Does the Application of Kinesiotape Change Scapular Kinematics in Healthy Female Handball Players?

Does the Application of Kinesiotape Change Scapular Kinematics in Healthy Female Handball Players?

Int J Sports Med. 2013 May 13;
Van Herzeele M, van Cingel R, Maenhout A, De Mey K, Cools A

Elastic taping is widely used in sports medicine for correcting functional alignment and muscle recruitment. However, evidence regarding its influence on scapular dynamic positioning is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a specific kinesiotaping method on scapular kinematics in female elite handball players without shoulder complaints. 25 athletes (18.0±1.5 years) active in the highest national division were recruited. All subjects received an elastic adhesive tape (K-active tape©) with the purpose to correct scapular position. 3-dimensional scapular motion measurements were performed (Fastrak®) during humeral elevation in the sagittal, frontal and scapular plane. The results showed that taping has a moderate to large effect (Cohen’s d>0.7) towards scapular posterior tilting, in all 3 planes of humeral movement and for all angles of elevation (mean posteriorizing effect of 4.23°, 3.23° and 4.33° respectively for elevation in the sagittal, frontal and scapular plane, p<0.001). In addition, taping also moderately increased the scapular upward rotation at 30°, 60° and 90° of humeral abduction (mean increase of 2.90°, Cohen's d>0.7). Together these results suggest that kinesiotape application causes positive changes in scapular motion. This could support its use in sports medicine for preventing shoulder problems in overhead athletes. HubMed – rehab

 

Extraoral implants in irradiated pacients.

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2013 Apr; 79(2): 185-189
Oliveira JA, Abrahão M, Dib LL

The aim of this study is to analyze the success of extraoral osseointegrated implants used to support designed to rehabilitate craniofacial deformities. METHOD: This study was based on the retrospective assessment of charts from 59 patients submitted to cancer surgery and who received 164 extraoral implants to contain facial prosthesis. RESULTS: Among 164 implants, 42 were fixed in previously irradiated regions. Eight of the implants did not have osseointegration; and from these, two were fixed in irradiated bone. The result show 116 (95.1%) successfully osseointegrated implants in non-irradiated sites. The success rate among 42 implants fixed in previously irradiated bones was 40 (95.3%) osseointegrated implants. CONCLUSION: The use of extraoral craniofacial implants represents a safe and effective approach to treat facial deformities as a support for the rehabilitation prosthesis. Radiotherapy treatment does not prevent osseointegration. HubMed – rehab

 

Safety and Effectiveness of Insulin Aspart in Basal-Bolus Regimens Regardless of Age: A1chieve Study Results.

Diabetes Ther. 2013 May 14;
Latif ZA, Hussein Z, Litwak L, El Naggar N, Chen JW, Soewondo P

INTRODUCTION: Hypoglycemia is a complication in the management of type 2 diabetes, and elderly people are at greater risk of experiencing hypoglycemia events than younger patients. Insulin analogs achieve glycemic control with minimal risk of hypoglycemia and may therefore be a good treatment option for all patients. METHODS: A1chieve was an international, multicenter, prospective, open-label, non-interventional, 24-week study in people with type 2 diabetes who started/switched to therapy with biphasic insulin aspart 30, insulin detemir or insulin aspart (alone/in combination) in routine clinical practice. This sub-analysis evaluated clinical safety and effectiveness of insulin aspart as part of a basal-bolus regimen (±oral glucose-lowering drugs) in three age-groups (?40, >40-65, and >65 years) of insulin-experienced and insulin-naive people with type 2 diabetes. RESULTS: In total, 4,032 patients were included in the sub-analysis. After 24 weeks of insulin aspart treatment, significant improvements versus baseline were observed in all age-groups for: proportion of people with ?1 hypoglycemia events (18.3-27.1% and 11.0-12.7%, at baseline and 24 weeks, respectively), ?1 major hypoglycemia events (3.3-6.7% and 0-0.2%), and ?1 nocturnal hypoglycemia events (9.2-13.7% and 2.9-4.9%); glycated hemoglobin (9.6-9.8% and 7.4%); fasting plasma glucose (change from baseline ranged from -3.6 to -4.4 mmol/l); and post-breakfast post-prandial plasma glucose (change from baseline ranged from -5.5 to -5.9 mmol/l). Fourteen serious adverse drug reactions were reported. Health-related quality of life was significantly improved for all age-groups (all, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: All age-groups showed improved glycemic control and reduced risk of hypoglycemia when starting/switching to insulin aspart therapy within a basal-bolus regimen; this may be particularly important for elderly patients given their greater risk of hypoglycemia versus younger patients. HubMed – rehab

 

Changes of Muscle Mechanics Associated with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency and Reconstruction.

J Strength Cond Res. 2013 May 9;
Hsiao SF, Chou PH, Hsu HC, Lue YJ

Isometric and isokinetic knee strength deficit was examined on patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury before and after ACL reconstruction. Muscle strengths of the uninjured and injured knees were measured from an ACL injured (n=12) and a control (n=15) groups. Five isometric (10, 30, 50, 70 and 90° of knee flexion) and five isokinetic (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250°·s) strengths of quadriceps and hamstrings were measured pre- and post-reconstruction (3 and 6 months). Compared to the controls, the uninjured knee showed normal strength and patterns of length-tension and force-velocity relationships. Compared to the uninjured knee, the injured knees showed a generally 25%-30% decrease in quadriceps and hamstrings strength with normal patterns of length-tension and force-velocity relationships. By 3 months after reconstruction, weakness of quadriceps of the injured knees was exacerbated, particularly at lengthened positions (about 40% of the uninjured knees at knee flexion 70° and 90°) and at slower velocities (about 35% of the uninjured knees at the 50°·s and 100°·s, p<0.05), with flattened patterns of mechanical output. By 6 months after reconstruction, quadriceps of the injured knees still showed significant weakness (about 50% of the uninjured knees) in both contraction types (isometric at knee flexion 90° and isokinetic at 50°·s, p<0.05). Hamstrings of the injured knees had not shown significant changes after reconstruction. A strengthening program placing emphasis on greater knee flexion angles and slower movement speed with sufficient training duration post ACL reconstruction is recommended due to long-lasting and exacerbated weakness during 3 and 6 months post-reconstruction. HubMed – rehab