analogue scales. After training, within group comparisons showed that the training groups rated less pain, and in the strength training group ratings of pain at worst differed from the non-training group. Using the non-training group as a reference, static strength increased in the strength and endurance training groups and muscular endurance in all training groups. The study indicates that regular exercises with strength, endurance or co-ordination training of neck/shoulder muscles might alleviate pain for women with work-related trapezius myalgia.

Objective: Although physical activity is an evidence-based intervention that reduces disease-related symptoms and comorbidity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the effect of physical activity on self-reported function and quality of life (QoL) has not yet been analyzed. The present study synthesizes the evidence for the effectiveness of physical activity on QoL and self-reported function in adults with RA, spondyloarthritis (SpA), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: The databases PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Screening, risk of bias assessment (using the RoB 2.0 tool), and data extraction were independently performed by 2 or more of the authors. Meta-analyses were conducted with a random-effects model.

Results: Systematic review included 55 RCTs, and meta-analysis included 37 RCTs. Of the 55 studies included, 76%, 20%, and 4% were designed to investigate RA, SpA, and PsA, respectively. In the RA studies, effects of physical activity on QoL and function were found compared to the group of inactive controls; no effects were found compared to the group of active controls. In the SpA studies, the effects of physical activity on QoL were in favor of the control group. Effects of physical activity on function were found compared to the group of inactive controls and sustained in fatigue and pain when compared to the group of active controls. In the PsA studies, no effects on QoL were found, but effects on function were noted when compared to the group of inactive controls. The effect size was below 0.30 in the majority of the comparisons.

Conclusion: Physical activity may improve QoL and self-reported function in individuals with RA, SpA, and PsA. However, larger trials are needed, especially in SpA and PsA.

Background: The influence of various physical exercise frequencies on postural balance and muscle performance among young persons with intellectual disability (ID) is not well understood.

Method: Cross-sectional data from 26 elite athletes were compared with 37 students at a sports school and to 57 students at a special school, all diagnosed with mild to moderate ID and with different exercise frequencies. Data were also compared with a group of 149 age-matched participants without ID.

Results: There were no significant differences in postural balance between young ID groups regardless of physical exercise frequency, all of them had however impaired postural balance compared to the non-ID group. The group with high exercise performed better than the other ID groups in the trunk muscle endurance test.

Conclusions: It appears as if physical exercise frequency don’t improve postural balance but endurance in the trunk muscles for young persons with ID.

Previous studies show that people with intellectual disability (ID) appear to have impaired postural stability, a lower level of physical activity, and lower aerobic capacity compared to persons without ID, limitations that could affect their health. This study investigates these physical functions and their associations in a group of young people with ID compared to an age-matched group without ID. In total, this cross-sectional study included 106 high school students (16-20 years): 57 students with mild to moderate ID and 49 agematched students without ID (control group). Tests were performed for postural stability, level of physical activity, and aerobic capacity. Both females and males with ID had significantly lower estimated maximum oxygen uptake (l O2/min) (p< 0.001 for females and p=0.004 for males) and a lower aerobic capacity expressed relative to body weight (ml O2/ kg*min) (p< 0.001 for females and p=0.012 for males) compared to age-matched peers. Analyses of associations were made using the Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regression analysis. No significant associations could be found. Physical status appears impaired for young people with ID and functions, such as postural stability, should be evaluated separately

Objectives Some studies have reported that people with intellectual disability may have reduced balance ability compared with the population in general. However, none of these studies involved adolescents, and the reliability and validity of balance tests in this population are not known. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of six different balance tests and to investigate their concurrent validity.

Design Test-retest reliability assessment.

Settings All subjects were recruited from a special school for people with intellectual disability in Bollnas, Sweden.

Participants Eighty-nine adolescents (35 females and 54 males) with mild to moderate intellectual disability with a mean age of 18 years (range 16 to 20 years).

Interventions All subjects followed the same test protocol on two occasions within an 11-day period.

Main outcomes Balance test performances.

Results Intraclass correlation coefficients greater than 0.80 were achieved for four of the balance tests: Extended Timed Up and Go Test, Modified Functional Reach Test, One-leg Stance Test and Force Platform Test. The smallest real differences ranged from 12% to 40%; less than 20% is considered to be low. Concurrent validity among these balance tests varied between no and low correlation.

