EXPRESS: The Influence of Three-Dimensional Cues on Body Size Judgements

Research has shown that body size judgements are frequently biased, or inaccurate. Critically, judgement biases are further exaggerated for individuals with eating disorders, a finding that has been attributed to difficulties integrating body features into a perceptual whole. However, current understanding of which body features are integrated when judging body size is lacking. In this study, we examine whether individuals integrate three-dimensional (3D) cues to body volume when making body size judgements. Computer-generated body stimuli were presented in a 3D Virtual Reality (VR) environment. Participants (N = 412) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: in one condition the to-be-judged body was displayed binocularly (containing 3D cues to body volume), in the other, bodies were presented monocularly (2D cues only). Across 150 trials, participants were required to make a body size judgement of a target female body from a third-person point of view using an unmarked visual analogue scale (VAS). It was found that 3D cues significantly influenced body size judgements. Namely, thin 3D bodies were judged smaller, and overweight 3D bodies were judged larger, than their 2D counterpart. Furthermore, to reconcile these effects, we present evidence that the two perceptual biases, regression to the mean and serial dependence, were reduced by the additional 3D feature information. Our findings increase our understanding of how body size is perceptually encoded and creates testable predictions for clinical populations exhibiting integration difficulties.

Fitness center use and subsequent achievement of exercise goals. A prospective study on long-term fitness center members

Background Knowledge on the relationship between fitness center use and long-term members’ subsequent goal achievement is limited. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the prospective association between the use of fitness centers during 18 months and subsequent self-reported goal achievement among long-term members. Methods This was a registry- and survey-based longitudinal study of 2851 people who had been members at a Norwegian fitness center chain for more than two years. Fitness center use from December 2016 to June 2018 was obtained from registry data. Subsequent goal achievement was measured in a survey in June 2018, assessed by a 1–100 visual analogue scale, and a score between 0 and 50 was defined as low goal achievement. Results Visiting the fitness center frequently and regularly, and having frequent group activity bookings were associated with higher subsequent self-reported goal achievement. Participants with fewest visits (1–57 days) during 18 months were more likely to report low goal achievement than participants with most visits (118–543 days) (OR = 8.5; 95% CI 6.3–11.4). Fitness trainer bookings was not clearly associated with subsequent goal achievement. Conclusions Frequent and regular long-term fitness center use were associated with higher subsequent self-reported goal achievement.

Efficacy of neural prolotherapy versus local corticosteroid soft tissue injection for treatment of chronic anserine bursitis: a prospective randomized clinical trial

Background Anserine bursitis is characterized by the presence of spontaneous pain with tenderness at the inferomedial aspect of the knee joint. Neural prolotherapy aims to relieve pain of a variety of chronic musculoskeletal disorders. The study aim was to explore the short-term efficacy of neural prolotherapy (subcutaneous perineural injection of dextrose 5% solution) versus local corticosteroid injection for pain relief and improvement of function in patients with chronic anserine bursitis. The enrolled patients were randomly assigned to receive neural prolotherapy (subcutaneous perineural injection of dextrose 5% solution) (neural prolotherapy group) or a single local soft tissue injection of corticosteroid (corticosteroid group). Outcome measures included Western Ontario McMasters Universities osteoarthritis index, assessment of overall anserine bursitis pain severity using the visual analogue scale, patient’s global assessment of anserine bursitis severity using the visual analogue scale, and clinical assessment for the presence of tenderness on the anserine bursa region. Patients were evaluated before injection and after intervention by 4 weeks. Results The study included 67 lower limbs from 43 patients with chronic anserine bursitis. No significant differences were found between both treatment groups regarding all assessed parameters at the start of the study. After 4 weeks, within-group analysis showed that there was a statistically significant improvement in Western Ontario McMasters Universities osteoarthritis index and its subscales (P ≤ 0.0001), overall anserine bursitis pain severity (P ≤ 0.0001), and patient’s global assessment of anserine bursitis severity (P ≤ 0.0001), as well as there was significant improvement regarding the presence of tenderness at the anserine bursa region in both groups in comparison to the preinjection assessment. At the postinjection assessment, between-group analysis showed that there were no significant differences regarding all assessed outcome parameters. All patients in both groups tolerated the injection procedure and were satisfied with the procedure. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding patients’ satisfaction to the procedure results. Improvement was achieved in 86.4% of patients included in the neural prolotherapy group versus 95.2% of patients included in the corticosteroid group. Conclusions Neural prolotherapy was effective in relieving pain, improving local tenderness and function in patients with chronic anserine bursitis similar to local corticosteroid injection. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, registration number: NCT04509440. Registered 12 August 2020—Retrospectively registered,

