Optokinetic stimulation induces vertical vergence, possibly through a non-visual pathway

Vertical vergence is generally associated with one of three mechanisms: vestibular activation during a head tilt, induced by vertical visual disparity, or as a by-product of ocular torsion. However, vertical vergence can also be induced by seemingly unrelated visual conditions, such as optokinetic rotations. This study aims to investigate the effect of vision on this latter form of vertical vergence. Eight subjects (4m/4f) viewed a visual scene in head erect position in two different viewing conditions (monocular and binocular). The scene, containing white lines angled at 45° against a black background, was projected at an eye-screen distance of 2 m, and rotated 28° at an acceleration of 56°/s2. Eye movements were recorded using a Chronos Eye-Tracker, and eye occlusions were carried out by placing an infrared-translucent cover in front of the left eye during monocular viewing. Results revealed vergence amplitudes during binocular viewing to be significantly lower than those seen for monocular conditions (p = 0.003), while torsion remained unaffected. This indicates that vertical vergence to optokinetic stimulation, though visually induced, is visually suppressed during binocular viewing. Considering that vertical vergence is generally viewed as a vestibular signal, the findings may reflect a visually induced activation of a vestibular pathway.

Perbedaan Derajat Osteoartritis Sendi Lutut pada Hasil Radiografi Posisi AP Supine dan AP Erect di Instalasi Radiologi Rumah Sakit Akademis Jaury Jusuf Putera Makassar

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that is associated with damage to joint cartilage. One way to diagnose mild pain or the onset of OA early is to do a rontgen examination. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in the degree of osteoarthritis of the knee joint AP position erect with the AP supine position. This research was conducted in the hospital. Academic Jaury Jusuf Putera Makassar April - June 2019. This type of research is descriptive analytical, data collection techniques using questionnaires, sampling techniques carried out by accidental sampling analysis. Data analysis using statistics Presentation of data is presented in the form of graph tables accompanied by narration. Based on the results of the study it can be concluded that the Erect Position has an assessment score with an average of 7.20 while the Supine position with an average of 8.00. From the results of the statistical test obtained p value (0.455)> 0.05 means that there is no statistically significant difference in scores between Erect and Supine positions. It is expected that the radiology officer chooses the right projection that is in accordance with the patient's general condition. If it is possible for the patient to be examined with the projection of AP Weight-Bearing Standing, the officer uses the projection, otherwise the officer can use the AP Supine or AP Erect position because the two positions have no significant differences based on the results of the existing research.

The Effect of Head and Neck Position on Head Rotation, Cervical Muscle Tension, and Symptoms

Slouching posture may be observed when people interact with digital devices such as sitting at a computer screen or looking downwards at a smartphone while sitting or walking. The study investigated two procedures: the effect of head position on perceived head rotation and the effect of neck scrunching on symptom development. In the first study, 87 students sat in either a head-erect or head-forward position and rotated their heads from side to side. Ninety-two percent of the participants reported that they significantly increased their head rotation range during the head-erect position as comparted to the head-forward position, and that it was much easier to rotate their head in the erect position (M = 8.5; SD = 2.4) than in the slouched position (M = 4.3; SD = 1.9), F(1, 171) = 152, p < 0.001. In the second study, 125 students were asked to scrunch their neck for 30 seconds. After neck scrunching, 98.4% of participants reported experiencing an average pain rating of 5.3 on a scale from 0 (none) to 10 (severe), which consisted of pressure in the head (M = 6.7), stiff neck (M = 5.9), eye tension (M = 4) and headaches (M = 3.8). For a subset of 12 students, the effects of head-forward position and neck scrunching (compression) on cervical and trapezius muscles was monitored with electromyography. The average cervical surface electromyography (sEMG) was higher during head-forward position and neck scrunching than during pre- and post-baseline, and the average trapezius sEMG was higher during the neck scrunching than during pre- and post-baseline. For most participants, the effect of their head/neck position on rotation and neck scrunching on symptom development was a total surprise. Experiential practices can provide somatic feedback as an education tool to teach awareness and thus motivate participants to change their body posture so that they reduce slouching and neck scrunching.

