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BACKGROUND: Thoracic mobilisation improves thoracic hyperkyphosis and respiratory function. Diaphragmatic excursion is associated with respiratory function; however, limited studies have assessed the effect of thoracic mobilisation on diaphragmatic excursion. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of thoracic mobilisation on diaphragmatic excursion and respiratory function in individuals with thoracic hyperkyphosis. METHODS: Participants were recruited through Internet advertising and participated voluntarily. Nineteen healthy participants (age: 33.37 ± 6.56 years; height: 170.32 ± 7.92 cm; weight: 69.77 ± 14.70 kg) with thoracic hyperkyphosis underwent thoracic mobilisation for 8 weeks. Diaphragmatic excursion, thoracic kyphosis, and respiratory function were measured. Thoracic mobilisation was provided using a mechanical massage device. RESULTS: Thoracic mobilisation for 8 weeks significantly improved diaphragmatic excursion during deep breathing (p = 0.015), forced vital capacity (p < 0.01), and thoracic hyperkyphosis (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic mobilisation can be recommended in respiratory rehabilitation programs to increase diaphragmatic excursion and respiratory function for the management and prevention of respiratory dysfunction in individuals with thoracic hyperkyphosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Due to the extended use of smartphones, people spend a lot of time on these devices while lying down. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to compare the differences in neck muscle activity of participants while they watched videos on a smartphone in four different lying positions (supine (SUP), prone on elbows (PE), side lying (SIDE), and 45 ∘ head turn while side lying (45-SIDE)). METHODS: Twenty-three healthy volunteers (22.4 ± 1.7 years) were enrolled in this study. We assessed the activities of their right and left sternocleidomastoid (SCM), anterior scalene, cervical erector spinae (CES), and upper trapezius (UT) muscles while they watched videos on a smartphone in four different lying positions. RESULTS: The right and left SCM and CES had significantly different muscle activities depending on the lying positions. The SCM activity had a significantly greater asymmetry in the 45-SIDE position, while the CES activity had a significantly greater asymmetry in the SIDE and 45-SIDE positions. Moreover, the UT activity had a significantly greater asymmetry in the SUP, PE, and SIDE positions. CONCLUSIONS: Neck muscle activity and asymmetry were the lowest in the SUP position relative to the other positions. Therefore, lying down in the SUP position may minimize neck muscle activation while using a smartphone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Prone hip extension (PHE) has been investigated to strengthen the hip joint and back extensor muscles. However, it has not been compared with various PHE exercises in individuals with iliopsoas shortness. OBJECTIVE: This study compared pelvic compensation and hip and back extensor muscle activities in individuals with iliopsoas shortness during prone hip extension (PHE) using the abdominal drawing-in maneuver alone (PHEA) and after iliopsoas stretching (PHEAS). METHODS: Twenty-five individuals with iliopsoas shortness were included in the study. Electromyography was used to investigate bilateral erector spinae (ES) and ipsilateral gluteus maximus (GM), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST) muscles during PHE, PHEA, and PHEAS. Pelvic anterior tilting and rotation angles were measured during each PHE exercise via electromagnetic motion tracking. A modified Thomas test was used to examine the hip extension angle before and after iliopsoas stretching. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to investigate differences in pelvic anterior tilting and rotation angle and in hip and back extensor muscle activities among PHE, PHEA, and PHEAS. The level of statistical significance was set at α = 0.01. RESULTS: GM muscle activity was significantly greater with PHEAS, compared to PHE and PHEA (p < 0.01). Bilateral ES and ipsilateral BF and ST muscle activities were significantly reduced with PHEAS, compared to PHE and PHEA (p < 0.01). Anterior pelvic tilting and rotation angles were significantly reduced with PHEAS, compared to PHE and PHEA (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: PHEAS is recommended to selectively strengthen GM muscles with minimal BF and ST muscle activities and pelvic compensation in individuals with iliopsoas shortness. The abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) after iliopsoas stretching is more efficient than ADIM alone during PHE, especially in individuals with iliopsoas shortness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: clinical trial; survival; multiple myeloma EN clinical trial survival multiple myeloma 1117 1120 4 02/14/22 20220215 NES 220215 Over recent decades, several new agents with distinct mechanism of action, such as immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, have been developed in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM).1 In addition, cellular immunotherapy with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells or natural killer cells was recently developed for the treatment of relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM).2 Clinical trials are necessary to demonstrate the efficacies of these new drugs, thus creating increased opportunities for patient participation. In patients with ISS III, participants in clinical trials had significantly better OS, compared with patients who did not participate in clinical trials (119-5 vs. 41-7 months, I P i = 0-010, Fig 1D). [Extracted from the article]