Daniela Martins Cunha

Low-level laser therapy, at 830 nm, for pain reduction in experimental model of rats with sciatica

Chronic pain, resulting from nerve compression, is a common clinical presentation. One means of conservative treatment is low-level laser therapy, although controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two doses of low-level laser, at 830 nm, on pain reduction in animals subjected to sciatica. Eighteen rats were used, divided into three groups: GS (n=6), sciatica and simulated treatment; G4J (n=6), sciatica and treatment with 4 J/cm²; and G8J (n=6), sciatica and irradiation with 8 J/cm². The right sciatic nerve was exposed and compressed using catgut thread. Five days of treatment were started on the third postoperative day. Pain was assessed by means of the paw elevation time during gait: before sciatica, before and after the first and second therapies, and the end of the fifth therapy. Low-level laser was effective in reducing the painful condition.

Swimming training and functional assessment of sciatic nociception in rats

INTRODUCTION The protective effect of exercise on individuals with peripheral neuropathy is controversial. OBJECTIVE To assess the influence of physical training of moderate and progressive intensity on nociception of rats in an experimental sciatica model. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study assessed 18 rats divided into the following three groups: control group (CG); low-intensity swimming group (LISG); progressive-time swimming group (PTSG). To meet the physical training protocol, the animals were placed in a water tank for six weeks, three alternate days per week. In LISG group, the animals swam ten minutes per session, and, in PTSG group, the animals began swimming for ten minutes, and had a ten-minute increase per week. In CG group, the animals swam less than one minute per day, only to get used to the water environment. After finishing the swimming training, the experimental sciatica model protocol was started with constrictive ligature of the sciatic nerve with chromic catgut. Nociception was assessed using the functional disability test, which measures, in a one-minute interval, the time during which the animal holds its hind paw (THHP) in a guarded position. Assessments were performed preoperatively, and on the third, sixth, and tenth post-operative (PO) days. RESULTS All groups showed a significant increase in THHP on third, sixth, and tenth PO days, as compared to preoperative values. In CG, no significant change was observed in PO assessments, unlike what happened in LISG and PTSG groups. CONCLUSION Exercise produced greater hyperalgesia.

Efeitos do ultrassom terapêutico associados ao alongamento estático sobre parâmetros histomorfométricos longitudinais de sóleos imobilizados de ratos

The muscle tissue is endowed with plasticity that adapts to different stimuli. Immobilization causes damage to the musculature including atrophy, loss of muscle strength and extensibility. The stretching and ultrasound treatment modalities are used to speed up muscle repair process as they can increase protein synthesis and improve extensibility. OBJECTIVE: To compare the use of therapeutic thermal and non thermal ultrasound, associated with stretching, in the remobilization of the soleus muscle of rats subjected to position of muscle shortening on aspects histomorphometric longitudinal muscle.} METHODS: 28 rats were immobilized for 15 days, later released from the apparatus and divided into four groups: group AG only remobilized by stretching for 10 days and the others were subjected to 10 days of therapeutic intervention 1MHz of ultrasound at 1.0W/cm² (GAUS 1.0), 0.5W/cm² (GAUS 0.5), and 0.2 W/cm² (GAUS 0.2), and further stretching to the soleus. At the end of treatment, the animals were sacrificed and their soleus muscles were removed for later histological analysis of longitudinal parameters (count of sarcomeres). RESULTS: At intragroup analysis on the muscle length, only the group GAUS 0.5 did not present significant difference. The count of sarcomeres in the groups GA and GAUS 0.2 was statistically different. The size of the sarcomeres in both groups had no statistically significant difference. In inter-group analysis both groups had no statistically significant difference for any of the variables. CONCLUSION: The stretching was insufficient to reverse the effects of immobilization. When associated with therapeutic ultrasound, the dose 0.5 W/cm² recovered muscle length significantly, and the doses 1.0 and 0.5 W/cm² contributed to the significant increase of the number of sarcomeres in immobilized muscles.

Immediate effect of manipulation of talocrural joint in static balance in young women

Objective: To investigate the immediate effect of osteopathic manipulation of talocrural joint for anterior talocrural, on static balance, in young women. Methods: Twenty women were divided into two groups: manipulation of talocrural (MTG) and control (CG). It was analyzed the anterior-posterior (Y) and mediolateral (X) displacement with open and closed eyes in a baropodometry. Results: In the intergroup analysis, the oscillation showed higher in MTG (X and Y axes), at all times, compared to CG (p<0,05). In intragroup comparisons, the MTG increased significantly in the Y axis of oscillation, after intervention, with open eyes (p<0,05). Conclusion: The manipulation of talocrural joint decreased immediately the static anteroposterior balance in GMT with his eyes open.Objetivou-se verificar o efeito imediato da manipulacao osteopatica para anterioridade tibiotarsica, sobre o equilibrio estatico, em mulheres jovens. Metodologia: Vinte mulheres foram divididas igualmente em dois grupos: manipulacao do tornozelo (GMT) e controle (GC). Analisou-se o deslocamento ântero-posterior (Y) e medio-lateral (X), de olhos abertos e fechados, em um Baropodometro. Resultados: Na analise intergrupos, o GMT apresentou maior oscilacao (eixos X e Y), em todos os momentos, comparado ao GC (p<0,05). Nas comparacoes intragrupo, o GMT apresentou aumento significativo da oscilacao no eixo Y, pos-intervencao, com olhos abertos (p<0,05). Conclusao: A manipulacao para anterioridade tibiotarsica diminuiu, imediatamente, o equilibrio estatico ântero-posterior no GMT com os olhos abertos.

