Quantifying muscle contraction with a conductive electroactive polymer sensor: introduction to a novel surface mechanomyography device.

Clinicians seek an accurate method to assess muscle contractility during activities to better guide treatment. We investigated application of a conductive electroactive polymer sensor as a novel wearable surface mechanomyography (sMMG) sensor for quantifying muscle contractility. The radial displacement of a muscle during a contraction is detected by the physically stretched dielectric elastomer component of the sMMG sensor which quantifies the changes in capacitance.

Assessing Quadriceps Muscle Contraction Using a Novel Surface Mechanomyography Sensor during Two Neuromuscular Control Screening Tasks.

Electromyography (EMG) is the clinical standard for capturing muscle activation data to gain insight into neuromuscular control, yet challenges surrounding data analysis limit its use during dynamic tasks. Surface mechanomyography (sMMG) sensors are novel wearable devices that measure the physical output of muscle excursion during contraction, which may offer potential easy application to assess neuromuscular control. This study aimed to investigate sMMG detection of the timing patterns of muscle contraction compared to EMG.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Infants With GERD-Like Symptoms: A New Paradigm.

Objectives: Infants with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-like symptoms have been classically defined as having a wide array of symptoms. In these instances, anti-reflux medications are ineffective and overprescribed. Rather these symptoms are more attributable to dysphagia and unsettledness/colic.

Fellow Efficiency During Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Improves Over Time, Yet Is Less Than Experienced Physician Assistant But With No Significant Difference in Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate the intraoperative efficiency and patient outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) assisted by a sports medicine fellow over the course of the academic year compared with an experienced physician assistant (PA).

Methods: A single-surgeon cohort of primary ACLRs with either bone-tendon-bone autograft or bone-tendon-bone allograft (without any other significant time-consuming procedures such as meniscectomy/repair) were evaluated using a patient registry system over 2 years assisted by an experienced PA compared with an orthopaedic surgery sports medicine fellow. There were 264 primary ACLRs included in this study.

Tutorial on Clinical Practice for Use of the Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing Procedure With Pediatric Populations: Part 2.

Purpose: This is Part 2 of a two-part tutorial series establishing clinical guidelines pertaining to the administration of fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) developed by representatives of the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, all of whom are members of Special Interest Group 13. Whereas Part 1 focused on use of FEES with adults and included general information common to using FEES in any population, the purpose of this tutorial is to provide clinicians with updated best practice clinical guidelines for performing, interpreting, and documenting outcomes when using FEES with the pediatric population. This document has two main sections.

Return to Performance After Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Major League Baseball Pitchers: A Case-Control Assessment of Advanced Analytics, Velocity, Spin Rates, and Pitch Movement.

Background: There are limited data on the performance or pitching metrics of Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers who returned to play after ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR).

Purpose: To describe MLB pitcher performance after return from primary UCLR, compare the velocity and pitch characteristics against the preoperative season, and determine if performance analytics can predict successful return to pitching after UCLR.

Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Tutorial on Clinical Practice for Use of the Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing Procedure With Adult Populations: Part 1.

Purpose: Representatives of the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (AB-SSD) and American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Special Interest Group (SIG) 13: Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia) developed this tutorial to identify and recommend best practice guidelines for speech-language pathologists who conduct and interpret fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) procedures in adults. This document also includes proposed training needs and methods for achieving competency. Expert opinion is provided regarding indications for performing the FEES exam, potential contraindications, adverse effects and safety, equipment and personal protection, the exam protocol, interpretation and documentation of findings, and training requirements to perform and interpret the exam.

Comparison of Kinematic Sequences During Curveball and Fastball Baseball Pitches.

Performance of a sequential proximal-to-distal transfer of segmental angular velocity (or Kinematic Sequence) is reported to reduce stress on musculoskeletal structures and thus the probability of injury while also maximizing ball velocity. However, there is limited investigation regarding the Kinematic Sequence of the five body segments (Pelvis, Trunk, Arm, Forearm, and Hand) among baseball pitchers. Some biomechanical and epidemiology studies have reported an association of the curveball with increased risk for elbow injury among youth pitchers.

Modeling of a controlled flow cup for improved transitional drinking development in children.

Introduction: Clinical observations of children with swallowing disorders using a traditional "sippy" or transitional drinking cup identified a need for a novel cup. Children with swallowing disorders are often unable to initiate the forces required to activate the cup and/or maintain suction pressure. Furthermore, fast flow rates can result in choking.

The Association of Baseball Pitch Delivery and Kinematic Sequence on Stresses at the Shoulder and Elbow Joints.

Although there is a commonly held belief within the baseball community that delivery from the stretch confers more stress at the elbow and shoulder joints than delivery from the windup, there remains little evidence in the literature investigating this hypothesis. This study aimed to help address this gap in the literature by studying both intra-pitcher kinematic sequence variability, and intra-pitcher joint torque variability when throwing from the windup vs. the stretch.

A systematic review: The effects of frenotomy on breastfeeding and speech in children with ankyloglossia.

