A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, reveals that, among the elderly, less frequent participation in social activities is associated with a more rapid decline in motor function.As part of the analysis, 906 older individuals completed a survey indicating their level of participation in a variety of activities involving social interactions, such as doing volunteer work, visiting friends or relatives, or attending church or sporting events.

Frequency of participation in these activities was measured using a five-point scale, with one indicating participation in a particular activity once a year or less; two, several times a year; three, several times a month; four, several times a week; and five, every day or almost every day.

The researchers then annually assessed the participants’ basic motor function, including muscle strength in the arms and legs, and motor performance, including walking and balance. Participants were followed for an average of five years.

The study found that motor decline was more rapid in those who less frequently participated in social activities, with each one-point decrease in a participant’s social activity associated with an approximate 33% more rapid rate of decline.

“Statistically, that amount of change translates into a more than 40% increased risk of death and a more than 65% increased risk of developing disability,” comments study author Dr. Aron Buchman..

Archives of Internal Medicine – June 2009;169:1139-46.

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Certain factors influence the odds that a whiplash sufferer with develop chronic headache, say scientists in Germany .The study tracked patients with mild to moderate whiplash. Specific predictive factors for chronic headache included pre-existing facial pain, pre-existing neck pain, lack of confidence to recover completely, sore throat, medication overuse, hopelessness, anxiety and depression.

However, the study’s authors note that “the lack of a control group limits the conclusions that can be drawn from this study. Identified predictors closely resemble those found in chronic primary headache disorders.”

Cephalgia –  August 2009;Epub.

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Researchers at Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic in Spartanburg, SC, have demonstrated that the autonomic nervous system is affected by chiropractic adjustments, and that the area of the spine adjusted may influence whether the affect involves a parasympathetic or a sympathetic response.The study enrolled 40 patients between the ages of 25-55 years. All participants were asymptomatic and free of hypertension and a history of cardiovascular disease.

“Patients were evaluated pre- and post-chiropractic adjustment for the following autonomic responses: blood pressure and pulse rate. Seven patients were measured for heart rate variability. The subjects received either a diversified cervical segment adjustment or a diversified thoracic segment adjustment.”

Results revealed that “diastolic pressure (indicating a sympathetic response) dropped significantly postadjustment among those receiving cervical adjustments, accompanied by a moderate clinical effect (0.50). Pulse pressure increased significantly among those receiving cervical adjustments, accompanied by a large effect size (0.82). Although the decrease in pulse pressure for those receiving thoracic adjustments was not statistically significant, the decrease was accompanied by a moderate effect size (0.66).”

“It is preliminarily suggested that cervical adjustments may result in parasympathetic responses, whereas thoracic adjustments result in sympathetic responses,” conclude the study’s authors. “Furthermore, it appears that these responses may demonstrate the relationship of autonomic responses in association to the particular segment(s) adjusted.

Journal of Chiropractic Medicine – September 2008;7:86-93.

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People who engage in activities that exercise the brain, such as reading, writing, and playing card games, may delay the rapid memory decline that occurs if they later develop dementia, according to a study published in journal Neurology.The study involved 488 people age 75 to 85 who did not have dementia at the start of the study. They were followed for an average of five years; during that time 101 of the people developed dementia.

At the beginning of the study, people reported how often they participated in six leisure activities that engage the brain: reading, writing, doing crossword puzzles, playing board or card games, having group discussions, and playing music. For each activity, daily participation was rated at seven points, several days a week was rated at four points, and weekly participation was rated at one point.

The average was seven points total for those who later developed dementia, meaning they took part in one of the six activities each day, on average. Ten people reported no activities, and 11 reported only one activity per week.

The researchers then looked at the point when memory loss started accelerating rapidly for the participants. They found that for every additional activity a person participated in, the onset of rapid memory loss was delayed by 0.18 years.

“The point of accelerated decline was delayed by 1.29 years for the person who participated in 11 activities per week compared to the person who participated in only four activities per week,” notes study author Charles B. Hall, PhD.

“The effect of these activities in late life appears to be independent of education,” Hall added. “These activities might help maintain brain vitality. Further studies are needed to determine if increasing participation in these activities could prevent or delay dementia.”

Neurology – August 2009;73:356-61.

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Despite the various drawbacks of suffering from migraines, the condition appears to be associated with a significant health benefit: A new study of more than 4,500 subjects found a 26% reduced risk of breast cancer among both premenopausal and postmenopausal women with a clinical diagnosis of migraines.The risk reduction remained statistically similar regardless of a woman’s menopausal status, her age at migraine diagnosis, use of prescription migraine medications or whether she avoided known migraine “triggers” such as alcohol consumption, smoking and taking hormone replacements. These triggers are also well-established breast cancer risk factors.

What remains unknown is how migraine confers its apparent protection against breast cancer. “We know that migraine is definitely related to hormones and that’s why we started looking at this in the first place,” notes lead author Christopher I. Li, MD, PhD.

“We have different ideas about what may be going on but it’s unclear exactly what the biological mechanisms are.”

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention – July 1, 2009;18:2030-34.

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How prevalent are lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings among young adults? To find out, researchers in Finland conducted MRIs on 325 women and 233 men between the ages of 20 and 22 years.The MRIs were evaluated for disc degeneration (DD), Modic changes, and presence of disc bulges, herniations, high intensity zone (HIZ) lesions, and radial tears.

Results revealed that “almost half of young Finnish adult aged 21 years had at least one degenerated disc, and a quarter had a bulging disc. Modic changes and disc herniations were, however, relatively rare.”

Spine – July 2009;34:1716-21.

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As part of the analysis 253 orthopedic surgeons and 145 medical family practitioners completed a questionnaire regarding the management of simple low-back pain (LBP), while attending annual professional meetings. “Answers were scored based on the national guidelines for management of low back pain.”The study concludes that “both orthopedic surgeons’ and family physicians’ knowledge of treating LBP is deficient. Orthopedic surgeons are less aware of current treatment than family practitioners. Although the importance of publishing guidelines and keeping them up-to-date and relevant for different disciplines in different countries cannot be overstressed, disseminating the knowledge to clinicians is also very important to ensure good practice.”

Spine – July 2009;34:1716-21.

www.spinejournal.com