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At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Hip abductor muscle activity as subjects with hip prostheses walk with different methods of using a cane.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Using a cane held contralateral to a prosthetic hip is presumed to be an effective way to reduce the demands on the hip abductor (HA) muscles and, therefore, the forces on the implant. In this study, surface electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured from the HA muscles to test this notion. SUBJECTS: Twenty-four active subjects (9 female, 15 male) with unilateral prosthetic hips were tested. The subjects, aged 40 to 86 years (mean = 63.3, SD = 10.7), were not regular cane users. METHODS: Surface EMG activity and cane force were analyzed while the subjects walked with the cane held (1) contralateral to the prosthesis (CL-CANE), (2) ipsilateral to the prosthesis (IL-CANE), and (3) contralateral to the prosthesis with instructions for the subject to push with a "near-maximal effort" (CL-CANE+). RESULTS: Only the following conditions showed a change in HA muscle EMG activity as compared with not using a cane: CL-CANE = -31.1%, CL-CANE+ = -42.3%. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: Holding the cane contralateral to the prosthetic hip appears to be an effective method of reducing demands on the HA muscles.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Changes in knee moments with contralateral versus ipsilateral cane usage in females with knee osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Conservative treatment for osteoarthritis often involves educating the patient in methods of decreasing the load transmitted through the diseased joint. The use of a cane is one such method and the correct placement of the cane with respect to an abnormal knee joint is crucial. The purpose of this study was to compare effects on knee moments of force of contralateral versus ipsilateral cane usage in female subjects with osteoarthritic knees. METHODS: A convenience sample of 14 subjects volunteered for this study. Subjects walked over force platforms while ground reaction force and three-dimensional kinematic data were captured using a Vicon 370 System. The subjects were tested walking: (a) unaided, (b) with ipsilateral cane, and (c) with contralateral cane. Inverse dynamics were employed to calculate temporal-spatial, kinematic and kinetic variables. Dependent variables included hip and knee frontal plane and sagittal plane moments of force, walking speed, cadence and stride length. Repeated measures ANOVA assessed differences among walking conditions. FINDINGS: Subjects walked significantly faster in the unaided gait condition owing to a higher cadence. Ipsilateral cane use resulted in significantly larger hip (versus contralateral P=0.018; versus unaided P=0.036) and knee (versus contralateral P=0.043; versus unaided P=0.030) frontal plane peak moments during gait. Contralateral cane placement was associated with the smallest peak knee abductor (P=<0.001) and flexor (P=<0.001) moments. Knee deformity (varus or valgus) did not have any significant effect on any variable possibly due to small sample size. INTERPRETATION: The results suggest that as is the case for the hip contralateral cane placement is the most efficacious for persons with knee osteoarthritis. In fact, no cane use may be preferable to ipsilateral cane usage as the latter resulted in the highest knee moments of force, a situation which may exacerbate pain and deformity.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2000

Effects of a cane on floor reaction force and center of force during gait.

In comparative studies of various gait patterns of 20 healthy subjects who used a cane, the vertical reaction forces and the center of force on the foot were measured and recorded by a force recording and analyzing device. The results indicated that when a cane was used in the ipsilateral hand, the center of force did not shift significantly compared with normal gait. When a cane was used in the contralateral hand, the center of force shifted medially compared with normal gait. In analysis of the vertical floor reaction force acting on the foot, the most efficient way to use a cane was to control the pacing so that the tip of the cane and the foot touched the ground simultaneously. By doing so, the cane could share as much as 34.3% of force at heel strike, 25.3% at midstance, and 29.7% at toeoff of the stance phase of the gait cycle. When prescribing use of a cane for a patient with varus gonarthritis, the patient should be instructed to use the cane in the ipsilateral hand so as not to shift the center of force medially; for a patient with valgus gonarthritis, the cane should be used in the contralateral hand to shift the center of force medially. Patients should be taught to control pacing so that the tip of the cane and the foot touch the ground simultaneously.

