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BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. Patients with MS experience a wide range of physical and cognitive dysfunctions that affect their quality of life. A promising training approach that concurrently trains physical and cognitive functions is video game–based physical exercising (ie, exergaming). Previous studies have indicated that exergames have positive effects on balance and cognitive functions in patients with MS. However, there is still a need for specific, user-centered exergames that function as a motivating and effective therapy tool for patients with MS and studies investigating their usability and feasibility. ObjectiveThe aim of this interdisciplinary research project is to develop usable and feasible user-centered exergames for the pressure-sensitive plate Dividat Senso by incorporating theoretical backgrounds from movement sciences, neuropsychology, and game research as well as participatory design processes. MethodsFocus groups (patients and therapists) were set up to define the user-centered design process. This was followed by the field testing of newly developed exergame concepts. Two sequential usability and feasibility studies were conducted on patients with MS. The first study included a single exergaming session followed by measurements. Between the first and second studies, prototypes were iterated based on the findings. The second study ran for 4 weeks (1-2 trainings per week), and measurements were taken before and after the intervention. For each study, participants answered the System Usability Scale (SUS; 10 items; 5-point Likert Scale; score range 0-100) and interview questions. In the second study, participants answered game experience–related questionnaires (Flow Short Scale [FSS]: 13 items; 7-point Likert Scale; score range 1-7; Game Flow questionnaire: 17 items; 6-point Likert Scale; score range 1-6). Mixed methods were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data. ResultsIn the first study (N=16), usability was acceptable, with a median SUS score of 71.3 (IQR 58.8-80.0). In the second study (N=25), the median SUS scores were 89.7 (IQR 78.8-95.0; before) and 82.5 (IQR 77.5-90.0; after), and thus, a significant decrease was observed after training (z=−2.077; P=.04; r=0.42). Moreover, high values were observed for the overall FSS (pre: median 5.9, IQR 4.6-6.4; post: median 5.8, IQR 5.4-6.2) and overall Game Flow Questionnaire (pre: median 5.0, IQR 4.7-5.3; post: median 5.1, IQR 4.9-5.3). A significant decrease was observed in the item perceived importance (FSS: z=−2.118; P=.03; r=0.42). Interviews revealed that user-centered exergames were usable, well accepted, and enjoyable. Points of reference were identified for future research and development. ConclusionsThe project revealed that the newly developed, user-centered exergames were usable and feasible for patients with MS. Furthermore, exergame elements should be considered in the development phase of user-centered exergames (for patients with MS). Future studies are needed to provide indications about the efficacy of user-centered exergames for patients with MS.

Background: Surgical outcomes for proximal hamstring avulsion injury (PHAI) are well documented, yet comparative analyses with nonsurgical approaches remain scarce. Purpose: To compare the functional outcomes between surgical and nonsurgical interventions for PHAI. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This comparative study, conducted at a sports surgery center between January 2012 and July 2021, focused on patients with primary PHAI. The study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Group selection involved utilizing propensity score matching to compare an arm of patients who were surgically treated (indications included patients with complete injury, patients with partial injury with >2 cm of retraction, and patients for whom 6 months of nonsurgical treatment failed) with another arm of patients who refused surgery. The primary outcome was evaluated using the Parisian Hamstring Avulsion Score (PHAS). The secondary outcomes included the Tegner Activity Scale (TAS) score; University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score; rate and quality of return to sport (RTS); and patient satisfaction. Results: The study included 32 patients (mean age, 55.8 years [SD, 8.4 years]) in the nonsurgical treatment arm and 95 patients in the surgical treatment arm (mean age, 53.4 years [SD, 7.7 years]) (P >.05). The interval from injury to treatment was 5.7 months (SD, 9.6 months) for the surgical group and 12.7 months (SD, 25.9 months) for the nonsurgical group (P >.05). At the final follow-up (nonsurgical group: mean, 56.5 months [SD, 28.2 months]; surgical group: mean, 50.7 months [SD, 33.1 months]), the PHAS was significantly higher in the surgical group (mean, 86.3 [SD, 13.7]) compared with the nonsurgical group (mean, 69.8 [SD, 15.1]) (P <.0001). Higher activity scores were also observed in the surgical group for the TAS and UCLA scores (P =.0224 and P =.0026, respectively). A higher percentage of the surgical group (68.4%) returned to sports compared with the nonsurgical group (46.9%) (P =.0354), with a greater proportion in the surgical group returning at the same or higher level (67.7% vs 26.7%) (P =.0069). Additionally, a higher satisfaction level was reported by patients in the surgical group (89.5%) in contrast to the nonsurgical group (25%) (P <.0001). Three patients in the surgical group experienced complications (2 reruptures and 1 hyperesthesia at the pudendal nerve territories). Odds ratios (ORs) indicated that patients in the surgical group were significantly more likely to achieve or exceed median scores for the PHAS (OR, 6.79; P <.001), TAS score (OR, 2.29; P =.045), and UCLA score (OR, 3.63; P =.003), as well as to RTS at any level (OR, 2.46; P =.031) or at the preinjury level or higher (OR, 6.04; P <.001). