Biomedical subjects

G Bazzini

Publications and source records attributed to G Bazzini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

A field methodology for ergonomic analysis in occupational manual materials handling.

A methodology is presented for the 'on-site' evaluation of work-related physical activities. In a first session, video recordings were made of six industrial plant workers during their routine occupational tasks. Heart rate (HR) and subjective perception of effort were monitored. The video recordings were then analysed with appropriate software to determine the musculo-skeletal load ('Vision 3000', Promatek, Montreal) and to evaluate energy expenditure ('Energy', University of Michigan). The indirect estimates of energy expenditure were validated in a second session by monitoring the six subjects' oxygen consumption (VO2) during the same activities with a portable telemetric oxygen uptake analyser (Cosmed 'K2', Rome). No statistically significant differences were found between direct measurements of VO2 and the computerised estimates of energy expenditure. Biomechanical parameters obtained in the two sessions did not differ. Therefore, we conclude that the 'Energy' programme and the 'Vision 3000' program provide a fast and reliable profile of job requirements.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Reliability of a hand gripping endurance test.

The aim of this study was to assess the reproducibility of a new endurance test for hand grip movements. On six occasions separated by at least 3 days, 30 healthy subjects performed six maximal endurance tests in two different positions with a hand grip tool attached to an isokinetic dynamometer. The test consisted of repeated maximal grip movements (1-min bouts for men and 30-s bouts for women subjects) at an angular velocity of 45 degrees/s. A custom-made PC programme was used to collect data on peak torque and mechanical work, and to provide the following parameters: basal torque, basal work, time until basal values fell to 20, 30 and 50% of the initial peak values, slopes of decay of torque and work over time. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICCC) was then computed to assess the reproducibility of the parameters obtained during the tests. An 'almost perfect' (0.8 < ICCC = 1) reproducibility of the basal torque values in both positions and a 'substantial' (0.6 < ICCC = 0.8) or 'almost perfect' reproducibility of the slope values referred to the torque decay over time was observed. Feasible applications of this new endurance test in ergonomics and vocational rehabilitation are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Tolerable exercise intensity in the early rehabilitation of paraplegic patients. A preliminary study.

Accessible indicators for setting exertion levels in newly injured paraplegias could be useful to improve their daily and occupational performances in less time than is presently required. Eight male newly injured paraplegic subjects performed progressive resisted and endurance exercise tests on an arm cranking ergometer. Cardiorespiratory parameters during exercise were monitored with an oxygen uptake analyzer and perceived exertion was rated on Borg's 10-point scale. Four subjects (Group A) underwent an 'enhanced' rehabilitation protocol which included aerobic arm training sessions. The prescription of exercise intensity was tailored to each subject's tolerable power output for prolonged exertion. The remaining four (Group B) followed a 'conventional' rehabilitation program. Tests were repeated in both groups after 6 weeks. We observed a greater improvement in endurance capacity in Group A than in Group B after completion of the rehabilitation program. A 6-week 'enhanced' rehabilitation program based on a 'moderate' intensity of exercise was well tolerated and effective in improving the fitness levels of newly injured paraplegic subjects. Subjective perception has been shown to be a simple and accessible indicator for setting exertion levels.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Predicting endurance limits in arm cranking exercise with a subjectively based method.

The purpose of this study was to compare a method for predicting endurance capacity at different workloads based on subjective perception of effort with the technique for determining 'critical power' (CP) proposed by Moritani et al. (1981). Three trained paraplegic subjects performed two protocols during separate sessions. The 'subjective' protocol consisted of graded and continuous tests on an arm crank ergometer, during which cardiorespiratory (heart rate, oxygen consumption, ventilation and respiratory exchange ratio) and subjective (Borg's 10-point scale) parameters were monitored continuously. A statistical regression analysis for power functions was performed to obtain the individual ¿iso-perception' curves in a power/duration reference system. The other protocol consisted of the determination of the CP of the muscle groups involved in arm cranking exercises according to the protocol proposed by Moritani et al. (1981). Subjects performed three tests in which the power output remained constant (50, 37.5 and 25 W) and led to the onset of muscular fatigue. The results of the two protocols were compared. The validity of the subjective perception of effort as a predictor of individual endurance capacity was confirmed by the relationship between time to exhaustion and work performed during constant-power tests as proposed by Moritani et al. (1981).

Adult↗

PubMed1984

[Visual feedback on the maximal momentum of the voluntary tibio-tarsal dorsal flexion in hemiplegic patients].