Conclusion The results indicate that these tests could be used to evaluate changes in balance ability over time in people with mild to moderate intellectual disability. The low concurrent validity illustrates the importance of knowing more about the influence of various sensory subsystems that are significant for balance among adolescents with intellectual disability.

(C) 2011 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

This study evaluated the effect of a family-based multifactor intervention programme on physical activity among overweight or obese children. Children (n = 105, mean age 10.6 ± 1.07 years) with overweight or obesity were randomized into an intervention or control group. The intervention group participated in a 1-year programme aiming at lifestyle changes regarding food habits and physical activity. All children's physical activity was measured using SenseWear Armband at baseline and after 1 year. The children in both groups had a physical activity level (PAL) of 1.67 (0.27) at baseline. When comparing the intervention and control groups, no significant differences were found in physical activity outcome variables after 1 year of intervention. Contrarily to the hypotheses, both groups decreased their energy expenditure and time spent at >3 MET, and there was no change in steps and screen time after 1 year. Despite extensive efforts, the intervention showed no significant positive effect on overweight and obese children's PAL. Further studies are needed to obtain more knowledge on how to maintain or increase the PAL successfully among overweight and obese children.

Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/14038196.2011.566353

The aim was to examine the effect on physical activity of a 2-year family-based lifestyle intervention among overweight and obese Swedish children 8–12 years of age; 105 children were randomized to either intervention or control group. The intervention group was offered a 2-year lifestyle programme. Physical activity was measured using SenseWear Pro2 Armband during 4 consecutive days before and after the intervention. When comparing the intervention and control groups, no significant differences were found in the physical activity outcome variables after 2 years of intervention. However, the intervention group decreased their number of steps per day by 13%, p = 0.003 but had an unchanged screen time, whereas the control group had an unchanged number of steps but increased their screen time by 15%, p = 0.02, from baseline to 2-year measurement. There were no significant change in the intervention group, whereas significantly fewer children in the control group achieved the physical activity recommendations at 2-year measurement (88%) compared with at baseline (98%), p = 0.007. Future interventions regarding physical activity among overweight and obese children are of great importance even though the present one showed limited effects. In the continuing work, a greater effect may be received with an extended and more intense intervention regarding physical activity, focusing on reducing sedentary time rather than increasing the physical activity level.

Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/14038196.2011.562540

Introduction: Physical inactivity is regarded as one of the main factors that have contributed to the rapid increase in prevalence of childhood obesity in recent decades. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether participation in a family-based multifactor intervention program could increase physical activity among overweight and obese children.

Methods: 105 children, mean age 10.5 years (SD±1.09), with overweight and obesity living in northern Sweden were recruited and randomized into an intervention or control group. The intervention group was invited to participate in a program aiming at improving lifestyle regarding food habits and physical activity. The children’s physical activity was measured during 4 days at baseline and after 1 year with SenseWear Armband.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups neither at either baseline or 1 year, regarding energy expenditure, steps/day, time being sedentary (< 3 MET), and time being active at different MET-levels. For all children, time being active ≥ 3 MET significantly decreased with 44.5 (111) min/d from baseline to 1-year. Despite the decrease in physical activity, the children were physically active ≥ 3 MET during 4.1 (1.6) h/d at 1-year.

Conclusion: Physical activity decreased with increased age among overweight and obese children, despite extensive effort of intervention. To make future interventions worthwhile it is important to consider the participant’s physical activity level before entering the study, when planning and setting up the intervention program; to comprise the participant’s individual goals regarding physical activity; and to focus specifically on decreasing time being sedentary.

Purpose: To examine the ability of the SenseWear Pro2 Armband (SWA) to accurately assess energy expenditure in free-living overweight or obese children during a two-week period, by comparison with energy expenditure measured using the doubly labeled water (DLW) method. A second aim was to examine which software version, Innerview Professional 5.1 or Sensewear Professional 6.0, are the most appropriate for use together with SWA in overweight and obese children.

Method: A random sample of 22 healthy, overweight or obese children (11 girls and 11 boys) aged 8-11 years was recruited from an ongoing intervention study. Energy expenditure in free-living conditions was simultaneously assessed with the SWA and DLW methods during a 14-day period. All data from the SWA were analyzed using InnerView Professional software versions 5.1 (SWA 5.1) and 6.1 (SWA 6.1).

