Objective To explore effect of treatment of a non-surgical spinal decompression system(SDS) on neck muscle surface electromyography(EMG)of patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy(CSR).Methods Sixty patients with CSR in Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in China between February 2014 and February 2016 were recruited and randomly divided into SDS group and control group,with 30 patients for each group.The SDS group and control group were treated with the SDS and general traction system for cervical traction respectively.Surface EMG telemeter was used to measure the surface EMG signals of the affected side cervical erector spinae muscle and sternocleidomastoid with the score of averaged EMG value(AEMG)and the median frequency(MF)as surface electromyogram signal evaluation indexes,and VAS and NDI as therapeutic effect evaluation indexes after a course of treatment.The data before and after the treatment were statistiacaly analyzed.Results During the first traction with tradtional traction or SDS,AEMG values of the cervical paraspinal muscle and sternocleidomastoi were significantly decreased and MF values significantly increased as compared with those before the traction (all P＜0.05).After a course of treatment,AEMG values of affected side cervical erector spinae muscle and sternocleidomastoi of SDS group were significantly decreased as compared with those before the treatment,and they were significantly lower in SDS group than in ordinary group (all P＜0.05);and MF values of affected side cervical erector spinae muscle and sternocleidomastoi in SDS group were significantly increased as compared with those before the treatment,and they were significantly higher in the SDS group than in the ordinary group (all P＜0.05).VAS and NDI scores of the two groups after a course of treatment were significantly lower than those before the treatment (P＜0.05),and VAS and NDI scores were significantly lower in the SDS group than in the ordinary group (P＜0.05).Conclusion SDS traction is superior to ordinary traction in relieving pain,improving function,relaxing neck muscles and alleviating muscle fatigue.

Objective To investigate the possible effect of performing double-leg semi-squats with hip adduction on the imbalance between vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscles of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).Methods Thirty patients with PFPS were selected to be in the study group,matched with 30 healthy subjects who were enrolled as the control group.Electromyography was used to record VL and VMO activities while the subjects performed double-leg semi-squats (DSs) and double-leg semi-squats with hip adduction (DSs-HA).Results In the study group,when performing DSs,the average RMS was (103.31 ± 44.54) μV and the IEMG was (8.02 ±3.45) μVs for VL.For VMO the RMS was (85.02 ±41.19) μV and the IEMG was (6.72 ±3.20) μVs.The differences in the time domain indexes (RMS,IEMG) between VL and VMO were both significant during DSs (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant differences during DSs-HA (P ＞ 0.05).The time domain indexes (RMS,IEMG) of VMO were significantly different in both the DSs and DSs-HA (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Stronger sEMG signals were seen from the VMO in the double-leg semi-squats with hip adduction than without hip adduction,which indicates that more selective VMO activation can be obtained in the exercise with hip adduction to help balance the VL and VMO.

Objective To investigate the features of surface electromyography of lumbar muscles in non-specific low back pain (NLBP) patients when they were practicing different types of bridging exercise. Methods 18 healthy subjects (control group) and 18 NLBP patients (NLBP group) were included and asked to practice bridging exercise with single and double feet. The root mean square (RMS) of surface electromyography of both sides of lumbar muscles were recorded. Results No significant difference was found in the control group. The RMS of erector spinae was more in the supported side than in the contra side for NLBP patients in bridging exercise with single foot. There was no significant difference among different time points in the same muscle. Conclusion The contractions of erector spinae in both sides are not equal in asymmetric bridging exercise in NLBP patients.

Objective To investigate the patterns of frequency domain indexes of surface electronic signals of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients' paraspinal muscles by using surface electromyographic (sEMG) techniques .Methods 25 AIS patients enrolled, 7 males, 18 females, ages range from 11 to 21 years old. All of the enrolled patients undertook the Biering Sorensen test(BST) and the object-lifting test, a Finland made type ME3000P sEMG instrument was applied to record the electronic activities of paraspinal muscles(convex /concave) of all subjects, and the frequency domain indexes: median frequency(MF）,mean power frequency(MPF）, zero crossing rate(ZCR）were analyzed.Results The wave amplitudes and scales of paraspinal muscles electronic frequency domain indexes(MF, MPF, ZCR) were lower than the other tested positions when recorded at the zone of apex vertebrae, and MFslope, MPFslope and ZCRslope all showed a linear degressive tendency as the exercise time was extended.Conclusion Paraspinal muscles at the zone of apex vertebrae have low fatigue durabilities and more likely to be exhausted. sEMG ought to be one of the objective examinations used to evaluate the differences of electronic activities of paraspinal muscles(convex /concave) of AIS patients, and may have a promising value in clinical practice.

Objective: To examine the association between leukocyte telomere length and cataract using bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) approach, so as to provide the basis for early diagnosis and prevention of cataracts. Methods: Leukocyte telomere length data were collected through a meta analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), including 78 952 participants, and the GWAS data of cataract were collected through the UK Biobank, including 8 890 cases and 454 120 controls. A bidirectional MR analysis was performed using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) which were associated with leukocyte telomere length were selected as instrumental variables. The heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran's Q test, the horizontal pleiotropy was assessed using the MR-Egger regression and the outlier was verified with the leave-one-out and MR-PRESSO test. Results: Forward MR analysis results showed that shortened leukocyte telomere length had an increased risk of cataract (OR=0.991, 95%CI: 0.990-0.997). Reverse MR analysis results showed no statistically significant association between leukocyte telomere length and cataract (P>0.05). Cochran's Q test detected no heterogeneity, and neither the MR-Egger regression nor the MR-PRESSO test revealed horizontal pleiotropy of instrumental variables (both P>0.05). Leave-one-out analysis showed robustness of the MR analysis results. Conclusion Shorter leukocyte telomere length might be associated with increased risk of cataract.

Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of music- regulated laser therapy on mild and moderate primary hypertension (PH) so as to provide clinical evidence for the development of an effective non-drug therapy for hypertension. Methods One hundred mild and moderate PH patients were divided into obser-vation ( n = 50 ) and control groups ( n = 50 ) according to their stage of hypertension. There were two phases of treatment with 6 weeks in each phase for a total of 12 weeks. In the first phase, patients in the observation group received music-regulated laser therapy while the control group received drug therapy. In the second phase, the treatments were reversed, with the observation group receiving the drugs. The blood pressure and quality of life (QOL) of all the patients was evaluated after each phase. Results Before therapy there were no significant differences in average blood pressure or QOL between the groups. After the first phase, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) had been reduced significantly in both groups, but the decrease was significantly greater in the control group. The score on each item of the QOL evaluation was not significantly different between the two groups. After the second phase, blood pressure had decreased further in the observation group, but no significant change was observed in the control group, and there was no significant difference in blood pressure between two groups. The scores on each item of the QOL evaluation were not significantly different between the two groups, but average somatic symptoms, healthy and pleasant feelings, task perform-ance and life satisfaction were significantly ameliorated in both groups. Conclusions Music-regulated laser therapy can lower the blood pressure of mild and moderate PH patients effectively. Compared with antihyperten-sion drugs, music-regulated laser therapy provides a weaker effect in lowering blood pressure, but plays an e-quivalent role in improving the QOL of patients.

Objective Using surface electromyography (sEMG) techniques to investigate the patterns of frequency domain indexes of sEMC signals recorded from adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients' paraspinal muscles. Methods Twenty-five AIS patients were enrolled. All the patients undertook the Biering Sorensen test ( BST) ,the object-lifting test and a semi-bridge test, the ME3000P sEMG instrument was applied to record the electric activities of paraspinal muscles (convex/concave) of all subjects, and the time domain indexes such as averaged EMG(AEMG)and spectrum area(SPA) were analyzed, values in three tests were compared with one way ANOVA. Results The differences of AEMGs and SPAs on both convex and concave sides among the three tests showed no statistical significances (P = 0. 10,0.23, 0. 24 and 0. 45, respectively). Conclusions Any of the Biering Sorensen test( BST) , the object-lifting test or the semi-bridge test can be used to test the electric activities of paraspinal muscles (convex/concave) of AIS patients.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of Cheneau orthosis with different pressure areas on the patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods Thirty patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who had apex vertebraes below T6 were included, and randomly divided into group A in which patients wore orthosis spanning across 3 vertebra, and group B in which patients wore orthosis spanning across 5-6 vertebra. All patients were assessed with regard to Cobb degree, apex vertebrae rotary degree and pain index after wearing the orthosis. Results The rectified ratio of Cobb degree were 17% and 29% in groups A and B, respectively. There was a statistical difference between the 2 groups(P<0.05). No statistical difference was found between the 2 groups in terms of apex vertebrae rotary degrees(P>0.05). Pain index was 5.00 in group A, and 2.07 in group B, which was statistically different (P<0.05). Conclusions Increasing pressure points' areas of Cheneau orthosis properly can improve more effectively the lateral curvature angle of the patients with adolescent idiopathic seoliosis.

Objective To investigate the characteristic of vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VMO) during the Taijiquan exercise with surface electromyography (EMG). Methods 15 healthy adults were collected their median frequency (MF), mean power frequency (MPF), zero crossing rate (ZCR), averaged EMG (AEMG) of bilateral VL and VMO when they maintained 5 Taijiquan typical posture. Results The differences were not significant in all those indexes between VL and VMO during the postures of Baihe Liangchi and Jinji Duli, and were significant during the postures of Louxi Aobu, Shizi Tui, Pubu (P<0.05), the VL's indexes were less. Compared with the maximum voluntary contraction, Taijiquan was the lower loaded, and more slow muscle fibers could be recruited. Conclusion Taijiquan is a lower loaded exercise, and more slow muscle fibers can be recruited, especially in the VMO in some actions.

Objective To analyze the biomechanical properties of the lower limb in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS),and to explore the relationship between the biomechanical anomaly of lower limbs and AIS.Methods A total of 116 AIS patients were recruited as the observation group,and another 116 healthy counterparts were selected as the control group.The biomechanical properties of the lower limbs including the torsion angle of the tibia,forefoot-rearfoot angle,rotation angle of the hip joint,leg length difference,and pronation of the ankle were measured and compared between the 2 groups.Then multiple factors regression analysis was conducted to reveal the risking factors for AIS.Results Significant differences were observed between the AIS group and the control group in the leg length difference [(5.94±6.07) mm vs (0.74±2.20)mm] and forefoot-rearfoot angle [(0.17±4.72) ° vs (-0.46±3.60)°] (P＜0.01).In the AIS group,significant differences were found in the rotation amplitude of the left and right ankle,with a difference of-1.27° at standard deviation of 3.28 (P＜0.01).Multi-factor regression analysis indicated that the leg length difference and forefootrearfoot angle were risk factors for AIS.The odds ratio of the leg length difference and forefoot-rearfoot angle were 1.45 and 0.97,respectively.Conclusions The leg length difference and forefoot-rearfoot angle are risk factors for AIS.