Examination of trunk muscle co-activation during prolonged sitting in healthy adults and adults with non-specific chronic low back pain based on the O'Sullivan Classification System

Alameri, Mansoor,Lohman, Everett III,Daher, Noha,Jaber, Hatem korean Academy of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation 2019 Physical therapy rehabilitation science Vol.8 No.4

Objective: Non-specific chronic low back pain (NS-CLBP) has been related to abnormal trunk muscle activations, but literature reported considerable variability in muscle amplitudes of NS-CLBP patients during prolonged sitting periods. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the differences among homogenous NS-CLBP subgroups in muscle activity, using muscle co-contraction indices as a more objective approach, and their roles on pain development during a 1-hour period of prolonged sitting. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty NS-CLBP subjects with motor control impairment (MCI) [10 classified as having flexion pattern disorder, and 10 with active extension pattern disorder], and 10 healthy controls participated in the study. Subjects followed a 1-hour sitting protocol on a standard office chair. Four trunk muscle activities including amplitudes and co-contraction indices were recorded using electromyography over the 1-hour period. Perceived back pain intensity was recorded using a numeric pain rating scale every 10 minutes throughout the sitting period. Results: All study groups presented with no significantly distinctive trunk muscle activities at the beginning of sitting, nor did they change over time when pain increased to a significant level. Both MCI subgroups reported a similarly significant increase in pain behavior through mid-sitting (p<0.001). However, after mid-sitting, they significantly differed from each other in pain (p<0.01) but did not differ in the levels of muscle activation. Conclusions: This study was the first to highlight the similarities in trunk muscle activities among homogenous NS-CLBP patients related to MCI and compared them to healthy controls while sitting for an extended period of time, and the significant increase in pain over the 1-hour sitting might not be attributed to trunk muscle activation.

Prismatic-core advanced high temperature reactor and thermal energy storage coupled system - A preliminary design

Alameri, Saeed A.,King, Jeffrey C.,Alkaabi, Ahmed K.,Addad, Yacine Korean Nuclear Society 2020 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.52 No.2

This study presents an initial design for a novel system consisting in a coupled nuclear reactor and a phase change material-based thermal energy storage (TES) component, which acts as a buffer and regulator of heat transfer between the primary and secondary loops. The goal of this concept is to enhance the capacity factor of nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the case of high integration of renewable energy sources into the electric grid. Hence, this system could support in elevating the economics of NPPs in current competitive markets, especially with subsidized solar and wind energy sources, and relatively low oil and gas prices. Furthermore, utilizing a prismatic-core advanced high temperature reactor (PAHTR) cooled by a molten salt with a high melting point, have the potential in increasing the system efficiency due to its high operating temperature, and providing the baseline requirements for coupling other process heat applications. The present research studies the neutronics and thermal hydraulics (TH) of the PAHTR as well as TH calculations for the TES which consists of 300 blocks with a total heat storage capacity of 150 MWd. SERPENT Monte Carlo and MCNP5 codes carried out the neutronics analysis of the PAHTR which is sized to have a 5-year refueling cycle and rated power of 300 MW_th. The PAHTR has 10 metric tons of heavy metal with 19.75 wt% enriched UO₂ TRISO fuel, a hot clean excess reactivity and shutdown margin of $33.70 and -$115.68; respectively, negative temperature feedback coefficients, and an axial flux peaking factor of 1.68. Star-CCM + code predicted the correct convective heat transfer coefficient variations for both the reactor and the storage. TH analysis results show that the flow in the primary loop (in the reactor and TES) remains in the developing mixed convection regime while it reaches a fully developed flow in the secondary loop.

