Study of postural control and body balance in subjects with Down syndrome

Purpose. Body imbalance and poor postural control have negative impact on gait and may increase the risk of falling in healthy individuals as well as those with Down syndrome (DS). Since people with DS have lower physical levels than people who do not present this condition, the purpose of our research was to compare features of postural control and body balance between subjects affected by DS and a control sample. Methods. Participants enrolled were divided into the following two groups: A DS group (DSG; n = 22; 9 females and 13 males; age range: 16-36 years) and an age-matched control group (CG; n = 25; 11 females and 14 males; age range: 16-36 years). All participants were subjected to t…

Benefits of Yoga practice on body posture and on psychological and cognitive functions in children aged 8-10 years

Background. Many authors have reported benefits related to yoga practice. In particular, the scientific literature showed the influences of yoga on physical performance and cognitive functions. However, only few researches have examined the role of this training practice in children. For this reason, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects on body posture and features as self-esteem and attention in children aged 8-10 years. Materials and method. Sixty-five subjects (male n=28, female n=37) aged 8-10 years and attending primary school were enrolled for the study and randomly assigned into an experimental group (EG) which included 28 participants and a control group (…

Text localization from photos

In this paper a new text extraction algorithm is proposed. In real scenes the text is usually overlapped or is part of the background. To identify the text regions, in complex conditions, a method exploiting a “multi-resolution feature based method” for extracting text with undefined dimension has been developed. Once identified, the multi-resolution information are merged and skimmed through a set of Support Vector Machines (SVM). The tests and the comparisons with other techniques, performed on heterogeneous images, have shown the effectiveness of the proposed.

Correlation between polymorphism of TYMS gene and toxicity response to treatment with 5-fluoruracil and capecitabine

Tumorigenesis is a multiphasic process in which genetic alterations guide the progressive transformation in cancer cells1. In order to evaluate the possible correlation between some gene variants and the risk of the toxicity development onset, two of the polymorphisms of the thymidylate synthase (TYMS), rs34743033 (2R/3R) and rs16430 (DEL/INS) were investigated. We enrolled in our study 47 patients from the Hospital of Sicily. Our preliminary findings suggest that there could be a linkage between the genotypes discussed and the development of the toxicity following the chemotherapy treatment. These results need to be confirmed by further studies, however this short paper offers some initial…

Efficacy of 12 weeks of proprioceptive training in patients with multiple sclerosis

This pilot study aims to investigate if specific training protocol can improve the quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis through the improvement of some impaired ability like the balance. We enrolled in our project 20 subjects (age: 34,88 ± 4,45; height: 168,25 ± 8,66 cm; weight: 72,31 ± 17,28 kg) but only 5 completed the study. A proprioceptive training was administered for 12 weeks, 2 times a week, an hour for each session. At the beginning (T0) and at the end of the study (T1), static and dynamic balance parameters were tested. Statistical analyzes were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 22.Changes in balance and strength between T0, T1 were evaluated using t Student test fo…

Performance, balance and posture variations with Occlusal Splint and Taopatch® devices: a retrospettive cross-over study

Background The aim of the study was to evaluate how muscular performances, balance and posture were influenced applying Occlusal Splints and Taopatch® 8 (Tao Technologies Srls, Cittadella, Padua, Italy) devices in athletes. Methods Eighteen athletes, 7 females and 11 males, with an average age of 23.8 years, were included. Two devices were used: 1) a customized soft occlusal splint to be applied to the lower ach; 2) nanotechnological devices based on carbon nanotubules and quantum dots (Taopatch®) positioned on C7 and xiphoid process. Four functional tests were performed: surface electromyography (sEMG), kinesiography, the squat jump and counter movement jump and handgrip test. The tests we…

Treatment of chronic pain associated with bruxism through Myofunctional therapy

<p> </p><p><span> </span>Temporomandibular disorders such as bruxism may cause painful clinical conditions and over time lead to chronic facial pain. A combination of therapeutic strategies that are usually undertaken by dentists and gnathologists to reduce bruxism episodes and consequently pain, are myofunctional therapy, pharmacological treatment, intraoral interventions and behavioural treatments. The aim of this work was to understand if myofuntional therapy alone can be a useful therapy for the reduction of chronic facial pain. 24 patients, 9 male and 15 female, age ranging between 25 and 45, were treated with a myofunctional therapy for 9 month. Each pati…

Factors associated with the subjective health complaints among adolescents: Results from the ASSO Project

Objectives. Subjective health complaints (e.g. headache and feeling low) are common among adolescents. The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with the subjective health of adolescents from a population-based point of view. Material and methods. A sample of 712 students was recruited within the web-based Project ASSO (Adolescents and Surveillance System for the Obesity prevention), funded by the Italian Ministry of Health and piloted in Palermo. A 0-100 quantitative score (arbitrarily named "psychosomatic malaise index") based on the frequency of occurrence of seven subjective health complaints was created and used as outcome; socio-demographic characteristics, me…

Influence of Vertical Dimension of Occlusion on Peak Force During Handgrip Tests in Athletes

Background: In contact sports, such as martial arts, protection from oral injuries is generally recommended. Several authors have focused on the effects of wearing such oral protective gear on sports performances and, in particular, occlusal devices. Although many studies have shown improvements in athletic performance, especially in maximal isometric strength, to date there is still no consensus on the issue. Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate differences in isometric handgrip before and after the application of an occlusal splint (OS) in martial arts athletes. Methods: A repeated measures within-subjects design was adopted for the study. Twenty-five young martial arts athlet…

ARTRITE IDIOPATICA GIOVANILE E FITNESS: UN LAVORO DI SQUADRA

I pazienti affetti da Artrite Idiopatica Giovanile (AIG) presentano capacità funzionali articolari e muscolari, tolleranza all’esercizio aerobico e anaerobico ridotti con una limitazione della fitness rispetto ai loro coetanei. In periodi di remissione, l’attività motoria è una strategia di follow-up sicura, con risvolti terapeutici positivi, in grado di migliorare non solo la fitness, ma anche l’escursione articolare, la forza muscolare, la qualità di vita. E’ stato recentemente dimostrato che lo svolgimento regolare di attività motoria riduce il dolore e l’uso di FANS. L’obiettivo dello studio è stato di valutare i deficit di equilibrio e di postura e la fitness di bambini e adolescenti a…

Design optimization for the quench protection of DTT's superconducting toroidal field magnets

