Haptic Stabilization of Posture in Adults With Intellectual Disabilities Using a Nonrigid Tool

This study assessed the effects of haptic information on the postural control systems of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), through the use of a nonrigid tool that we call the ""anchor system"" (e.g., ropes attached to graduated weights that rest on the floor). Eleven participants with ID were asked to stand, blindfolded, on a balance beam placed at two heights (10 and 20 cm), for 30 s, while using the anchor system at two weights. The lighter anchor weight appeared to improve the individuals' balance in contrast to a control task condition; therefore, we concluded that haptic sensitivity was more significant in helping to orient the body than was the anchor's mechanical support alone.

Time Changes with the Embodiment of Another's Body Posture

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the perception of presentation durations of pictures of different body postures was distorted as function of the embodied movement that originally produced these postures. Participants were presented with two pictures, one with a low-arousal body posture judged to require no movement and the other with a high-arousal body posture judged to require considerable movement. In a temporal bisection task with two ranges of standard durations (0.4/1.6 s and 2/8 s), the participants had to judge whether the presentation duration of each of the pictures was more similar to the short or to the long standard duration. The results showed that the duration was judged longer for the posture requiring more movement than for the posture requiring less movement. However the magnitude of this overestimation was relatively greater for the range of short durations than for that of longer durations. Further analyses suggest that this lengthening effect was mediated by an arousal effect of limited duration on the speed of the internal clock system.

Vibration-enhanced posture stabilization achieved by tactile supplementation: May blind individuals get extra benefits?

Diminished balance ability poses a serious health risk due to the increased likelihood of falling, and impaired postural stability is significantly associated with blindness and poor vision. Noise stimulation (by improving the detection of sub-threshold somatosensory information) and tactile supplementation (i.e. additional haptic information provided by an external contact surface) have been shown to improve the performance of the postural control system. Moreover, vibratory noise added to the source of tactile supplementation (e.g. applied to a surface that the fingertip touches) has been shown to enhance balance stability more effectively than tactile supplementation alone. In view of the above findings, in addition to the well established consensus that blind subjects show superior abilities in the use of tactile information, we hypothesized that blind subjects may take extra benefits from the vibratory noise added to the tactile supplementation and hence show greater improvements in postural stability than those observed for sighted subjects. If confirmed, this hypothesis may lay the foundation for the development of noise-based assistive devices (e.g. canes, walking sticks) for improving somatosensation and hence prevent falls in blind individuals. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Body Posture Evaluations In Subjects with Internal Temporomandibular Joint Derangement

The aim of this study was to verify possible relationships between global body posture and temporomandibular joint internal derangement (TMJ-id), by comparing 30 subjects presenting typical TMJ-id signs to 20 healthy subjects. Body posture was assessed using the analysis of muscle chains on several photographs. Results show a higher frequency of lifted shoulders (p=0.04) and of changes in the antero-internal hip chain (p=0.02) in the test group, but no further differences were found significant between the control and test groups. The test group was then divided into three subgroups according to the Helkimo index of temporomandibular disorder severity. Again, no significant differences were found between the subgroups. However, there was a trend noticed in the group with the most severe dysfunction, to present a forward head and shoulders posture. Results are discussed in light of previous studies using the same sample.

Analysis of body posture in children with mild to moderate asthma

The mechanical alterations related to the excessive use of accessory respiratory muscles and the mouth breathing observed in children with asthma may lead to the development of alterations in head posture, shoulders, thoracic region and, consequently, in alterations of body posture. The purpose of this study was to assess body posture changes of children with asthma compared to a non-asthmatic control group matched for gender, age, weight, and height. Thirty children with asthma and 30 non-asthmatic children aged 7 to 12 years were enrolled in this study. Digital photographic records were obtained for analysis of the body posture of the children by computed photogrammetry. The intraclass correlation coefficient and Student`s t test (p < 0.05) were used for statistical analysis. There were no significant differences between groups for the angles analyzed, except for the knee flexor angle. These results demonstrate that children with asthma did not present postural alterations compared to non-asthmatic controls since the only angle for which there was a significant difference between groups showed weak reproducibility. The findings of this study do not support the notion that children with asthma present alterations in body posture.

Craniocervical posture and hyoid bone position in children with mild and moderate asthma and mouth breathing