Results: An accurate estimation in energy expenditure was obtained when SWA 5.1 was used, showing a non-statistically significant difference corresponding to 17 (1200) kJ[middle dot]d-1 compared with the energy expenditure measured using the DLW method. However, when SWA 6.1 was used a statistically significant (18%) underestimation of energy expenditure was obtained, corresponding to 1962 (1034) kJ[middle dot]d-1 compared with the DLW method.

Conclusion: The SWA together with software version 5.1, but not 6.1, is a valid method for accurately measuring energy expenditure at group level of free-living overweight and obese children.

The aim was to investigate the validity of SenseWear Pro₂ Armband (SWA) when assessing energy expenditure of overweight and obese children. A random selection of 22 children with an isoBMI>25 were recruited from 8-11 year olds participating in an intervention study. Energy expenditure in free-living condition was assessed during 14 days by using SWA. The armband was worn 24h/d, and removed only for water activities. Total energy expenditure was measured with double labelled water (DLW) method during the same period covered by SWA. During the data collection, an updated version of the software used by SWA was released and data were analysed with both software version. The validity when using software version 5.1 (SWA_5.1) and 6.1 (SWA_6.1) was investigated by comparison with measured energy expenditure by DLW method. In total, 11 girls and 11 boys with mean age of 10.3±0.99 years and isoBMI 22.8±0.62 participated. The average wearing time of SWA was 12 days (range 7-14) and 23.3 h/day (range 18.8-24.0). There was no statistically significant difference in mean physical activity level (PAL) by SWA_5.1 compared by DLW-method. A minor non-significant underestimation of energy expenditure 0.02±1.20 MJ/day (95%CI -0.55,0.52) measured by SWA_5.1 compared with DLW-method was shown. However, the children's PAL according to SWA_6.1 was 1.37 compared with 1.68 according to DLW method. When assessed by SWA_6.1 there was a significant underestimation of energy expenditure by 1.96±1.03MJ/day (95%CI-2.42,-1.50) compared with DLW-method. The differences between SWA_5.1 andSWA_6.1 may be partly explained bya statistically significant difference in the amount of time the two software versions have registered time spent on different activity levels (MET<3, MET3-<6, MET6-<9, MET≥9). When comparing time spent on sedentary activities (MET<3) significantly less time was assessed by SWA_5.1 compared with SWA_6.1, 18±2.1 h/d and 20±2.4 h/d respectively. These differences became more apparent at higher METs. A significantly longer time spent on activities with MET≥9, was assessed by SWA_5.1 compared with SWA_6.1, 11±26 min/d and 2.5±5.3 min/d respectively. In conclusion, the SWA with software v 5.1, but not with software v 6.1, is a valid device to accurately measure energy expenditure at group level in overweight and obese children during free-living condition.

Work experiences among nurses and physicians in the beginning of their professional careers analyses using the effortreward imbalance model The aim of the study was to scrutinise how nurses and physicians, employed by the county councils in Sweden, assess their work environment in terms of effort and reward at the start of their career. The aim was also to estimate associations between work satisfaction and the potential outcomes from the effortreward imbalance (ERI) questionnaire. The study group, 198 nurses and 242 physicians who graduated in 1999, is a subsample drawn from a national cross-sectional survey. Data were collected in the third year after graduation among the nurses and in the fourth year after graduation among registered physicians. The effortreward imbalance questionnaire, together with a question on work satisfaction, was used to evaluate psychosocial factors at work. The results reveal that nurses scored higher on effort, lower on reward and experienced higher effortreward imbalance, compared with physicians. Women scored higher on work-related overcommitment (WOC) compared with men. Among the physicians, logistic regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association between WOC and ERI, sex, effort and reward. Logistic regression analysis also revealed a statistically significant association between WOC and ERI and between WOC and effort among the nurses. Dissatisfaction with work was significantly higher among those who scored worst on all three ERI subscales (effort, reward and WOC) and also among those with the highest ERI ratios compared with the other respondents. In conclusion, to prevent future work-related health problems and work dissatisfaction among nurses and physicians in the beginning of their professional careers, signs of poor psychosocial working conditions have to been taken seriously. In future work-related stress research among healthcare personnel, gender-specific aspects of working conditions must be further highlighted to develop more gender-sensitive analyses.

