Publications by authors named "Michele L Oliver"

Morphology analysis is valuable to understanding risk factors and the etiology of carpal tunnel (CT) syndrome. The objective of this study was to investigate morphology changes along the length of the CT using shape signatures (SS). Analysis was performed on ten cadaveric specimens in neutral wrist posture.

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Current methods for ergonomic assessment often use video-analysis to estimate wrist postures during occupational tasks. Wearable sensing and machine learning have the potential to automate this tedious task, and in doing so greatly extend the amount of data available to clinicians and researchers. A method of predicting wrist posture from inertial measurement units placed on the wrist and hand via a deep convolutional neural network has been developed.

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Non-neutral wrist postures have been reported to cause decreased carpal tunnel volume (CTV) contributing to impingement of the median nerve and development of carpal tunnel syndrome. Recent analysis found CTV did not change with ±20° flexion-extension (FE), however, CTV decreased with ulnar deviation over the range of -5° to 15° radial-ulnar deviation (RUD). These findings suggest CTV may be too coarse of a measure to reflect the effects of slight non-neutral postures, or that volume is conserved and redistributed due to changes in tunnel morphology with posture.

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Background: Non-neutral wrist postures are a commonly reported risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome. It is unclear how slight flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviation postures affect the carpal tunnel. The objective was to determine the effects of slight non-neutral postures by quantifying carpal tunnel volume.

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Gait analysis provides an important tool for the study and clinical evaluation of conditions which affect knee joint biomechanics. Collection of knee joint kinematics in real world environments during locomotor activities of daily living could provide quantitative evidence to help understand functional impairment. Unfortunately, the high cost and necessary technical expertise associated with current commercially available systems for kinematic monitoring serve as an impediment to their adoption outside of specialized research groups.

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Wrist motion provides an important metric for disease monitoring and occupational risk assessment. The collection of wrist kinematics in occupational or other real-world environments could augment traditional observational or video-analysis based assessment. We have developed a low-cost 3D printed wearable device, capable of being produced on consumer grade desktop 3D printers.

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Whole-body vibration and muscle fatigue have both been shown to delay the trunk muscle reflex response and increase trunk muscle activation, leading to an increased risk of low back injuries. However, the effects of whole-body vibration on previously fatigued trunk muscles have never been tested, despite studies showing that prolonged exposure to whole-body vibration can lead to muscle fatigue. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of muscle fatigue on muscle latency, muscle activation and perceived discomfort when exposed to whole-body vibration.

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Background: The transverse carpal ligament is an integral factor in the etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome. The purpose of this study was to report the biomechanical properties of this ligament and quantify sex-based differences and regional variation in tissue response. We hypothesized that the mechanical response would not be uniform across the surface, and that female ligament properties would have higher strain profiles and lower mechanical properties.

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Objective: The purpose of this work was to help a steel industry partner select the most appropriate of three high end heavy equipment seats to retrofit a number of their heavy mobile machines used in the steel making process.

Participants: The participants included 8 males (22.3 ± 2.

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Objective: The present study examined the role of negative emotions on driving performance in relation to ADHD, by comparing young adults scoring high on measures of ADHD (n = 20) with a control group (n = 22).

Method: The authors used cardiorespiratory physiological measures, simulated driving behavior, and self-report to examine how participants with high and low ADHD symptoms responded to frustration and to determine how frustration affected simulated driving performance.

Results: Groups did not differ in operational driving skills, but participants with high ADHD symptoms reported more frustration and exhibited more impairment at the tactical level of driving performance than the controls.

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Physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) is used to compare force-producing capabilities of muscles. A limitation of PCSA is that it cannot be measured directly from a specimen, as there is usually no area within the muscle traversed by all fibres. Traditionally, a formula requiring averaged architectural parameters has been used.

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Background: Whole-body vibration is a significant workplace risk factor for discomfort and injury in many work sectors. The current approach for evaluating vibration exposures typically involves field studies of seatpan acceleration while the operators perform typical workplace activities. These vibration exposures are then compared to international standards to evaluate the risk of discomfort or injury.

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Determination of the biomechanical properties of soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments is dependent on the accurate measurement of their cross-sectional area (CSA). Measurement methods, which involve contact with the specimen, are problematic because soft tissues are easily deformed. Noncontact measurement methods are preferable in this regard, but may experience difficulty in dealing with the complex cross-sectional shapes and glistening surfaces seen in soft tissues.

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Architectural parameters and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) are important determinants of muscle function. Extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) and brevis (ECRB) are used in muscle transfers; however, their regional architectural differences have not been investigated. The aim of this study is to develop computational algorithms to quantify and compare architectural parameters (fiber bundle length, pennation angle, and volume) and PCSA of ECRL and ECRB.

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