Monika Leitner

Test–retest reliability of vertical ground reaction forces during stair climbing in the elderly population

The purpose of the study was to determine the reliability of vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) parameters during stair ascent and descent in the elderly. Forty-two elderly subjects (80.1 SD 6.4 years) were asked to perform three stair ascents and descents at their self-selected normal speed. VGRF were measured during two consecutive steps on an instrumented staircase. Force-time curves where then parameterized into force, force-time and time variables, according to a previously suggested protocol. In addition, force and force-time variables were normalized to body weight. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) type (2, 1) and coefficients of variation (CV) were calculated. Force variables showed moderate to good reliability for the normalized values with ICCs ranging from 0.537 to 0.836 and CVs between 2.52% and 6.51%. Variability of Fmax1 and Fmin appeared to be higher in stair descent with CVs of >5.20% as compared to stair ascent (<3.75%). Time variables showed good reliability in stair ascent but were clearly lower in stair descent (ICCs between 0.108 and 0.684 and CVs between 10.70% and 14.45%). Significant differences were found for the ICCs between the absolute and normalized values as well as for the ICCs of the time dependent and CVs of all variables between stair ascent and descent.It has been concluded that VGRF parameters can be used as a reliable measurement tool for the quantification of stair climbing in the elderly. The present data can be further used as reference values in future investigations.

Evaluation of pelvic floor muscle activity during running in continent and incontinent women: An exploratory study.

Impact activities like running are known to elicit symptoms of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The aim of this study was to investigate and compare pelvic floor muscle activity in continent and SUI women during running at three different speeds and thereby elucidate contraction characteristics of the pelvic floor during impact.

Quantitative work demands, emotional demands, and cognitive stress symptoms in surgery nurses

Abstract In surgery, cognitive stress symptoms, including problems in concentrating, deciding, memorising, and reflecting are risks to patient safety. Recent evidence points to social stressors as antecedents of cognitive stress symptoms in surgery personnel. The current study tests whether cognitive stress symptoms are positively associated with emotional abuse, emotional- and task-related demands and resources in surgery work. Forty-eight surgery nurses from two hospitals filled out the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire in its German version. Task-related and emotional demands were positively related to cognitive stress symptoms. In a stepwise, multiple, linear regression of cognitive stress symptoms on task-related and emotional demands, emotional abuse and emotional demands were unique predictors (p < .05). Efforts to increase patient safety should address emotional abuse, emotional demands, and, therefore, communication and cooperation team climate in surgery personnel.

Pelvic floor muscle activity during impact activities in continent and incontinent women: a systematic review

Introduction and hypothesisInvestigating the activity of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) in women during impact activities such as jumping, running or coughing may elucidate different aspects of PFM activation and therefore clarify the pathophysiology of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). A systematic review (PROSPERO 2016:CRD42016035624) was conducted to summarize current evidence on PFM activity during impact activities in both continent and incontinent women.MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and SPORTDiscus databases were systematically searched for studies published up to December 2016. The PICO approach (patient, intervention, comparison, outcome) was used to construct the search queries. Original studies were included that investigated PFM activity during impact activities if they included terms related to muscle activity and measurement methods, test positions, activities performed and continence status. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts independently to ascertain if the included studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and extracted data on outcome parameters.ResultsThe search revealed 28 studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of which 26 were cross-sectional studies. They used different electromyography measurement methods, test activities, test positions, and comparisons with other structures. Ten studies compared continent and incontinent women. The timing of PFM activity in relation to the activity of other trunk muscles seems to be a crucial factor in maintaining continence. Women with SUI have delayed PFM activity.ConclusionsThe findings of this systematic review suggest that impact activities causing involuntary and reflex PFM activity should be the subject of further study. This may help guide clinical studies to improve our understanding of how the PFMs react during impact activities and to determine best practices that can be included in rehabilitation programmes.

Evaluation of pelvic floor kinematics in continent and incontinent women during running: An exploratory study

Impact activity like running is associated with an increase in intra‐abdominal pressure which needs to be sufficiently countered by pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activity to secure continence. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare PFM kinematics in continent and incontinent women during running.