Examination of trunk muscle co-activation during prolonged sitting in healthy adults and adults with non-specific chronic low back pain based on the O’Sullivan Classification System

Mansoor Alameri,Everett Lohman III,Noha Daher,Hatem Jaber 물리치료재활과학회 2019 Physical therapy rehabilitation science Vol.8 No.4

Objective: Non-specific chronic low back pain (NS-CLBP) has been related to abnormal trunk muscle activations, but literature reported considerable variability in muscle amplitudes of NS-CLBP patients during prolonged sitting periods. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the differences among homogenous NS-CLBP subgroups in muscle activity, using muscle co-contraction indices as a more objective approach, and their roles on pain development during a 1-hour period of prolonged sitting. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty NS-CLBP subjects with motor control impairment (MCI) [10 classified as having flexion pattern disorder, and 10 with active extension pattern disorder], and 10 healthy controls participated in the study. Subjects followed a 1-hour sitting protocol on a standard office chair. Four trunk muscle activities including amplitudes and co-contraction indices were recorded using electromyography over the 1-hour period. Perceived back pain intensity was recorded using a numeric pain rating scale every 10 minutes throughout the sitting period. Results: All study groups presented with no significantly distinctive trunk muscle activities at the beginning of sitting, nor did they change over time when pain increased to a significant level. Both MCI subgroups reported a similarly significant increase in pain behavior through mid-sitting (p<0.001). However, after mid-sitting, they significantly differed from each other in pain (p<0.01) but did not differ in the levels of muscle activation. Conclusions: This study was the first to highlight the similarities in trunk muscle activities among homogenous NS-CLBP patients related to MCI and compared them to healthy controls while sitting for an extended period of time, and the significant increase in pain over the 1-hour sitting might not be attributed to trunk muscle activation.

Physical therapy students’ perception of their ability of clinical and clinical decision-making skills enhanced after simulation-based learning courses in the United States: a repeated measures design

Fabian Bizama,Mansoor Alameri,Kristy Jean Demers,Derrick Ferguson Campbell 한국보건의료인국가시험원 2022 보건의료교육평가 Vol.19 No.-

Purpose It aimed to investigate physical therapy students’ perception of their ability of clinical and clinical decision-making skills after a simulation-based learning course in the United States. Methods Survey questionnaires were administered to voluntary participants, including 44 second and third-year physical therapy students of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences during 2021–2022. Thirty-six questionnaire items consisted of 4 demographic items, 1 general evaluation, 21 test items for clinical decision-making skills, and 4 clinical skill items. Descriptive and inferential statistics evaluated differences in students’ perception of their ability in clinical decision-making and clinical skills, pre- and post-simulation, and post-first clinical experience during 2021–2022. Results Friedman test revealed a significant increase from pre- to post-simulation in perception of the ability of clinical and clinical decision-making skills total tool score (P<0.001), clinical decision-making 21-item score (P<0.001), and clinical skills score (P<0.001). No significant differences were found between post-simulation and post-first clinical experience. Post-hoc tests indicated a significant difference between pre-simulation and post-simulation (P<0.001) and between pre-simulation and post-first clinical experience (P<0.001). Forty-three students (97.6%) either strongly agreed (59.1%) or agreed (38.5%) that simulation was a valuable learning experience. Conclusion The above findings suggest that simulation-based learning helped students begin their first clinical experience with enhanced clinical and clinical decision-making skills.

Linear and Nonlinear Behavior of Steel Buildings with Different Bracing Systems

Sulaiman Al-Safi,Ibrahim Alameri,Waleed Abdullah Wasel,Amjad Basheer Al-kadasi 한국강구조학회 2021 International Journal of Steel Structures Vol.21 No.2