Canes↗
PubMed2001

Temporal stride and force analysis of cane-assisted gait in people with hemiplegic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the underlying biomechanics of temporal stride and force in people with hemiplegic stroke during cane-assisted walking. DESIGN: Three forceplates, 6 cameras, and an instrumented cane were integrated to analyze the cane-assisted gait of people with hemiplegic stroke. Temporal-stride parameters, and peak vertical, anterior (propulsive), posterior (braking), and lateral shear forces, as well as propulsive-breaking impulses were analyzed. SETTING: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Medical Center, Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty people with hemiplegic stroke. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Temporal-stride and force parameters. RESULTS: All patients walked at a relatively slow speed, ranging from 4.2 to 35.8cm/s. The triple and double support occupied most of the gait cycle (GC), whereas the single support occupied only 10% of GC. The applied vertical, propulsive, braking, and lateral shear forces on either foot and the cane were 89.7% to 97.6%, 2.2% to 4.8%, 2.9% to 3.9%, and 5.5% to 6.7% body weight (BW), respectively. Patients applied less than 25% BW of peak vertical forces on the cane. They applied greater peak propulsive forces and impulses on the sound foot, while applying greater peak braking forces and impulses on the affected foot and cane. CONCLUSIONS: The cane provided support and a braking function for people with hemiplegic stroke. People with stroke walking with cane assistance rely mostly on the sound limb for propulsion, while using the affected limb and cane for braking. Data provided could be useful in assessing the nature of cane assistance and in planning therapeutic strategies for people with stroke.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Salmonellae in the African great cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus).

Because of its large size, the African great cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) is valued for food and has become a popular meat in western Africa. A survey was conducted to determine the occurrence of salmonellae in cane rats. Ten strains of Salmonella sp. were isolated from eight of 25 (32%) cane rats. Salmonella ajiobo was isolated from the spleen and intestines of three cane rats; S. agama was obtained from the spleen, liver and intestines of three animals; and S. poona was isolated from the spleen and liver of two cane rats. The occurrence of salmonellae in T. swinderianus is a potential public health hazard. Humans may become exposed to infection by consumption of inadequately cooked infected cane rat meat, or by eating vegetables, sugar cane and fruits contaminated with excretions of carrier cane rats. Incidents of human salmonellosis attributable to cane rat meat have not yet been reported; however, all three serotypes isolated from the cane rats have also been isolated from stools of patients suffering from gastroenteritis in Nigeria.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Contralateral and ipsilateral cane usage by patients with total knee or hip replacement.

Four men were studied to determine the effect of ipsilateral (IP) and contralateral (C) cane use on gait. One subject had had total hip replacement, two had had total knee replacements and one was preoperative for total knee replacement. Force transducers were installed in an adjustable aluminum cane to measure the axial forces exerted during free speed walking. A portable force shoe system, which measured each step of the affected extremity, was used to record fore, aft, medial, lateral, and vertical floor reaction forces. Foot-floor placement data (affected extremity) were obtained from photo-cells, a conductive walkway, and metal tape on the bottom of the subjects' shoes that triggered a computerized system. Motion pictures (16mm, 50 frames/s) were taken in the sagittal plane to record cadence, stride length, velocity, and joint motion of the affected limb as well as cane angles. With C cane use, three subjects had greater mean stride length; cadence was greater in all subjects; and the combined effect of stride length and cadence was faster mean velocity. Mean knee joint motion of the affected extremity was greater with IP cane use in all subjects. Conversely, mean hip joint motion was less with IP cane use. Mean peak vertical floor reaction forces were greater with IP cane use. Temporal and kinetic components of fore and aft forces had the greatest interaction between cane and extremity forces. Increased IP fore cane forces correlated with reduced fore extremity forces in the subject with THR and in two with TKR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2002

Use of a cane for ambulation: marker and mitigator of impairment in older people who report no difficulty walking.

