Biomedical subjects

G Bazzini

Publications and source records attributed to G Bazzini.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[The assessment of functional capacity in workers with the thoracic outlet syndrome. A pilot study].

Occupational specialists are well aware of the lack of objective measurements for the diagnosis and the functional evaluation of workers affected by thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Subjects affected by TOS refer pain, sensation of fatigue in the arm frequently aggravated by overhead work. A "stick-up" position tends to close the costoclavicular space and tense the neck and shoulder muscles to bring into play the abnormal compression mechanism that may affect the brachial plexus nerves and the subclavian vessels. In a previous study, we demonstrated the reliability of an isokinetic hand grip endurance test. In this pilot study we asked 7 industrial workers affected by TOS to perform a 30-second isokinetic endurance test for hand gripping with a Lido WorkSET dynamometer. Tests were performed in two positions (resting and "stick-up" position) before and after a 3-week intensive rehabilitation program. In addition, the subjects performed daily aerobic exercise with an arm crank ergometer. Objective indexes of posttreatment improvement were found. Subjects were able to generate higher grip forces during the isokinetic hand grip endurance test and to sustain higher mechanical workload with the arm ergometer at the same intensity level for longer duration after completion of the rehabilitation program.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[An ergonomic study of postures of toll collectors].

The working activities of operators in the workstations along the italian motor ways involve repetitive movements of upper limbs and neck with asymmetric postures of the trunk. The tasks examined are characterized by factors potentially dangerous for developing musculo-skeletal disorders, such as repetitivity, and prolonged constrained postures. It is therefore crucial that dimensional and structural characteristics of the workplace are adequately designed, with regard to the anthropometric parameters and the type of activity performed. The results of our "on-site" investigation, using an observational method (OCRA), dedicated computerized modules for postural analysis (software "Vision 3000", Promatek, Ltd.), and recordings of myoelectrical activity (surface EMG) in the muscles of the shoulder girdle, have shown the need of a partial re-designing of the man-workstation system under investigation.

Bone Diseases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of the capacity of work using upper limbs after radical latero-cervical surgery].

Evaluation of arm work capacity after radical neck surgery. The aim of this paper is to describe an approach for the assessment of work capacity in patients who underwent radical neck surgery, including those treated with radiation therapy. Nine male patients, who underwent radical neck surgery 2 months before being referred to our Unit, participated in the study. In addition to manual muscle strength test, we performed the following functional evaluations: 0-100 Constant scale for shoulder function; maximal shoulder strength in adduction/abduction and intrarotation/extrarotation; instrumental. We measured maximal isokinetic strength (10 repetitions) with a computerized dynamometer (Lido WorkSET) set at 100 degrees/sec. During the rehabilitation phase, the patients' mechanical parameters, the perception of effort, pain or discomfort, and the range of movement were monitored while performing daily/occupational task individually chosen on the simulator (Lido WorkSET) under isotonic conditions. On this basis, patients were encouraged to return to levels of daily physical activities compatible with the individual tolerable work load. The second evaluation at 2 month confirmed that the integrated rehabilitation protocol successfully increased patients' capacities and "trust" in their physical capacity. According to the literature, the use of isokinetic and isotonic exercise programs appears to decrease shoulder rehabilitation time. In our experience an excellent compliance has been noted. One of the advantages of the method proposed is to provide quantitative reports of the functional capacity and therefore to facilitate return-to-work of patients who underwent radical neck surgery.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Work capacity of the upper limbs after mastectomy.

Cancer patients are now more often long-term survivors and their needs for returning to social and productive activities have become a primary focus of intervention. The purpose of the present study was to propose an objective evaluation test for predicting endurance capacity in breast cancer patients after surgery, in order to optimize return to work or previous daily activities, and for monitoring changes during rehabilitation. Twenty female patients (mean age: 44 +/- 5), who underwent radical breast surgery 2 months before being referred to our Unit, participated in the study. In addition to the measures of the circumferences in the arm-forearm and manual muscle strength test, we performed the following functional evaluations: 0-100 Constant scale for shoulder function; instrumental evaluation of daily/occupational upper limb activities (Lido WorkSET). We monitored the mechanical parameters, the perception of effort, pain or discomfort, and the range of movement while performing a 3-minute steady daily/occupational task chosen by the subject. Patients were asked to perform the 3-minute test at three different intensities ("moderate", "somewhat hard", "hard") until the perception of fatigue, pain or discomfort was rated > 3 on the 10 point Borg's scale. The 'power-duration' product (Watt x min) defined by the three tests (see Fig. 1) represented the individual tolerable work load, since subjective indicators of pain/discomfort remained within tolerable limits during the exertion. On this basis, patients were encouraged to return to levels of daily physical activities compatible with the individual tolerable work load. The second evaluation, although no statistical analysis was performed, confirmed that the "guided" daily activity in a 2-month period increased patients' capacities and "trust" in their physical capacity.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Standard parameters in gait analysis in an Italian multicenter case study].

The study reports the results of a group who, in a multicentric trial, using a gait analysis laboratory Italian made, and a standard procedure, examined 127 normal subjects. The gait laboratory is composed of contacts to relieve the support on the ground, goniometric transducers with an articulated parallelogram, active sensors for cutaneous electromyography, patient unit for data collection and transmission, interface modules for signal reconstruction, software for data elaboration. All data was elaborated in order to give normative data for Italian population. There were no differences between right and left side, nor between male and female subjects. Values of the present study was compared with previous foreign literature and a critical comment is proposed.

Adult↗