Influence of choice of electrical stimulation site on peripheral neurophysiological and hypoalgesic effects

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the choice of electrode placement site in transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) over acupuncture points vs peripheral nerve points influences the peripheral neurophysiological effects as reflected in negative peak latency in the superficial radial nerve, and on sensory changes in terms of peripheral mechanical pain threshold and mechanical pain tolerance in humans.DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.SUBJECTS: Forty-five healthy subjects by convenience sampling.METHODS: Subjects were randomly assigned to receive: (i) TENS with electrode placement on acupuncture points; (ii) TENS on non-acupuncture points along the same peripheral nerve; or (iii) no stimulation as the control. In the TENS groups, electrical stimulation was delivered at a frequency of 4 Hz and pulse duration of 200 μs for 30 min.RESULTS: Significant increases in negative peak latency and mechanical pain threshold over time (p = 0.015, 0.002) were found within the 2 active TENS groups. However, there was no significant difference between the 3 groups in all outcome measures at any of the measurement points (all p = 0.05).CONCLUSION: TENS over acupuncture points offers no additional hypoalgesic effects vs TENS over peripheral nerve points in a specific anatomical region.Department of Rehabilitation SciencesAuthor name used in this publication: Gladys L. Y. Chein

Excessive use of electronic devices among children and adolescents is associated with musculoskeletal symptoms, visual symptoms, psychosocial health, and quality of life: a cross-sectional study

Data availability statement: The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.Supplementary material: The Supplementary material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1178769/full#supplementary-materialCopyright © 2023 Tsang, Cheing, Lam, Siu, Pang, Yip, Chan and Jensen. Objective: Electronic devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. The frequency and duration of device use in children and adolescents have increased drastically over the years and the study of its negative musculoskeletal, visual and psychosocial health impacts is necessary. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the associations between electronic device use and the prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal symptoms, visual symptoms, psychosocial health, and quality of life in children and adolescents studying at primary and secondary schools. Data were collected through confidential online and paper-and-pencil questionnaires. Primary 4–5 and Secondary 1–4 students were recruited from 3 schools in Hong Kong. Demographics, frequency and duration of electronic device use, frequencies of musculoskeletal symptoms, visual symptoms, psychosocial health, and quality of life outcomes were measured. Results: 1,058 children and adolescents aged 9–17  years participated. Sixty-one percent and 78% of all students spent more than 2  h per day using electronic devices during school days and weekend/holidays, respectively. Extended electronic device use was associated with increased prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal symptoms (ρ’s = 0.28–0.33, P’s < 0.001), visual symptoms (ρ’s = 0.33–0.35, P’s < 0.001), and poorer device use-related psychosocial health (ρ’s = 0.38–0.47, P’s < 0.001). Secondary school students reported greater device use and severity of symptoms than primary school students. Conclusion: Excessive electronic device use was associated with increased prevalence and severity of physical and psychosocial symptoms, and such use is more prevalent in adolescents when compared to the children. The findings have important health implications for children and adolescents, suggesting that early intervention is needed to reduce the risk of developing device use-related disorders.This research was supported by Health and Medical Research Fund, Health Bureau of Hong Kong (project number.: 02180348)

Influence of choice of electrical stimulation site on peripheral neurophysiological and hypoalgesic effects

Author name used in this publication: Gladys L. Y. Cheing2008-2009 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Excessive use of electronic devices among children and adolescents is associated with musculoskeletal symptoms, visual symptoms, psychosocial health, and quality of life : a cross-sectional study

202410 bcchVersion of RecordOthersHealth and Medical Research Fund, Health Bureau of Hong KongPublishedC

A multidisciplinary functional restoration program for patients with chronic back pain

The 2010 Annual Meeting of the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine (ISSLS), Auckland, New Zealand, 13-17 April 2010

A multidisciplinary functional restoration program for patients with chronic back pain

Poster Session - General Orthopaedics: abstract no. 24914INTRODUCTION: To examine the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary functional restoration program for patients with chronic low back pain and to identify factors that can predict the vocational outcomes. METHODS: Sixty-five chronic low back pain subjects who have been off work for 16.6 ± 21.4 months (range: 0 to 20 months) participated in a 12-week multidisciplinary treatment program. Assessment was conducted at the start (baseline), midway, end of the program, and at a 6-month follow-up. Based on their vocational outcomes, the subjects were classified into the return-to-work and the not-return-to-work groups. Demographic data and baseline measurements were identified and tested as outcome predictors. RESULTS: No significant pain reduction or improvement in the psychological performance was demonstrated during the training period. Interestingly, significant pain reduction was observed at the 6-month follow-up. The rehabilitation program effectively helped regain physical function and the ability to work. 52% of the program graduates returned to work after the 6-month follow-up, and they showed more improvement in self-perception of disability and physical function compared to the not-return-to-work group. The pre-program employment status and age of the participants were the most important predictors for the vocational outcomes. The prediction model correctly classified 71% and 77% of the program graduates who returned or did not return to work, respectively. DISCUSSION: The rehabilitation program was effective in regaining the physical function and the ability to return to work. The pre-program employment status and age of the participants were the most important predictors for the vocational outcomes of the program graduates.The 7th SICOT/SIROT Annual International Conference combined meeting with the Swedish Orthopaedic Association (SOF), Gothenburg, Sweden, 31 August-3 September 2010

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the knee osteoarthritis fears and beliefs questionnaire

202411 bcchVersion of RecordOthersResearch Area Seed Fund—Orthropedics & Sports Rehabilitation Research, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Start-up Fund for New Recruits (P0031387), Hong Kong Polytechnic University of Hong KongPublishedC