OBJECTIVES: To measure disability, patients are often asked whether they have difficulty performing daily tasks. However, recent work suggests that functional problems may be detected earlier by inquiring about modifications in the way tasks are performed. We sought to describe the characteristics of older people who deny difficulty walking but nevertheless have modified the manner in which they walk, by use of a cane. We also tested the hypothesis that, among older people who deny difficulty walking, those using a cane have more mobility problems and are at greater risk for future mobility problems than those not using a cane. DESIGN: Longitudinal survey study, with measures at baseline and 2-year follow-up. SETTING: Population-based survey of urban older people. PARTICIPANTS: One thousand two hundred fifty-one community-dwelling older persons without severe cognitive impairment who reported no difficulty walking at baseline. MEASUREMENTS: Self-reported health, activities of daily living (ADL), and mobility status. RESULTS: Among older people who denied difficulty walking, those who used a cane at baseline (7 of subjects) were older and more likely to have taken medication for a heart condition or arthritis, to have an ADL deficit, and to have been hospitalized in the past year. They were less likely to have walked for pleasure in the past month and more likely to report difficulty crossing roads or intersections. Moreover, those using a cane at baseline were more likely to develop new mobility problems at follow-up. For example, 15 of those who used a cane at baseline reported new difficulty walking at follow-up, compared with 2 of those who did not use a cane. CONCLUSION: Older people who deny difficulty walking but who use a cane are at greater risk than those who do not use a cane for the development of difficulty walking and other new mobility problems. Asking patients about task modification rather than difficulty alone may be a more sensitive way to detect early or mild functional problems.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2004

The effect of cane length on the haptic perception of height.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the ability to haptically perceive object height is a function of the length of cane being wielded by blindfolded individuals. METHOD: Fifteen sighted females between the ages of 18 and 25 years volunteered to participate in the study. Five different heights of wooden blocks were haptically explored with four different cane lengths (0.92, 1.22, 1.37 and 1.67 m), cane length order being randomized across 2 days of testing. Subjects were asked to report whether the explored block's height was taller, shorter, or equal to that of a previously presented standard block. The percentages of correct judgments for each cane and block height combination were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The analysis revealed significant main effects for cane length, F (3, 42) = 9.47, p < 0.0001, and block height, F (4, 56) = 17.69, p < 0.0001. The interaction of cane length and block height was not significant, F < 1. The accuracy of haptic perception improved with decreased cane length and increased difference in height from the standard block. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to previous research on haptic perception in which probe length was found not to affect judgment accuracy, the present study found a marked influence of cane length on perceptual accuracy. This finding indicates that length is an important property that should be taken into account when prescribing canes for the visually impaired.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Contralateral v ipsilateral cane use. Effects on muscles crossing the knee joint.

Although using a cane contralaterally has been shown to reduce muscular activity across the hip joint, little is known about effects on the knee. We measured muscular activity around the knee in 10 able-bodied subjects. We simultaneously recorded integrated rectified surface electromyographic activity from the right quadriceps, medial and lateral hamstrings, gastrocnemius and hip abductors during various standing maneuvers: two-legged stance, unsupported one-legged stance and one-legged stance putting maximal, moderate (20% body weight) or minimal (10% body weight) force through an ipsilateral or contralateral cane. Electromyographic activity was expressed as the percentage of that recorded during unsupported one-legged stance in each muscle. Hip abductor activity was lowest when maximal weight was placed through a contralateral cane (66%) and highest with maximal weight ipsilaterally (424%). Medial hamstrings activity increased by 404% and 200%, respectively, when maximal and moderate force was applied to a contralateral cane, although there was no change with ipsilateral cane. Lateral hamstrings were also most active during contralateral cane use. Quadriceps activity decreased using a cane in either hand with moderate or minimal force (range 57 to 84%). Gastrocnemius activity decreased during contralateral (60 to 66%) and ipsilateral (75 to 96%) cane use. This data suggests that forces generated by muscular activity around the knee are not uniformly diminished by holding a cane in the contralateral hand and may even be increased.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

A cost-effective cane molasses medium for enhanced cell-bound phytase production by Pichia anomala.