Abstract The paper is focused on the optimal design of Fast Discharge Unit (FDU) for the quench protection of the Toroidal Field (TF) magnets of the Divertor Tokamak Test facility (DTT), an experimental facility under construction in ENEA Frascati Research Centre (Rome, Italy). The FDU is a safety key component that protects the superconducting magnets when a quench is detected through the fast extraction of the energy stored in the magnets by adding a discharge dump resistor (DR) in the TF magnets circuit. A comparison between a fixed DR and a switched variable DR has been implemented by changing resistor parameters and by using multiple current control of the power electronics components …

EFFECT OF LONG-TERM SUPERJUMP® TRAINING ON BONE REMODELING AND METABOLISM IN WOMEN

Kinematics of Cervical Spine during Rowing Ergometer at Different Stroke Rates in Young Rowers: A Pilot Study

Background: Research on biomechanics in rowing has mostly focused on the lumbar spine. However, injuries can also affect other body segments. Thus, the aim of this pilot study was to explore any potential variations in the kinematics of the cervical spine during two different stroke rates on the rowing ergometer in young rowers. Methods: Twelve young rowers of regional or national level were recruited for the study. The experimental protocol consisted of two separate test sessions (i.e., a sequence of 10 consecutive strokes for each test session) at different stroke rates (i.e., 20 and 30 strokes/min) on an indoor rowing ergometer. Kinematics of the cervical spine was assessed using an iner…

Pain Perception and Stabilometric Parameters in People With Chronic Low Back Pain After a Pilates Exercise Program

Various exercise interventions, such as Pilates exercises and traditional physical therapy methods, are employed to decrease low back pain (LBP). Nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) is distinct from LBP, however, as the distribution of pain is restricted to the region between the costal margin and the inferior gluteal. The aim of our randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of a program of Pilates exercises on pain perception and stabilometric parameters in patients with NSLBP. Thirty-eight participants were randomly allocated, using a 1:1 scheme, to either the experimental group (EG) or control group (CG). The EG completed a 14-week program of Pilates exercises, performed thri…

Use of nutritional supplement to improve performance in professional soccer players: A case report

The aim of the study was to investigate the intake percentage and the satisfaction level of some nutritional supplements used by professional soccer players. Twenty-nine professional soccer players (age: 24.6 ± 5.2 years, body weight: 79.2 ± 4.9 kg, body height: 1.83 ± 0.05 m) belonging to a team of Serie A were interviewed on: frequency of use, tolerability, and acceptance of the supplements (creatine, β-alanine, whey protein, nitrates, vitamin D3, caffeine) proposed by the nutritionist team. This survey revealed a great inter-individual variability on the intake of the proposed supplements. All respondents (n = 29) said they take cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), 17 out of 29 creatine, 14 out…

Validity and Internal Consistency of the Preschool-FLAT, a New Tool for the Assessment of Food Literacy in Young Children from the Training-To-Health Project

Background: The importance of assessing “food literacy” since youth has been highlighted and, to this purpose, valid and consistent instruments are needed. This study aimed to assess the validity and internal consistency of the preschool-FLAT (Food Literacy Assessment Tool). Methods. 505 children from 21 kindergartens, recruited within the Training-to-Health Project in Palermo (Italy), underwent oral sessions and activities on food-related aspects. Their knowledge/skills were recorded in the preschool-FLAT. The following scale measures were assessed: Content validity; internal consistency (Chronbach’s alpha coefficients); construct validity (Structural Equation Modeling&md…

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous treatment of calcific bursitis of the medial collateral ligament of the knee

Calcific bursitis of the medial collateral ligament of the knee is an infrequent pathological condition. In 1988, Kerlan and Glousman identified the clinical features of medial collateral ligament bursitis. Pain and knee functions limitation are the clinical symptoms that are most frequently encountered during the reactive inflammatory process in the bursa, that characterizes the reabsorption phases of the calcific material. It is well documented in the literature that the maximum efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous treatment, with significant reduction or disappearance of symptoms, occurs precisely in this phase. The case report presented in this study confirms the validity as a the…

Transition from Youth categories to Elite cycling: relationships between early career performance and UCI World Tour success

BACKGROUND The present study aimed to describe the possible roles of cyclists' early career performance, on the transition process to elite cycling categories. METHODS Data from national and international databases, and results achieved during the UCI World Championships, were retrospectively analysed considering the Italian national Youth-U16, Junior-U18, and U23 categories, and international Junior-U18 and UCI World-Tour categories. RESULTS The 15% of Youth-U16, the 38.8% of Junior-U18 and the 60% of U23 athletes who ranked top-10 between 2007 and 2013, scored points in UCI World Tour competitions between 2012 and 2018. The 1.6% of Youth-U16, the 8.3% of Junior-U18 and 25% of U23 athletes…

SVG rendering for internet imaging

The SVG (scalable vector graphics) standard allows representing complex graphical scenes by a collection of graphic vectorial-based primitives, offering several advantages with respect to classical raster images such as: scalability, resolution independence, etc. In this paper we present a full comparison between some advanced raster to SVG algorithms: SWaterG, SVGenie, SVGWave and some commercial tools. SWaterG works by a watershed decomposition coupled with some ad-hoc heuristics, SVGenie and SVGWave use a polygonalization based respectively on data dependent and wavelet triangulation. The results obtained by SWaterG, SVGenie and SVGWave are satisfactory both in terms of perceptual measur…

Walking in Natural Environments as Geriatrician’s Recommendation for Fall Prevention: Preliminary Outcomes from the “Passiata Day” Model

Background: The Geriatric Unit of the University of Palermo developed the “Passiata Day” model, a green exercise intervention consisting of a one-hour walk, once/week, in a city park. The purpose of this study was to assess body balance in older people who walked regularly compared to sedentary people. Methods: 106 older people (75 women and 31 men; mean age: 72.3 ± 8.2 years) without fall history were invited to participate voluntarily in this natural environment walking program. After six months, both the participants who had taken part regularly in the walk (i.e., the physical activity group (PAG; n = 72; 54 women and 18 men; mean age: 70.7 ± 7.2 years)), and wh…

ASSESSMENT AND REHABILITATION PROGRAM IN DIZZINESS PATIENTS PRESENTING VERTEBRAL FRACTURE

Vertebral fragility fractures, usually occurring in elderly people affected by osteoporosis, due to bones resistance alteration, produce balance disorders [1].Balance is the correct connection between the subject and the surrounding environment [2]. Neuro-physiological, biomechanical, emotional, psychological and relational factors have an important influence in posture assessment and balance maintenance, because of the universally recognized role of “polisensorial system.” A preferential motor-sensorial strategy is always present with possibility of readaptation during life, especially after a central or peripheral injury, establishing neuro-plastic processes and compensation mechanisms to…

