Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Nordin

Publications and source records attributed to M Nordin.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Physical and psychological workload in men with and without low back pain.

Current and retrospective physical and psychological workload was studied in 148 mean, 45-55 years old. The men represented three groups with respect to low back health status: Healthy low back (Group 1, n = 36), intermittent low back pain (LBP) (Group 2, n = 91) and chronic LBP (Group 3, n = 21). The methods used were a self administered questionnaire, a rating scale of perceived exertion, and blind expert assessment built on a classification of job titles. Group 1, the back-healthy subjects, had been less exposed to heavy physical work than subjects with intermittent LBP (Group 2) and chronic LBP subjects (Group 3) through their whole working-career and in their present work (p < or = 0.05, p < or = 0.01). Group 2 tended to be significantly less exposed in their present work than Group 3 (p < or = 0.06). Non-neutral working postures were reported more often in Groups 2 and 3 than in Group 1 (p < or = 0.05, p < or = 0.001). Both groups 2 and 3 perceived present and earlier work to be more strenuous than Group 1, with respect to the low back (p < or = 0.000). Subjects in the healthy low-back group had lower values in the qualitative demand index ("too difficult working tasks" and "too great responsibility") than subjects in Groups 2 and 3 (p < or = 0.01). This study indicates that more attention should be given to the individual's perception of physical workload.

Confidence Intervals↗
PubMed1994

Sociocultural factors and back pain. A population-based study in Belgian adults.

A population-based survey of approximately 4000 adults in Belgium, a bi-cultural country with a uniform health care system, explored the relationships of socio-cultural and employment factors to the reported experience of low back pain (LBP). Predictors of 1) history of LBP, 2) first LBP, and 3) daily LBP were examined by multiple logistic regression analysis. Thirty-three percent of the population had current LBP, including 5% experiencing their first episode; 26% had past but not current LBP, and 41% had never had LBP. Increasing age (OR > 2.0, P = .000) and female gender (OR 2.16, P = .000) were associated with history of LBP; only gender (OR 1.40, P = .02) was associated with first episode; neither was associated with daily LBP. Language was associated with history (OR 1.80, P = .000) and first occurrence (OR 1.77, P = .000) but not daily LBP. Among those employed, work dissatisfaction was associated with history of LBP (OR > 2.4, P = .02) and daily LBP (OR 3.85, P = .02), but not with first episode. The results suggest that sociocultural factors influence the expression of LBP, but not the risk of chronicity once LBP is reported, and that work satisfaction may not be causally related to LBP, but may intervene along with type of occupation in the possibility of continuing employment once LBP is present. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results and elucidate causal relationships.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Intrafascicular recordings of afferent multi-unit activity from the human supraorbital nerve.

Intrafascicular recordings of afferent multi-unit activity were obtained from the supraorbital nerve in 40 healthy human volunteers, using tungsten micro-electrodes inserted percutaneously at the eyebrow. Seventy-seven fascicular receptive fields were mapped; their area ranged from 2 to 76 cm2, with a median of 19 cm2. The smallest fields were found in the eyebrow region, and the largest on the scalp. In response to non-painful electrical intradermal stimulation, the conduction velocity of the fastest nerve fibres was calculated to be 40 +/- 2 m s-1 (mean +/- SEM), and the later part of the afferent volley corresponded to a velocity of 20 +/- 1 m s-1. The responses to skin indentation indicated that the density of mechanoreceptive innervation was higher in the lower part of the forehead than in the upper/posterior part of the innervation territory of the nerve. A rapid mechanical tap on the forehead and scalp evoked two major afferent volleys corresponding to the on- and off-phase of the stimulus. Manipulation of hairs resulted not only in dynamic responses to hair movement, but also in a static discharge during sustained hair displacement. When a fascicular field included the eyebrow region, skin stretching during blinking movements evoked distinct afferent activity. Following mechanical and electrical stimuli there were no signs of 'trigeminal antidromic potentials' of the type described in the cat and monkey.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Non-specific low-back pain among schoolchildren: a field survey with analysis of some associated factors.

