Laura Darabant, Mihaela Cretu, Radu V. Ciupa, Dan D. Micu and Denisa Stet
The purpose of this paper is to estimate the electrical field induced in the spinal cord and nearby area during lumbar magnetic stimulation.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to estimate the electrical field induced in the spinal cord and nearby area during lumbar magnetic stimulation.
Design/methodology/approach
The spinal cord is modelled as a continuous cylinder, while the vertebral column is also represented by a concentric interrupted cylinder. The coil used for magnetic stimulation is a figure of eight, whose centre is placed above T12‐L1 vertebras. The electrical field is induced and its derivative is computed using the finite difference method.
Findings
Preliminary results suggest that magnetic stimulation may be able to induce a sufficiently intense electric field inside the spinal cord, leading to the direct activation of spinal nerve roots.
Practical implications
If the spinal cord can be stimulated directly by magnetic stimulation, this technique can facilitate functional motor activities, including standing and stepping in paralyzed people, in a non‐invasive way.
Originality/value
The authors revealed the fact that functional magnetic stimulation can be applied to the spinal cord, and should be further investigated as an alternative to invasive techniques such as electrical stimulation.
Details
Keywords
Laura Ionescu, Lacramioara Ursache, Adelina Nicolae, Adriana Conea, Cristian Potora, Ovidiu Stan and Lucia Maria Lotrean
The purpose of this paper is to focus on parents of children with hearing disabilities from Romania and has three objectives. First, it assesses their characteristics regarding…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on parents of children with hearing disabilities from Romania and has three objectives. First, it assesses their characteristics regarding use of communication technology. Second, it investigates their opinions regarding the importance of school-based education for healthy lifestyle promotion among their children. Third, it evaluates the availability for their involvement in educational activities using face-to-face approach and communication technology dedicated to helping parents to promote healthy lifestyle among their children, as well as factors which influence this availability.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was performed in October–November 2015 in two schools deserving children with hearing disabilities from North-West part of Romania. Anonymous questionnaire were filled in by 182 parents.
Findings
The majority of parents recognize the importance of school-based health education and more than 77 per cent totally agree that it should include issues regarding healthy nutrition, promotion of physical activity and smoking prevention. In total, 80.2 per cent of the parents declared that they are interested to participate in educational activities organized periodically at school and 66.5 per cent declared their interest in educational activities developed through communication technology in order to help them to stimulate the adoption of healthy lifestyle among their children. The availability was influenced by residence, educational level, understanding the importance of parents’ involvement, characteristics regarding the use of communication technology.
Originality/value
This represents the first study from Romania investigating the opinions and availability for their involvement with regard to school health education among parents of children with hearing deficiencies. The results have several implications for health education among children with hearing deficiencies and their parents.