A pilot study on non-invasive treatment of migraine: The self-myofascial release

The aims of this paper was to determine the effect of self-myofascial release (SMFR) on postural stability and to analyze if it can influence migraine condition. Twenty-five subjects (age 49.7±12.5) affected by migraine were enrolled. Assessments included a stabilometric analysis in order to evaluate balance and plantar support, with eyes open (OE) and closed (CE); cervical ROM measurement; evaluation of upper limb strength through handgrip. All the analysis were carried out before and after the administration of a single SMFR protocol, using medium density small balls laid in the three most painful trigger points in migraine patients: trapezius, sternocleidomastoids and suboccipital muscle…

The effects of postural exercise protocol in young female volleyball players with knee valgus

The effects of a calisthenics training intervention on posture, strength and body composition

BACKGROUND: Calisthenics was a term used to define a generic set of body weight exercises. Such term is now used to define a world wide spread discipline based on body weight and gymnastics exercises.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to administer a calisthenics training protocol and evaluate its effects on posture, strength and body composition in untrained individuals.METHODS: Twenty-eight male participants (24.2 +/- 4.2 years; 67.0 +/- 8.3 Kg; 173.3 +/- 5.2 cm) were divided into two groups, a Calisthenics based intervention group (SG) and a control group (CG). The SG exercised for 8 weeks. Each participant underwent a body composition analysis, a postural assessment, a handgrip test, …

The effects of physical training without equipment on pain perception and balance in the elderly: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Research supports a link between exercise and falls prevention in the older population. OBJECTIVES: Our aims were to evaluate pain perception and balance skills in a group of elderly subjects and to examine the consequences of a standardized equipment-free exercise program intervention on these variables. The study utilized a randomized controlled trial method. METHODS: 92 subjects were recruited from a rural Sicilian village (Resuttano, Sicily, Italy). Subjects were randomly split into two groups, an experimental group (EG; n = 49) and a control group (CG; n = 43). Qualified fitness instructors delivered the standardized physical exercise program for the EG whilst the CG did no…

The influence of the stomatognathic system on explosive strength: A pilot study

[Purpose] Recent findings suggest there is an interesting interaction between the stomatognathic system and the musculoskeletal system. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the influence of the temporomandibular joint on the explosive strength of the lower limbs. [Subjects and Methods] An observational study was carried out. The subjects were 60 male football players who voluntarily participated in the investigation. After a warm-up phase of 10 minutes, each participant performed three Squat Jumps (SJ) with different mandible positions: mouth closed and mouth open. SJ heights were recorded using a Sensor Medica force platform and the FreeMed system. [Results] Sixty participants we…

The Tongue, Mandible, Hyoid System.

The craniocervical-mandibular system works in harmony and allows different functional tasks as the postural control of the cervical region. This system is formed by the temporomandibular joint, the masticatory muscles and ligaments connecting the temporomandibular joint and the cervical region. It has been seen to affect human posture, and many disorders of the temporomandibular joints may affect this functional arrangement. Notwithstanding this system considered as a functional arrangement, may offer various clinical explanations, it does not hold anatomical connections with the posterior region of the cranium, thus it should not be refered to as a craniocervical arrangement. For this reas…

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) Does Not Affect Sports People’s Explosive Power: A Pilot Study

Purpose: This study is aimed to preliminary investigate whether transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) could affect explosive power considering genetic background in sport subjects.Methods: Seventeen healthy sports volunteers with at least 3 years of sports activities participated in the experiment. After 2 weeks of familiarization performed without any stimulation, each participant received either 50 Hz-tACS or sham-tACS. Before and after stimulation, subjects performed the following tests: (1) the squat jump with the hands on the hips (SJ); (2) countermovement jump with the hands on the hips (CMJ); (3) countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJ-AS); (4) 15-s Bosco’s test; (5) s…

VESTIBULAR AND PROPRIOCEPTIVE REHABILITATION STRATEGY IN ACOUSTIC NEURINOMA

Rehabilitation therapy can be used to treat balance disorders via exercises organized into anatomo-pathological protocols. In general, there is an indication for rehabilitation whenever compensation of a patient’s vestibular system fails to adequately resolve spontaneously. Although the therapeutical indications have expanded over time, it is especially useful to treat balance disorders in neurological patients and those with acute damage to the vestibular system. Specifically, it favors and accelerates spontaneous central compensation in a variety of neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, cerebellar pathologies or in brain tumors like Vestibular Schwannoma …

GVHD prophylaxis plus ATLG after myeloablative allogeneic haemopoietic peripheral blood stem-cell transplantation from HLA-identical siblings in patients with acute leukaemia in remission: final results of quality of life and long-term outcome analysis of a phase 3 randomised study

Summary Background We previously showed that human anti-T-lymphocyte globulin (ATLG) plus ciclosporin and methotrexate given to patients with acute leukaemia in remission, having allogeneic haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation with peripheral blood stem cells from an HLA-identical sibling donor after myeloablative conditioning, significantly reduced 2-year chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) incidence and severity, without increasing disease relapse and infections, and improves cGVHD-free and relapse-free survival (cGRFS). The aim of an extended follow-up study was the assessment of long-term outcomes, which are, in this context, scarcely reported in the literature. We report unpubl…

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous treatment of a calcific acromioclavicular joint

Abstract Rationale: Calcific tendinopathy is one of the most frequent causes of nontraumatic shoulder pain. However, intra-articular calcifications appear to be an infrequent condition. We herein report a rare case study of an intra-articular calcification of the acromioclavicular joint. Patient concerns: A 46-year-old man presented with an acute pain in the anterior superior region of the left shoulder which also radiated to the left cervical region. The man during the physical evaluation also presented severe functional limitation of the shoulder movements in all planes of motion. Diagnoses: The diagnosis was carried out through a radiographic and an echotomographic examination, highlight…

Evaluation of Podalic Support and Monitoring of Balance Control in Children with and without Dyslexia: A Pilot Study

Background: The American Psychiatric Association has identified dyslexia as a neurobiological disorder. The aim of the study was to evaluate podalic support, balance control, and dyslexia’s effects on interpersonal relationships. Methods: Fifty-seven subjects were enrolled for this study. The subjects were divided into two groups. The experimental group was composed of children with diagnosis of dyslexia. The control group was composed of healthy subjects. Each subject underwent baropodometry and posturographic analysis. In addition, the Multidimensional Self-esteem Assessment test by Bracken was used for a precise measurement of self-esteem in both groups (TMA). Results: The static b…

Conceptual Design and Modeling of the Toroidal Field Coils Circuit of DTT

Italian Divertor Tokamak Test (DTT) facility is part of the general European programme on the fusion research. Its specific role is to cover the gap on the power exhaust for the future DEMOstration power plant (DEMO). This tokamak will be built and installed in Italy at Frascati ENEA laboratories. The paper describes the Toroidal Field (TF) coils circuit powered by a TF power supply that feeds in series 18 toroidal superconducting magnets and the development of three software models in order to validate the adopted technical solutions in term of maximum voltage and maximum current stress on each power device/component, due to both the operating and fault conditions, and across TF coils.