In both sides (healthy and plegic) of an hemiplegic group the evaluation of tibio-tarsic isometric torque (with and without the aid of a visual feed-back) was carried out. No significative differences in the "total biological work" during a series of ten contractions, in the two cases were found. A marked increase of the pin-point single contraction in the hemiplegic side was noted. A smoothing in the decrement of the total biological work during serial contractions was also found.

Feedback↗

PubMed1983

[Electroanalgesia by transcutaneous stimulation (TNS). Response to the naloxone test].

The authors, after a review of the literature about TNS, suggest the comparison between three different TNS techniques from two points of view: A) Pain relief estimate; B) Response to Naloxone Test. To this purpose a impulse generator delivered a biphasic square-wave stimulus with duration of 0.40 msec and amplitude (peak to peak) to 130 mVolt, was used. TNS techniques used are so characterized 1) Frequency 80 Hz; Duration 30'; 2) Frequency 80 Hz; Duration over 120'; 3) Frequency 2/4 Hz; Duration over 120'. Although the techniques used for Group (1) provided the best numerical result in the evaluation of the pain relief, endorphine activity cannot be maintained owing to Naloxone Test negativity. Pain relief of (2) and (3) Group was statistically significant although not numerically at the same level of (1) Group. In the laters, on the contrary, positivity of Naloxone Test seems to hint at the activation of endorphine. This fact suggest to the authors hypothesis in the purpose to spot TNS site of action.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

[Electrical impedance of the skin in hemiplegic patients].

Skin electrical impedance parameters have been calculated in 15 hemiplegic subjects and in 10 healty subjects in order to evaluate differences before and after physiokynesitheraphy. The first result put in evidence a significant reduction in the impedance of the hemiplegic subjects in comparison with normal subjects; after physiokinesitheraphy the values tend to become more like the normal ones. On the contrary, till now significant skin impedance differences between ill and healty side have not been registered.

Electric Conductivity↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Multifactorial ergonomic evaluation of the hospital nursing activity in assisting not self-sufficient patients].

8 Institutes of Health Care and Research of Northern-Central Italy participated in the study, which consisted of on-site investigations, interviews with the chief-nurse, and monitoring of physiological and subjective variables. We studied the most critical phases in the laboratory, by means of video-graphical systems for biomechanical and postural analysis. The outlined profile shows a demanding activity, yielding important risk factors relative to musculoskeletal lesions. The preventive attitude (education, training) must be implemented by ergonomic interventions, aimed to minimize the risk related to manual handling.

Ergonomics↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Anatomo-functional aspects and diagnostic algorithm (of the upper limb pathologies secondary to repeated trauma)].

The epidemiology of work-related musculo-skeletal pathologies of the upper limbs has become significantly relevant in the last years, and a sharp increasing trend can be observed. This paper mainly focuses on the chronic inflammatory and degenerative conditions, which are more complex and difficult to accurately diagnose and treat. A synthesis of the diagnostic picture of the different types, involving the joints, muscles and tendons, and peripheral nerves is provided, with mention of the sensitivity and specificity of the main diagnostic tests. The possible entrapments of the radial, median and ulnar nerves are described in detail. Finally, a brief critical review on the principal movements of the upper limbs which are responsible of the onset of such conditions is presented.

Algorithms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of the risk related to repetitive work activities: testing of several methods proposed in the literature].

Pathologies due to the repetitive activity of the upper limbs constitutes a growing part of the work-related musculo-skeletal disorders. At the moment, there are no universally accepted and validated methods for the description and assessment of the work-related risks. Yet, the criteria fundamentally characterizing the exposure are rather clear and even. This study reports a practical example of the application of some recent risk assessment methods proposed in the literature, combining objective and subjective measures obtained on the field, with the traditional activity analysis.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The Italian version of "OREGE" (Outil de Repérage et d'Evaluation des Gestes) of the INRS (Institut national de recherche et de sécurité) for the assessment of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb].

The upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorders (UEWMSDs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders not yet standardised mainly epidemiological criteria for case definition. They are multifactorial, often they are work related even if sometimes they show an individual origin. In recent years they show a rapid increase but it's worth noting that this trend is also affected by a more widespread and easy recognition as work related diseases. There are many ergonomic analysis tools, currently available, that claim to accurately measure variables associated with UEWMSDs. They are essentially based on biomechanical, epidemiological and physiological approaches and identify work activities at risk of developing: OSHA's checklist, Strain Index, OCRA Index, ACGIH (Hand Activity Level). A method for the study of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb has been proposed by French INRS (National de Recherche et de Sécurité). It is defined as a project based on ergonomics applied to occupational medicine and it includes: (1) OSHA's checklist as a screening tool; (2) MSDs questionnaire for standardised record of symptoms and of worker's opinions (3) OREGE, (Outil de Repérage et d'Evaluation des Gestes) a exhaustive evaluation tool to be used by ergonomics-trained personnel, aimed to identify risk factors to be considered for preventive and corrective actions. OREGE includes: force evaluation through Latko's scale (which take into account: weight of objects and tools, kind of hold, pressure, vibration, temperature, use of gloves), articular position analysis, repetition analysis, synthesis of the different biomechanical risk factors, calculation of an index of risk. The authors have considered of interest to provide occupational physicians and ergonomic professionals with an Italian version of OREGE. The expected results are: a critical review of the method, a comparison with the other most known evaluation methods and the selection of the best method for specific work activity.

Arm↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Cost assessment of one-day stay in the Day Hospital system for motor rehabilitation].

This study develops a model for determining the standard cost of a day's admission to a Day Hospital in a rehabilitation unit. The task is carried out by analysing the costs in a single hospital. The method chosen to determine the standard cost of a day's admission to the Day Hospital was to evaluate the patient's management course. The analysis was limited to the period between the moment the patient is contacted for Day Hospital treatment up to end of the day spent in the Day Hospital. The work has four stages: 1. definition of the patient's management course; 2. identification of all the activities carried out and all the resources involved in the different stages of the management course; 3. evaluation of the resources used by the activities identified, 4. analysis of the clinical records to verify that the management actually provided did not differ from the defined one in order to determine the standard cost.

Day Care, Medical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Assessment of function recovery in patients with total knee prosthesis].

The aim of this study was to analyse the evolution of motor performance in a group of patients who underwent surgical knee replacement. We also assessed patient satisfaction at 3 and 9 months after the operation. Sixty-two patients (40 women, 22 men, mean age 72.4 years) underwent isokinetic evaluation associated with surface EMG. All the patients had undergone a total prosthetic knee joint replacement for arthrosis, and had followed a standardised 30-day rehabilitation program at our centre for recovery of knee joint function, strengthening of the flexor-extensor muscles and restoration of ambulation as best as possible. Each of these patients underwent isokinetic evaluations 3 months and 9-10 months after their operation. The isokinetic test consisted of carrying out 5 flexion-extensions of the knee at an angular velocity of 60 degrees/second, followed by an endurance test of 30 repetitions of flexion-extension of the knee at 120 degrees/second. This isokinetic test provided data on extensor strength and flexor strength; furthermore, specifically designed software allowed simultaneous visualisation of the surface EMG tracing, torque and joint excursion. The first analysis showed a macroscopic decrease in the strength of the flexor-extensor muscles of the knee. This muscle weakness was clearly evident 3 months after the operation and was particularly pronounced for the extensor muscles of the operated limb compared with the muscles of contralateral, unoperated limb. Muscle weakness was still present 9 months after the operation although there had been a considerable improvement compared with 6 months previously; the imbalance in the flexor/extensor ratio, which differed from that in the contralateral, unoperated limb, was noted to be still present. The surface EMG demonstrated persistent myoelectrical activity in the flexors even when the extensor activity was predominant: this is an expression of imbalance between agonists-antagonists. A questionnaire administered to the patients about their satisfaction with the operation revealed that 9 months after the surgery 23 patients still complained of continuous joint pain with increased loads, 27 complained of frequent pain with load-bearing and only 12 no longer complained of any disturbance, manifesting full satisfaction with the operation. Total knee replacement is thus a valid treatment in those cases in which degenerative joint disease necessitates a radical solution. Nevertheless, dissatisfaction with the operation is common, and may be due to persistence of joint pain and incomplete joint recovery of joint function or muscle strength. In our series of patients, we found that although there was progressive recovery of strength of both the flexor and extensor muscles, a considerable imbalance remained between the operated and unoperated limbs; this finding was also confirmed by the surface EMG investigation.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Industrial processing of wool: biomechanics and ergonomic aspects].

