The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of the Smart dynamometer as a rehabilitation exercise device in a daily care by comparing with the existing medical devices. We used and analyzed clinical and measurement data of breast cancer survivors who have used Smart dynamometer during their rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery. The Smart dynamometer was compared with the two existing devices of Takei dynamometer and surface electromyography (sEMG) that were used in routine care, respectively. Three key components of the rehabilitation exercise devices were analyzed to validate the feasibility of the Smart dynamometer: grip strength, reaction time, and grip endurance time. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to compare the statistical significance between the devices. The data of 12 and 15 female breast cancer patients were analyzed for comparing the Smart dynamometer with Takei dynamometer and sEMG, respectively. There was a very weak correlation between the maximum values from the Takei and the Smart dynamometers in the affected and non-affected arms of breast cancer patients (r = 0.5321, 0.4733). Comparisons of 3 features between the Smart dynamometer and sEMG showed that there were strong positive correlations for both reaction time and endurance time in the affected and non-affected arms (r > 0.9). The feasibility of the Smart dynamometer for the possible use in a daily rehabilitation exercise was partially verified. Moreover, since the Smart dynamometer was highly correlated with time-related variables, it was important and significant to measure both grip strength and time-related information.
Arm ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Electromyography ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Reaction Time ; Rehabilitation ; Self Care ; Survivors

Objective: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of Cinnamomum verum (C. verum) from 32 different essential oils against cariogenic bacteria, Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Streptococcus sobrinus (S. sobrinus). Methods: The antibacterial activities of each essential oil were individually investigated against S. mutans and S. sobrinus. The essential oil of C. verum was selected for further evaluation against S. mutans and S. sobrinus. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry was used to determine the major constituents of C. verum essential oil. In addition, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration of the most effective constituent was investigated. Results: The essential oil from C. verum exhibited the greatest antibacterial activity. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the major components of C. verum essential oil were cinnamaldehyde (56.3%), cinnamyl acetate (7.1%) and β-phellandrene (6.3%). The MIC of cinnamaldehyde was measured using broth dilution assays. The MIC of cinnamaldehyde was 0.02% (v/v) against both bacterial strains tested. The minimum bactericidal concentration of cinnamaldehyde against S. mutans and S. sobrinus were 0.2% and 0.1% (v/v), respectively. Conclusions: The essential oil of C. verum and its major component cinnamaldehyde possessed considerable in vitro antibacterial activities against cariogenic bacteria, S. mutans and S. sobrinus strains. These results showed that the essential oil of C. verum and its bioactive component, cinnamaldehyde, have potential for application as natural agents for the prevention and treatment of dental caries.