Browsing by Person "Palmer, S."

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Detection theory analysis of scaling and discrimination tasks: Responses to noxious thermal stimuli
(Psychonomic Society, 2007-08) Tan, Chee-Wee; Palmer, S.; Martin, D. J.; Roche, Patricia
This study's main purpose was to examine the sensitivity estimates obtained from scaling and discrimination approaches for nociception assessment in healthy individuals. This investigation may inform future applications in diagnostic procedures for painful conditions. Models of psychophysical judgment based on those of Durlach and Braida (1969), Laming (1984), and Irwin and Whitehead (1991) were used as the common analytical framework. Noxious thermal contact stimuli were used. The results show that the scaling approach produced lower detection theory sensitivity estimates than did the discrimination approach. The additional judgment variance in scaling tasks could explain this lowered sensitivity. The relative judgmental variance value of 2.18 obtained in this study is lower than variance values found in previous investigations. This discrepancy is probably due to the relatively smaller stimulus range employed in this study. The authors propose that the theoretical framework used in this study may be used in future studies to investigate the different dimensions of pain perception. Perception & Psychophysics,
Gait kinematics and passive knee joint range of motion in children with hypermobility syndrome
(2011-03) Fatoye, F. E.; Palmer, S.; van der Linden, Marietta; Rowe, P. J.; Macmillan, Fiona
Hypermobility syndrome (HMS) is characterised by generalised joint laxity and musculoskeletal complaints. Gait abnormalities have been reported in children with HMS but have not been empirically investigated. The extent of passive knee joint range of motion (ROM) has also not been well reported in children with HMS. This study evaluated gait kinematics and passive knee joint ROM in children diagnosed with HMS and healthy controls.Thirty-seven healthy children (mean age SD. =11.5 2.6 years) and 29 children with HMS (mean age SD. =11.9 1.8 years) participated. Sagittal knee motion and gait speed were evaluated using a VICON 3D motion analysis system. Passive knee ROM was measured with a manual goniometer. Independent t-tests compared the values of sagittal knee motion and gait speed between the two groups. Mann-Whitney U tests compared passive knee ROM between groups.Passive ROM (extension and flexion) was significantly higher (both p<0.001) in children with HMS than the healthy controls. Peak knee flexion (during loading response and swing phase) during walking was significantly lower (both p<0.001) in children with HMS. Knee extension in mid stance during walking was significantly increased (p<0.001) in children with HMS. However, gait speed was not statistically (p=0.496) different between the two groups.Children with HMS had higher passive knee ROM than healthy children and also demonstrated abnormal knee motion during gait. Gait re-education and joint stability exercise programmes may be of value to children with HMS. 2010 Elsevier B.V.
Pain intensity and quality of life perception in children with hypermobility syndrome
(2012-05) Fatoye, F.; Palmer, S.; Macmillan, Fiona; Rowe, P.
Hypermobility syndrome (HMS) is a major source of morbidity in children. Impaired quality of life (QoL) has been observed recently in adults with HMS; however, this issue is yet to be investigated in children with this condition. This study compared pain intensity and QoL in children with HMS with healthy controls. It also examined the relationship between pain intensity and QoL in children with HMS. Following ethical approval, 29 children diagnosed with HMS and 37 healthy children aged 8-15 years participated. Informed written consent was obtained from participants and their parents/guardians. Average knee pain over the past week was examined using the Coloured Analogue Scale. QoL was measured via the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to compare pain and QoL scores between the two groups. Spearman Rho correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between pain and QoL. Overall QoL scores in each domain were significantly lower in children with HMS (all p < 0.001) compared with the controls. Pain intensity was significantly higher in children with HMS compared with their healthy counterparts (p < 0.001). A strong negative correlation was observed between pain intensity and overall QoL and all the domains (r range = -0.614 to -0.717; all p < 0.001). In conclusion, the findings of the present study imply that pain and QoL assessment might form important components of clinical examination for children diagnosed with HMS. These children may benefit from appropriate treatment programmes to alleviate pain intensity and improve QoL. 2011 Springer-Verlag.
Proprioception and muscle torque deficits in children with hypermobility syndrome
(Oxford University Press, 2008-12-16) Fatoye, Francis A.; Palmer, S.; Macmillan, Fiona; Rowe, P. J.; van der Linden, Marietta
Objectives. Sensorimotor deficits such as impaired joint proprioception and muscle weakness have been found in association with hypermobility syndrome (HMS) in adults. HMS is more common in children than adults, yet such deficits have not been adequately investigated in paediatric populations. It is therefore uncertain as to what sensorimotor deficits are present in children with HMS. This study investigated knee joint proprioception and muscle torque in healthy children and those with HMS. Methods. Thirty-seven healthy children (mean age S.D._11.52.6 yrs) and 29 children with HMS (mean age S.D._11.91.8 yrs) participated in this study. Knee joint kinaesthesia (JK) and joint position sense (JPS) were measured, with the absolute angular error (AAE) calculated as the absolute difference between the target and perceived angles. Knee extensor and flexor muscle torque was assessed and normalized to body mass. Mann-Whitney U-tests were performed to compare JK, JPS and muscle torque between the two groups. Results. Children with HMS had significantly poorer JK and JPS compared with the controls (both P<0.001). Knee extensor and flexor muscle torque was also significantly reduced (both P<0.001) in children with HMS compared with their healthy counterparts. Conclusions. The findings of this study demonstrated that knee joint proprioception was impaired in children with HMS. They also had weaker knee extensor and flexor muscles than healthy controls. Clinicians should be aware of these identified deficits in children with HMS, and a programme of proprioceptive training and muscle strengthening may be indicated.