Magnetic Resonance Elastography of Upper Trapezius Muscle.

The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of positioning a soft flexible tube-based actuator parallel or orthogonal to the principle muscle fibre direction, on measurements of the stiffness of upper trapezius (UT) muscle obtained using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). The effects of using three different vibration frequencies (60 Hz, 80 Hz and 100 Hz) and studying left and right sides of the body were also investigated. The relevant MRE datasets were acquired on a 1.

Feasibility study of the application of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to measure oral posture related changes in stiffness of zygomaticus major muscle.

Purpose: Development of a technique for measuring the mechanical properties of zygomaticus major (ZM) may aid advances in clinical treatments for correcting abnormal oral posture. The objective of this work was to demonstrate the feasibility of measuring the stiffness of ZM using an MR elastography technique that incorporates a custom local driver and a phase-gradient (PG) inversion.

Methods: 2D MRE investigations were performed for 3 healthy subjects using a vibration frequency of 90 Hz to test the prediction that the stiffness of ZM would be greater in the mouth-open compared to the mouth-closed position.

MR elastography-based slip interface imaging (SII) for functional assessment of myofascial interfaces: A feasibility study.

Purpose: Abnormal adherence at functional myofascial interfaces is hypothesized as an important phenomenon in myofascial pain syndrome. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of MR elastography (MRE)-based slip interface imaging (SII) to visualize and assess myofascial mobility in healthy volunteers.

Methods: SII was used to assess local shear strain at functional myofascial interfaces in the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and thighs.

The benefits of Shuai Shou Gong (SSG) demonstrated in a Randomised Control Trial (RCT) study of older adults in two communities in Thailand.

Introduction: Shuai Shou Gong (SSG) is a type of Arm Swing Exercise (ASE) developed and practiced especially by older people in China for over one thousand years to maintain physical health and well-being. Until now the potential benefits of SSG have not been investigated in a Randomised Control Trial (RCT).

Materials And Methods: Fifty six older women were recruited from each of two urban communities in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Magnetic Resonance Elastography in the Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) present a major health burden to society. Changes in brain structure and cognition are generally only observed at the late stage of the disease. Although advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques such as diffusion imaging may allow identification of biomarkers at earlier stages of neurodegeneration, early diagnosis is still challenging.