A study population composed of 1,755 children 8-16 years of age were surveyed using a 15-item, self-administered questionnaire. The response rate was 97.7%. The purpose of the survey was to evaluate the possible association between low-back pain and certain social factors and predicaments. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis showed that parental history of treated low-back pain (adjusted odds ratio 2.10; p < 0.001), competitive sports activity (adjusted odds ratio 1.73; p = 0.003), and time spent watching television (adjusted odds ratio 1.23; p = 0.05) significantly increased the risk for low-back pain among children, controlling for the child's age and gender.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

The hand in neck manoeuvre as a tool to analyze pain-generating mechanisms in the subacromial impingement syndrome.

A scoring system for a standardized composite movement of the shoulder--the Hand in Neck (HIN) manoeuvre--is presented. The EMG activity of the supraspinatus muscle was studied in 5 healthy subjects at different performance levels of this test. It is shown that the supraspinatus muscle is about four times more active during normal performance than at the subnormal levels, which among themselves do not differ. EMG activity was also studied during normal performance of another standardized manoeuvre--the Pour out of a Pot (POP) test. Based on a comparison of the EMG data with clinical data from patients with the subacromial impingement syndrome it is suggested that an abnormal HIN test indicates the presence of a traction responsive pain generator in the supraspinatus tendon. In the same patient group, the combination of a normal HIN test and an abnormal POP test indicates pain generated by compression of subacromial structures.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Quantification of trunk muscle performance in standing, semistanding and sitting postures in healthy men.

The purpose of this study was to determine trunk muscle performance in the sitting, semistanding, and standing postures during isometric and dynamic extension and flexion movements. Twenty-five male subject volunteers, with no previous history of back pain participated in the study. A triaxial dynamometer that measures torque, angular position, and velocity was used to measure isometric and dynamic motor output. The dynamometer allows testing in the sitting and standing postures. A custom-designed module also allowed testing in the semistanding posture. Each subject was tested in two sessions. The first session included the physical examination and three trials of isometric maximum voluntary contractions in the three postures. The second session included the dynamic performance against a resistance equal to 50% of the effort, as measured in the first session. Subjects were instructed to perform five repetitive flexion and extension cycles as fast and accurately as possible with maximum effort. An analysis of variance with repeated measures design was used to investigate the effects of the postures (standing, semistanding and sitting), the direction of exertion (flexion and extension), and the interaction effects of the isometric and dynamic parameters (maximum and average torque, velocity, power, and range of motion). The effects of direction (F = 98, P < 0.0001) and the interaction of posture and direction (F = 7.9, P < 0.001) were significant. The maximum isometric flexion strength was significantly higher in the standing posture than in semistanding and sitting. The maximum isometric extension was not affected by the posture (sitting, semistanding and standing).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Cross-sectional study of the isokinetic muscle trunk strength among school children.

Our surveys have shown lifetime prevalence of L.BP. over 30% among schoolchildren. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between back and isokinetic trunk strength, anthropometric parameters, and sports activities. One hundred and seventeen healthy children aged 10-16 years were included. All these volunteers had semi-structured interview, anthropometric and dynamic strength measurements. Lifetime prevalence of back pain was 44.5% and point prevalence was 13%. In this cross-sectional study, anthropometric and strength profiles were significantly related to age and gender. Non specific low back pain was not correlated to trunk muscle strength and/or sports activities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Isometric maximal and submaximal trunk extension at different flexed positions in standing. Triaxial torque output and EMG.

