Task-Specific Perturbation Training Improves the Recovery Stepping Responses by Women With Knee Osteoarthritis Following Laboratory-Induced Trips

Trip-specific training improves the kinematics of trip-specific compensatory stepping response (CSR) in the laboratory and reduces prospectively measured trip-related fall-rate of middle age and older women. We examined whether one session of trip-specific perturbation training could improve recovery step kinematics in women with knee osteoarthritis (OA), a condition known to increase fall risk. Seventeen women with self-reported symptomatic knee OA (age 61.1 ± 7.7 years, body mass index [BMI] 29.7 ± 5.9 kg/m²) and 22 control women (age 59.5 ± 6.8 years, BMI 28.4 ± 6.2 kg/m²) completed a brief training protocol consisting of 20 trials of treadmill-delivered trip-specific perturbations. We assessed pre- and post-training recovery step length and trunk kinematics at the instant of recovery step completion. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine the significance of between-group differences following the training protocol, and to evaluate the significance of within-group pre-to-post changes in the variables of interest. The group by training interaction effects for step length (p = 0.466), trunk flexion angle (p = 0.751), and trunk angular velocity (p = 0.413) were not significant and the pre-to-post changes in step length were not significant (p = 0.286). However, pre-to-post trunk flexion angle improved by 26% and 34% in the OA and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001) and trunk flexion angular velocity decreased by 193% in the OA group and by 32% in the control group, respectively (p < 0.001), often reflecting a transition to the direction of extension. The results suggest that trip-specific training can improve CSR kinematics in women with knee OA. It is important to determine, the effectiveness of trip-specific training in decreasing trip-specific fall-rate by women with knee OA. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:663–669, 2020     

A systematic review of simulation in open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

ObjectiveConcerns about the long-term durability of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair and the requirement for explantation of stents in the case of infection demonstrate the continued need for open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. However, with the increased complexity and decreasing volume of open cases performed, maintenance of skills and training of younger surgeons are challenging. The aim of this review was to identify and to examine studies pertaining to open AAA simulation, with focus on methods and outcomes.MethodsWe performed a systematic review of the literature to identify primary research pertaining to open AAA repair through the use of simulators. The primary outcome was to identify predominant modes of simulator design and validated assessment tools that could demonstrate improvement in trainee skills. Secondary outcomes included identifying participant numbers needed to power studies and whether tools not validated externally contributed to the studies.ResultsThere were 309 unique papers identified, from which five papers met the inclusion criteria. The selected papers used a combination of synthetic (commercial and homemade) and cadaveric simulators. A variety of validated and nonvalidated assessment metrics were used, including Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills, global rating scales, and realism surveys. Three of the five papers used blinding as part of their assessments. Mean participant numbers were 30.8 ± 25.7 and with the exception of one paper consisted entirely of surgical trainees in dedicated general or vascular surgery training programs.ConclusionsSeveral options are currently available for open AAA simulation, all of which demonstrate improved scoring metrics after simulator use. Validated scoring systems, the Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills in particular, were most frequently used to deliver objective results. Whereas junior trainees derive the most benefit, senior trainees also showed significant improvements, demonstrating that simulation benefits all levels of surgical trainees. Low numbers of participants were sufficient to achieve statistical benefit within individual studies.     

Surgical training for anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate

Anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate has been proposed as a potentially superior benign prostatic hyperplasia surgery than conventional transurethral resection of prostate. However, the learning curve of the procedure is steep, hence limiting its generalisability worldwide. In order to overcome the learning curve, a proper surgical training is extremely important. This review article discussed about various aspects of surgical training in anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate. In summary, no matter what surgical technique or energy modality you use, the principle of anatomical enucleation should be followed. When one starts to perform prostate enucleation, a 50 to 80 g prostate appears to be the ‘best case’ to begin with. Mentorship is extremely important to shorten the learning curve and to prevent drastic complications from the procedure. A proficiency-based progression training programme with the use of simulation and training models should be the best way to teach and learn about prostate enucleation. Enucleation ratio efficacy is the preferred measure for assessing skill level and learning curve of prostate enucleation. Morcellation efficiency is commonly used to assess morcellation performance, but the importance of safety rather than efficiency must be emphasised.     

Brief report: Global health initiatives and breast oncology capacity-building in Africa

IntroductionGlobal health initiatives provide exciting opportunities for capacity-building in low- and middle-income countries but data regarding how African clinicians characterize the most effective partnerships are lacking.MethodsWe surveyed attendees at two “Breast Cancer in Africa” symposia sponsored through a surgeon-led global breast cancer research collaborative. Respondents ranked their preferences for needs from American global health partnerships.Results399 African attendees responded (170 at the 2017 Ghana conference; 229 at the 2018 Ethiopia conference). Physicians comprised 41.1% of respondents; nurses 20.1% and medical students 27.6%. Ancillary hospital staff comprised the remaining 11.2%. Among clinicians, 75.7% ranked educational/training programs or donation of medical supplies as the highest-priority needs compared to only 20.4% ranking direct monetary support as the highest-priority need (P < 0.0001).ConclusionsOur survey study found that African clinicians prioritize training programs and donation of medical/hospital supplies above direct monetary support as their highest-value needs from global health initiatives.     

运动性疲劳及消除

疲劳是运动到一定阶段必然出现的一种生理现象，但如果运动性疲劳没有得到及时的恢复和调整，而使疲劳累积，导致疲劳过度，会对健康造成不良影响。根据疲劳产生的机理分析疲劳，采用一定的客观判断方法测试疲劳，进而运用一些消除运动性疲劳的方法，使机体快速有效地进行超量恢复，以便更好地投入训练、工作和学习，使人体达到更高水平的运动能力储备，非常必要。     

两种运动心率监测器比较研究

用国产运动心率监测显示器(Exercise Heart Rate Monitor简称EHRM—I型)和芬兰产Polar心率监测仪同时对2名健康青年作多种不同负荷的动态心率测试,结果证实国产机在监测低到中等强度负荷的运动时的心率,其灵敏度及准确性均能与进口仪器相比.用EHRM—Ⅰ型作8名健康对象的静态心率测试,同时与手测搭脉方法对照,结果显示该仪器在显示静态心率数有很好的准确性.说明EHRM—I型有较好的工作性能.     

间歇性外斜视儿童术后视觉训练对视功能的重建效果分析

目的:探讨视觉训练用于间歇性外斜视术后患儿对其视功能重建的效果。方法:选取2016-08/2019-01于我院确诊且行眼位矫正手术治疗的间歇性外斜视患儿94例94眼,根据术后是否行视觉训练分两组,术后未予以视觉训练的患儿47例纳入对照组,术后2wk开始予双眼视觉训练的患儿47例纳入观察组。随访6mo,观察两组患儿视功能恢复及眼位回退情况。结果:术后6mo,观察组双眼同时视功能(89%)、融合功能(85%)及立体视功能(40%)恢复患儿所占比例显著高于对照组(53%、47%、19%),且观察组患儿眼位正位率明显高于对照组(91%vs 66%)。结论:儿童间歇性外斜视术后进行双眼视功能训练可促进双眼视功能恢复,同时还可降低术后眼位回退风险。