ScolioTrack Research Validates the Use of iPhone for Monitoring Scoliosis

Use of the iPhone for Cobb angle measurement in scoliosis.

Shaw M, Adam CJ, Izatt MT, Licina P, Askin GN.

Source

Paediatric Spine Research Group, Queensland University of Technology and Mater Health Services, Brisbane, Australia.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The Cobb technique is the universally accepted method for measuring the severity of spinal deformities. Traditionally, Cobb angles have been measured using protractor and pencil on hardcopy radiographic films. The new generation of mobile 'smartphones' make accurate angle measurement possible using an integrated accelerometer, providing a potentially useful clinical tool for assessing Cobb angles. The purpose of this study was to compare Cobb angle measurements performed using a smartphone and traditional protractor in a series of 20 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients.

METHODS:

Seven observers measured major Cobb angles on 20 pre-operative postero-anterior radiographs of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis patients with both a standard protractor and using an Apple iPhone. Five of the observers repeated the measurements at least a week after the original measurements.

RESULTS:

The mean absolute difference between pairs of smartphone/protractor measurements was 2.1°, with a small (1°) bias toward lower Cobb angles with the iPhone. 95% confidence intervals for intra-observer variability were ±3.3° for the protractor and ±3.9° for the iPhone. 95% confidence intervals for inter-observer variability were ±8.3° for the iPhone and ±7.1° for the protractor. Both of these confidence intervals were within the range of previously published Cobb measurement studies.

CONCLUSIONS:

We conclude that the iPhone is an equivalent Cobb measurement tool to the manual protractor, and measurement times are about 15% less. The widespread availability of inclinometer-equipped mobile phones and the ability to store measurements in later versions of the angle measurement software may make these new technologies attractive for clinical measurement applications.

PMID:

22065167

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher] 

How Your Mind Can Reprogram Your Genes

How much control do we really have over our own lives? And is there anything we can change to do a better job at managing our lives? These questions have puzzled mankind since the beginning of time. And now, the emerging science of epigenetics is offering some answers that put true control within your reach—by simply changing your beliefs.

“Contrary to what many people are being led to believe, a lot of emphasis placed on genes determining human behavior is nothing but theory and doctrine,” says Konstantin Eriksen, guest writer for Wake Up World, an online news medium that offers alternative voices to mass media.

“We are free to make decisions that impact our lives and those of others. … Our beliefs can change our biology. We have the power to heal ourselves, increase our feelings of self-worth and improve our emotional state.”

America is catching on - Soda sales drop dramatically as healthier choices continue to grow

(NaturalNews) Better late than never, but more Americans finally seem to be getting the message they've been consuming far too much soda and as such, sales of pop have been falling.

In reality, soda sales have been falling for about seven years, but they really dropped off in 2011 as consumers made other choices about what sort of refreshments to put in their bodies.

The beverage market actually grew last year by about 0.9 percent, but according to sales data, consumers chose more coffee and teas, sports and energy drinks and bottled water over soda and fruit juices.

Beverage Marketing, a research, consulting and financial-services firm that tracks the beverage industry, said 2011 was the second year of growth for the beverage industry after two consecutive declines in 2008 and 2009.

Living with the Emotional Side of Scoliosis

Dr. Cantor is a clinical psychologist and has been on staff in the Department of Medical Social Work and Psychology at Primary Children's Medical Center for 21 years. She specializes in working with children with chronic medical problems. She has also worked with the Rehabilitation Service for 9 years and with the Spina Bifida Clinic for 21 years.

What concerns do most teenage girls have when a physical deformity like scoliosis is first diagnosed? How about their parents?

Dr. Cantor: Both parents and teenagers will have concerns related to the type of treatment that will be necessary and the prospect of progressive disability. The need to make decisions about treatment will be stressful, and the possibility of major surgery generally raises a high level of anticipatory anxiety. Teenagers may be particularly concerned about the effects of scoliosis on physical appearance and the effects on their attractiveness to the opposite sex. Teenagers confronted with the prospect of wearing a brace will worry about the possibility of restrictions on activities, social stigma and discomfort.

How do most girls make themselves feel comfortable in participating in an activity (PE, swimming, prom) that makes their deformity obvious?