Efecto inmediato de la manipulación de la articulación talocrural en equilibrio estático en mujeres jóvenes

Objective: To investigate the immediate effect of osteopathic manipulation of talocrural joint for anterior talocrural, on static balance, in young women. Methods: Twenty women were divided into two groups: manipulation of talocrural (MTG) and control (CG). It was analyzed the anterior-posterior (Y) and mediolateral (X) displacement with open and closed eyes in a baropodometry. Results: In the intergroup analysis, the oscillation showed higher in MTG (X and Y axes), at all times, compared to CG (p<0,05). In intragroup comparisons, the MTG increased significantly in the Y axis of oscillation, after intervention, with open eyes (p<0,05). Conclusion: The manipulation of talocrural joint decreased immediately the static anteroposterior balance in GMT with his eyes open.Objetivou-se verificar o efeito imediato da manipulacao osteopatica para anterioridade tibiotarsica, sobre o equilibrio estatico, em mulheres jovens. Metodologia: Vinte mulheres foram divididas igualmente em dois grupos: manipulacao do tornozelo (GMT) e controle (GC). Analisou-se o deslocamento ântero-posterior (Y) e medio-lateral (X), de olhos abertos e fechados, em um Baropodometro. Resultados: Na analise intergrupos, o GMT apresentou maior oscilacao (eixos X e Y), em todos os momentos, comparado ao GC (p<0,05). Nas comparacoes intragrupo, o GMT apresentou aumento significativo da oscilacao no eixo Y, pos-intervencao, com olhos abertos (p<0,05). Conclusao: A manipulacao para anterioridade tibiotarsica diminuiu, imediatamente, o equilibrio estatico ântero-posterior no GMT com os olhos abertos.

Efeito imediato da manipulação osteopática tibiotársica no equilíbrio estático de mulheres jovens

Objective: To investigate the immediate effect of osteopathic manipulation of talocrural joint for anterior talocrural, on static balance, in young women. Methods: Twenty women were divided into two groups: manipulation of talocrural (MTG) and control (CG). It was analyzed the anterior-posterior (Y) and mediolateral (X) displacement with open and closed eyes in a baropodometry. Results: In the intergroup analysis, the oscillation showed higher in MTG (X and Y axes), at all times, compared to CG (p<0,05). In intragroup comparisons, the MTG increased significantly in the Y axis of oscillation, after intervention, with open eyes (p<0,05). Conclusion: The manipulation of talocrural joint decreased immediately the static anteroposterior balance in GMT with his eyes open.Objetivou-se verificar o efeito imediato da manipulacao osteopatica para anterioridade tibiotarsica, sobre o equilibrio estatico, em mulheres jovens. Metodologia: Vinte mulheres foram divididas igualmente em dois grupos: manipulacao do tornozelo (GMT) e controle (GC). Analisou-se o deslocamento ântero-posterior (Y) e medio-lateral (X), de olhos abertos e fechados, em um Baropodometro. Resultados: Na analise intergrupos, o GMT apresentou maior oscilacao (eixos X e Y), em todos os momentos, comparado ao GC (p<0,05). Nas comparacoes intragrupo, o GMT apresentou aumento significativo da oscilacao no eixo Y, pos-intervencao, com olhos abertos (p<0,05). Conclusao: A manipulacao para anterioridade tibiotarsica diminuiu, imediatamente, o equilibrio estatico ântero-posterior no GMT com os olhos abertos.

Use of high-voltage cathodic current for pain in experimental nerve compression

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of high-voltage cathodic current on pain from a sciatica experimental model. METHODS A total of 16 male Wistar rats were submitted to the sciatica experimental model in the right hind paw. They were divided into sham group (GS) and group treated with cathodic current (GP-) for 20 min/daily, for 10 days). The model of sciatic compression was performed with a 4.0-chromic catgut thread tie in four points of the sciatic nerve. Assessment of nociception was performed by measuring the time during which the animal held its hind paw in a guarded position (THHP) and the pressure withdrawal threshold, by use of a digital electronic analgesymeter. Data collection was carried out before the sciatica experimental model (AS1), three days after compression (before, AS2, and after treatment, AS3), and five and 10 days after treatment (AS4 and AS5, respectively). RESULTS According to the functional disability test, both groups showed an increase in nociception, with no reduction at any assessment time. Submitted to pressure, however, GS showed a reduction in the hind paw withdrawal threshold at all assessment times, while GP- showed a reduction in the hind paw withdrawal threshold only initially - at AS5, the threshold was restored. CONCLUSION No change in nociception was observed on functional assessment; however, on pressure hind paw withdrawal assessment, the treatment with cathodic current showed to be effective with the summation of therapies.