Musicians at all levels of performance, especially string players, are known to have a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The disorders seem to be most common in the neck, shoulders and low back. In 1988, a survey of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders of 36 music teachers was carried out at a music school in northern Sweden. In 1996, the teachers were reinvestigated. The study also included an investigation of the psychosocial work environment according to the Karasek demand-control theory, as well as measurements of upper-arm elevation during a working day in five violin teachers. The results showed that music teachers, like other professional musicians, often experience discomfort in the neck, shoulders, and low back. The discomfort tended to be of long duration, increasing over the years. The psychosocial work environment was characterized by high psychological demands and low authority over decisions. This was compensated for through good social support. The work required skill and creativity but was monotonous. The measurements of upper-arm elevation indicated considerable variations in shoulder positions between teachers. There were also differences in the work done with the right and left arms, with repetitive motions more commonly involving the right arm. Approximately a fourth of the working day was spent with the arm elevated 30-90 degrees. The relationships between upper-arm movements and ratings of discomfort were moderate.

The helical axis model can be used to describe translation and rotation of spine segments. The aim of this study was to investigate the cervical helical axis and its center of rotation during fast head movements (side rotation and flexion/extension) and ball catching in patients with non-specific neck pain or pain due to whiplash injury as compared with matched controls. The aim was also to investigate correlations with neck pain intensity. A finite helical axis model with a time-varying window was used. The intersection point of the axis during different movement conditions was calculated. A repeated-measures ANOVA model was used to investigate the cervical helical axis and its rotation center for consecutive levels of 15° during head movement. Irregularities in axis movement were derived using a zero-crossing approach. In addition, head, arm and upper body range of motion and velocity were observed. A general increase of axis irregularity that correlated to pain intensity was observed in the whiplash group. The rotation center was superiorly displaced in the non-specific neck pain group during side rotation, with the same tendency for the whiplash group. During ball catching, an anterior displacement (and a tendency to an inferior displacement) of the center of rotation and slower and more restricted upper body movements implied a changed movement strategy in neck pain patients, possibly as an attempt to stabilize the cervical spine during head movement.

The helical axis model can be used to describe translation and rotation of spine segments. The aim of this study was to investigate the cervical helical axis and its center of rotation during fast head movements (side rotation and flexion/extension) and ball catching in patients with non-specific neck pain or pain due to whiplash injury as compared with matched controls. The aim was also to investigate correlations with neck pain intensity. A finite helical axis model with a time-varying window was used. The intersection point of the axis during different movement conditions was calculated. A repeated-measures ANOVA model was used to investigate the cervical helical axis and its rotation center for consecutive levels of 15 degrees during head movement. Irregularities in axis movement were derived using a zero-crossing approach. In addition, head, arm and upper body range of motion and velocity were observed. A general increase of axis irregularity that correlated to pain intensity was observed in the whiplash group. The rotation center was superiorly displaced in the non-specific neck pain group during side rotation, with the same tendency for the whiplash group. During ball catching, an anterior displacement (and a tendency to an inferior displacement) of the center of rotation and slower and more restricted upper body movements implied a changed movement strategy in neck pain patients, possibly as an attempt to stabilize the cervical spine during head movement.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test performed on a non-motorised treadmill (6MWD-T) with the 6MWD test performed in a corridor (6MWD-C) in healthy elderly subjects.

PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen healthy elderly individuals.

DESIGN: Participants performed three 6MWD-T tests and three 6MWD-C tests on two different days.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Distance walked was recorded in metres. Perceived exertion and leg fatigue were rated on the modified Borg scale before and after each test.

RESULTS: Using the Bland and Altman limits of agreement analysis method, the mean difference between the two methods was 153.3m (limits of agreement: 28 to 278). The mean difference between days 1 and 2 for the 6MWD-C test was -7.2m (limits of agreement: -45.4 to 30.8), and the mean difference between days 1 and 2 for the 6MWD-T test was -1.6m (limits of agreement: -64.0 to 60.7). The mean difference between the first and second repetitions of the 6MWD-C test was -5m (limits of agreement: -41 to 31), and the mean difference between the first and second repetitions of the 6MWD-T test was -17m (limits of agreement: -85 to 51).

