Ana Maria Pujol Vieira dos Santos

Influência do treinamento de força muscular e de flexibilidade articular sobre o equilíbrio corporal em idosas

INTRODUCTION: Increasing proportion of elderly people in the world population raises the discussion of disabling events in this age group, as the occurrence of falls. Reduction in joint flexibility and muscle strength are the main variable related to the major motor limitations of activities of daily living (ADLs) and high rates of reported falls in elderly. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the influence of muscle strength training and flexibility training on body balance in elderly. METHODOLOGY: The sample was composed by 22 women, from 60 to 75 years old, enrolled in two physical activity programs. Seven subjects were submitted to muscle strength program and 15 subjects were submitted to flexibility training. Body balance was evaluated before and after practicing time (Berg Balance Scale). RESULTS: It was found that both groups had significant improvement in body balance. Average scores in strength training group were 53 and 55.86 points, respectively, before and after training, while the average scores in flexibility group were 52.47 and 55.47 points, before and after training. CONCLUSION: It was found that both training improved the rates of body balance in elderly women, which likely will influence the reduction of incidence of falls and loss of physical independence, as well as better quality of life.

Associação entre perda auditiva e sintomatologia depressiva em idosos

* Doutora em Gerontologia Biomedica (PUCRS). Professora Adjunta da UFRGS Departamento de Psicologia do Desenvolvimento e da Personalidade Curso de Fonoaudiologia. ** Doutora em Psicologia Social (USP). Professora Adjunta da UFRGS Escola de Educacao Fisica (ESEF). *** Doutora em Ciencias do Movimento Humano (UFRGS). Professora Adjunta da UFSC. **** Doutoranda em Gerontologia Biomedica (PUCRS). Professora da UFCSPA Departamento de Fonoaudiologia. ***** PhD em Medicina pela Tokay University, School of Medicine, Japao. Professor Adjunto da PUCRS Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Gerontologia Biomedica. ****** Doutora em Fitotecnia (UFRGS). Professora Adjunta do Curso de Educacao Fisica da ULBRA Canoas. ****** Doutora em Saude da Crianca e do Adolescente UFRGS. Professora Adjunta da UFRGS Departamento de Psicologia do Desenvolvimento e da Personalidade.

Celiac plexus block: an anatomical study and simulation using computed tomography

Objective To analyze anatomical variations associated with celiac plexus complex by means of computed tomography simulation, assessing the risk for organ injury as the transcrural technique is utilized. Materials and Methods One hundred eight transaxial computed tomography images of abdomen were analyzed. The aortic-vertebral, celiac trunk (CeT)-vertebral, CeT-aortic and celiac-aortic-vertebral topographical relationships were recorded. Two needle insertion pathways were drawn on each of the images, at right and left, 9 cm and 4.5 cm away from the midline. Transfixed vital organs and gender-related associations were recorded. Results Aortic-vertebral - 45.37% at left and 54.62% in the middle; CeT-vertebral - T12, 36.11%; T12-L1, 32.4%; L1, 27.77%; T11-T12, 2.77%; CeT-aortic - 53.7% at left and 46.3% in the middle; celiac-aortic-vertebral - L-l, 22.22%; M-m, 23.15%; L-m, 31.48%; M-l, 23.15%. Neither correspondence on the right side nor significant gender-related associations were observed. Conclusion Considering the wide range of abdominal anatomical variations and the characteristics of needle insertion pathways, celiac plexus block should not be standardized. Imaging should be performed prior to the procedure in order to reduce the risks for injuries or for negative outcomes to patients. Gender-related anatomical variations involved in celiac plexus block should be more deeply investigated, since few studies have addressed the subject.

Sociodemographic profile, family aspects, perception of health, functional capacity and depression in institutionalized elderly persons from the north coastal region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Objetivo: descrever caracteristicas sociodemograficas, familiares, situacao de saude, depressao e grau de capacidade funcional em idosos institucionalizados em 11 instituicoes de longa permanencia para Idosos, na regiao do Litoral Norte do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Metodos: Estudo descritivo transversal que utilizou questionarios para obtencao de dados sobre condicoes sociodemograficas, aspectos familiares, sobre a autopercepcao de saude, bem como a capacidade funcional (Indice de Barthel) e a Escala de Depressao Geriatrica de 60 idosos institucionalizados sem deficiencia cognitiva, confirmada apos apresentarem pontuacao superior a 13 no Miniexame de Estado Mental. Resultados: Houve predominância do sexo feminino, viuvos e solteiros, com baixa escolaridade e situacao financeira precaria, e a maioria, sem filhos. Os idosos queixaram-se das dificuldades para andar (38,3%), da dor generalizada (16,7%) e dos problemas de visao (13,3%). A grande maioria (95%) relatou ter de duas a tres doencas cronicas e fazer uso diario de tres ou mais medicamentos. Apesar de 55% apresentarem sintomas depressivos e morbidades, os idosos apresentaram valores compativeis com independencia funcional de acordo com o indice de Barthel e classificaram sua saude como boa. Conclusoes: Esses dados contribuiram para conhecer as condicoes de saude e capacidade funcional desses idosos institucionalizados, visando qualificar a assistencia a esse publico.

Dizziness, Physical Exercise, Falls, and Depression in Adults and the Elderly

Introduction Dizziness is a symptom that can lead to falls, which, in turn, undermine onés independence and autonomy, leading to several comorbidities. The practice of physical exercise, however, can help prevent falls. Objective The objective of this study is to confirm the association between physical exercise, dizziness, probability of falling, and depressive symptoms in a group of middle-aged adults and seniors. Methods The authors evaluated subjects based on history, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and functional reach test. Results The sample consisted of 90 individuals with a mean age of 69.3 ± 6.8 years. The authors found that 37.8% had been practicing exercise, 33.7% had depressive symptoms, and their probability of falling was above average in the functional reach test. Conclusion The results of this study indicated an association between dizziness, exercise practice and depressive symptoms, indicating that physical activity is a beneficial factor for the aging population.