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M de Ruiter

Publications and source records attributed to M de Ruiter.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

Back to basics with ProFlex.

Despite advances in tool and machine design and a growing emphasis on safety, the potential for certain painful and expensive occupational injuries continues in the workplace. Wrist and low-back injuries are a case in point. Low-back pain is clearly the most costly occupational health problem. About half of all back injuries result from poor lifting and handling techniques. In order to augment the effect of training and educating workers in lifting techniques, safety consultants have been suggesting that certain at-risk groups be provided with flexible, externally worn lower-back support. Susceptibility to repetitive strain injuries to the wrist, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, is not limited to users of heavy industrial machinery. Actions that cause the wrist to deviate from the neutral position, as well as repeated gripping and squeezing, can lead to median nerve compression. A useful supplement to the standard preventive approach is the use of palm pads.

Back Pain↗

Profiles of antidepressant activity with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale.

The Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) is a 10 item severity scale constructed to be sensitive to change with treatment. It was designed to be sensitive for individual items and is therefore useful for measuring differential profiles of action. The MADRS profiles of activity were examined in a six-week double-blind comparative group study of depressed patients treated with mianserin or zimeldine. Three of the ten items on the MADRS showed individual significant advantages for mianserin, reduced sleep (weeks 1 and 3), concentration difficulties (week 1), and reduced appetite (week 3). These findings are in agreement with earlier reports of poor sleep and gastrointestinal upset associated with the 5-HT uptake inhibitor zimeldine. The selective improvement in concentration difficulties and in the other items support the view that mianserin is particularly useful in alleviating the anxiety associated with depression. The sedative effect of mianserin did not appear to interfere with concentration. There were significant improvements in the mianserin-treated group at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks for the MADRS, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Clinicians Global Impression scale. There was no significant advantage for mianserin at 5 and 6 weeks. The differential clinical effects were apparent early in the study but any selectivity of action appeared to be overwhelmed by the general antidepressant effect later in treatment.

Adult↗