CONCLUSIONS: The 6MWD-C and 6MWD-T tests are not interchangeable. However, the results showed good test-retest reliability between days and between test repetitions for both tests. Therefore, the 6MWD-T test may offer an alternative option to the 6MWD-C test when a 30-m corridor is not available. These findings may have implications for execution of the 6MWT-T test within cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of training on the structural characteristics of the trapezius muscle in women with work-related trapezius myalgia. Muscle biopsies were taken before and after 10 weeks of three different training programs (strength, endurance and coordination). Enzyme-immunohistochemical analysis was performed to assess muscle fibre types, fibre area, capillary supply and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity. There was an increase in the proportion of type IIA fibres in strength trained group (P < 0.05). Strength training elicited a preferential increase in the area of type II fibres (P < 0.05); both strength and endurance programs induced an increase in the number of capillaries around type I and IIA muscle fibres. Finally, all training programs induced a decrease in the proportion of COX-negative fibres. In conclusion, the trapezius muscle of women with neck and shoulder myalgia is characterised by a great potential of adaptation to physical exercise over a period of 10 weeks. The significant changes in the number of capillaries and the specific changes induced by training at the level of muscle fibres might well explain the improvement of muscle function.

OBJECTIVE: To follow up 2 rehabilitation strategies for patients with chronic pain: a 2-day interdisciplinary team assessment followed by either (i) a 4-week outpatient multimodal rehabilitation programme, or (ii) a subsequent rehabilitation plan.

METHODS: After a 2-day interdisciplinary team assessment at our pain rehabilitation clinic, 296 consecutive patients were selected to undergo either multimodal rehabilitation programme (n = 76) or rehabilitation plan (n = 220). They completed questionnaires regarding beliefs about the future (only at assessment), Multidimensional Pain Inventory and sick leave, both at assessment, and at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS: Both the rehabilitation plan and multimodal rehabilitation programme groups improved significantly as regards decreased sick leave and the Multidimensional Pain Inventory scales Pain severity, Interference, and Support. The multimodal rehabilitation programme group also improved significantly regarding Life control and Affective distress. For men, low disability level and for women a positive expectation about work was associated with no sick leave at follow-up.

CONCLUSION: The multimodal rehabilitation programme had long-term positive effects on sick leave and all Multidimensional Pain Inventory scales. However, a less intense intervention (rehabilitation plan) with follow-up in primary care can decrease levels of sick leave and improve some Multidimensional Pain Inventory scales. An interdisciplinary team assessment of patients with chronic pain seems to be useful for selecting which patients should undergo different rehabilitation interventions.

Objective: To determine outcomes for 2 rehabilitation strategies for patients with chronic pain: a 2-day interdisciplinary team assessment followed by either: (i) a 4-week outpatient multimodal rehabilitation programme, or (ii) a subsequent rehabilitation plan. Methods: After a 2-day interdisciplinary team assessment at our pain rehabilitation clinic 296 consecutive patients were selected to either multimodal rehabilitation (n = 76) or rehabilitation plan (n = 220). They completed questionnaires regarding pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), disability (Disability Rating Index), life satisfaction (LiSat-11), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) at assessment and again at 1-year follow-up. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements at 1-year follow-up regarding pain intensity. In addition, the multimodal rehabilitation group improved in the disability items ("light work" and "heavy work"), depression and life satisfaction ("leisure", "somatic health", and "psychological health"). In the rehabilitation plan group "somatic health" improved, although not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study indicates that multimodal rehabilitation may have long-term positive effects on pain, disability, depression and domains of life satisfaction. However, a minor intervention, rehabilitation plan with follow-up in primary care, can improve pain and "somatic health". Based on the biopsychosocial approach, an interdisciplinary assessment of patients with chronic pain seems to be of value for selecting patients to different rehabilitation interventions.

Background: Stroke causes great suffering and severe disability worldwide, and rehabilitation following a stroke seeks to restore lost functions. The extent to which stroke patients get access to rehabilitation in Tanzania is not well estimated, and drawing a current picture of the rehabilitation services for these persons is the first step in developing a more effective rehabilitation model in the country. Objective: The objective of this study was to establish the characteristics of stroke and its rehabilitation at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), a consultant referral hospital in northern Tanzania.