AIM: Formulation of an inexpensive cane molasses medium for improved cell-bound phytase production by Pichia anomala. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cell-bound phytase production by Pichia anomala was compared in synthetic glucose-beef extract and cane molasses media. The yeast was cultivated in 250 ml flasks containing 50 ml of the medium, inoculated with a 12 h-old inoculum (3 x 10(6) CFU ml(-1)) and incubated at 25 degrees C for 24 h at 250 rev min(-1). Different cultural parameters were optimized in cane molasses medium in batch fermentation. The cell-bound phytase content increased significantly in cane molasses medium (176 U g(-1) dry biomass) when compared with the synthetic medium (100 U g(-1) dry biomass). In fed-batch fermentation, a marked increase in biomass (20 g l(-1)) and the phytase yield (3000 U l(-1)) were recorded in cane molasses medium. The cost of production in cane molasses medium was pound 0.006 per 1000 U, which is much lower when compared with that in synthetic medium (pound 0.25 per 1000 U). CONCLUSIONS: An overall 86.6% enhancement in phytase yield was attained in optimized cane molasses medium using fed-batch fermentation when compared with that in synthetic medium. Furthermore, the production in cane molasses medium is cost-effective. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Phytase yield was improved in cane molasses when compared with the synthetic medium, and the cost of production was also significantly reduced. This enzyme can find application in the animal feed industry for improving the nutritional status of feed and combating environmental pollution.

6-Phytase↗
PubMed1980

Ethanol from Sugar Cane: Flask Experiments Using the EX-FERM Technique.

Alcohol production at the laboratory scale from sugar cane pieces by the EX-FERM technique was studied with 37 strains of Saccharomyces spp. The EX-FERM process is novel in that it employs the simultaneous extraction and fermentation of the sucrose in a cane-water suspension. Two types of cane treatments were used: chips and shredded pith, either fresh or dried. A mother culture of the yeast was prepared in enriched cane juice and then added to the cane-water mixture. After static fermentation for 40 h at 30 degrees C, the cane was removed, and fresh cane was added to the yeast-alcohol broth. After an additional 24 h, the cane was again removed and the liquor was analyzed. After the first 40-h cycle, sugar consumption was above 99% with 10 of the 37 yeast strains tested, and ethanol reached levels of 1.29 to 4.00 g per 100 ml, depending on the yeast strain. The final ethanol concentration reached 4.27 to 5.37 g per 100 ml, and sugar consumption was above 98% in three cases during a second EX-FERM cycle employing previously air-dried chips and pith. Product yields were within accepted values. Cane treatment did not appear to affect the results at this level.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

The effect of cane use on the compensatory step following posterior perturbations.

OBJECTIVE: The compensatory step is a critical component of the balance response and is impaired in older fallers. The purpose of this research was to examine whether utilization of a cane modified the compensatory step response following external posterior perturbations. DESIGN: Single subject withdrawal design was employed. Single subject statistical analysis--the standard deviation bandwidth-method--supplemented visual analysis of the data. METHODS: Four older adults (range: 73-83 years) with balance impairment who habitually use a cane completed this study. Subjects received a series of sudden backward pulls that were large enough to elicit compensatory stepping. We examined the following variables both with and without cane use: timing of cane loading relative to step initiation and center of mass acceleration, stability margin, center of mass excursion and velocity, step length and width. RESULTS: No participant loaded the cane prior to initiation of the first compensatory step. There was no effect of cane use on the stability margin, nor was there an effect of cane use on center of mass excursion or velocity, or step length or width. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that cane use does not necessarily improve balance recovery following an external posterior perturbation when the individual is forced to rely on compensatory stepping. Instead these data suggest that the strongest factor in modifying step characteristics is experience with the perturbation.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1995

Methods for estimating the proper length of a cane.