In this study, the eff ects of wind and seismic loads on 5, 10, and 15 story steel buildings with diff erent bracing systems were investigated. Linear static and nonlinear dynamic analyses were performed to assess the base shear, base moment, and story drift for all bracing systems. In addition, the cost analysis was taken into consideration. Five structural confi gurations were used: V-bracing, inverted V-bracing, one-story X-bracing, and multistory X-bracing. One of the most important features of a building is lateral stiff ness, which defi nes the resistance to displacement under seismic and wind loads, at the same time, the lateral stiff ness has a major impact on the natural time of the structure. Reducing displacement and cost in the structures indicates that the design is safe and economical. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to fi nd the best bracing system that causes minimum displacement, which indicates maximum lateral stiff ness. From this point of view, the behavior of bracing systems exposed to wind and seismic loads in buildings with diff erent stories was investigated. Static linear analysis results showed that the best bracing systems to reduce lateral displacement were the one-story X-bracing system for 5 and 15 story buildings and the V-bracing system for 10 story buildings. On the other hand, nonlinear dynamic analysis results showed that lateral displacement was minimum in unbraced, V-bracing, and one-story X-bracing systems for 5, 10, and 15 stories, respectively.

Comparison of Kinematics and Myoelectrical Activity during Deadlift, with and without Variable Banded Resistance, in Healthy, Trained Athletes

Everett B. Lohman,Mansoor Alameri,Fulden Cakir,Chih Chieh Chia,Maxine Shih,Owee Mulay,Kezia Marceline,Simran Jaisinghani,Gurinder Bains,Michael De Leon,Noha Daher 물리치료재활과학회 2024 Physical therapy rehabilitation science Vol.13 No.1

Background: The conventional deadlift is a popular exercise for enhancing trunk, core, and lower extremity strength. However, its use in sports medicine is constrained by concerns of lumbar injuries, despite evidence supporting its safety and rehabilitative benefits. To optimize muscle activation using resistive bands in variable resistance therapy, we explored their feasibility in the deadlift. Design: Comparative experimental designMethods: Surface electromyography recorded muscle activity in the trunk and lower extremities during lifting, with normalization to the isometric Floor Lift using Maximal Voluntary Contraction. Kinematics were measured using inclinometer sensors to track hip and trunk sagittal plane angles. To prevent fatigue, each subject only used one of the three pairs of bands employed in the study. Results: Our study involved 45 healthy subjects (mean age: 30.4 ± 6.3 years) with similar baseline characteristics, except for years of lifting and strength-to-years-of-lifting ratio. Various resistance band groups exhibited significantly higher muscle activity than conventional deadlifts during different phases. The minimal resistance band group had notably higher muscle activity in the trunk, core, and lower extremity muscles, particularly in the end phase. The moderate resistance band group showed increased muscle activity in the mid-and end-phases. The maximum resistance band group demonstrated greater muscle activity in specific muscles during the early phase and overall higher activity in all trunk and lower extremity muscles in the mid and end phases of the deadlift (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings provide valuable insights into muscle activation with various resistance bands during deadlift exercise in clinical and gym settings. There appears to be a dose-response relationship between increased resistance bandwidth, external load, myoelectric activation, and range.

Correlation Between Functional Movement Screen Scores, Lower Limb Strength, Y-Balance Test, Grip Strength, and Vertical Jump and Incidence of Injury Due to Musculoskeletal Injury Among Abu Dhabi Police Recruits

Hamad Alkaabi,Everett Lohman,Mansoor Alameri,Noha Daher,Aleksandar Cvorovic,Hatem Jaber 물리치료재활과학회 2023 Physical therapy rehabilitation science Vol.12 No.3

Objective: Training-related injuries and attrition put an additional burden on police and military institutions. Preventing and minimizing musculoskeletal injuries is the primary concern of the Abu Dhabi Police. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the correlation between functional movement screen, lower-limb strength, Y-balance test, grip strength and vertical jump and the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries among Abu Dhabi police recruits. Design: Observational analytical study. Methods: An observational study was conducted on 400 male police recruits of Abu Dhabi Police Academy. Physical performance was assessed before the 16-weeks basic police training. Spearman’s correlation evaluated the correlation between the performance parameters and the outcome measures and logistic regression predicted the risk factors associated with musculoskeletal injuries. Results: 149 (34.4%) participants reported at least one injury during the basic police training. Comparison between injured and non-injured participants showed significant difference in mean right Y-balance, back-leg-chest dynamometer, and vertical jump (p=0.02, p=0.02, and p=0.04, respectively). Spearman’s correlation showed a significant negative correlation between risk of injury and back-leg-chest dynamometer and right Y balance (ρ= -0.11, p=0.03). Logistic regression showed that back-leg-chest dynamometer and right Y balance were significant predictors of injury (p =.036 and p=0.037; Odds ratio=0.96; 95% CI (0.92, 0.99) and Odds ratio=0.99; 95% CI (0.98,0.99). Conclusions: Our findings suggest functional movement screen and grip strength may not independently predict injury rates, balance and lower-limb strength needs to be considered in injury prevention strategies to reduce musculoskeletal injuries.