Dr. Cantor: Developing a positive self-image is the key to being comfortable in a variety of life situations. In a society obsessed with beauty where we are constantly bombarded with images of the "ideal," people who deviate significantly from that "ideal" are confronted with even greater challenges in developing a positive self-image. The process in developing a positive self-image is not really different, however, for those with an obvious physical condition that affects appearance or function than it is for the rest of the human race. Everyone struggles at some level with his or her self-image. Fashion models who supposedly personify society's ideal of beauty often question their physical attractiveness. If secure regarding their appearance, they probably feel insecure about other aspects of themselves such as their intellectual abilities. Beauty truly is not simply skin-deep. It is not easy for any of us to develop a positive self-image, but this is the key to coping with many of the challenges confronting us in life, including living with scoliosis.

Taking the initiative to educate peers about scoliosis will help make others more comfortable and accepting of the teenager with scoliosis. There will always be some peers who are rejecting and make rude comments despite being educated about scoliosis. Remember that the ones who tease others the most are the ones who are most insecure themselves. Having a strategy for dealing with comments or looks from others will be helpful. Ignoring is always one option, but these situations may be ideal opportunities for educating others. Responding with unexpected comments to teasing is another option, e.g., complimenting the person, making a joke, agreeing with the person.

What advice do you have for someone who is resistant to the idea of wearing a brace to school? What are some possible strategies for improving compliance with brace wear?

Dr. Cantor: Teenagers, like adults, may sometimes have trouble appreciating the long-term implications of choices they make about their health care. Offering external incentives to them for initially trying the brace may be a helpful strategy. If the brace does not have to be worn full time, setting up schedules for wearing the brace at times that are least disruptive to their lives will also improve compliance. Helping them learn to deal with the social stigma of wearing a brace will go a long way towards increasing compliance. Some teenagers prefer to wear their clothes over a brace and choose clothes that make the brace less obvious.

How can parents help their teenager cope with a physical deformity?

Dr. Cantor: As with any problem their child might face, parents can first help by listening. Listening means trying to truly understand how your child feels before attempting to solve the problem or to give advice. Don't tell your child how he or she should feel. How you would feel is not necessarily how your child feels. Accept your teenager's feelings and communicate that you understand.

Nancy L. Cantor, Ph.D.

Primary Children's Medical Center
100 N. Medical Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84113

Pulmonary function in children with idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract (provisional)

Idiopathic scoliosis, a common disorder of lateral displacement and rotation of vertebral bodies during periods of rapid somatic growth, has many effects on respiratory function. Scoliosis results in a restrictive lung disease with a multifactorial decrease in lung volumes, displaces the intrathoracic organs, impedes on the movement of ribs and affects the mechanics of the respiratory muscles. Scoliosis decreases the chest wall as well as the lung compliance and results in increased work of breathing at rest, during exercise and sleep. Pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure may develop in severe disease. In this review the epidemiological and anatomical aspects of idiopathic scoliosis are noted, the pathophysiology and effects of idiopathic scoliosis on respiratory function are described, the pulmonary function testing including lung volumes, respiratory flow rates and airway resistance, chest wall movements, regional ventilation and perfusion, blood gases, response to exercise and sleep studies are presented. Preoperative pulmonary function testing required, as well as the effects of various surgical approaches on respiratory function are also discussed.

The complete article is available as a provisional PDF. The fully formatted PDF and HTML versions are in production.

あなたのお子さんと脊柱側湾症の自己診断

親にとって、自分の子供が脊柱側湾症ではないかと考えるのは、辛いことだと理解できますが、自己診断と医師による診断の違いを正しく理解しておくことは極めて重要です。

脊柱側湾症は、患者に多大な不快感とストレスを与える脊椎の障害です。脊椎の湾曲は比較的早い年齢から子供達に影響を与えるもので、その発症は周囲の目を気にしたり、自分の姿を恥ずかしいと感じる原因になってしまいます。これが多くの人ができるだけ早い時期にスクリーニング（検査）を受ける理由です。この記事では脊柱側湾症のスクリーニングについて、また自分でできる自己診断の仕方について見ていきます。医師がおこなう検査と同じような内容を家庭でも調べることができます。しかし、自己診断を選んだ場合でも、医師の診断とアドバイスを受けるのが重要なのは、覚えておいてください。たくさんの治療経験がある医師からのアドバイスは、自己診断とは代えられないものがありますので、自己診断で脊柱側湾症に関して気になる事が見つかった場合には、医師の診察を受ける必要があります。