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that surgical treatment of PHAI significantly enhances long-term functional scores, including the PHAS, TAS score, UCLA score, satisfaction, and RTS, at a mean follow-up of >4 years compared with nonsurgical treatment. Registration: NCT02906865 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To assess the ability of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and hand-grip dynamometer to measure damage in inflammatory myopathies (IM). Methods Forty adult IM patients with a disease duration ≥12 months, low or no disease activity for ≥6 months, were prospectively enrolled. Thirty healthy age and sex-matched volunteers were enrolled as controls. Whole-body DXA and hand-grip dynamometer were used to measure muscle mass, grip strength and diagnose sarcopenia (EWGSOP2 criteria). Relationships between the results of strength in 12 muscles, functional tests, patient-reported disability, IMACS damage score, and history of the disease were assessed. The serum levels of potential molecular actors in the damage were measured. Results DXA and grip strength measurements took ≤20 min. Both muscle mass and grip strength were decreased in IM patients vs volunteers (−10% and −30%, respectively) with a dispersion that varied widely (interquartile range −24.3% to +7.8% and −51.3% to −18.9%, respectively). Muscle mass and grip strength were non-redundantly correlated (r up to 0.6, P  = 0.0001) with strength in 14 muscles (manual muscle test and hand-held dynamometer), functions (of limbs, respiratory and deglutition muscles), patient-reported disability, damage (extension and severity in muscular and extra-muscular domains) and blood levels of several myokines. Seven IM patients (17.5%) were sarcopenic. They had the worst damage, impaired functions, disability and history of severe myopathy. Decreased irisin and osteonectin levels were associated with sarcopenia (area under the curve 0.71 and 0.80, respectively). Conclusion DXA and hand-grip dynamometer are useful tools to assess damage in IM. Irisin and osteonectin may play a role in IM damage pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary Chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 14 (CCL14) is a biomarker associated with persistent severe acute kidney injury (AKI). There is limited data to support the implementation of this AKI biomarker to guide therapeutic actions. Sixteen AKI experts with clinical CCL14 experience participated in a Delphi-based method to reach consensus on when and how to potentially use CCL14. Consensus was defined as ≥ 80% agreement (participants answered with 'Yes', or three to four points on a five-point Likert Scale). Key consensus areas for CCL14 test implementation were: identifying challenges and mitigations, developing a comprehensive protocol and pairing it with a treatment plan, and defining the target population. The majority agreed that CCL14 results can help to prioritize AKI management decisions. CCL14 levels above the high cutoff (> 13 ng/mL) significantly changed the level of concern for modifying the AKI treatment plan (p < 0.001). The highest level of concern to modify the treatment plan was for discussions on renal replacement therapy (RRT) initiation for CCL14 levels > 13 ng/mL. The level of concern for discussion on RRT initiation between High and Low, and between Medium and Low CCL14 levels, showed significant differences. Real world urinary CCL14 use appears to provide improved care options to patients at risk for persistent severe AKI. Experts believe there is a role for CCL14 in AKI management and it may potentially reduce AKI-disease burden. There is, however, an urgent need for evidence on treatment decisions and adjustments based on CCL14 results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) strikes more than 200 million people worldwide and has a severe prognosis by potentially leading to limb amputation and/or death, particularly in older patients. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunctions and oxidative stress play major roles in this disease in relation with ischemia-reperfusion (IR) cycles. Mitochondrial dynamics through impairment of fission–fusion balance may contribute to skeletal muscle pathophysiology, but no data were reported in the setting of lower-limb IR despite the need for new therapeutic options. We, therefore, investigated the potential protective effect of mitochondrial division inhibitor-1 (mDivi-1; 50 mg/kg) in young (23 weeks) and old (83 weeks) mice submitted to two-hour ischemia followed by two-hour reperfusion on systemic lactate, muscle mitochondrial respiration and calcium retention capacity, and on transcripts specific for oxidative stress and mitochondrial dynamics. At the systemic levels, an IR-related increase in circulating lactate was still major despite mDivi-1 use (+305.9% p < 0.0001, and +269.4% p < 0.0001 in young and old mice, respectively). Further, IR-induced skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunctions (more severely impaired mitochondrial respiration in old mice (OXPHOS CI state, –68.2% p < 0.0001 and −84.9% p < 0.0001 in 23- and 83-week mice) and reduced calcium retention capacity (–46.1% p < 0.001 and −48.2% p = 0.09, respectively) were not corrected by mDivi-1 preconditioning, whatever the age. Further, mDivi-1 treatment did not oppose superoxide anion production (+71.4% p < 0.0001 and +37.5% p < 0.05, respectively). At the transcript level, markers of antioxidant enzymes (SOD 1, SOD 2, catalase, and GPx) and fission markers (Drp1, Fis) remained unchanged or tended to be decreased in the ischemic leg. Fusion markers such as mitofusin 1 or 