Reliability and validity of the patellofemoral disability index as a measure of functional performance and subjective pain in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Mastour Saeed Alshaharani,Everett Bernell Lohman,Khaled Bahjri,Travis Harp,Mansoor Alameri,Noha S. Daher 물리치료재활과학회 2018 Physical therapy rehabilitation science Vol.7 No.2

Objective: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a condition that is characterized by patellar discomfort or pain that is aggravated during certain activities such as ascending/descending stairs. The Patellofemoral Disability Index (PDI) was developed to assess the effect of pain on functional activities in individuals with PFPS. The objectives of the current study were to determine the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity of this index. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-one subjects who had PFPS with a mean age of 28.8±5.0 years and a mean body mass index of 25.6±4.7 kg/m2 participated in the study. All subjects were concurrently enrolled in a clinical trial for which they were instructed to complete hamstring- resistance exercises for 4 weeks. Over the course of the intervention, they completed both the PDI and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline after two weeks, and after four weeks. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the criterion validity. Cronbach’s α was used to examine the internal consistency. Intraclass correlation coefficients with 95% confidence interval were computed to examine test-retest reliability. Results: Subjects’ responses within both the PDI and the ODI yielded Pearson correlation coefficient values that were positive and highly significant (range, 0.73-0.97; p<0.001). There was a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach’s α≥0.8), with the exception of stair climbing (Cronbach’s α=0.65). Intraclass correlation ranged from 0.87 to 0.92, indicating high levels of test-retest reliability. Conclusions: The PDI is a valid, reliable, and feasible method of assessing pain and functional ability in patients with PFPS.

Reliability and validity of the patellofemoral disability index as a measure of functional performance and subjective pain in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Alshaharani, Mastour Saeed,Lohman, Everett Bernell,Bahjri, Khaled,Harp, Travis,Alameri, Mansoor,Daher, Noha S. korean Academy of Physical Therapy Rehabilitation 2018 Physical therapy rehabilitation science Vol.7 No.2

Objective: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a condition that is characterized by patellar discomfort or pain that is aggravated during certain activities such as ascending/descending stairs. The Patellofemoral Disability Index (PDI) was developed to assess the effect of pain on functional activities in individuals with PFPS. The objectives of the current study were to determine the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity of this index. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-one subjects who had PFPS with a mean age of $28.8{\pm}5.0years$ and a mean body mass index of $25.6{\pm}4.7kg/m^2$ participated in the study. All subjects were concurrently enrolled in a clinical trial for which they were instructed to complete hamstring-resistance exercises for 4 weeks. Over the course of the intervention, they completed both the PDI and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at baseline after two weeks, and after four weeks. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the criterion validity. Cronbach's ${\alpha}$ was used to examine the internal consistency. Intraclass correlation coefficients with 95% confidence interval were computed to examine test-retest reliability. Results: Subjects' responses within both the PDI and the ODI yielded Pearson correlation coefficient values that were positive and highly significant (range, 0.73-0.97; p<0.001). There was a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's ${\alpha}{\geq}0.8$), with the exception of stair climbing (Cronbach's ${\alpha}=0.65$). Intraclass correlation ranged from 0.87 to 0.92, indicating high levels of test-retest reliability. Conclusions: The PDI is a valid, reliable, and feasible method of assessing pain and functional ability in patients with PFPS.