Erect Position as the Alternative Technique in Achilles Tendon US: Comparison with Prone Position

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Erect Position as the Alternative Technique in Achilles Tendon US: Comparison with Prone Position

Background : Ultrasonography (US) is the cheaper and non invasive modality to determine Achilles tendon. Prone position is the standart position of Achilles tendon US. However, it is a discomfort for an uncooperative patient and a difficult technique too. The erect position is an alternative technique of Achilles tendon US. The goal of this study is to compare the erection as an alternative position with prone as a standart position.Material and Methode: The patient who had an injury or any inflamation process of Achilles tendon were excluded. The patient underwent two positions of Achilles tendon US, 900 and dorsoflexi. Longitudinal axis measured tendon thickness and a transversal axis which covered a cross-sectional area of the tendon.Result: From all the 21 patients coming, 13 patients were males (61,9%), and eight patients were females (38,1%). The mean of tendon thickness and cross-sectional area in 900 prone positions were 4,24±0,24 mm, 30,08±2,86 mm, respectively. The mean of tendon thickness and cross-sectional area in 900 erect positions were 4,27±0,23 mm, 31,36±2,19 mm, respectively. There was no anisotropy effect during longitudinal axis examination. Conclusion: We found that there were no significant differences between a prone and erect position (p<0.05). The erect postion could be an alternative position, uncooperative patient in particular, without reducing the diagnostic value. Keywords: Achilles tendon the US, erect position, prone position, tendon thickness, cross-sectional area

Effects of Dry Needling on Spinal Mobility and Trigger Points in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Background: The etiology of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is inconclusive, but central mechanisms are well accepted for this pain condition. Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is one of the most common musculoskeletal pain diseases and is characterized by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). It has been suggest that MTrPs have an important factor in the genesis of FMS. Objective: The purpose of the current randomized clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of dry needling versus cross tape on spinal mobility and MTrPs in spinal muscles in patients with FMS. Study Design: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on patients with FMS. Setting: Clinical setting. Methods: Sixty-four patients with FMS were randomly assigned to an experimental group receiving dry needling therapy or to a control group for cross tape therapy in the MTrPs in the latissimus dorsi, iliocostalis, multifidus, and quadratus lumbourum muscles. Spinal mobility measures and MTrPs algometry were recorded at baseline and after 5 weeks of treatment. Results: The repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated that significant differences between groups were achieved for the MTrPs in latissimus dorsi muscle (right axillary portion: F = 9.80, P = 0.003); multifidus muscle (right L2 level: F = 11.80, P = 0.001); quadratus lumborum (right lateral superficial upper: F = 6.67, P = 0.012; and right lateral superficial lower: F = 5.38, P = 0.024). In addition, the ANOVA repeated measures test showed significant differences between groups for the segmental amplitude thoracic spine in the standing erect position (F = 7.33, P = 0.009), and segmental amplitude of lumbar spine (F = 11.60, P = 0.001) in the sitting erect position. Limitations: The outcomes were not collected from a long-term follow-up period. Dry needling therapy or cross tape were used alone when in reality physical therapists usually treat patients with FMS using a multi-modal approach. A non-treatment control group was not included. Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that dry needling therapy reduces myofacial trigger points algometry on thoracic and lumbar muscles. Dry needling and cross tape approaches reported a similar effect size for spinal mobility measures in patients with FMS. Key words: Fibromyalgia, trigger points, physical therapy modalities, musculoskeletal equilibrium, myofascial pain syndromes

How Posture Affects Memory Recall and Mood

Body posture reflects emotional states, and this study investigates the effect of posture sitting in a slouched or upright position on recall of either negative (hopeless, helpless, powerless, or defeated) memories or positive (empowered or optimistic) memories. Two hundred and sixteen college students sat in either a slouched or an erect position while recalling negative memories and then in a second step, recalling positive memories. They then sat in the opposite body position while recalling negative and then positive memories. Eighty-six percent of the students reported that it was easier to recall/access negative memories in the collapsed position than in the erect position (p &lt; .01), and 87% of the students reported that it was easier to recall/access positive images in the erect position than in the collapsed position (p &lt; .01). Participants who reported being most depressed over the previous two years reported significantly more recall of negative memories in both the slouched position (p = .01) and erect position (p &lt; .05). For those who were most depressed, there were no differences in recalling positive memories. We recommend that therapists teach clients posture awareness and to sit more upright in the office and at home as a strategy to increase positive affect and decrease depression.