Methods: This was a records-based descriptive study in which demographic, clinical, and rehabilitation information of stroke patients admitted to the KCMC between January 2012 and December 2015 was collected and audited. The means, percentages, and proportions were used to summarise the demographic, clinical, and rehabilitation patterns using SPSS version 24.0 software. The chi-squared statistic was used to examine the relationships between categorical variables, and a p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Of the 17,975 patients admitted to the KCMC during the period of the study, 753 (4.2%) had suffered a stroke, with a mean age of 68.8 ± 16.4 years. The predominant cause of stroke was hypertension, which accounted for 546 (72.5%) patients. A total of 357 (47.4%) patients had various forms of rehabilitation during the admission to hospital. Following a discharge home 240 (31.9%) patients did not return to the hospital for the continuation of rehabilitation.

Conclusion: Stroke patients at the KCMC lack access to rehabilitation therapies. Insufficient access to rehabilitation therapies may warrant the need to explore alternative approaches such as tele-rehabilitation technologies in Tanzania.

Background: Clinical complications following spinal cord injury are a big concern as they account for increased cost of rehabilitation, poor outcomes and mortality.

Objective: To describe the occurrence of traumatic spinal cord injury and associated clinical complications during hospi- talisation in North-East Tanzania.

Method: Prospective data were collected from all persons with traumatic spinal cord injury from North-East Tanzania from their admission to discharge from the hospital. Neurological progress and complications were assessed routinely. Data were captured using a form that incorporated the components of the core data set of the International Spinal Cord Society and were analysed descriptively.

Results: A total of 87 persons with traumatic spinal cord injury were admitted at the hospital with a mean age of 40.2 ± 15.8 years. There were 69 (79.3%) males, and 58 (66.6%) of the injuries resulted from falls. Spasms (41 patients, 47.1%), neuropathic pain (40 patients, 46%), and constipation (35 patients, 40.2%) were the most commonly reported complications. The annual incidence rate in the Kilimanjaro region was at least 38 cases per million.

Conclusion: The incidence of traumatic spinal cord injury in the Kilimanjaro region is relatively high. In-hospital compli- cations are prevalent and are worth addressing for successful rehabilitation.

Background: Causes, magnitude and consequences of traumatic spinal cord injury depend largely on geography, infrastructure, socioeconomic and cultural activities of a given region. There is a scarcity of literature on profile of traumatic spinal cord injury to inform prevention and rehabilitation of this health condition in African rural settings, particularly Tanzania. Objective: To describe the incidence, etiology and clinical outcomes of traumatic spinal cord injury and issues related to retrospective study in underdeveloped setting.

Methods: Records for patients with traumatic spinal cord injury for five consecutive years (2010–2014) were obtained retrospectively from the admission wards and health records archives of the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center. Sociodemographic, cause, complications and patients’ condition on discharge were recorded and analyzed descriptively.

Results: The admission books in the wards registered 288 new traumatic spinal cord injury cases from January 2010 to December 2014. Of the 288 cases registered in the books, 224 were males and 64 females with mean age 39.1(39.1 ± 16.3) years and the majority of individuals 196(68.1%) were aged between 16 and 45 years. A search of the hospital archives provided 213 full patient records in which the leading cause of injury was falls 104(48.8%) followed by road traffic accidents 73(34.3%). Cervical 81(39.9%) and lumbar 71(34.74%) spinal levels were the most affected. The annual incidence for the Kilimanjaro region (population 1,640,087) was estimated at more than 26 persons per million population. The most docu- mented complications were pressure ulcers 42(19.7%), respiratory complications 32(15.0%) and multiple complications 28(13.1%). The mean length of hospital stay was 64.2 ± 54.3 days and the mortality rate was 24.4%.

Conclusion: Prevention of traumatic spinal cord injury in North-east Tanzania should consider falls (particularly from height) as the leading cause, targeting male teenagers and young adults. Pressure ulcers, respiratory complications, in-hospital mortality and availability of wheelchairs should be addressed. 

BACKGROUND: Persons with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in Tanzanian rural settings face a variety of geographical and socioeconomic challenges that make life almost impossible for them. However, some have managed to live relatively long lives despite these difficult conditions. This study aimed at exploring secrets behind successful lives of persons with TSCI in typical resource-constrained rural Tanzanian settings.