OBJECTIVE: To find a practical method of cane length measurement that achieves the elbow flexion of 20 degrees to 30 degrees. DESIGN: Two standard methods of cane length measurements were compared. Method I: Length of the cane measured from the floor to the top of the greater trochanter. Method II: Length of the cane measured from the floor to the distal wrist crease. Using an adjustable cane, each individual was fitted according to the two methods, and elbow angle was measured after each adjustment. Cane length was also correlated with arm length and height. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two normal volunteers who were ambulatory without assistive devices. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD of the elbow angle according to Method I and Method II was 44.8 +/- 11.8 and 25.4 +/- 6.1, respectively. A significant difference was found in the elbow angle between the two methods (unpaired two-tailed student t test, p = 5.910(-18)). Of the 52 volunteers, 4 (7.7%) measured according to method I and 49 (94.3%) measured according to method II showed the elbow angle between 20 degrees and 30 degrees. The ideal length of the cane (L) also can be determined by the formula L = H x .45 + .87 meters or A x .76 + .19 meters, where H is the height of the individual in meters and A is the arm length measured in meters. CONCLUSION: Ideally, cane length should be measured from the floor to the distal wrist crease. The length can also be determined using the above formulae.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A cane reduces loss of balance in patients with peripheral neuropathy: results from a challenging unipedal balance test.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that use of a cane in the nondominant hand during challenging balance tasks would significantly decrease loss of balance in patients with peripheral neuropathy while transferring from bipedal to unipedal stance on an unsteady surface. DESIGN: Nonrandomized control study. SETTING: Tertiary-care institution. PARTICIPANTS: Eight consecutive patients with peripheral neuropathy (PN) and eight age- and gender-matched controls (C) with a mean (SD) age of 65 (8.2) years. METHODS: Subjects were asked to transfer their weight onto their right foot, despite a rapid +/- 2 degrees or +/- 4 degrees frontal plane tilt of the support surface at 70% of weight transfer, and balance unipedally for at least 3 seconds. The efficacy of their weight transfer was evaluated over 112 consecutive randomized and blocked trials by calculating loss of balance as failure rates (%FR) with and without visual feedback, and with and without use of a cane in the nondominant (left) hand. Results were analyzed using a 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 repeated-measures analysis of variance (rm-ANOVA) and post hoc t tests. RESULTS: The rm-ANOVA showed that the FR of the PN subjects (47.6% [18.1%]) was significantly higher than C (29.2% [15.2%], p = .036). Removing visual feedback, simulating the dark of night, increased the FR fourfold (p = .000). Use of a cane in the contralateral nondominant hand significantly reduced the FR (p = .000), particularly in the PN group (cane x disease interaction: p = .055). Post hoc t tests showed that with or without visual feedback, the cane reduced the FR of the PN group fourfold and enabled them to perform more reliably than matched controls not using a cane (p = .011). An inversion perturbation resulted in a higher FR than an eversion perturbation (p = .007). The PN group employed larger mean peak cane forces (21.9% BW) than C (13.6% BW) in restoring their balance (p = .000). CONCLUSION: Use of a cane by PN patients significantly reduced their risk of losing balance on unstable surfaces, especially under low-light conditions.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of cane use on tibial strain and strain rates.

The effect of cane ambulation on hip biomechanics has been well studied, but its effect on tibial strains and strain rates is not known. To test the hypothesis that cane use may lower tibial strain and strain rates during walking, percutaneous axial extensometers were mounted on the right medial cortex of the midtibial diaphysis in seven male volunteers. In vivo peak-to-peak axial tibial strains and strain rates were measured for ipsilateral and contralateral cane usage and compared with a no cane control. Cane-assisted ambulation was not found to significantly lower strain magnitudes; however, tibial strain rates were significantly lowered by both ipsilateral and contralateral cane usage. We conclude that either ipsilateral or contralateral cane usage may be beneficial when lowering tibial strain rate is desired, such as in the treatment of tibia stress fracture or osteoarthrosis of the knee.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of cane use on hip contact force.

