Objective: The purpose of this study was first to compare the kinematic parame ters of imposed ankle mobilizations measured during Ashworth or isokinetic tests and, second, to better understand why the stretch reflex ...Objective: The purpose of this study was first to compare the kinematic parame ters of imposed ankle mobilizations measured during Ashworth or isokinetic tests and, second, to better understand why the stretch reflex was more or less easil y elicited by one method or the other. Methods: Passive dorsiflexions were appli ed on eight adult patients with plantarflexor spasticity in two conditions: (i) manually, using the Ashworth test where passive dorsiflexions were performed fre ely by seven rehabilitation clinicians, and (ii) instrumentally, using an isokin etic device (Cybex(r) Norm(tm) and a dorsiflexion velocity at 300°/s.Mean value s of initial ankle position, maximal angular velocity(θ′max), maximal angular acceleration (θ″max) and plantarflexorreflex responses obtained with each meth od were compared.Results: During the Ashworth test, all the patients presented r eflex activities in the triceps surae while, during the isokinetic mobilization, only three out of the eight patients tested shown reflex responses. θ′max val ues were significantly higher(P < 0.05) in the manual test (308±80°/s vs 216± 5.5°/s for the isokinetic test). The most marked difference concerned the θ″m ax values (5046±2181°/s2 for the Ashworth test vs 819±18°/s2 for the isokine tic test, P < 0.001). This parameter was significantly correlated with the mean rms-EMG values of the gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and the soleus (SOL). Conclu sions:This study indicates that passive dorsiflexions imposed during Ashworth an d isokinetic tests largely differ in velocity and acceleration, and the higher d ynamic parameters evaluated during the Ashworth test could mainly explain that t he stretch reflex was more easily elicited during this manual testing. Significa nce:If isokinetic devices offer numerous advantages in the assessment of passive resistance to spastic muscle stretch,they cannot be used to simulate the manual test.展开更多
A design of a rotating condenser is suggested. The maximum radius under the effect of rotation is estimated analytically .It is found that it decreases with the angular velocity. This in turn increases the rate of swe...A design of a rotating condenser is suggested. The maximum radius under the effect of rotation is estimated analytically .It is found that it decreases with the angular velocity. This in turn increases the rate of sweeping the surface by departing droplets. The appearance of droplets with smaller radii will be predominant. These small droplets offer small thermal resistances, thus enhancing heat transfer through the condenser surface. It is found also that the maximum radius is a function of the distance from the axis of the rotating condenser. Thus the value of the maximum radius under rotation is not unique. This in turn makes the heat flux through the condenser surface not to be uniform.展开更多
This paper reports the problems that elderly people have when they stand up from a chair, and proposes an adequate standing-up procedure that solves these problems. The important points for an adequate standing-up pro...This paper reports the problems that elderly people have when they stand up from a chair, and proposes an adequate standing-up procedure that solves these problems. The important points for an adequate standing-up procedure are ＂leaning the upper body forward＂ and ＂pulling the legs to the side＂. Furthermore, this paper proposes a standing-up support tool. The characteristics of the support tool are a cushion-type shape with an adjustable flange and an air-pressure-driven mechanism. When the proposed standing-up procedure and support tool are applied to elderly people, the measured values related to standing-up, such as maximum acceleration, arm force, standing-up time, heel position and forward-bending angle, are improved. Furthermore, elderly people felt that it made the standing-up action easy. We could confirm the effectiveness of the proposed standing-up procedure and support tool.展开更多
文摘Objective: The purpose of this study was first to compare the kinematic parame ters of imposed ankle mobilizations measured during Ashworth or isokinetic tests and, second, to better understand why the stretch reflex was more or less easil y elicited by one method or the other. Methods: Passive dorsiflexions were appli ed on eight adult patients with plantarflexor spasticity in two conditions: (i) manually, using the Ashworth test where passive dorsiflexions were performed fre ely by seven rehabilitation clinicians, and (ii) instrumentally, using an isokin etic device (Cybex(r) Norm(tm) and a dorsiflexion velocity at 300°/s.Mean value s of initial ankle position, maximal angular velocity(θ′max), maximal angular acceleration (θ″max) and plantarflexorreflex responses obtained with each meth od were compared.Results: During the Ashworth test, all the patients presented r eflex activities in the triceps surae while, during the isokinetic mobilization, only three out of the eight patients tested shown reflex responses. θ′max val ues were significantly higher(P < 0.05) in the manual test (308±80°/s vs 216± 5.5°/s for the isokinetic test). The most marked difference concerned the θ″m ax values (5046±2181°/s2 for the Ashworth test vs 819±18°/s2 for the isokine tic test, P < 0.001). This parameter was significantly correlated with the mean rms-EMG values of the gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) and the soleus (SOL). Conclu sions:This study indicates that passive dorsiflexions imposed during Ashworth an d isokinetic tests largely differ in velocity and acceleration, and the higher d ynamic parameters evaluated during the Ashworth test could mainly explain that t he stretch reflex was more easily elicited during this manual testing. Significa nce:If isokinetic devices offer numerous advantages in the assessment of passive resistance to spastic muscle stretch,they cannot be used to simulate the manual test.
文摘A design of a rotating condenser is suggested. The maximum radius under the effect of rotation is estimated analytically .It is found that it decreases with the angular velocity. This in turn increases the rate of sweeping the surface by departing droplets. The appearance of droplets with smaller radii will be predominant. These small droplets offer small thermal resistances, thus enhancing heat transfer through the condenser surface. It is found also that the maximum radius is a function of the distance from the axis of the rotating condenser. Thus the value of the maximum radius under rotation is not unique. This in turn makes the heat flux through the condenser surface not to be uniform.
文摘This paper reports the problems that elderly people have when they stand up from a chair, and proposes an adequate standing-up procedure that solves these problems. The important points for an adequate standing-up procedure are ＂leaning the upper body forward＂ and ＂pulling the legs to the side＂. Furthermore, this paper proposes a standing-up support tool. The characteristics of the support tool are a cushion-type shape with an adjustable flange and an air-pressure-driven mechanism. When the proposed standing-up procedure and support tool are applied to elderly people, the measured values related to standing-up, such as maximum acceleration, arm force, standing-up time, heel position and forward-bending angle, are improved. Furthermore, elderly people felt that it made the standing-up action easy. We could confirm the effectiveness of the proposed standing-up procedure and support tool.