Intelligibility Across a Reading Passage: The Effect of Dysarthria and Cued Speaking Styles

Objective: Reading a passage out loud is a commonly used task in the perceptual assessment of dysarthria. The extent to which perceptual characteristics remain unchanged or stable over the time course of a passage is largely unknown. This study investigated crowdsourced visual analogue scale (VAS) judgments of intelligibility across a reading passage as a function of cued speaking styles commonly used in treatment to maximize intelligibility. Patients and Method: The Hunter passage was read aloud in habitual, slow, loud, and clear speaking styles by 16 speakers with Parkinson's disease (PD), 30 speakers with multiple sclerosis (MS), and 32 control speakers. VAS judgments of intelligibility from three fragments representing the beginning, middle, and end of the reading passage were obtained from 540 crowdsourced online listeners. Results: Overall passage intelligibility was reduced for the two clinical groups relative to the control group. All speaker groups exhibited intelligibility variation across the reading passage, with trends of increased intelligibility toward the end of the reading passage. For control speakers and speakers with PD, patterns of intelligibility variation across passage reading did not differ with speaking style. For the MS group, intelligibility variation across the passage was dependent on speaking style. Conclusions: The presence of intelligibility variation within a reading passage warrants careful selection of speech materials in research and clinical practice. Results further indicate that the crowdsourced VAS rating paradigm is useful to document intelligibility in a reading passage for different cued speaking styles commonly used in treatment for dysarthria.

Short Term Clinical Outcome of Micro Lumbar Discectomy in Tertiary Care Center

Background: Minimal invasive open lumbar microdiscectomy has been associated with good success rate and low morbidity. The present study is aimed to evaluate the clinical outcome of patients who underwent open minimal invasive open lumbar microdiscectomy for herniated intervertebral disc. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective observational hospital based study of prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc operated in the department of neurosurgery at Nobel Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal from January 2018 to June 2021. All patients of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc subjected for surgery were included. Recurrent prolapsed intervertebral disc, Disc surgery requiring stabilization was excluded from the study. During surgery types of prolapsed intervertebral disc, level and operative time were noted. In the post-operative period Visual Analogue Scale was used to assess the change in severity of pain. Duration of hospital stay and the complications occurred were also noted. Results: The mean age of the study population was was 41.50 (±14.56) years ranging from 20 years to 79 years. The commonest lumbar prolapsed intervertebral disc was at L4-L5 level. The mean operative time was 42 minutes excluding the time for anaesthesia preparation. There was statistically significant difference (p<0.001) in pre-operative and post-operative Visual Analogue Scale. Mean duration of hospital stay was 5.58 (1.87) days. Conclusion: A through workup and surgical planning is associated with better outcome avoiding complications in minimal invasive open micro lumbar discectomy.

Double Dome Laminoplasty: A Novel Technique for C2 Decompression

Objective: To introduce a new surgical technique - double dome laminoplasty for decompression of the entire C2 lamina and preservation of an extensor muscle insertion.Methods: Eleven consecutive cervical myelopathy patients due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament involving the Axis (C2) area were contained at this study. Direct decompression was evaluated as an increasing rate in space available cord (%) and posterior cord shift (mm) at C2 level. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale, and C2–7 Cobb angle in a neutral lateral x-ray were analyzed.Results: The mean increase in space available for spinal cord at the C2 level, average posterior cord shift, and JOA recovery rate were 69.7%, 5.3 ± 0.15 mm, and 58.0%, respectively. Cervical lordotic angle was maintained in all patients. One patient reported neck pain (visual analogue scale 6) postoperatively. No specific complications such as C2 laminar fracture or insufficient decompression were observed.Conclusion: We recommend double dome laminoplasty for treating patients with cervical myelopathy involving the C2 area to avoid C2 laminectomy, reduce postoperative neck pain, and maintain lordotic cervical spine alignment.