Canes may be used to reduce hip pain by reducing the joint contact force. Previous estimates suggest that this force could be reduced to 17-26% of normal. We have calculated 3-dimensional hip contact forces during gait in 4 groups: normals, preoperative hip patients walking without a cane, preoperative hip patients walking with a cane, and patients postoperative total hip reconstruction. Preoperative patients walking with a cane exhibited hip contact forces of about 60% normal force (from age-matched and velocity-matched normals). Preoperative patients walking without a cane and postoperative patients had hip contact forces which were not significantly different from age-matched and velocity-matched normals. Considering that patients probably rarely place more than 20% of their body weight on a cane, it is likely the hip contact force will rarely be reduced below 60% of body weight with use of a cane.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Specific screening for color precursors and colorants in beet and cane sugar liquors in relation to model colorants using spectrofluorometry evaluated by HPLC and multiway data analysis.

A comparison was made of the fluorophores in beet thick juice and cane final evaporator syrup, which are comparable in the production of cane and beet sugar; that is, both represent the final stage of syrup concentration prior to crystallization of sugar. To further elucidate the nature of the color components in cane and beet syrup, a series of model colorants was also prepared, consisting of mildly alkaline-degraded fructose and glucose and two Maillard type colorants, glucose--glycine and glucose--lysine. Fluorescence excitation--emission landscapes resolved into individual fluorescent components with PARAFAC modeling were used as a screening method for colorants, and the method was validated with size exclusion chromatography using a diode array UV--vis detector. Fluorophores from the model colorants were mainly located at visible wavelengths. An overall similarity in chromatograms and absorption spectra of the four model colorant samples indicated that the formation of darker color was the distinguishing characteristic, rather than different reaction products. The fluorophores obtained from the beet and cane syrups consisted of color precursor amino acids in the UV wavelength region. Tryptophan was found in both beet and cane syrups. Tyrosine as a fluorophore was resolved in only beet syrup, reflecting the higher levels of amino acids in beet processing. In the visible wavelength region, cane syrup colorant fluorophores were situated at higher wavelengths than those of beet syrup, indicating formation of darker colorants. A higher level of invert sugar in cane processing compared to beet processing was suggested as a possible explanation for the darker colorants.

Carbohydrates↗
PubMed1976

Energy expenditure and physiological performance of Sudanese cane cutters.

The thermal and exercise tolerances of 165 Sudanese cane cutters were measured in the laboratory and related to work performance and productivity in the cane fields. The results showed that the amount of cane cut per minute in the field was significantly correlated with changes in body weight (r = +0-53) during the third hour of work, aerobic energy expenditure (r = + 0-43), and cardiac frequency during work. These variables in turn were associated with predicted maximal power output (VO2 max) measured in the laboratory. The average energy expenditure during cane cutting was 1-66 +/- 0-33 1/min-1 (34-9 kJ/min-1) which represents approximately 60% of the workers predicted VO2 max. This rate of energy expenditure was sustained in the cane fields for at least three hours without significant pauses for rest. The sweat losses measured in 32 cane cutters during the two and three hours of work averaged 637 +/- 221 and 770 +/- 282 g/h-1 respectively, while the mean urine temperature immediately on cessation of effort was 37-74 +/- 0-46 degrees C. Despite the additional environmental heat load of the tropics, it would seem that cane cutters performing a self-paced task demanding heavy physical effort, are able to sustain work levels well in excess of those recommended for most European factory workers without obvious signs of fatigue or heat stress.

Adult↗