The Impact of Fluid Loss and Carbohydrate Consumption during Exercise, on Young Cyclists’ Fatigue Perception in Relation to Training Load Level

High-level young athletes need to face a wide spectrum of stressors on their journey to élite categories. The aims of the present study are (i) to evaluate session rate of perceived exertion (sRPE) at different training impulse (TRIMP) categories and the correlations between these two variables and, (ii) evaluate the correlations between sRPE, fluid loss, and carbohydrate consumption during exercise. Data on Edward’s TRIMP, sRPE, body mass loss pre- and post- exercise (∆), and carbohydrate consumption (CHO/h) during exercise have been acquired from eight male junior cyclists during a competitive season. One-way ANOVA and correlation analysis with linear regression have been performed on acq…

Comparison of posturographic parameters between young taekwondo and tennis athletes

[Purpose] Physical activity can influence the development of postural control and balance. Therefore, the aim of study was to use posturography assessment to compare balance control on the Romberg test between athletes in two very different sports, taekwondo and tennis. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-nine young athletes participated in the study, 11 forming the taekwondo group and 18 the tennis group. Posturography was performed using the FreeMed system (Sensor Medica). Between-group differences were evaluated using unpaired Student’s t-test. [Results] There was a significance between-group difference in the centre of pressure and the ellipse surface area with no between-group difference…

Traditional vs daily undulling periodization in strength and local muscle endurance gains on trained men

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different periodization models on strength and local muscle endurance. Twenty trained men (25.45 ± 2.984 years, 75.34 ± 6.05 kg, 177.25 ± 4.92 cm, 23.96 ± 1.64 kg . m-2) were randomly assigned in two groups: undulling periodization (UPG) and traditional periodization group (TPG), respectively. All the subjects performed one repetition maximum (1-RM) strength test and a local muscle endurance test (60% of 1-RM to failure) before, during and after experimental period. The UPG executed 30 workout sessions with daily modifications regarding intensity, volume and rest period length. The TGP was divided into 3 phases (10 workout sessions in e…

Occlusal Splints and Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence

The role of the dento-mandibular apparatus and, in particular, occlusion and jaw position, received increased attention during last years. In the present study, we aimed to systematically review, on the light of the new potential insights, the published literature covering the occlusal splint (OS) applications, and its impact on exercise performance. A structured search was carried out including MEDLINE®/PubMed and Scopus databases with additional integration from external sources, between March and June 2021. To meet the inclusion criteria, studies published in the English language, involving humans in vivo, published from 2000 to 2021 and that investigated the role of occlusal splints on …

Effects of a Postural Exercise Program on Vertical Jump Height in Young Female Volleyball Players with Knee Valgus

Background: Although a knee valgus position is related to the increase in injury risk in volleyball players, there is a lack of studies on the relationship between knee valgus and vertical jump (VJ) performance. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a postural exercise program on VJ height in young female volleyball players with knee valgus. Methods: This pilot study included 19 young female volleyball players divided into the following groups: the Valgus Experimental Group (VEG); the Valgus Control Group (VCG); and the Neutral Control Group (NCG). All three groups carried out the same volleyball training program. In addition, only the VEG underwent a 3-month postur…

Can tongue position and cervical ROM affect postural oscillations? A pilot and preliminary study

The tongue is considered an important part of the postural system, so it is fundamental to understand how it can interfere with the humans’ postural oscillations. The aim of this preliminary investigation is to understand the effects of different tongue position and cervical ROM on postural oscillations measured in a stabilometric test. Thirteen voluntary subjects were recruited (30.8 ± 9.7 yrs.; 173.6 ± 14.9 cm; 72.6 ± 15.6 kg) and tested in three different random tongue conditions: comfortable tongue position (CT), palatal spot position (ST) and low tongue position (LT). All tests were performed with open eyes. Stabilometric test were performed with a pressure platform. In addition, the c…

Transient Electrical Behaviour of the TF Superconducting Coils of Divertor Tokamak Test Facility During a Fast Discharge

The paper is focused on the electromagnetic analysis of the Toroidal Field (TF) superconducting coils of the Divertor Tokamak Test facility (DTT) when electrical transients occur in the TF coils system: for example, during the operations of the Fast Discharge Units (FDUs) and considering also, the simultaneous occurrence of a fault condition. During the FDU intervention, a transient voltage excitation lasting few microseconds occurs at the TF coil terminals and it electrically stresses the insulations of TF coils itsef. To investigate the voltage distribution across, inside and between different Double Pancakes (DPs) of each TF coil, a lumped parameters circuital model has been developed an…

Effectiveness of Rehabilitative Intervention on Pain, Postural Balance, and Quality of Life in Women with Multiple Vertebral Fragility Fractures: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Patients with vertebral fragility fractures often experience chronic pain, postural and balance disorders, and poor quality of life (QoL). Although several studies have investigated the role of rehabilitation in severe osteoporosis, the effectiveness of this intervention in patients with multiple vertebral fractures is poorly known. The aim of our longitudinal cohort study is to evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation, including postural training, resistance exercises, and visual stabilization exercises, for a 7-week period, on the pain, postural balance, and QoL of subjects with at least two vertebral fragility fractures receiving denosumab and vitamin D. We investigated, before (T0) …

Is bodyweight affecting plantar pressure distribution in children?

