Publications by authors named "Vinoth K Ranganathan"
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the neurophysiological basis of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) by examining EEG changes during a physical task in advanced cancer patients compared to healthy controls.
- Results show significant differences in brain electrical activity, particularly in specific frequency bands, correlated with fatigue levels and muscle performance during sustained contractions.
- These findings suggest that altered brain activity may contribute to central fatigue in CRF, highlighting the need for rehabilitative strategies targeting the central nervous system to improve recovery.
Background And Purpose: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is widely recognized as one of the most common symptoms and side effects of cancer and/or its treatment. However, neuropathological mechanisms contributing to CRF are largely unknown, and the lack of knowledge makes CRF difficult to treat. Recent research has shown dissociation between changes in the brain and muscle signals during voluntary motor performance in cancer survivors with CRF, and this dissociation may be caused by an interruption in functional coupling (FC) of the two signals.
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- Prolonged ischemia during long surgeries can lead to pressure injuries, and alternating pressure (AP) surfaces on operating tables may help alleviate this issue by improving blood flow.
- A study compared sacral skin blood flow between a standard operating pad and one with AP features, finding that the AP overlay significantly improved blood flow.
- Results indicated that patients with lower body mass index (BMI) benefited more from the AP feature, suggesting it could be a valuable addition to operating table pads for reducing the risk of pressure injuries.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined how voluntary motor effort during low-intensity muscle exercises affects strength gains in healthy young adults over six weeks.
- Eighteen participants were divided into three groups: high mental effort, low mental effort, and a control group, with results showing significant strength improvements in the high mental effort group compared to the others.
- The findings suggest that incorporating high mental effort into low-intensity exercise could benefit individuals, particularly those who struggle with high-intensity workouts, making it a safe option for rehabilitation and strengthening in vulnerable populations.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined how high mental effort training (MET) and conventional strength training (CST) affect muscle strength and brain signals in older adults.
- Twenty-seven healthy older adults were divided into three groups: MET (low-intensity exercise with mental effort), CST (high-intensity strength training), and a control group with no training.
- Results showed both MET and CST improved muscle strength significantly, with MET also enhancing brain signals related to strength production, making it a good option for those who struggle with traditional training.
Article Synopsis
- * It analyzed patient data using the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) and found that the progression or decline in severity modifier levels significantly varied based on initial AM-PAC scores.
- * The researchers noted that the G-code system may not be a reliable measure for assessing functional changes, highlighting concerns about its validity.
Objective: To investigate whether fatigue induced by an intermittent motor task in patients with cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is more central or peripheral.
Methods: Ten patients with CRF who were off chemo and radiation therapies and 14 age-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Participants completed a Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) and performed a fatigue task consisting of intermittent elbow-flexion contractions at submaximal (40% maximal voluntary contraction) intensity till self-perceived exhaustion.
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to evaluate the interrater reliability of the AM-PAC "6-Clicks" mobility and daily activity measures among physical and occupational therapists in a hospital setting.
- - Results indicated high overall reliability, with ICCs of .849 for basic mobility and .783 for daily activity, although individual pair reliability varied significantly, showing a range from fair to nearly perfect agreement.
- - Limitations included that the raters were from one health system and assessed different patients in various hospital services, suggesting caution when generalizing the findings.
Background: Physical therapists and occupational therapists practicing in acute care hospitals play a crucial role in discharge planning. A standardized assessment of patients' function could be useful for discharge recommendations.
Objectives: The study objective was to determine the accuracy of "6-Clicks" basic mobility and daily activity measures for predicting discharge from an acute care hospital to a home or institutional setting.
Article Synopsis
- Cancer survivors with fatigue symptoms show less muscle fatigue during prolonged tasks compared to healthy individuals, as suggested by changes in EMG signals.
- The study involved 24 participants (12 with cancer-related fatigue and 12 healthy controls) performing sustained elbow flexion while measuring muscle electrical activity.
- Results indicated that cancer survivors reached perceived exhaustion faster and exhibited less significant fatigue in muscle electrical activity, pointing to greater central fatigue involvement.
Use of a powered coverlet for moisture removal, skin temperature reduction, odor, and bacteria control.
J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs
April 2015
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of a powered coverlet (PCL) to control moisture, reduce skin temperature, and help control odor and microbial growth at the skin/support-surface interface.
Subjects And Setting: A human torso was simulated using a water temperature-regulated loading gauge. The PCL is a 3-tier coverlet composed of vapor-permeable, liquid-impermeable layers with a foam spacer inbetween and a fan blower to draw moisture and heat away from the patient's skin through the spacer.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to validate the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) "6-Clicks" scores related to basic mobility and daily activity for patients in acute care settings.
- It analyzed data from over 84,000 patients, focusing on how these scores varied with patient characteristics, predicted therapy visits, and their correlation with the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores.
- The results showed that "6-Clicks" scores were effective in distinguishing mobility levels and had strong internal consistency, indicating they are a reliable measure for assessing patient progress in acute care.
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to investigate the effects of two types of mental imagery training—internal motor imagery (IMI) and external motor imagery (EMI)—on improving voluntary muscle strength, with participants training for 6 weeks.
- - Among 18 healthy participants divided into three groups (IMI, EMI, and a control group), only the IMI group experienced a significant strength increase of 10.8%, while the EMI group gained 4.8% and the control group lost strength (-3.3%).
- - Results indicated that IMI improved brain-to-muscle communication, leading to better muscle activation and strength, as shown by increased movement-related cortical potentials in the IMI group compared to the others.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to assess cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in cancer patients and compare it to matched non-cancer controls using objective measurements and neuromuscular testing.
- Cancer patients exhibited significantly higher fatigue scores and shorter endurance during physical tests, suggesting reduced muscle recruitment compared to controls.
- The findings indicated that CRF is more related to central fatigue mechanisms rather than peripheral muscle fatigue, as evidenced by lower neuromuscular junction transmission efficiency in cancer patients.
Article Synopsis
- Recent research indicates a disconnect between brain and muscle signals during voluntary muscle fatigue, raising questions about the strength of corticomuscular coupling.* -
- In a study with nine healthy subjects, isometric elbow flexion at 30% maximal level was performed until exhaustion while measuring brain (EEG) and muscle (EMG) activities.* -
- Results showed that, although power levels for both EEG and EMG increased with fatigue, their coherence significantly decreased in the more fatigued state, suggesting that reduced brain-muscle coupling might play a key role in muscle fatigue and performance decline.*
Article Synopsis
- A patient with multiple lung cancers experienced severe cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and was treated with methylphenidate, starting at 5 mg twice daily and increasing to 10 mg after two weeks.
- After maintaining the 10 mg dosage for 8 months, the patient showed significant improvement in her CRF as measured by the Brief Fatigue Inventory score.
- This improvement in fatigue was linked to the normalization of neurophysiologic measurements, indicating a potential benefit of methylphenidate in managing CRF in cancer patients.
Article Synopsis
- * It highlights that factors beyond just pressure, such as temperature, moisture, duration of pressure, muscle atrophy, and posture, may contribute to ulcer formation.
- * The article calls for more targeted studies to examine the relationship between primary stress factors and tissue health, which could help enhance the effectiveness of ulcer prevention and treatment strategies in clinical practice.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to evaluate strength gains from mental training in the little finger abductor and elbow flexor muscles without physical exercise.
- Thirty healthy volunteers were divided into three groups: two trained for mental contractions of respective muscles, and one served as a control with no training.
- Results showed the mental training significantly increased strength in targeted muscle groups, with notable improvements in cortical signals linked to muscle activation.