: The primary objective of this systematic review was to determine if frenotomy for ankyloglossia improves breastfeeding or speech outcomes in infants and children ages birth to 12.: Literature selection focussed on the presence of ankyloglossia, reported as either posterior or submucosal, and the impact of surgical treatment. The two populations that were included involve infants who were breastfeeding and children with speech delays.

Kinematic Sequence Classification and the Relationship to Pitching Limb Torques.

Purpose: The kinematic sequence (KS) during a baseball pitch provides insight into an athlete's ability to efficiently transfer energy and develop segmental velocities, to assess the quality of body segment position and control. Study purposes were 1) to introduce the four-category Kinematic Sequence Classification System and 2) to compare elbow and shoulder torques and shoulder distraction force across the KS categories performed during the fastball pitch.

Methods: Thirty baseball pitchers (20.

The Relationship of Shoulder and Elbow Stresses and Upper Limb Contact Order During a Round-Off Back Handspring.

Introduction: Despite high injury incidence rates in gymnastics, there is a paucity of data characterizing upper extremity injury causation and biomechanical risk factors. This study investigated contact forces across multiple joints in both upper extremities during a round-off back handspring (ROBHS), a fundamental gymnastics tumbling maneuver.

Objective: (1) To characterize the three-dimensional (3-D) biomechanics of the sequential, asynchronous contact of each upper extremity with the ground during a ROBHS using 3-D motion capture, and (2) to evaluate potential correlations to upper extremity injury risk.

Neuromuscular Control of Vertical Jumps in Female Adolescents.

Background: Poor landing mechanics are considered deficits in neuromuscular control and risk factors for lower extremity injury. The Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) has been used to assess the neuromuscular control of landing mechanics for the first landing in a drop vertical jump (DVJ) task. However, the second DVJ landing may provide different results, warranting assessment.

The Impact of a Novel Gaming Reinforcement System on Oral Intake Outcomes in Pediatric Feeding Therapy: A Single Case Study.

Purpose The aim of this study was to implement a novel reinforcement strategy into traditional dysphagia therapy with a school-age child diagnosed with a rare genetic syndrome, anxiety, and a hypersensitive gag reflex response. This clinical focus article evaluated the impact of a computer-based straw-drinking game on total liquid volume intake and the relationship between motivation and its role in feeding therapy. Method A longitudinal pilot study was used and required the development and implementation of a computer-based straw-drinking game as a novel reinforcement strategy.

Strength and Motion in the Shoulder, Elbow, and Hip in Softball Windmill Pitchers.

Background: Softball pitching is a ballistic, complex movement that requires an underhand windmill motion to create force and ball velocity. In addition to proper pitch biomechanics, upper and lower extremity strength and joint motion likely contribute to ball location accuracy and velocity. Yet, the number of studies reporting muscle strength and joint range of motion among softball pitchers is scarce.

The relationship of elbow alignment and kinematics on shoulder torque during the softball pitch: a biomechanical analysis of female softball pitchers.

Background: Female softball pitchers commonly throw more pitches per game and season than their baseball counterparts. The greatest stress to the shoulder during a softball windmill pitch is at ball release (BR). This study investigated shoulder torques at BR among female softball pitchers and identified relationships to the kinematics of the elbow and forearm and alignment of the elbow (carrying angle and elbow extension).

Correction to: A Comparison of Measurements of a Pediatric Supplement.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained mistakes.

Kinematic sequence patterns in the overhead baseball pitch.

Conceptually, an efficient baseball pitch demonstrates a proximal-to-distal transfer of segmental angular velocity. Such a timing pattern (or kinematic sequence) reduces stress on musculoskeletal structures of the throwing arm and maximises ball velocity. We evaluated the variability of kinematic sequences in 208 baseball pitches.

A Comparison of Measurements of a Pediatric Supplement.

This study evaluated the flow properties of viscosity and flow rate for water and two common pediatric liquids. The flow properties of the test liquids are of interest to create a cup simulation model and "smart" prototype training cup. Two objective methods of determining flow properties were utilized: a rheometer to assess viscosity and a modified version of the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) to assess flow rate.

Open-Cup Drinking Development: A Review of the Literature.

To date, a lack of published research studies exist that systematically analyze the factors involved with the progression of open-cup drinking in typically developing infants and toddlers. As a result, clinicians who are working with children that have delays in open-cup drinking development have a limited framework from which to base clinical decisions. The purpose of this review is to collate works from disparate and related fields to provide a brief review of the literature of pertinent sensorimotor and cognitive components necessary for successful open-cup drinking development.

The modulation effect of longitudinal acupuncture on resting state functional connectivity in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Unlabelled: Recent advances in brain imaging have contributed to our understanding of the neural activity associated with acupuncture treatment. In this study, we investigated functional connectivity across longitudinal acupuncture treatments in older patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Over a period of 4 weeks (six treatments), we collected resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans from 30 patients before and after their first, third and sixth treatments.