Abstract The aim of this study is twofold: firstly, to investigate the plantar pressure distribution differences in children coming from 4 different weight categories and secondly to analyze the presence of sex-related plantar pressure distribution differences. Overall, 416 children, aged 7 to 12 years old were randomly selected from 6 different local schools, and voluntarily participated in the study. Two hundred twenty six of them were men, while 190 were women (mean age: 9.93 ± 1.02 years; height: 1.39 ± 0.8 m; body mass: 37.76 ± 10.34 kg; BMI: 19.24 ± 4.02 kg/m2). Based on the body mass index (BMI) the sample was grouped in the following categories: underweight (UW); normal weight (NW);…

Upper and Lower Limb Strength and Body Posture in Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism: An Observational Case-Control Study

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is an endocrine disease with a precocious significant impairment of growth and neuromotor development. Thyroid hormones are essential for central nervous system development, maturation, and myelination. Furthermore, thyroid hormone deficiency affects the function of several systems, including the musculoskeletal system. The disease has a significant incidence in the general population (1:3000–1:2000 newborns in Italy). The aim of the present study was to evaluate any differences in upper and lower limb strength, body sway, and plantar loading distribution in children with CH compared to healthy children. Methods: In this study, the case group was c…

A prospective analysis of the injury incidence of young male professional football players on artificial turf

Background: The effects of synthetic surfaces on the risk of injuries is still debated in literature and the majority of published data seems to be contradictory. For such reasons the understanding of injury incidence on such surfaces, especially in youth sport, is fundamental for injury prevention. Objectives: The aim of this study was to prospectively report the epidemiology of injuries in young football players, playing on artificial turfs, during a one sports season. Patients and Methods: 80 young male football players (age 16.1 ± 3.7 years; height 174 ± 6.6 cm; weight 64.2 ± 6.3 kg) were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. The participants were then divided in two groups; the first…

Effects of an experimental short-time high-intensity warm-up on explosive muscle strength performance in soccer players: A pilot study.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an experimental short-time warm-up consisting of a small number of intermittent high-intensity sprints on explosive muscle strength performance in soccer players and to identify recovery times after performing the sprints. Furthermore, we evaluated the reliability of a smartphone app in jumping performance.Methods: Twenty male soccer players were given the following tests: 1) the counter-movement jump (CMJ) test with the Microgate system, 2) the counter-movement jump (CMJ) test with the MyJump smartphone app, and 3) the handgrip strength test. The experimental short-time high-intensity warm-up was carried out 1 week after test administr…

Do children and adolescents with idiopathic short stature show postural alterations? Possible influence of SHOX haploinsufficiency in a pilot study

Needs in terms of quality of life (QoL), consisting of physical, emotional and social domains, represent a hot spot in idiopathic short stature (ISS). Between ISS, it is estimated that 12% can have SHOX deficiency. Furthermore, SHOX deficiency can affect posture and GH treatment ameliorate their QoL. Although scientific research has investigated many fields of the physical domain, very few studies highlighted how this pathological condition may affect posture. The aim of this study was to evaluate postural characteristics in patients with ISS.

The role of the styloid apophysis of the temporal bone in the biomechanics of the tongue, mandible, hyoid system: A case study

Temporomandibular disorders are characterized by ear pain, tinnitus, difficulty in chewing, dysphagia and also dizziness, cervical limitation of range of movement (ROM) and other less common disorders. Numerous recent studies associate the presence of these signs and symptoms with an elongated styloid apophysis, as in the case of Eagle syndrome. The purpose of this clinical case is to support the thesis of a common syndrome that temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders with an elongated styloid process affirming the relationship between temporal bone, mandibule, hyoid bone and tongue. The patient was a 57-year-old woman who reported having ear algia and tinnitus all on the right side with di…

Musculoskeletal Pain in Gymnasts: A Retrospective Analysis on a Cohort of Professional Athletes

Gymnastics athletes are exposed to a high risk of injury, but also of developing musculoskeletal pain. These data are still little investigated in the available scientific literature. An online survey was distributed to 79 professional athletes who practiced artistic and rhythmic gymnastics. The survey collected demographic and anthropometric data, information about the sport practice, the training sessions, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain gymnastics-related, and lifestyle habits. Musculoskeletal pain had a high prevalence, involving 65 of 79 athletes (82.3%). A significant correlation was found between musculoskeletal pain and the duration of sports practice, both for general pain (…

Improvement of the expression of upper limb muscle strength and balance in a group of patients with multiple sclerosis, through a proprioceptive rehabilitation protocol combined with the application of photon emission devices.

In multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, symptoms such as: fatigue, lack of physical energy, spasticity, difficulty in performing movements, and motor coordination disorders, and with tremors, dizziness and postural instability are among the most common complications. Cattaneo et al. (2007) studied the effects of stability training on MS patients and described it as an effective intervention in reducing falls risk, improving stability, and strength. Therefore, the present study aimed to confirm early observations by the application of a proprioceptive rehabilitation program targeting balance and strength on MS patients. 13 subjects with MS, 5 male and 8 female, volunteered in the study. A MAP h…

The Association between Masticatory Muscles Activation and Foot Pressure Distribution in Older Female Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

The association between craniofacial muscles and postural control is well-known because of numerous anatomical connections. However, there are a few conflicting studies that correlated the activity of the masticatory muscles with the distribution of body weight pressure on the feet, which can strongly influence balance. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to evaluate the association between the masseter and temporalis muscle activity and foot pressure distribution. Fifty-two women were recruited, and baropodometric and EMG analyses of the masseter and temporalis baseline activities were analyzed. An ipsilateral association was found between the right temporal muscle activity and the rig…

JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS AND FITNESS: A TEAMWORK

Introduction: Patients with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) have limited fitness and reduced aerobic and anaerobic exercise capacity vs. healthy peers. Furthermore, low intensity exercise programs are safe in children with JIA and may improve fitness, joint excursion and quality of life, reduce pain, fatigue and the employ to antiinflammatory drugs. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to evaluate postural and balance deficits and fitness with specific test battery in children and adolescents affected by JIA. Methods: We enrolled 30 patients with JIA (13 M; 17 F; age: 8-18 years); among those, 7 were evaluated longitudinally in the period 2016-2018, comparing the tests in different …

A novel global postural alteration? Qualitative assessment of hallux valgus and swallowing disorder in human posture: A preliminary investigation on the incidence during age span for promoting psycho-physical and postural well-being

Hallux Valgus (HV) and Swallowing Disorder (SD) are two multifactorial postural and biomechanical alterations. It is very important to look for the incidence of these two conditions in order to promote psycho-physical and postural well-being. Our study aimed to clinically assess the presence of HV and SD in a large group with different ages spans. Fours skilled professionals performed the assessment following clinical criteria. A total of 61 volunteers subjects (163.5 ± 14.1 cm; 59.7 ± 15.7 kg; 22.9 ± 13.2 yrs.) were selected for the study. The 51% of the sample showed the HV alteration, 30% and 73% respectively for male and female. Regarding ages cluster, the HV was present in 44% under 20…

Effect of segmental muscle vibration on upper extremity functional ability poststroke

