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Introduction: It is commonly considered that myotonometry is a non-invasive method capable of quantifying linear elastic and viscoelastic properties of the myofascial tissue through the application of a weak mechanical impulse to the surface of the skin. However, before the impulse can reach the myofascial tissue, it must cross more superficial tissues such as the skin and subcutaneous tissue (ST). All these superficial tissues have different distributions and organizations of structural components. Therefore, the study aimed to examine the potential relationships between the mechanical and morphometric properties of various superficial soft tissues surrounding the lumbar multifidus muscle (LM). Methods: Myotonometric measurements of dynamic stiffness, logarithmic decrement, and creep, and ultrasonographic measurements of thickness and echogenicity of cutaneous, subcutaneous, perimuscular tissue, and LM were obtained from 50 healthy individuals in the resting prone position and during contralateral arm lift. Results: The most important findings were that in both the relaxed and contracted LM state, the dynamic stiffness strongly negatively (r = -0.69; p < 0.001 in relaxation, r = -0.83; p < 0.001 in contraction) and creep strongly positively (r = 0.79; p < 0.001 in relaxation, r = 0.85; p < 0.001 in contraction) correlated with the thicknesses of the ST. Similar but weaker correlations were noticed between both these measures and the perimuscular tissue thickness. Elasticity was uncorrelated to the thicknesses of the tissues. With LM contraction (change from the relaxed to contracted state), the relative increase in dynamic stiffness was correlated with the relative decrease in dermis (r = -0.51; p < 0.001) and ST (r = -0.47; p = 0.001) thickness, and with the relative increase in LM (r = 0.36; p = 0.010) thickness. Moreover, the relative decrease (thinning) in the ST thickness was correlated with the relative increase in logarithmic decrement (i.e., decrease in soft tissue elasticity, r = -0.37, p = 0.011). The mechanical properties of the soft tissues were not related to their echogenicity. Discussion: In conclusion, the thicker the subcutaneous and perimuscular layers, the lesser the stiffness and the greater the time-dependent deformation to the external force of the tissues surrounding the LM during its relaxation and isometric contraction. Moreover, the greater the thinning of the ST and the thickening of the LM during its contraction, the higher the increase in lumbosacral tissue stiffness and the decrease in elasticity. Therefore, one should consider the thickness of the ST before planning or analyzing the outcomes of myotonometric or other external biomechanical measurements to avoid drawing the wrong conclusions about the mechanical properties of the myofascial tissue.

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Dynamic electrostimulation consists of the application of local or global electrostimulation together with physical exercise. This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of a dynamic electrostimulation session on the thickness of the abdominal musculature, inter-rectus distance, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, and to identify possible differences in its form of application. A total of 120 healthy participants were divided into three groups: the whole-body electrostimulation group, the local electrostimulation group, and the control group without electrical stimulation. All groups performed a single session with the same dynamic exercise protocol. Muscle thickness and inter-rectus distance were evaluated ultrasonographically using the Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging technique both at rest and in muscle contraction (the active straight leg raise test) to find the post-intervention differences. The results showed significant differences in immediate post-intervention heart rate, with a smaller increase in the local electrostimulation group compared to the control and whole-body electrostimulation groups. No significant differences were identified between the groups after the interventions in the rest of the variables analyzed. Therefore, a local application, with the same effects as a global application on the abdominal musculature, has fewer contraindications, which makes its use more advisable, especially in populations with cardiorespiratory disorders, for which more research is needed.

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One of the advances in physiotherapy in recent years is the exploration and treatment by ultrasound imaging. This technique makes it possible to study the relationship between the musculature of the anterolateral wall of the abdomino-pelvic cavity, the pelvic floor muscles and the diaphragm muscle, among others, and thus understand their implication in non-specific low back pain (LBP) in pathological subjects regarding healthy subjects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate by RUSI (rehabilitative ultrasound imaging) the muscular thickness at rest of the abdominal wall, the excursion of the pelvic floor and the respiratory diaphragm, as well as to study their activity. METHODOLOGY: Two groups of 46 subjects each were established. The variables studied were: non-specific low back pain, thickness and excursion after tidal and forced breathing, pelvic floor (PF) excursion in a contraction and thickness of the external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO) and transverse (TA) at rest. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational study. RESULTS: Good-to-excellent reliability for measurements of diaphragm thickness at both tidal volume (TV) (inspiration: 0.763, expiration: 0.788) and expiration at forced volume (FV) (0.763), and good reliability for inspiration at FV (0.631). A correlation was found between the EO muscle and PF musculature with respect to diaphragmatic thickness at TV, inspiration and expiration, and inspiration at FV, in addition to finding significant differences in all these variables in subjects with LBP. CONCLUSION: Subjects with LBP have less thickness at rest in the OE muscle, less excursion of the pelvic diaphragm, less diaphragmatic thickness at TV, in inspiration and expiration, and in inspiration to FV.