METHODS: A modified constructivist grounded theory was employed for the analysis of data from 10 individuals who have lived between 7 and 28 years with TSCI in typical Tanzanian rural area. The 10 were purposively selected from 15 interviews that were conducted in 2011. The analysis followed the constructivist approach in which data was first open and axial coded, prior to categories being constructed. The categories were frequently reviewed in light of the available literature to determine the over-arching core category that described or connected the rest.

RESULTS: Nine categories (identified as internal and external coping resources) were constructed. The internal coping resources were: secured in God, increase in awareness on health risk, problem-solving skills and social skills. External coping resources were: having a reliable family, varying support from the community, a matter of possession and left without means for mobility. Acceptance was later identified as a core category that determines identification and utilization of the rest of the coping resources.

CONCLUSION: Persons with traumatic spinal cord injury can survive for a relatively long time despite the hostile environment. Coping with these environments requires the employment of various coping resources, acceptance being the most important.

Aim: To describe the quality of life of persons with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in a rural area of a low-income country.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study in which snowballing was used to identify persons with TSCI in their homes. A Kiswahili version of the short version of the World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed descriptively and independent samples t-tests were used to calculate the difference in the mean scores between groups.

Results: Eighty persons with TSCI with a mean age of 42.29 +/- 11.4 years were identified, 68.8% of whom were males. The highest scoring domains were psychological (12.76 +/- 2.55) and social relationships (12.62 +/- 2.95). The lowest scores were for physical (11.48 +/- 2.74) and environment (9.59 +/- 2.68) domains. Significantly higher scores were associated with younger age in: physical (0.05), social relationships (0.01), and environment (0.02) domains (p value < 0.05).

Conclusions: Persons with TSCI in the Kilimanjaro rural area registered a relatively low quality of life in which the most affected domains are physical health and environment.

In a prospective cohort study, 141 patients with a recent radius fracture [135 women (66±9.2 years) and six men (72±6.3 years)] were studied using bone mineral density (BMD) measurements, a risk factor questionnaire, a fall diary, functional tests of dynamic and static balance, and a one-leg rise from a chair test. The mean BMD T-score was -1.97. The results of the one-leg rise test were significantly associated with dynamic and static balance, but none of the functional tests was associated with the number of falls. Forty of 117 patients fell prospectively, 77 of them did not. Decreased height and cigarette smoking were the only risk factors, which significantly predicted low BMD. All risk factors were estimated to explain osteopenia and osteoporosis to an extent of 27%. The functional tests and the risk factor questionnaire seem to be of limited value for identifying people with a radius fracture who are at risk of falling or to have early osteoporosis. If functional tests on musculoskeletal function are considered for older and more frail, the one-leg rise test may be sufficient. Keywords: Bone mineral density (BMD); functional tests; one-leg rise test; radius fracture; risk factors for osteoporosis

Material and methods: Mortality and co-morbidity, as in the number of visits to in- or outpatient care facilities, were studied in 73 patients during the first three years after a radius fracture compared to controls, and health-related quality of life, using the SF-36 initially and three years later.

Results: Four patients died but none among the controls, during the study period. There were statistically significantly more in-patient visits among the patients, due to other reasons than the radius fracture, but fewer out-patients visits at the hospital.  The patients had a significantly lower Role Physical score in the SF-36 about three months after the fracture. This difference disappeared three years later.

Conclusions: A higher need for in-patient care, indicating a worse general health, has to be taken into consideration when secondary prevention programs for patients with a radius fracture are designed and implemented.

Background: Different conservative treatment interventions are often used to decrease pain and improve function in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS). However, the current evidence to support the use of these interventions has not been established.

Objectives: To determine the evidence for conservative treatment interventions regarding pain and function compared to any intervention for SAIS patients.

Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials, published in English between 1 January 1999 and 31 May 2010, was performed using PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Library and manual searching. The methodological quality (PEDro scale) and evidence grade (SBU) were rated. Eight studies were of high quality, four were medium quality, and eight were low quality. Various conservative treatment interventions were evaluated: acupuncture, electrotherapy modalities, exercises, mixed modalities, changing posture, and use of a functional brace.