Abstract Background: Upper extremity functional impairments are common consequences of stroke. Therefore, continuous investigation of effective interventions for upper extremity functions after stroke is a necessity. Segmental muscle vibration (SMV) is one of the interventions that incorporate sensory stimulation to improve motor cortical excitability. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of 5-minute SMV application along with supervised physical therapy (SPT) on improving activities of daily living and motor recovery on the hemiparetic upper extremity in patients with stroke. Methods: A sample of 37 patients poststroke (29 males) was randomly allocated to either SPT contr…

Effects of protein supplementation in fitness world: A 12-week cross-over studio

The aim of this project was to evaluate the effect of isolated protein supplementation in young amateur athletes. Sixteen subjects aged between 20 and 30 were recruited for this study. Before to start sports performance was assessed at T0, in all subjects, using physical performance test and evaluated body composition. Therefore, the subjects were randomly assigned in two groups (group A and B) of 8 subjects each. The group A start to intake 30 g of protein powder diluted in water after each training session (3 times a week) for six weeks (T0) whilst the group B was the placebo. After 6 weeks (T1), the measurement were repeated for all subjects and the group A became placebo and the group B…

Effect of segmental muscle vibration on upper extremity functional ability poststroke: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Background: Upper extremity functional impairments are common consequences of stroke. Therefore, continuous investigation of effective interventions for upper extremity functions after stroke is a necessity. Segmental muscle vibration (SMV) is one of the interventions that incorporate sensory stimulation to improve motor cortical excitability. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of 5-minute SMV application along with supervised physical therapy (SPT) on improving activities of daily living and motor recovery on the hemiparetic upper extremity in patients with stroke. Methods: A sample of 37 patients poststroke (29 males) was randomly allocated to either SPT contr…

Effects of physical activity on postural balance in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: results from pilot study

Effects of pilates exercise programs in people with chronic low back pain: a systematic review

The Pilates method has recently become a fast-growing popular way of exercise recommended for healthy individuals and those engaged in rehabilitation. Several published studies have examined the effects of Pilates method in people with chronic low back pain (LBP). The objective of this study is to describe and provide an extensive overview of the scientific literature comparing the effectiveness of the Pilates method on pain and disability in patients with chronic nonspecific LBP. The study is based on the data from the following sources: MEDLINE-NLM, MEDLINE-EBSCO, Scopus Elsevier, Cochrane, DOAJ, SciELO, and PLOSONE. Original articles and systematic reviews of adults with chronic nonspeci…

Investigating prismatic adaptation effects in handgrip strength and in plantar pressure in healthy subjects.

Abstract Background Prismatic Adaptation (PA) is a visuomotor procedure inducing a shift of the visual field that has been shown to modulate activation of a number of brain areas, in posterior (i.e. parietal cortex) and anterior regions (i.e. frontal cortex). This neuromodulation could be useful to study neural mechanisms associated with either postural measures such as the distribution of plantar pressure or to the generation of muscle strength. Indeed, plantar pressure distribution is associated to activation of high-level cognitive mechanisms taking place within the posterior regions of the brain dorsal stream, especially of the right hemisphere. Conversely, hand force mostly rely on sen…

Evaluation of Posturographic and Neuromuscular Parameters during Upright Stance and Hand Standing: A Pilot Study

Upright bipedal posture is the physiological human posture; however, it is not the only possible form of human standing; indeed, an inverted position, a handstand, is required during gymnastics or other sports. Thus, this study aimed to understand the differences between the two standing strategies from a postural and neuromuscular perspective. Thirteen gymnasts with at least three years of sports experience underwent a baropodometric assessment and a surface electromyography (sEMG) examination in a standard upright bipodalic stance and during a handstand. The sEMG examination was performed on the gastrocnemius during an upright stance and on the flexor carpi radialis during the handstand. …

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous treatment of a calcific acromioclavicular joint

RATIONALE Calcific tendinopathy is one of the most frequent causes of nontraumatic shoulder pain. However, intra-articular calcifications appear to be an infrequent condition. We herein report a rare case study of an intra-articular calcification of the acromioclavicular joint. PATIENT CONCERNS A 46-year-old man presented with an acute pain in the anterior superior region of the left shoulder which also radiated to the left cervical region. The man during the physical evaluation also presented severe functional limitation of the shoulder movements in all planes of motion. DIAGNOSES The diagnosis was carried out through a radiographic and an echotomographic examination, highlighting the intr…

An Exploratory Analysis of Factors Associated with Health-Related Physical Fitness in Adolescents. The ASSO Project

Monitoring physical fitness (fitness) and identifying, since the beginning, possible determinants in youth could be useful to preserve health and avoid morbidities in adulthood. The main objective of this study is to provide details on the fitness levels of a sample of adolescents living in the Southern area of Italy and describe its associations with biological/genetic, socio-cultural/environmental, and lifestyle (physical activity/sedentariness, alcohol/smoking, meal patterns/habits) factors. The study was conducted within the Adolescence Surveillance System for Obesity Prevention (ASSO) project, funded by the Italian Ministry of Health and examining adolescents&rsquo

Application of T-Thesys Therapy in post-operative recovery in knee-surgical interventions: A case study

T-Thesys therapy is an innovative treatment that can be used even in the presence of recent injuries. For this reason, we studied the T-Thesys use in the post-operative phase of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction of the knee. For our study, we selected 51 patients for ACL surgery, and we divided participants in two groups: the Experimental Group (EG) and the Control Group (CG). The EG consisted of 34 patients (age: 26.9 ± 7.65 years) who underwent T-Thesys therapy after surgery, while the CG included 17 patients (age: 26.7 ± 6.8 years) who was not subjected to T-Thesys therapy after surgery. T-Thesys therapy was performed on a daily basis and participants' parameters were m…

Lactate level and handgrip test in migraine and fibromyalgia after self-myofascial release treatment

The Aim of the study was to determine the effect of self-myofascial release (SMFR) treatment on handgrip test score in patients with fibromyalgia and migraine, investigating also if the lactate levels influenced the result. Twenty-five subjects affected by migraine (age 49.7±12.5; height 164.9±6.62 cm; weight 68.6±16.9 kg) and ten subjects affected by fibromyalgia (age 43.7±21.2; height 158±5.65 cm; weight 70±28.9 kg) were enrolled in the study. The assessments included a handgrip test, in order to evaluate isometric strength of both hands and forearm muscles and the lactate levels evaluation. The treatment was performed in the three most painful trigger points indicated from subjects as to…

Taopatch® combined with home-based training protocol to prevent sedentary lifestyle and biochemical changes in MS patients during COVID-19 pandemic