Thirty-one healthy men were tested for the effects of trunk-flexion positions (0 degrees, 15 degrees, and 35 degrees) in standing on triaxial torques and electromyogram of 10 trunk muscles during voluntary maximal and submaximal isometric trunk extension. At a more flexed position, both erector spinae and latissimus dorsi showed significantly higher RMS-EMG. The abdominal obliques were coactivated only during 100% maximum voluntary exertion at each posture. In all tests, the rectus abdomini were quiet. Mean maximum extension torque increased significantly at 15 degrees and 35 degrees of trunk flexion. The ratio of extension torque over RMS-EMG of the trunk extensor muscles, called the neuromuscular efficiency ratio (NMER), also increased in the more flexed posture. However, NMER has to be interpreted with caution because it is affected both by posture and exertion levels. The effects of posture on the torque generation capability of the trunk question the validity of the current lifting recommendations.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1993

Body composition, endurance, strength, cross-sectional area, and density of MM erector spinae in men with and without low back pain.

Thirty-six 45-55-year-old men with healthy low backs were studied with respect to body composition, isokinetic and isometric trunk strength, trunk muscle endurance, and cross-sectional area and radiological density of mm erector spinae. Results were compared to those of men in the same age group with intermittent low back pain (LBP) (n = 91) and with chronic LBP (n = 21). The back healthy group was significantly stronger and had longer trunk muscle endurance times than men with chronic LBP. Men with intermittent LBP had strength and endurance values in between the back healthy and chronic groups. There were no significant differences between any of the groups with respect to body composition and cross-sectional area of mm erector spinae. Radiological density for mm erector spinae was significantly decreased in the chronic LBP group compared to the back healthy and intermittent LBP groups. The deconditioning syndrome and its relationship to intermittent and chronic LBP is discussed.

Back↗
PubMed1992

The DNA-binding protein P52 of human cytomegalovirus reacts with monoclonal antibody CCH2 and associates with the nuclear membrane at late times after infection.

Monoclonal antibody CCH2 is commonly used for the detection of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infected cells in tissue sections as well as in cultured cells. The specificity of CCH2 was determined by screening a recombinant lambda-gt11 cDNA gene bank from HCMV-infected fibroblasts. By sequencing a reactive clone, the antigen was identified to be the non-structural DNA binding protein p52 of HCMV (UL44 reading frame). The viral insert from the lambda clone was recloned in bacterial expression vectors. For this, a new vector, pRos-RS, was constructed. The resulting clones were tested in immunoblot analyses. They were reactive with CCH2 as well as with reconvalescent sera positive for antibodies against HCMV, by this proving the specificity of CCH2. Using this monoclonal antibody in confocal microscopy, the subcellular localization of p52 in infected cells was analyzed. In these analyses, p52 was found to be nuclear and to be associated with the nuclear membrane at late times after infection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Back pain in children and teenagers.

Controversial opinions have been published concerning the frequency of LBP among children and adolescents. Studies from orthopaedics or neurosurgical departments have reported low figures for prevalence of specific LBP due to serious disorders. Field surveys, on the contrary, have shown that cumulative life prevalence of non-specific LBP in children and teenagers can be comparable to the prevalence data for adult populations. Some specific diagnoses are more common or characteristic of children complaining of LBP. Age, gender, sports activities and family history of LBP have been found to be significantly associated with an increased prevalence in non-specific LBP among children. Low back pain among children and teenagers is common and should be recognized. This chapter provides guidelines for a clinical approach and differential diagnoses. Most back pain in these age groups is benign and should be treated as such.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Back schools in prevention of chronicity.

This chapter has reviewed the role of back school and educational programmes for the common and non-specific acute and subacute low back pain patient. The following seems to come out of this review. Education is an important part of patient care. However, several questions arise about the content of the education, the selection of patients, the patient compliance to instruction given, how the information is retained, and which outcome measures should be used. It is also important to realize that the back school is a modality or a tool that may be used as an adjunct, but as a sole treatment it seems to have less impact than in combination with other structured or goal-oriented programmes. When a back school is instituted in a hospital or in industry, it requires administrative and budgetary support and a multidisciplinary staff to successfully carry out the programme. The information given must be adapted to the needs of the participants and all members of the team must give the same information to the patient. A poorly structured back school where patients are dumped because the physician or other health care provider has nothing else to offer is a poor solution for the patient, a poor solution for the health care provider, and can only increase the patient's discomfort and health care costs.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Role of physical therapy in the treatment of cervical disk disease.

