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The application of single motor unit biofeedback training (SMUBT) techniques was compared to traditional therapies in treating chronic low back pain (CLBP). Thirty-six volunteers (who experienced daily pain for 7 years in the T8 to S1 area) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments; SMUBT, relaxation training, or an educational program. The pain level and electromyographic activity of all subjects were assessed by a person blind to the treatment; before, immediately after, and 90 days after treatment. The SMUBT group reported immediately decreased pain which was maintained at 90 days, the relaxation group showed no changes, while the education group reported decreased pain at 90 days. The EMG results showed decreased amplitude and bilateral differences for the SMUBT and education groups. A 4-year follow-up revealed the SMUBT group remained symptom free. Implications and discussion of the results concludes the paper.

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Municipal waste management strategies (MWMSs) are local level policy instruments, prepared in an area wide manner all over England, aiming to achieve more sustainable waste management practices. Their focus is on different aspects of the waste management hierarchy, including waste reduction, reuse, recycling/composting and residual waste management. In this paper, a systematic review of MWMS strategic environmental assessments (SEAs), completed by February 2010 is provided. SEA report quality and the extent to which climate change mitigation is considered are evaluated. Whilst there are strengths of current practice, there is also scope for improvement, particularly regarding a more effective consideration of the waste management hierarchy. Furthermore, whilst climate change mitigation is routinely considered as an overall objective, none of the SEAs set related targets, for example regarding carbon emission reduction.

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