Altered gait termination strategies following a concussion

The purpose was to determine if planned gait termination can identify acute and lingering motor control strategy alterations in post-concussion individuals. Controls completed two standard gait and five planned gait termination trials once while concussed individuals were tested on Day-1 and Day-10 post-concussion. Dependent variables included gait velocity and normalized, relative to standard gait, peak propulsive and braking forces. Control and only Day-1 post-concussion gait velocity differed. Normalized peak propulsive and braking forces were altered on both Day-1 and Day-10. Altered propulsive and braking forces persisted despite all concussion participants achieving their baseline values on standard concussion clinical tests. Thus gait termination can detect both acute and lingering motor control strategy alterations following concussion.     

The Contribution of Fortified Ready-to-Eat Cereal to Vitamin and Mineral Intake in the U.S. Population,NHANES 2007–2010

Micronutrients play a pivotal role in achieving and maintaining optimum health across all life stages. Much of the U.S. population fails to meet Estimated Average Requirements (EARs) for key nutrients. This analysis aims to assess the contribution of fortified ready-to-eat cereals (RTEC) to micronutrient intake for U.S. residents aged 2–18, 19–99, and 2–99 years of age according to National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2010 data. We used the National Cancer Institute (NCI) method to assess usual intake of 21 micronutrients and the percentage of the population under EARs and above Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL). Without fortification of RTECs, the percentage of those aged 2–18 years that were below EARs increased by 155%, 163%, 113%, and 35% for niacin, iron, thiamin, and vitamin A, respectively. For vitamins B6 and zinc, the respective numbers were 118% and 60%. Adults aged 19–99 and 2–99 had lower percentages but similar outcomes. RTECs are associated with improved nutrient adequacy and do not widely affect prevalence above the UL. The data indicate that large proportions of the population fail to achieve micronutrient sufficiency without fortification, and that its use can help Americans reach national nutrient intake goals.     

Challenges for Teaching Injury Prevention in a Juvenile Detention Center

This case study explored the injury related experiences and perceptions of youth in detention and the delivery of first aid education in youth detention contexts. It aimed to develop an understanding of how a mainstream injury prevention intervention could be modified for youth detention populations. Teacher and student reactions to the program were examined and injury checklists, focus groups, and staff interviews were conducted. Analysis revealed serious injuries related to criminal behaviors, violence, dangerous driving, and substance use. Recommendations for youth detention interventions include lesson flexibility, discussions, role-plays, visual materials, peer support strategies, student-teacher relationships, and positive reinforcement.     

Reliability of Infrared Thermometric Measurements of Skin Temperature in the Hand

Study DesignClinical measurement study.IntroductionSkin temperature asymmetries (STAs) are used in the diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), but little evidence exists for reliability of the equipment and methods.PurposeThis study examined the reliability of an inexpensive infrared (IR) thermometer and measurement points in the hand for the study of STA.MethodsST was measured three times at five points on both hands with an IR thermometer by two raters in 20 volunteers (12 normals and 8 CRPS).ResultsST measurement results using IR thermometers support inter-rater reliability: intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) estimate for single measures 0.80; all ST measurement points were also highly reliable (ICC single measures, 0.83–0.91).ConclusionsThe equipment demonstrated excellent reliability, with little difference in the reliability of the five measurement sites. These preliminary findings support their use in future CRPS research.Level of EvidenceNot applicable.