Text neck: An adverse postural phenomenon.

Background: The excessive use of hand-held mobile devices (HHMD) leads to a postural phenomenon known as text neck.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to discuss the anatomical, biomechanical and muscle activation changes within the cervical and thoracic regions associated with the sustained, forward, flexed neck posture, observed with excessive usage of hand-held mobile devices. Additionally, this paper examines the relationship of gender, as well as the effects of carrying backpack loads by youth, on this forward, flexed neck posture.

A Meta-Analysis of Group-Based Pain Management Programs: Overall Effect on Quality of Life and Other Chronic Pain Outcome Measures, with an Exploration into Moderator Variables that Influence the Efficacy of Such Interventions.

Objectives: Group-based pain management programs (GPMPs) have been found to significantly improve quality of life and other pain outcome measures in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. The aims of this meta-analysis were to reevaluate the overall effect of GPMPs on various pain outcomes for individuals experiencing chronic musculoskeletal conditions and to explore moderator variables that potentially contribute to the overall efficacy of GPMPs.

Methods: Using the R package called metaphor and RevMan, we estimated the overall effectiveness of GPMPs on various pain outcome measures.

Postural compensations and subjective complaints due to backpack loads and wear time in schoolchildren.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of carrying weighted backpacks of up to 20% of body weight on the posture and pain complaints of elementary-school children.

Methods: Craniovertebral, forward trunk lean and pelvic tilt angles were measured from sagittal photographs of 62 children (8-11 years old) before and after walking while carrying backpacks containing 10%, 15%, or 20% of body weight. Pain severity after a 6-minute walk with the loaded backpack was recorded.

Effect of backpack load carriage on cervical posture in primary schoolchildren.

Objective: This study examined the effects of various backpack loads on elementary schoolchildren's posture and postural compensations as demonstrated by a change in forward head position.

Subjects: A convenience sample of 11 schoolchildren, aged 8-11 years participated.

Methods: Sagittal digital photographs were taken of each subject standing without a backpack, and then with the loaded backpack before and after walking 6 minutes (6MWT) at free walking speed.

Impairment variables predicting activity limitation in individuals with lower limb amputation.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether measures of impairment (i.e., muscle strength, balance), personal factors (i.

The reliability of hand-held dynamometry in measuring isometric strength of the shoulder internal and external rotator musculature using a stabilization device.

Although hand-held dynamometry is considered an objective method of measuring strength, the reliability of the procedure can be compromised by inadequate tester strength and insufficient stabilization of the dynamometer and subject. The purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest reliability of a hand-held dynamometer with the use of a portable stabilization device while testing the shoulder internal and external rotator musculature. The isometric strength of the shoulder rotator musculature was tested twice in 30 asymptomatic adult volunteers (15 male and 15 female) between 18 and 63 years of age by using an intrasession design.

Comparison of EMG activity of medial and lateral hamstrings during isometric contractions at various cuff weight loads.

Since both the medial head (MH) and lateral head (LH) of the hamstring muscles contribute to knee flexion, this study investigated whether the relative electrical activity of these heads remained constant with respect to each other or changed during isometric contractions at five different resistance levels. The relative electrical activity of these two heads was determined by comparing their integrated EMG (iEMG). Forty-two volunteers with no history of right lower extremity injury or disease, between the ages of 18 and 35, were studied.

Integrated EMG study of the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius during isometric plantar flexion with varying cuff weight loads.

Both heads of the gastrocnemius muscle contribute to ankle plantar flexion. This study utilized integrated electromyography to investigate whether the percent electrical activity contributed by each head remained constant or changed during isometric contractions at five different resistance levels. Fifty healthy volunteers ranging in age from 19 to 34 years, with no history of musculoskeletal or neuromuscular disorders involving the right lower extremity, were studied.

EMG activity of medial and lateral hamstrings at three positions of tibial rotation during low-force isometric knee flexion contractions.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine how the position of tibial rotation effects the EMG activity of the medial and lateral hamstrings during low-force isometric knee flexion contractions. Forty-five subjects (ages 18-35) with no history of lower extremity injury or disease volunteered for this study. While lying prone, and with surface EMG electrodes secured to the bellies of their right medial (semitendinous and semimembranosus) and lateral (long head of the biceps femoris) hamstring muscles, each subject held the knee in 45° of flexion for 8 s against 5% of their body weight.

Comparative measurements of anterior tibial translation using the KT-1000 knee arthrometer with the leg in neutral, internal rotation, and external rotation.

Position of the leg while using the KT-1000 knee arthrometer may be an important variable in attaining accurate and reliable measurements. The purpose of this study was to compare the anterior translation of the tibia on the femur with the tibia in neutral, internal rotation (IR), and external rotation (ER). Additionally, data were analyzed to determine the intratester and intertester reliability of the KT-1000 knee arthrometer with the leg in neutral.

Are "passive" extension exercises really passive?

When rehabilitating patients with back dysfunction, extension exercises that are presumably "passive" for the erector spinae muscles are frequently used. The purpose of this study was to record electromyographic (EMG) activity from back extensor muscles to determine if these muscles are truly inactive during these maneuvers. Surface EMG was recorded bilaterally from lower lumbar muscles in 62 pain-free subjects.

Thoracic segmental flexion during cervical forward bending.

The purpose of this study was to assess the amount of thoracic segmental flexion associated with cervical forward bending. Twenty-four healthy men and women between the ages of 21-29, with no past or present cervical or thoracic dysfunction, participated. Spinal segmental mobility in the thoracic region was measured in the neutral sitting position and sitting with the cervical spine in the forward bent position.

An overview of functional progressions in the rehabilitation of low back patients.

Low back pain is one of the most common dysfunctions seen by health care professionals. Eighty percent of the population will suffer from low back pain in their adult life.1-4 Accordingly, this societal problem has taken its toll via missed days of work and the adverse economic impact that results.

EMG Biofeedback as Treatment for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome*.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome may be classified as a dysfunction of the patella's ability to track in the femoral groove. This study identifies an effective treatment approach for patellofemoral pain syndrome. The approach integrates the concept of improved patellar tracking through selective enhancement of the vastus medialis oblique muscle with conventional exercise regimens for patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Vestibular stimulation to improve ambulation after a cerebral vascular accident.

A pilot study was undertaken to determine if vestibular stimulation could be a valuable therapeutic measure in rehabilitating the patient who has had a cerebral vascular accident. Twenty patients with cerebral vascular accidents were tested. Changes in functional ambulation abilities of 10 patients receiving a passive vestibular exercise were compared with those of 10 patients not receiving this exercise.