In Multiple sclerosis (MS) it is important to preserve the residual physiological functions of subjects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of nanotechnological device treatment combined with home-based training program (TP) on lactate level, hand grip strength and cervical mobility on MS patients. Seventeen MS patients were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) in which the Taopatch® nanotechnological device was applied or to a control group (CG). All the participants carried out a cervical range of motion (1) assessment and the hand grip test at baseline (T0) and after TP (T1), also investigating the lactate levels to figure o…

Effetti dell'attività fisica in pazienti in età evolutiva con AIG e deficit posturali e di equilibrio: uno studio pilota

Effects of physical activity on postural balance in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: results from a pilot study

Background: The juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the main rheumatic disease in pediatric age. The rheumatic diseases are main causes of physical disability and have high economic costs for society. The aim of this study was to evaluate if the physical activity can prevent the decline in balance related diseases in children with previous diagnosis of JIA. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six subjects were enrolled in this study. Thirty-nine healthy subjects were included in the control group (CG) and seventeen in juvenile idiopathic arthritis group (JIAG). Subsequently, the JIAG was stratified in two ones, respectively: JIAG active (JIAG-ACT) and JIAG sedentary (JIAG-SED). The analysis was…

Antilymphocyte Globulin for Prevention of Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease.

Clinical Trial, Phase III; Journal Article; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; BACKGROUND Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is the leading cause of later illness and death after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation. We hypothesized that the inclusion of antihuman T-lymphocyte immune globulin (ATG) in a myeloablative conditioning regimen for patients with acute leukemia would result in a significant reduction in chronic GVHD 2 years after allogeneic peripheral-blood stem-cell transplantation from an HLA-identical sibling. METHODS We conducted a prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized phase 3 study of ATG as part of …

Evaluation of Fitness and the Balance Levels of Children with a Diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Pilot Study

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a main cause of physical disability and has high economic costs for society. The purpose of this study was to assess the fitness levels and the postural and balance deficits with a specific test battery. Methods: Fifty-six subjects were enrolled in this study. Thirty-nine healthy subjects were included in the control group and seventeen in the juvenile idiopathic arthritis group. All subjects were evaluated using a posturography system. The fitness level was evaluated with a battery of tests (Abalakov test, sit-up test, hand grip test, backsaver sit and reach, the toe touch test). An unpaired t-test was used to determine differences. Pearson’s co…

Fatores que influenciam a ocorrência de otite media entre crianças sicilianas com infecções de vias aéreas superiores

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Upper respiratory tract infection is a nonspecific term used to describe an acute infection involving the nose, paranasal sinuses, pharynx and larynx. Upper respiratory tract infections in children are often associated with Eustachian tube dysfunction and complicated by otitis media, an inflammatory process within the middle ear. Environmental, epidemiologic and familial risk factors for otitis media (such as sex, socioeconomic and educational factors, smoke exposure, allergy or duration of breastfeeding) have been previously reported, but actually no data about their diffusion among Sicilian children with upper respiratory tract infections are available. OBJECTIVE: T…

The relationship between moderate hearing loss with balance and postural control

Fitness profile of young female volleyball players

BACKGROUND: Factors that influence performance in volleyball, in terms of motor skills, refer to muscle power, speed and agility. This study aimed to examine the abilities and physical characteristics of female volleyball players in terms of age and player specialization. METHODS: A total of 35 subjects (junior and cadet age), participated in this study. Subjects were assessed for body height, mass, spike and block reach, and body composition. Vertical jump, standing broad jump, spike and block jump were tests used to measure leg power. The running speed was evaluated with a 20-m single-sprint effort. The change of direction speed was assessed with a T-test, the sprint 9-3-6-3-9 m forward-b…

A new road to improve vitamin D and balance through Taopatch® and proprioceptive protocol in Multiple Sclerosis patients

: In multiple sclerosis patients (MS), symptoms such as fatigue, lack of physical energy, spasticity, motor coordination disorders, tremors, dizziness and postural instability are most common. Cattaneo et al. (2007) studied the effects of stability training on MS patients, describing its efficacy in reducing all risks, by improving stability, and strength. The present study aimed to confirm our 2021 results on MS patients, combining the Taopatch® device with a proprioceptive rehabilitation protocol (PRP) targeting strength, balance, and biochemical parameters including vitamin D levels. Twenty MS patients, 8 males and 12 females, volunteered in the study. A KERN MAP Version 1.2 08/2012, Han…

Decreased postural control in people with moderate hearing loss

Balance is a complex process that involves multiple sensory integrations. The auditory, visual, and vestibular systems are the main contributors. Hearing loss or hearing impairment may induce inappropriate postural strategies that could affect balance and therefore increase the risk of falling. The aim of this study was to understand whether hearing loss could influence balance, cervical posture, and muscle activation in the cervical region. Thirteen patients (61 ± 13 years; 161.8 ± 11.0 cm; 70.5 ± 15.9 kg) with moderate hearing loss (Right ear −60 ± 21 dB; Left ear −61 ± 24 dB) underwent: an audiometric examination, a postural examination (with open and closed eyes) through a stabilometric…

Postural disorders in patients with dizziness: From postural analysis to vestibular rehabilitation programs

Postural control is regulated by a feedback and feedforward mechanism in which the central nervous system integrates several afferent information and constantly modulates the tone of the tonic postural system through efferent inputs. However, in pathological conditions, this mechanism is altered due to the non-physiological afferent inputs coming from the aberrant sensory organ. In particular, because of the vestibular system provides information regards sense of position and perception of movement of the head in the space, it represents a fundamental postural receptor in order to maintain static and dynamic body balance. Therefore, in vestibular disorders such as in patients suffering from…

How do sports affect static baropodometry? An observational study among women living in southern Italy

Purpose. the aim of the study was (a) to investigate the differences in plantar pressure distribution between athletes (A) and sedentary (S) women; (b) to examine the differences, if any, in plantar pressure between sports within the A group. Methods. the study involved 173 females; 98 were S (age: 24.23 ± 6.11 years; height: 161.11 ± 6.44 cm; weight: 56.70 ± 8.19 kg; bMI: 21.81 ± 2.52 kg/m 2 ; body surface area [bSA]: 1.59 ± 0.13; shoe size: 37.83 ± 1.53), 75 were A (age: 22.47 ± 4.89 years; height: 159.98 ± 5.95 cm; weight: 55.49 ± 7.61 kg; bMI: 21.62 ± 2.18 kg/m 2 ; bSA: 1.57 ± 0.12; shoe size: 38.05 ± 1.55). For plantar support analysis, the FreeMed posturography system was used, includ…

The role of physical activity on postural stability and fitness characteristics in pediatric patients with GH deficiency