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BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain (LBP) has been stated as one of the main health concerns in the XXI century due to its high incidence. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of an 8-week program of hypopressive abdominal gymnastics (HAG) on inspiratory muscle strength, diaphragm thickness, disability and pain in patients suffering from non-specific chronic LBP. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with chronic LBP were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group carried out an 8-week supervised program of HAG (two sessions/week), whereas the control group did not receive any treatment. Outcomes were measured before and after the intervention, comprising diaphragm thickness during relaxed respiratory activity, maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), pain intensity (NRS), pressure pain threshold and responses to four questionnaires: Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ), Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia-11 Items (TSK-11). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed for greater thickness of the left and right hemi-diaphragms at inspiration, as well as higher PImax and decreased NRS, CSI and RMQ scores in the intervention group. After treatment, the increases in the thickness of the left and right hemi-diaphragms at inspiration and PImax, as well as the decrease in the NRS and RMQ scores, were only predicted by the proposed intervention (R2 = 0.118-0.552). CONCLUSIONS: An 8-week HAG intervention seemed to show beneficial effects and predicted an increase in diaphragm thickness and strength during inspiration, as well as a reduction in pain intensity, central sensitization and disability, in patients suffering from chronic non-specific LBP with respect to non-intervention.

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The term Rehabilitative Ultrasound Imaging (RUSI) refers to the use of ultrasound imaging by physiothera-pists. Ultrasound is used by physiotherapists to evaluate the morphology of muscles and other associated soft tissues not only at rest but also for a dynamic assessment of those structures during physical activities and tasks. RUSI is most commonly utilized as part of a biofeedback mechanism, which shows good efficacy in lower back pain treatment. Several possibilities have been also described for clinically adapting this method in the rehabilitation of the shoulder and knee and postoperative improvement of tendons. RUSI is a novel method with a high clinical potential to support physiotherapeutic therapies.

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[Purpose] To examine the clinical effectiveness of scapular stability exercise on shoulder stability and rehabilitative ultrasound images in office workers. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-eight subjects were randomly divided into a scapular stability exercise group (n=19) and a manual therapy group (n=19). Subjects in the scapular stability exercise group performed a scapular stability exercise designed to correct the abnormal location of the scapula, at 40 minutes per session, two times per week, for 6 weeks. Forward head horizontal distance, rounded shoulder posture, stability of the upper limb for the shoulder, and rehabilitative ultrasound images were evaluated before and after 6 weeks. [Results] After the intervention, both groups showed significantly decreased forward head horizontal distance and rounded shoulder posture, with significantly improved stability of the upper limb and rehabilitative ultrasound images. Forward head horizontal distance, rounded shoulder posture, stability of the upper limb, and rehabilitative ultrasound images showed greater improvements in the shoulder stability exercise group than in the manual therapy group. [Conclusion] Scapular stability exercise can improve shoulder stability and the thickness of the lower trapezius in rehabilitative ultrasound images of office workers, and could be useful in clinical rehabilitation.

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Poly lactic acid (PLA) fibers a biodegradable fiber produced from PLA resin by melt spinning, solvent spinning or electrostatic spinning. Based on the excellent safety, comfortability, environmental protection and good mechanical properties, PLA can be widely applied in textile fabric, nonwoven, filler fabric and many downstream health products application, such as sanitary napkins, baby diapers, facial masks, and wipes.

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Poly lactic acid (PLA) fibers a biodegradable fiber produced from PLA resin by melt spinning, solvent spinning or electrostatic spinning. Based on the excellent safety, comfortability, environmental protection and good mechanical properties, PLA can be widely applied in textile fabric, nonwoven, filler fabric and many downstream health products application, such as sanitary napkins, baby diapers, facial masks, and wipes.

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Nanoporous cobalt (NPCo) with three-dimensional network nanostructure was obtained by selectively dealloying Al from CoAl alloy in a mild alkaline solution. Co3O4 grew further on the surface of NPCo and then NPCo/Co3O4 was obtained. Gold nanoparticles functionalized NPCo/Co3O4 (NPCo/Co3O4-Au) was used to fabricate electrochemiluminescence (ECL) modified electrodes for detecting mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON). In addition the introduction of AuNPs enhanced the conductivity, and NPCo/Co3O4-Au exhibited excellent catalytic properties for the luminescence of RuSi@Ru(bpy)3(2+). The fabricated ECL modified electrodes exhibited a high activity for DON in a wide linear range from 5 pg/mL to 100 ng/mL with a low detection limit of 1 pg/mL. The NPCo/Co3O4-Au based ECL modified electrodes displayed excellent stability and reproducibility, and successfully achieved the detection of DON in wheat flour with desirable results as well. The NPCo/Co3O4-Au possesses great application potential for ECL modified electrodes with sample detection, unique catalytic activity, and high structure stability.

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