Table 4 summarizes how physical therapy should be implemented during the acute and chronic phase of cervical disk disease. From the outset of treatment, the patient should be encouraged to return to work or other productive activities and should be taught how to be responsible for their own recovery. If passive modalities are used, they must be an adjunct to the active modalities. As soon as the patient is able to continue with an active program without unbearable pain, the passive modalities should be discontinued gradually. If neck pain becomes chronic, the accompanying psychosocial dysfunction must be addressed through behavioral modification techniques, preferably in a multidisciplinary setting. Modification of the work place, work habits, and lifestyles must be emphasized at both the acute and chronic stages. The modalities presented in this article are commonly used by physical therapists. Unfortunately, the clinical efficacy of most of these modalities has yet to be proved. A literature search on the effectiveness of various physical therapy modalities by Sievers et al showed that only 4% of the studies published from 1979 to 1985 were controlled clinical trials. This scientific output of physical therapists needs to be corrected.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMed1991

Effects of spinal flexion and extension exercises on low-back pain and spinal mobility in chronic mechanical low-back pain patients.

It has been estimated that one fourth to one half of all patients treated in physical therapy clinics suffer from low-back pain. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of spinal flexion (Group I) and extension (Group II) exercises on low-back pain severity and thoracolumbar spinal mobility in chronic mechanical low-back pain patients. Both groups had significantly less low-back pain after treatment (P less than .10). There was no significant difference, however, between the spinal flexion and extension exercises in reduction of low-back pain severity. The results indicated a significant difference between the groups in increasing the sagittal mobility (P less than .10). The results did not indicate any significant difference between and within groups in increasing the coronal and transverse mobility of the thoracolumbar spine. Either the spinal flexion or extension exercises could be used to reduce chronic mechanical low-back pain severity, but the flexion exercises had an advantage in increasing the sagittal mobility within a short period of time.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Environmentally induced disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

The human suffering and economic cost attributable to musculoskeletal disorders cannot be overemphasized. Biomechanical principles have been introduced to explain the microtrauma and macrotrauma as mechanisms of injury. Stress-induced remodeling is a useful paradigm in the study of environmentally induced disorders. The concept of environment should include psychosocial and organizational factors with respect to musculoskeletal complaints and chronic pain. Low back pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and its associated fractures, and cumulative trauma disorders are the most critical and common musculoskeletal disorders. The risk factors for low back pain have been identified, and preventive measures for reducing the chronicity of low back pain have been discussed. Preventive approaches to control or limit the fractures associated with osteoporosis and loss of bone mass are preferred to simple management of the fracture of osteoporotic patients. It can be concluded that too little or too much stress can disturb the homeostatic or the equilibrium state of health and that much remains to be researched to quantify the optimal stress levels.

Back Pain↗
PubMed1990

The relationship of torque, velocity, and power with constant resistive load during sagittal trunk movement.

Strength and fitness studies have been used to determine the predictability of back pain episodes. Tests have demonstrated that isometric strength displays little prognostic value in the development of low-back pain. Static isometric tests have achieved widespread usage due to the simplicity and safety of protocols, the readily available technology, and the low administrative costs. Dynamic lifting models have, however, predicted significantly higher spinal loads than those derived from static models. The objectives of this study were twofold: to investigate the relationship of the torque, velocity, and power to the resistive load during trunk flexion and extension, and to develop predictive models for these relationships for the subject's performance of the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentile distribution. The results of the study found that the flexion/extension torque had a positive linear correlation with the set resistance; the velocity displayed a negative linear correlation, while power had a quadratic relationship with the resistance.

Adult↗