Results: Limited scientific evidence (LSE) indicates positive effects of exercise and mixed modalities regarding pain and function and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) regarding pain in SAIS patients. LSE also indicate no effect of electrotherapy modalities, apart from HILT, as treatment for SAIS.

Conclusions: The lack of high quality interventions limits the ability to draw conclusions regarding efficacy from several of the included studies. However, exercise may be as efficient as surgery, manual therapy in combination with exercise seems to be more effective than exercise alone and high-dose exercises seem to be more effective than low-dose exercises. Furthermore, there is contradictory evidence to support the use of acupuncture.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the co-ordination between reaching, ground reaction forces and muscle activity in standing children with severe spastic diplegia wearing dynamic ankle-foot orthoses compared with typically developing children. DESIGN: Clinical experimental study. SUBJECTS: Six children with spastic diplegia (Gross Motor Function Classification System level III-IV) and 6 controls. METHODS: Ground reaction forces (AMTI force plates), ankle muscle activity (electromyography and displacement of the hand (ELITE systems) were investigated while reaching for an object. RESULTS: For the children with severe spastic diplegia who were wearing dynamic ankle-foot orthoses, co-ordination between upward and forward reach velocity differed regarding the temporal sequencing and amplitude of velocity peaks. During reaching, these children lacked interplay of pushing force beneath the reach leg and braking force beneath the non-reach leg and co-ordinated ankle muscle activity, compared with controls. CONCLUSION: The results suggest differences in reach performance and postural adjustments for balance control during a reaching movement in standing between children with spastic diplegia Gross Motor Function Classification System level III-IV, wearing dynamic ankle-foot orthoses compared with typically developing children.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to characterize the risk of experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms in the region of the neck, shoulders and upper and lower back for professional drivers of various categories of all-terrain vehicles and to assess the association between symptoms and duration of exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) and shock from driving all-terrain vehicles. The study group consisted of 215 drivers of forest machines, 137 drivers of snowmobiles and 79 drivers of snowgroomers and a control group of 167 men randomly selected from the general population. The subjects were all from one of the four most northern counties in Sweden and they were all men. Musculoskeletal symptoms were assessed by use of a standardized questionnaire. In addition, the questionnaire held items about the driving time with all-terrain vehicles and a subjective estimation of exposure to unpleasant movements (shock, jolt, irregular sway). The job strain was measured according to Karasek's demands/control model. The prevalence ratios were adjusted for age, smoking and job strain. Among drivers, significantly increased prevalence ratios within the range of 1∂5–2·9 were revealed for symptoms from the neck–shoulder and thoracic regions during the previous year. None of the driver categories had a statistically significantly increased risk of low back pain. Forest vehicles were those most reported to cause unpleasant movements. In conclusion, drivers of all-terrain vehicles exhibit an increased risk of symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders in the neck–shoulder and thoracic regions. The increased risk is suggested to be related to physical factors such as exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) and shock, static overload or extreme body postures. However, since symptoms of low back pain were not significantly increased, it appears that factors other than WBV would explain the occurrence of symptoms in the group of all-terrain drivers.

PURPOSE: For treatment of various knee disorders, muscles are trained in open or closed kinetic chain tasks. Coordination between the heads of the quadriceps muscle is important for stability and optimal joint loading for both the tibiofemoral and the patellofemoral joint. The aim of this study was to examine whether the quadriceps femoris muscles are activated differently in open versus closed kinetic chain tasks. METHODS: Ten healthy men and women (mean age 28.5 +/- 0.7) extended the knees isometrically in open and closed kinetic chain tasks in a reaction time paradigm using moderate force. Surface electromyography (EMG) recordings were made from four different parts of the quadriceps muscle. The onset and amplitude of EMG and force data were measured. RESULTS: In closed chain knee extension, the onset of EMG activity of the four different muscle portions of the quadriceps was more simultaneous than in the open chain. In open chain, rectus femoris (RF) had the earliest EMG onset while vastus medialis obliquus was activated last (7 +/- 13 ms after RF EMG onset) and with smaller amplitude (40 +/- 30% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)) than in closed chain (46 +/- 43% MVC). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise in closed kinetic chain promotes more balanced initial quadriceps activation than does exercise in open kinetic chain. This may be of importance in designing training programs aimed toward control of the patellofemoral joint.