脊柱側湾症は患者の体の柔軟性に大きな影響を与えます。更に、症状がより重度になると、自由に動くこともままならなくなります。患者にとって体が自由に動かない状態は非常に負担になり、精神面においても多くの問題が起きる原因になります。脊柱側湾症が基本的は背骨の異常な湾曲であることから、発症は比較的簡単に見つけられます。人の背中を少し上の方、より良く分かるように真上から見てみると、湾曲を発見することができます。

An Essential Guide for Scoliosis and a Healthy Pregnancy Book

About Dr Kevin Lau

Dr Kevin Lau DC is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack. Dr Kevin Lau is a graduate in Doctor of Chiropractic from RMIT University in Melbourne Australia and Masters in Holistic Nutrition. He is a member of International Society On Scoliosis Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT), the leading international society on conservative treatment of spinal deformities. In 2006 I was awarded the "Best Health-care Provider Awards" by the largest Newspaper publication in Singapore on October 18 2006 as well as being interviewed on Primetime Channel News Asia as well as other TV and Radio. For more information on Dr Kevin Lau, watch his interviews or get a free sneak peek of his book, go to: http://www.hiyh.info.

Most Supermarket Beef Contains ‘Pink Slime,’ Research Says

by CHRIS CURLEY on MARCH 20, 2012

Maybe it came as no surprise that cafeteria “mystery meat” contains reconstituted beef trimmings — so-called “pink slime” — but what about the ground beef you buy at the supermarket?

Around 70 percent of ground beef sold in grocery stores contains some “pink slime,” beef scraps normally used for dog food and cooking oil that have been that have been treated with ammonia to be made acceptable for human consumption, ABC News reported March 7.

Just a few minutes of daily exercise alters DNA to help prevent chronic disease

Friday, March 16, 2012 by: John Phillip 

Many people think the genes they inherited at birth are static and predetermine their fate for the remainder of their life. Extensive research into the science of epigenetics is providing startling evidence that this thought process is grossly outdated, and our individual DNA is dynamic and continually influenced by multiple lifestyle factors including diet, environment, stress and physical activity.

Researchers publishing the result of a study in the journalCell Metabolismprovide evidence that that when healthy but inactive men and women exercise for a matter of minutes, it produces a rather immediate change to their DNA. While we cannot change our core DNA code, exercise does influence the DNA molecules within our muscles. Scientists have found that DNA is chemically and structurally altered or expressed in very important ways that affect a myriad of metabolic processes that protect us from chronic disease.

The scientists found that DNA modifications signal precise genetic reprogramming in muscles that determine overall muscle strength as well as structural and metabolic benefits derived from physical activity. Study leader, Dr. Juleen Zierath noted"Our muscles are really plastic ... muscle adapts to what you do. If you don't use it, you lose it, and this is one of the mechanisms that allows that to happen."

Short bursts of moderate intensity exercise positively influences DNA expression

Epigenetic modifications involve the addition or deletion of chemical markers on the DNA strand that change rapidly based on environmental influences such as the nutritional composition of your last meal, pollutants in the environment or the intensity of an exercise workout. Researchers found that DNA within skeletal muscle examined after a short burst of exercise bore fewer chemical markers (specifically methyl groups) than it did before exercise.

The study team specifically determined that the DNA modifications occurred in stretches of DNA that are involved in expressing genes known to be important for muscular adaptation to exercise. This research clearly provides more evidence that our genetic constitution is continually evolving in an effort to protect us, and is positively influenced by short, moderately intense bursts of physical activity. These alterations allow us to adapt quickly to the changing environment that surrounds us.

Dr. Zierath concluded"Exercise is medicine ... and it seems the means to alter our genome for better health may be only a jog away."The finding of this study may explain recent research showing that the best form of exercise works our musculature in short bursts of moderate to full intensity (as measured by attaining maximum heart rate for your age range) for several minutes in duration, followed by a rest period and then another energy burst. Combining this evidence with an organic whole food diet will positively influence your genes toward optimal health.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/retrieve/pii/S1550413112000058