Christoff Zalpour

Sonography assessment of the median nerve during cervical lateral glide and lateral flexion. Is there a difference in neurodynamics of asymptomatic people

There is clinical evidence that cervical lateral glide (CLG) improves neurodynamics and alleviates pain in patients who suffer from neurogenic arm pain. Cervical lateral flexion (CLF) is also a treatment method and a means of testing neurodynamics. However, for both techniques nerve movement has not yet been investigated using ultrasound imaging (US). The purpose of this study was to quantify median nerve movement in the arm during CLG and CLF. For this study 27 healthy participants were recruited. Longitudinal movement of the median nerve was measured using US during CLG and CLF with the shoulder in 30° abduction in the middle and distal forearm (Fad). Data could be obtained from 11 participants (6 women and 5 men, average age 25.6 years, ± 2.25) at the middle forearm (Fam) and from 9 participants (5 women and 4 men, average age 27.2 years, ± 2.75) at the Fad. When applying CLF, the median nerve moved 2.3 mm (SEM ± 0.1 mm) at the Fam. At the same measuring point the median nerve moved 3.3 mm (SEM ± 0.3 mm, p = 0.005) by applying CLG. At the Fad the difference between CLF and CLF amounted to 0.6 mm (CLF: 1.9 mm (SEM ± 0.2 mm, CLG: 2.5 mm (SEM ± 0.2 mm, p ≤ 0.05). The movements during CLG are larger than during CLF. This difference is statistically significant. However, the statistical relevance cannot be extrapolated to a clinical relevance.

A new perspective for Virtual Mirror Therapy Developing a low-cost-high-convenient environment utilising the Wiimote

The Nintendo Wii-Technology will be used for Virtual Mirror Therapy with stroke patients. A special software-application and a therapy-plan will be developed and analyzed regarding different research aspects.

Musculoskeletal Assessments Used in Quantitatively Based Studies About Posture and Movement in High String Players: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to identify and systematically categorize musculoskeletal assessments used in quantitatively based studies about posture and movement in musicians playing high string instruments (violin, viola) in order to inform further research and help to identify gaps in knowledge. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted in the databases Cochrane, CINAHL, and PubMed as well as the journal Medical Problems of Performing Artists. Additional studies were searched within the reference lists of relevant articles. Sixty-four studies conducted since 1999 until May 2017 were included according to predefined inclusion criteria. RESULTS Various biomechanical measurement instruments were used in 24 of the selected studies in order to collect two- and three-dimensional kinematic data: optoelectronic systems with active and passive markers, electromagnetic systems, ultrasonic motion analysis systems, and image-based analysis of posture. In 11 studies, kinetics were measured by optoelectronic systems, force sensors, and a posturographic device. Further studies used electromyography to evaluate muscle activity (19 studies) as well as instruments to measure range of motion (2 studies). Additionally, a broad range of clinical examination techniques (35 studies) and self-reports (36 studies) were used to assess the musculoskeletal system of high string players. CONCLUSION The identified assessments could be used both in further research and in practical work in order to evaluate posture and movement in high string players. For future research, qualitatively based studies as well as psychometrically tested quantitatively based self-report assessments are required.

Musculoskeletal Health Complaints and Corresponding Risk Factors Among Music Students: Study Process, Analysis Strategies, and Interim Results from a Prospective Cohort Study