Introduction The objective of the present study was to assess the craniocervical posture and the positioning of the hyoid bone in children with asthma who are mouth breathers compared to non-asthma controls. Methods The study was conducted on 56 children, 28 of them with mild (n = 15) and moderate (n = 13) asthma (14 girls aged 10 79 +/- 1 31 years and 14 boys aged 9 79 +/- 1.12 years), matched for sex, height, weight and age with 28 non-asthma children who are not mouth breathers The sample size was calculated considering a confidence interval of 95% and a prevalence of 4% of asthma in Latin America. Eighteen variables were analyzed in two radiographs (latero-lateral teleradiography and lateral cervical spine radiography), both obtained with the head in a natural position The independent t-test was used to compare means values and the chi-square test to compare percentage values (p < 0 05) Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to verify reliability. Results. The Craniovertebral Angle (CVA) was found to be significantly smaller in asthma than in control children (106.38 +/- 766 vs. 111 21 +/- 7.40. p = 0 02) and the frequency of asthma children with an absent or inverted hyoid triangle was found to be significantly higher compared to non-asthma children (36% vs 7%, p = 0.0001). The values of the inclination angles of the superior cervical spine in relation to the horizontal plane were significantly higher in moderate than in mild asthma children (CVT/Hor 85 10 +/- 725 vs. 90 92 +/- 6.69, p = 0 04 and C1/Hor. 80 93 +/- 5.56 vs 85 00 +/- 4 20, p = 0 04) Conclusions These findings revealed that asthma children presented higher head extension and a higher frequency of changes in hyoid bone position compared to non-asthma children and that greater the asthma severity greater the extension of the upper cervical spine. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electromyographic activity of masticatory muscles in women with osteoporosis

The purpose of this study was to analyze the electromyographic (EMG) activity and the maximal molar bite force in women diagnosed with osteoporosis in the maxillary and mandibular regions, considering the habits and conditions that lead to development of generalized skeletal bone loss, including on face bones, can disturb the functional harmony of the stomatognathic system. Twenty-seven women with mandibular and maxillary osteoporosis and 27 healthy controls volunteered to participate in the study. A 5-channel electromyographer was used. Muscle activity was evaluated by means of EMG recordings of the masticatory musculature (masseter and temporalis muscles, bilaterally) during the following clinical conditions: rest (5 s); right and left lateral excursions (5 s); protrusion (5 s); maximal dental clenching on Parafilm™ (4 s) and maximal voluntary contraction (4 s). This latter clinical condition was used as the normalization factor of the sample data. It was observed that individuals with osteoporosis presented greater EMG activity when maintaining mandible posture conditions and less activity during dental clenching and when obtaining maximal molar bite force. It may be concluded that facial osteoporosis can interfere on the patterns of masticatory muscle activation and maximal bite force of the stomatognathic system.

À "frente" da Semana de Arte Moderna: a presença de Graça Aranha e Paulo Prado

Reconhecidos como personagens centrais pelo grupo de intelectuais e artistas ligados à Semana de Arte Moderna de 1922, Graça Aranha e Paulo Prado são muitas vezes deixados de lado pelos estudiosos e, em geral, se fazem presentes nas análises de bastidores e/ou em referências de terceiros. Este artigo pretende observar mais atentamente suas redes de sociabilidade e inserção, o que revela, entre outras coisas, as ambivalências do engate de ambos os autores em um projeto "moderno", assim como certas ambivalências presentes no interior do próprio movimento modernista.

O conceito de vivência em Freud e Husserl

Este artigo visa explicitar as concepções freudiana e husserliana de “vivência” (Erlebnis). Por “vivência” entende-se genericamente um tipo fundamental de experiência do mundo. Esse tema, ainda que não diretamente explorado por Freud, tornou-se necessário em sua teoria desde a descoberta da etiologia da histeria no início dos anos 1890 à luz do método catártico: a da vivência traumática. Por outro lado, Husserl, a partir do problema filosófico de garantir a possibilidade do conhecimento universal e necessário, se viu obrigado a combater o naturalismo das ideias, em 1900, e o naturalismo da consciência, em 1913, em ambos os casos partindo de uma análise das vivências (intencionais). Mostrarei que a abordagem freudiana (natural-científica) visa explicar metapsicologicamente a vivência, ao passo que a abordagem husserliana pretende descrever a estrutura da vivência (intencional). Por fim, apontarei para algumas das grandes diferenças entre ambas as abordagens desse tema.

Ônibus 174 - imagimagens da humilhação social

Este artigo procura debater a psicologia social no cinema através de um conceito específico: a humilhação social como problema político. Para tanto foi tomado como objeto de análise o filme Ônibus 174, documentário realizado pelo cineasta José Padilha em 2002. Os comentários elaborados aqui visam compreender as estratégias narrativas utilizadas pelo diretor, que incluem aspectos estéticos e a participação do público, que transformam sua obra em um objeto de estudo da humilhação social que ocorre no âmbito da esfera pública, onde a ação define as relações sociais entre os indivíduos.

Postural changes in women with chronic pelvic pain: a case control study

Background: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a lower abdominal pain lasting at least 6 months, occurring continuously or intermittently and not associated exclusively with menstruation or intercourse. Although the musculoskeletal system has been found to be involved in CPP, few studies have assessed the contribution of posture in women with CPP. We aimed to determine if the frequency of postural changes was higher in women with CPP than healthy subjects. Methods: A case-control study included 108 women with CPP of more than 6 months' duration (CPP group) who consecutively attended at the Hospital of the University of Sao Paulo and 48 healthy female volunteers (control group). Postural assessment was noninvasive and performed in the standing position, with the reference points of Kendall used as normal parameters. Factors associated with CPP were assessed by logistic regression analysis. Results: Logistic regression showed that the independent factors associated with CPP were postural changes in the cervical spine (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.6-10.7; p < 0.01) and scapulae (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.1-7.6; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Musculoskeletal changes were associated with CPP in 34% of women. These findings suggest that a more detailed assessment of women with CPP is necessary for better diagnosis and for more effective treatment.

Anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustments in sitting in children with cerebral palsy

The aim of this study was to examine postural control in children with cerebral palsy performing a bilateral shoulder flexion to grasp a ball from a sitting posture. The participants were 12 typically developing children (control) without cerebral palsy and 12 children with cerebral palsy (CP). We analyzed the effect of ball mass (1 kg and 0.18 kg), postural adjustment (anticipatory, APA, and compensatory, CPA), and groups (control and CP) on the electrical activity of shoulder and trunk muscles with surface electromyography (EMG). Greater mean iEMG was seen in CPA, with heavy ball, and for posterior trunk muscles (p < .05). The children with CP presented the highest EMG and level of co-activation (p < .05). Linear regression indicated a positive relationship between EMG and aging for the control group, whereas that relationship was negative for participants with CP. We suggest that the main postural control strategy in children is based on corrections after the beginning of the movement. The linear relationship between EMG and aging suggests that postural control development is affected by central nervous disease which may lead to an increase in muscle co-activation. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Age-related difference on weight transfer during unconstrained standing

The ability to transfer weight from one lower limb to the other is essential for the execution of daily life activities and little is known about how weight transfer during unconstrained natural standing is affected by age. This study examined the weight transfer ability of elderly individuals during unconstrained standing (for 30 mill) in comparison to young adults. The subjects (19 healthy elderly adults, range 65-80 years, and 19 healthy young adults, range 18-30 years) stood with each foot on a separate force plate and were allowed to change their posture freely at any time. The limits of stability and base of support width during standing, measures of mobility (using the timed up and go and the preferred walking speed tests), and fear of falling were also measured. In comparison to the young adults, during unconstrained standing the elderly adults produced four times fewer weight transfers of large amplitude (greater than,half of their body weight). The limits of stability and base of support width were significantly smaller for the elderly adults but there were no significant differences in the measures of mobility and in the fear of falling score compared to young adults. The observed significant age-related decrease in the use of weight transfer during unconstrained standing, despite any difference in the measured mobility of the subjects, suggests that this task reveals unnoticed and subtle differences in postural control, which may help to better understand age related impairments in balance that the elderly population experiences. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of joint immobilization on standing balance

We investigated the effect of joint immobilization on the postural sway during quiet standing. We hypothesized that the center of pressure (COP), rambling, and trembling trajectories would be affected by joint immobilization. Ten young adults stood on a force plate during 60 s without and with immobilized joints (only knees constrained, CK; knees and hips, CH; and knees, hips, and trunk, CT). with their eyes open (OE) or closed (CE). The root mean square deviation (RMS, the standard deviation from the mean) and mean speed of COP, rambling, and trembling trajectories in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions were analyzed. Similar effects of vision were observed for both directions: larger amplitudes for all variables were observed in the CE condition. In the anterior-posterior direction, postural sway increased only when the knees, hips, and trunk were immobilized. For the medial-lateral direction, the RMS and the mean speed of the COP, rambling, and trembling displacements decreased after immobilization of knees and hips and knees, hips, and trunk. These findings indicate that the single inverted pendulum model is unable to completely explain the processes involved in the control of the quiet upright stance in the anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Postural control during prolonged standing in persons with chronic low back pain

Prolonged standing has been associated with the onset of low back pain symptoms in working populations. So far, it is unknown how individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP) behave during prolonged unconstrained standing (PS). The aim of the present study was to analyze the control of posture by subjects with CLBP during PS in comparison to matched healthy adults. The center of pressure (COP) position of 12 CLBP subjects and 12 matched healthy controls was recorded in prolonged standing (30 min) and quiet stance tasks (60 s) on a force plate. The number and amplitude of COP patterns, the root mean square (RMS), speed, and frequency of COP sway were analyzed. Statistical analyses showed that CLBP subjects produced less Postural changes in the antero-posterior direction with decreased postural sway during the prolonged standing task in comparison to the healthy group. Only CLBP subjects were influenced by the prolonged standing task, as demonstrated by their increased COP RMS, COP speed and COP frequency in the quiet standing trial after the prolonged standing task in comparison to the pre-PS trial. The present study provides additional evidence that individuals with CLBP might have altered sensory-motor function. Their inability to generate responses similar to those of healthy subjects during prolonged standing may contribute to CLBP persistence or an increase risk of recurrent back pain episodes. Moreover, quantification of postural changes during prolonged standing could be useful to identify CLBP subjects prone to postural control deficits. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.