Apparatus for monitoring load bearing rehabilitation exercises of a transfemoral amputee fitted with an osseointegrated fixation: A proof-of-concept study

The purpose of this proof-of-concept study was to determine the relevance of direct measurements to monitor the load applied on the osseointegrated fixation of transfemoral amputees during static load bearing exercises. The objectives were (A) to introduce an apparatus using a three-dimensional load transducer, (B) to present a range of derived information relevant to clinicians, (C) to report on the outcomes of a pilot study and (D) to compare the measurements from the transducer with those from the current method using a weighing scale. One transfemoral amputee fitted with an osseointegrated implant was asked to apply 10 kg, 20 kg, 40 kg and 80 kg on the fixation, using self-monitoring with the weighing scale. The loading was directly measured with a portable kinetic system including a six-channel transducer, external interface circuitry and a laptop. As the load prescribed increased from 10 kg to 80 kg, the forces and moments applied on and around the antero-posterior axis increased by four-fold anteriorly and 14-fold medially, respectively. The forces and moments applied on and around the medio-lateral axis increased by nine-fold laterally and 16-fold from anterior to posterior, respectively. The long axis of the fixation was overloaded and underloaded in 17% and 83% of the trials, respectively, by up to ±10%. This proof-of-concept study presents an apparatus that can be used by clinicians facing the challenge of improving basic knowledge on osseointegration, for the design of equipment for load bearing exercises and for rehabilitation programs.     

Predictors of short and long term outcome in patellofemoral pain syndrome: a prospective longitudinal study

Background  

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFP) is a common musculoskeletal condition that has a tendency to become chronic and problematic in a proportion of affected individuals. The objective of this study was to identify prognostic factors that may have clinical utility in predicting poor outcome on measures of pain and function in individuals with PFP.     

The autoblink: A technique to explore nonveridical visual perception

The Autoblink technique was developed to allow objective, quantitative investigation of perceptual abnormalities found in psychiatric and normal populations under various experimental conditions. A pilot study demonstrated that spontaneous visual percepts could be elicited by this technique in a group of psychiatric patients and that wide individual differences were present. A second study found significant differences in Autoblink rate between normal and hallucinating psychotic male Ss and also suggested that sensory deprivation and prestige suggestion are variables related to Autoblink rate. A third study further explored differences between psychiatric patients and normal Ss as well as examining sex differences. The latter 2 studies are reported in detail.     

Visual Functioning Questionnaire: reevaluation of psychometric properties for a group of working-age adults.

PURPOSE: The Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VFQ-25) is one of the most widely used measures of vision-related quality of life. However, the questionnaire does not meet some psychometric quality criteria. The objectives of this study were first to obtain the factor structure of the VFQ-25, and second, to obtain interval scales by Rasch analysis. METHODS: The questionnaire was administered to 129 visually impaired adults (mean age 42.1 years; range 21 to 67 years). First, the items of the VFQ-25 were subjected to an exploratory factor analysis with Promax rotation. Next, we performed a separate Rasch analysis on each factor. We examined step thresholds and goodness of fit statistics of the items. Finally, we examined differential item functioning. RESULTS: Factor analysis indicated four factors: Near Activities, Distance Activities and Mobility, Mental Health and Dependency, and Pain and Discomfort. They accounted for 46.37% of the total variance. Most items showed some degree of disordering. After collapsing response categories, all items showed ordered thresholds. The Near Activities domain showed excellent fit, whereas the Distance Activities and Mobility domain, the Mental Health and Dependency domain, and the Pain and Discomfort domain had an unsatisfactory fit. There were two items showing uniform differential item functioning. CONCLUSIONS: The four-factor structure of the VFQ-25 largely confirms the structure of the questionnaire. However, the results of this study suggest that modifications of the original VFQ-25 structure are necessary.     

Adequacy of essential fatty acid, vitamin D and vitamin E intake: Implications for the 'core' and 'extras' food group concept of the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating

Objective: To assess the implications of new recommendations for essential fatty acids, vitamin D and vitamin E on the classification of margarines and vegetable oils as ‘extras’ in the current Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Design: The role of margarines and vegetable oils as sources of essential fatty acids, vitamin D and vitamin E was examined in two ways. First, data from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey were assessed and, second, sample diets conforming to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating were modelled and analysed. Subjects: For the assessment of national intake, subjects were a representative sample of 13 858 Australians, surveyed in the 1995 National Nutrition Survey. Main outcome measures: Relative contributions of margarines and oils, the ‘core’ food groups and ‘extras’ categories of the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating to intakes of essential fatty acids and vitamins D and E; changes in nutrient profiles of baseline diets conforming to the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating with or without varying amounts of margarines and oils. Results: ‘Core’ foods and ‘extras’ contributed similar amounts of essential fatty acids and vitamins D and E to the Australian diet, margarines and oils being the major contributor among ‘extras’. The simulated low‐fat, low‐saturated‐fat baseline diets generally failed to meet the adequate intakes for n‐3 and n‐6 polyunsaturates and vitamin D, and vitamin E in some instances. The addition of 25 g of sunflower margarine, but not comparable amounts of canola margarine, olive oil and butter, markedly increased the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids and generally delivered the adequate intakes, vitamin D being the exception. Conclusion: The inclusion of margarines and vegetable oils in diets based on the current Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, and guidance on choice among these foods, is required to provide adequate intakes of linoleic acid, α‐linolenic acid and vitamins D and E and to achieve fatty acid profiles consistent with the prevention of chronic disease.