AIM In this prospective longitudinal study, the physical and psychological health status of music students is assessed at the beginning of their university music study and tracked over time. Analysis strategies and interim results from the first-year cohort, including 1-year incidences, monthly prevalences, and predictors of developing musculoskeletal health complaints (MHC), are presented. METHODS This prospective longitudinal study is calculated to enlist a total sample of 370 participants, including musicians and non-musicians, over 5 years. Baseline measurements include a self-designed questionnaire, core strength endurance, hypermobility, finger-floor-distance, motor control, mechanosensitivity, health-related quality of life (SF36), and stress and coping inventory (SCI). The occurrence of MHC is based on monthly online questionnaires. RESULTS The first-year subcohort enrolled 33 music students and 30 non-music control students. The mean monthly completion rate for the questionnaire was 55.7±8.7%. At baseline, music students showed significantly more stress symptoms, reduced physical function¬ing, and increased bodily pain compared to control students. The 1-year incidence of MHC was 59% for music students and 44% for controls. Risk factors for MHC included being a music student, previous pain, reduced physical functioning, stress symptoms, reduced emotional functioning, and mechanosensitivity. Being a music student, physical functioning, sleep duration, positive thinking, and general mechanosensitivity had a predictive ability of 0.77 (ROC curve) for MHC. CONCLUSION A total of 63 students enrolled in the first cohort is in line with the precalculated sample size. This prospective study design enables the measurement of MHC incidence and provides insight into mechanisms in the development of MHC among music students, including the interaction of physical, psychological, and psychosocial factors.

Red Flags erkennen – Trainingshemmnis

Rennradfahrer Jan Reiser ist verzweifelt. Steigt er aufs Rad, plagen ihn nach circa 20 Kilometern Krampfe in der rechten Wade und ein tiefer Druck im Oberschenkel, sodass er das Training abbrechen muss. Die Angiografie war unauffallig und osteopathische Behandlungen halfen nicht.

Unter falscher Flagge

Ernst Kober ist seit mehreren Monaten krankgeschrieben – aufgrund von Schmerzen im Nacken, Rucken und der Hand. Er denkt, seine Arbeit sei der Grund fur seine Beschwerden – eine Yellow Flag? Physiotherapeut Harry von Piekartz findet noch mehr dieser Flaggen. Doch es stellt sich heraus: Deren Farbe hatte eigentlich eine andere sein mussen.

Wozu betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung

ZusammenfassungHintergrundBetriebliche Gesundheitsförderung ist ein Instrument, um auf die gesamtgesellschaftlichen und strukturellen Veränderungen, die an Hochschulen gestellt werden, zu reagieren. Um betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung an der Fachhochschule Osnabrück zu etablieren, wurde zunächst der Bedarf analysiert.MethodeDer Bedarf an betrieblicher Gesundheitsförderung wurde mittels Web-basierter, schriftlicher Mitarbeiter- und Studierendenbefragung erhoben und hinsichtlich der Statusgruppen differenziert ausgewertet.ErgebnisseEs bestehen signifikante Unterschiede sowohl im Gesundheitsverhalten als auch im Gesundheitszustand der Beschäftigten und Studierenden. Nackenschmerzen sind bei Mitarbeitern häufiger, wohingegen Studierende stärkere psychische Belastungen angaben. Auch die Erwartungen an BGF unterscheiden sich hinsichtlich der Statusgruppen.SchlussfolgerungDie Angehörigen der Fachhochschule Osnabrück weisen insgesamt einen relativ guten Gesundheitszustand auf, dennoch zeigte die Bedarfsanalyse die Notwendigkeit und auch das Potential für BGF-Maßnahmen auf.AbstractBackgroundUniversities could use workplace health promotion as one suitable instrument for dealing with social and structural changes. In order to implement health promotion, the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück undertook a needs analysis.MethodA web survey of students and staff members was conducted. The results were analysed for each group.ResultsBoth the health-related behaviour and health status of staff members showed significant differences compared with students. Neck pain was a common problem for staff, whereas students reported more psychological stress. Also, the prospects of a health promotion project differed in these groups.ConclusionThe members of the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück showed good health overall; nevertheless, the study points out both the necessity and potential for health-promoting activities.

Im Austausch mit türkischen Kollegen: Physiotherapie in der Türkei

In der Turkei leben circa 70 Millionen Menschen.4.500 von ihnen sind Physiotherapeuten. Studenten von der FH Osnabruck waren mitihrem Professor Christoff Zalpour vor Ort, um sich uber die Ausbildung, die Arbeitsbedingungenund den Stellenwert der Physiotherapie in der Turkei zu informieren.