Workers in a wool processing industry were analyzed for risk factors in development of musculoskeletal disorders from specific repetitive movements that they executed, in all phases of the preparation of wool products ("tintoria", "mescolanza", "finitura", "filatura", "riroccatura", "ritorcitura", "confezionamento"). The evaluation revealed nonergonomic work situations, due to both repetitive movements of the upper extremities as well as prolonged asymmetrical postures of the trunk while moving loads; both of these problems were due to suboptimal interface between the anthropomorphic characteristics of the operators and the technical movements required at the machines. The risk analysis was performed both for cumulative trauma disorders as well as for low back pain, based on formulas in the exisiting literature. Ergonomic interventions were implemented and evaluated for the most stressful situations.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Physical workload demands: the combined use of 2 evaluation programs].

A computerized methodology is presented for the "on-site" evaluation of work-related physical activities in industrial plant workers. Subjects were videotaped during the activities while heart rate and subjective perception of effort were monitored. The videorecordings were then analyzed with two appropriate software, in order to identify activities at high risk for musculoskeletal injuries ("Vision 3000" program, Promatek Ltd., Montreal) and to evaluate energy expenditure ("Energy" program, University of Michigan). Validation of the energy expenditure indirect analysis system was done by monitoring oxygen consumption (VO2) with a portable telemetric oxygen uptake analyzer ("K2", Cosmed, Rome). No statistically significant differences were found between direct measurements of VO2 and laboratory-derived estimates of energy consumption. The utilization of these two software provides a fast and reliable profile of job requirements and associated risks of musculoskeletal injury.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Isokinetic evaluation and gait study in patients undergoing arthroplasty of the knee: verification of the efficacy of rehabilitation].

In this work the Authors have studied the efficacy of a standardized rehabilitative trial in patients with knee arthroplasty using an isokinetic technique and walking evaluation. 20 patients affected by gonarthrosis were evaluated: each of them underwent on one side an isokinetic evaluation before and 60 days after surgery, and on the other side a step evaluation, at the begin of limb charging and 60 days after surgery. The isokinetic parameters (strength, work, power) showed a sharp decrease of absolute values as compared to the preoperative situation, while in the walking evaluation the time reduction still remains in the first impact of the foot.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Use of subjective perception of exertion in the evaluation of the tolerance to repetitive lifting: a pilot study].

This preliminary study was conducted to validate subjective perception of effort as indicator of the tolerable workload for prolonged lifting tasks. Three healthy male subjects underwent endurance and incremental lifting tests. Cardiorespiratory parameters (HR, VO2) were monitored with a portable telemetric oxygen uptake analyzer, mechanical parameters were calculated from a lift dynamometer. Rating of perceived exertion was given on Borg's CR-10 scale. Individual fitness profiles for lifting tasks were obtained from the individual relationships between oxygen consumption and heart rate at different lifting frequencies. Physiological responses to repetitive lifting were matched with subjective perceptions. The relationship between perception of exertion and time was described by power functions, Y = a.Xn, in which 0 < n < 1. A single-variable statistical regression for power functions was performed to obtain the individual "iso-perception" curves. The iso-perception curve corresponding to a "moderate effort" (CR3) identified the individual tolerable threshold for prolonged lifting tasks. The individually tolerable power output over time for lifting tasks was calculated.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tolerability to prolonged lifting tasks. A validation of the recommended limits.

Prolonged physical exertion is subjectively regulated by the perception of effort. This preliminary study was conducted to validate the use of subjective perceptions of effort in assessing objectively tolerable workloads for prolonged lifting tasks. Ten healthy male subjects tested their maximal lifting capacity (MLC) on a lift dynamometer (LidoLift, Loredan Biomed., West Sacramento, CA) and underwent incremental and 30-minute endurance lifting tests. Cardiorespiratory parameters were monitored with an oxygen uptake analyzer, mechanical parameters were calculated using a computerized dynamometer. Ratings of perceived exertion were given on Borg's 10-point scale. Physiological responses to repetitive lifting were matched with subjective perceptions. A single-variable statistical regression for power functions was performed to obtain the individual "iso-perception" curves as functions of the mechanical work exerted. We found that the "iso-perception" curve corresponding to a "moderate" perception of effort may represent the individual "tolerance threshold" for prolonged lifting tasks, since physiological responses at this level of intensity did not change significantly and the respiratory exchange ratio was less than one. The individually tolerable weight for lifting tasks lasting 30 min has been expressed as a percentage of the isoinertial MLC value and compared with the currently recommended limits for prolonged lifting tasks (Italian legislation D.L. 626/94). On the basis of our preliminary results a "tolerance threshold" of 20% MLC has been proposed for prolonged lifting tasks.

Adult↗