A study to analyse the effect of Mckenzie’s method of exercise to treat upper cross syndrome associated with cervicogenic headache

Introduction: Upper cross syndrome (UCS) occurs when the muscle in the neck, shoulders, and chest become deformed usually as a result of poor posture. The aim of the study is to analyse the effect of McKenzie’s method of exercise to treat upper cross syndrome associated with cervicogenic headache. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted in outpatient department physiotherapy A.C.S. Medical College and Hospital. Fifty subjects were selected for the study of the age group between 20 to 50 years of both male and female sex. Duration of this study was about 3 months. Each patient was trained about three session per week, 30 minutes per session. The session included McKenzie’s method of exercise to improve the shoulder and neck movements and postural corrections of the subjects. The outcome measure done using visual analogue scale (VAS) for cervicogenic headache and upper cross syndrome questionnaire (UCS). Results: The results on comparing upper cross syndrome questionnaire score and Visual Analog Scale score showed that between the pre-test (4.93) and post-test (3.43) mean values with group McKenzie’s exercise showed highly significant difference. Thus, it is appropriate that McKenzie’s method of exercise to treat upper cross syndrome associated with cervicogenic headache is effective.

Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy for Decompression of Extraforaminal Stenosis at the Lumbosacral Junction: Surgical Techniques and Clinical Outcomes

Objective: The aims of this study were to describe the unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) technique for decompression of extraforaminal stenosis at L5–S1 and evaluate 1-year clinical outcomes. Especially, we evaluated compression factors of extraforaminal stenosis at L5–S1 and described the surgical technique for decompression in detail.Methods: Thirty-five patients who underwent UBE decompression for extraforaminal stenosis at L5–S1 between March 2018 and February 2019 were enrolled. Clinical results were analyzed using the MacNab criteria, the visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Compression factors evaluated pseudoarthrosis within the transverse process of L5 and ala of sacrum, disc bulging with or without osteophytes, and the thickened lumbosacral and extraforaminal ligament.Results: The mean back VAS was 3.7 ± 1.8 before surgery, which dropped to 2.3 ± 0.8 at 1-year postoperative follow-up (p < 0.001). There was a significant drop in postoperative mean VAS for leg pain from 7.2 ± 1.1 to 2.3 ± 1.2 at 1 year (p < 0.001). The ODI was 61.5 before surgery and 28.6 (p < 0.001). Pseudoarthrosis between the transverse process and the ala was noted in all cases (35 of 35, 100%). Pure disc bulging was seen in 12 patients (34.3%), and disc bulging with osteophytes was demonstrated in 23 patients. The thickened lumbosacral and extraforaminal ligament were identified in 19 cases (51.4%). No complications occurred in any of the patients.Conclusion: In the current study, good surgical outcomes without complications were achieved after UBE decompression for extraforaminal stenosis at L5–S1.

Management of Acne in Unani System of Medicine: A Case Report

Introduction: Acne is a common skin disorder of pilosebaceous gland. It caused due to excessive production of sebum, hyperkeratinisation and proliferation of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. Case presentation: This case report is of 38 years of female having severe problem of acne. She has no family history and her menstrual order was normal. Previously she had taken modern medicine orally and topically but did not relieve. Conclusion: The treatment with Majoon Ushbah orally and multicomponent powdered formulation applied topically proved to be effective. There was significant (p<0.05) reduction of Global Acne Grading Score (GAGS) nearly 81% as compared to baseline. VAS (Visual Analogue Scale)) indicated changes in appearance and symptoms at the end of study. There was significant improvement in DQLI (Dermatology Quality of Life Index). The tested drug proved to be effective in management of acne

Effectiveness of Cryokinetics in Comparison with Effectiveness of Ultrasound Therapy in Treatment of Acute Supraspinatus Tendonitis

Aims and Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of Cryokinetics and Ultrasound therapy in treating supraspinatus tendinitis as measured by Visual analogue Scale (VAS) and 1 RM (Repetition Maximum. A sample of 60 patients with acute supraspinatus tendinitis with an experimental comparative study design. Patients who visited out patient department of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore were included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Both the groups were treated 5 times per week for three weeks. Patients were evaluated with VAS and 1RM on day 1st, 15th day and end of third week. The values are statistically analyzed to determine their effect in reducing pain and improving muscle strength. Results: The two-intervention group showed significant improvement when the pre and post values were analyzed for VAS and 1RM with significant p value (p<0.05). But inter group comparisons showed cryokinetics group to be more effective (p < 0.05) than ultrasound therapy group for all outcome parameters.