2 decreased significantly after IR in both groups. In conclusion, aging enhanced the deleterious effects or IR on muscle mitochondrial respiration, and in this setting of lower-limb IR, mDivi-1 failed to protect the skeletal muscle both in young and old mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: No validated score is available for the prediction of return to sport (RTS) after proximal hamstring avulsion (PHA) surgery. Purpose: To validate a new assessment tool for patients after PHA surgery: the Parisian Hamstring Avulsion Score (PHAS). Study Design: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All patients at our clinic who had surgery for PHA between January 2015 and March 2018 were included in this study. A suspected clinical diagnosis of PHA was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. PHA was repaired by surgical reinsertion with suture anchors. Minimum postoperative follow-up was 2 years, and the PHAS, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), score, and Tegner score were used. The PHAS is a patient-reported outcome measure, evaluating the effect of PHA injury with 9 items. It was validated by calculating its psychometric properties, and then correlation analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the PHAS, UCLA score, and Tegner score. Cutoff values for the prediction of RTS were determined. Results: A prospective case series study was performed. A total of 156 patients were included. Median age (first quartile; third quartile) was 54.2 years (44.7 years; 61.3 years), and the mean ± SD time of the final follow-up was 69 ± 11.6 months. Two years after surgery, 66.7% (n = 104) of patients were able to RTS. A strong correlation was noted between all 3 scores at 1 year postoperatively. Overall internal consistency was high, with a Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.86. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.96, showing excellent reliability. The minimal detectable change was 12.9. No patients reached the maximum score at 2 years. Analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curves of the 3 scores at postoperative 9 months in relation to the RTS at 1 and 2 years showed area under the curve values of >0.7, indicating significant discriminant capacity for the RTS. A PHAS cutoff value of 86 at 9 months for the prediction of RTS at postoperative 1 year had a sensitivity of 65.6% (95% CI, 53.7%-77.5%) and a specificity of 81.4% (95% CI, 69.8%-93%). Conclusion: PHAS is a valid and reliable tool for follow-up after PHA surgery. It also offers a simple way to predict RTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Proximal hamstring complex injury (PHCI) is a common injury among professional athletes, particularly those participating in pivot contact sports. Previous studies have suggested that surgery can be effective in restoring function and allowing athletes to return to sport (RTS), but the factors influencing successful RTS have been less clear. Purpose: To assess RTS capabilities after surgical treatment of PHCI in professional athletes and to identify favorable predictors of RTS. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: This study (2002-2022) was conducted on professional athletes who underwent surgical treatment for PHCI at a sports surgery center. The primary outcome of the study was the RTS capability, evaluated based on the rate of athletes' return to their preinjury level of competition, time delay to RTS, and quality of RTS as measured using their level of performance and progression of scores on activity scales such as the Tegner Activity Scale (TAS) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), scale. "Maintained performance" was defined as athletes returning to the same preinjury activity level (per the TAS and UCLA scale) and perceiving themselves to have maintained their performance. Secondary outcomes covered the potential RTS predictors and complication rate. The study distinguished 2 types of PHCI: proximal hamstring tendon avulsion injury (proximal rupture with empty footprint, or having a "positive dropped ice cream sign") and complete proximal hamstring free tendon rupture (PHTR; proximal rupture without empty footprint, or having a "negative dropped ice cream sign"). Results: The study examined 64 professional athletes (mean age, 27.3 years; 82.8% male) undergoing surgery for PHCI. The RTS rate was 98.4%, with 78.1% of the athletes returning to their preinjury level of competition at 6.2 months (SD, 2.5 months). Twelve (19%) patients had returned to sport at an inferior level of competition, and 2 (3.1%) were unable to continue in their preinjury sport. Subgroup analysis revealed variation in RTS based on sport type, with the highest rate of return to preinjury performance found in athletes in handball and sports with splits (fencing, squash, and escalade; 100%) and soccer (95.2%). In the univariate analysis, male sex (hazard ratio [HR], 4.05; 95% CI, 1.45-11.3; P =.008), higher preinjury TAS score (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06-1.52; P =.011), injury involving the semimembranosus (HR, 4.84; 95% CI, 2.31-10.2; P <.001) or conjoint tendon (HR, 3.12; 95% CI, 1.55-6.25; P =.001), and PHTR (HR, 7.77; 95% CI, 3.54-17.0; P <.001) were significantly associated with a better postoperative level of competition. Multivariate analysis identified 3 favorable predictors of RTS with HRs of 2.91 (95% CI, 1.01-8.35; P =.047) for male sex, 3.86 (95% CI, 1.78-8.37; P <.001) for isolated semimembranosus injury, and 5.18 (95% CI, 2.24-12.0; P <.001) for PHTR. The complication rate was 4.7%. Conclusion: Favorable predictors of early RTS were male sex, isolated semimembranosus injury, and PHTR injuries. Registration: NCT02906865 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]