Purpose: Patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) show low fitness levels before GH treatment is started. Muscular strength, flexibility and postural stability are related to health and quality of life. Since it is widely recognized that physical activity increases GH secretion and GH could ameliorate fitness, if a high adherence to treatment is documented (1), the purpose of this study is to investigate any difference on posturographic parameters and muscular features in physically active children with GHD, treated with GH with a high adherence to the treatment, and compared with sedentary pediatric patients. Methods: 13 children (7 males, 6 females) with GHD were enrolled at the Univ…

The posterior talocalcaneal ligament: an MRI evaluation

Purpose Awideinter-individualvariabilityintermsofsize,orientationandinsertionisobservedregardingankleligaments. The aim of this study is to identify and describe the anatomical features of the posterior talocalcaneal ligament (PTCL) observed through the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the ankle. Methods The study was retrospectively carried out on 893 ankle MRI’s exams. The exams have all been performed using a 1.5-T (T) MRI. The same scanning protocols and scan planes were carried out in all the exams. The first evaluated param- eter was the recognition of the PTCL. Subsequently, in all those cases where the ligament was present, its features such as insertion sites, length, and…

The Case of Insertional Adductor Tendinopathy of an International-Level 3,000-m Steeplechase Runner

Background: Groin pain is a frequent condition among athletes. One of the causes of groin pain is tendinopathy, a frequently diagnosed medical condition, which can also occur in the adductor muscles. Despite the high prevalence of this medical condition among athletes, it is infrequent to observe tendinopathic groin pain in steeplechase runners. The aim of this case study is to describe the case of an international-level 3,000-m steeplechase runner with groin pain, who was subsequently diagnosed with adductor insertional tendinopathy.Case Presentation: We present the case of an Italian 3,000-m steeplechase and long distance runner, Ala Zoghlami (180 cm, 57 kg), with groin pain, diagnosed as…

Resting sympatho-vagal balance is related to 10 km running performance in master endurance athletes

Relationships between heart rate recovery after exercise (HRR, baseline heart rate variability measures (HRV), and time to perform a 10Km running trial (t10Km) were evaluated in "master" athletes of endurance to assess whether the measured indexes may be useful for monitoring the training status of the athletes. Ten “master” athletes of endurance, aged 40-60 years, were recruited. After baseline measures of HRV, the athletes performed a graded maximal test on treadmill and HRR was measured at 1 and 2 minutes from recovery. Subsequently they performed a 10Km running trial and t10Km was related to HRV and HRR indexes. The time to perform a 10Km running trial was significantly correlated with …

Efficacy and pharmacological appropriateness of cinnarizine and dimenhydrinate in the treatment of vertigo and related symptoms

Vertigo is not itself a disease, but rather a symptom of various syndromes and disorders that jeopardize balance function, which is essential for daily activities. It is an abnormal sensation of motion that usually occurs in the absence of motion, or when a motion is sensed inaccurately. Due to the complexity of the etiopathogenesis of vertigo, many pharmacological treatments have been tested for efficacy on vertigo. Among these drugs, cinnarizine, usually given together with dimenhydrinate, appears to be the first-line pharmacotherapy for the management of vertigo and inner ear disorders. Based on these considerations, the present non-interventional study aimed to investigate the clinical …

Comparison of Postural Features and Muscle Strength between Children with Idiopathic Short Stature and Healthy Peers in Relation to Physical Exercise

Previous research has reported that children with idiopathic short stature (ISS) showed functional and cognitive impairments. The purpose of this study was to compare muscle strength and body posture between children with ISS treated with growth hormone (GH) and healthy peers (healthy children, HC), and to analyze whether these parameters were affected by physical exercise. Eighteen children for the ISS group (mean age: 10.96 ± 1.68 years) and 26 children for the HC group (mean age: 10.19 ± 1.06 years) were recruited for the study. All participants performed the following assessments: handgrip and Sargent test for the muscle strength evaluation; baropodometric and stabilometric test for the…

Orofacial muscles activity in children with swallowing dysfunction and removable functional appliances

Swallowing dysfunction is a frequent disorder among children and refers to an altered tongue posture and abnormal tongue movement during swallowing. Removable functional appliance is one of the treatments applied by dentistry to correct this disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate any differences on orofacial muscles activity in children with swallowing dysfunction with and without removable functional appliances. 68 children were eligible for the study and divided into the orthodontic group (OG) and the no-orthodontic group (NO-OG). Both groups performed a dental occlusion-class evaluation, a swallowing function test and a myoscan analysis in order to measure perioral forces (i.e. …

Postural control and balance in a cohort of healthy people living in Europe: An observational study

Abstract In the past 20 years, posturography has been widely used in the medical field. This observational study aimed to report the values derived from posturography of a wide set of healthy subjects from various European countries using a plantar pressure platform and a standardized method of measurement. A random cluster sampling of 914 healthy subjects aged between 7.0 and 85.99 years, stratified by age, was carried out. To provide percentile values of our cohort, data were processed to obtain 3 curves corresponding to the following percentiles: 25th, 50th, 75th, and the interquartile range. Distance-weighted least squares method was used to represent the percentile on appropriate graph…

Relevance of lactate level detection in migrane and fibromyalgia

The aim of this study was to determine the blood lactate levels in healthy and pathological subjects, particularly with migraine and fibromyalgia. Moreover we investigated the possible correlation between lactate concentration, postural stability and balance disorders; the composition of the groups were: migraine (n = 25; age 49.7 +/- 12.5), fibromyalgia (n = 10; age 43.7 +/- 21.2), control group (n = 16 age 28.52 +/- 2.4). The results showed that patients with fibromyalgia (FG) had higher lactate levels compared to migraine (MG) and control group (CG) (mean +/- sd: FG = 1.78 +/- 0.9 mmol/L; MG = 1.45 +/- 1 mmol/L; CG = 0,85 +/- 0,07 mmol/L). The same situation was highlighted about the swa…

Effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment of the pivots on lower limb function in young professional football players

Introduction: The most frequent injuries in professional soccer players are those pertinent to the lower limbs. In particular, strains of the hamstrings and ligamentous injuries of the knee. Therefore, preventive measures are aimed to reduce such events. We aimed to investigate if an osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) of the pivots could improve lower limb function in young professional football players. Methods: Thirty-eight young male professional football players were recruited (mean age 17.8 +/- 0.44 years). These were randomly assigned to an OMT or control group (n 1/4 20 and 18, respectively). Both groups underwent osteopathic evaluation. A sit-and-reach test, a vertical jump te…