Danielle Brandalize

Analysis of electromyographic activity in spastic biceps brachii muscle following neural mobilization

INTRODUCTION Hypertonia is prevalent in anti-gravity muscles, such as the biceps brachii. Neural mobilization is one of the techniques currently used to reduce spasticity. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to assess electromyographic (EMG) activity in spastic biceps brachii muscles before and after neural mobilization of the upper limb contralateral to the hemiplegia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Repeated pre-test and post-test EMG measurements were performed on six stroke victims with grade 1 or 2 spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale). The Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test (ULNT1) was the mobilization technique employed. RESULTS After neural mobilization contralateral to the lesion, electromyographic activity in the biceps brachii decreased by 17% and 11% for 90° flexion and complete extension of the elbow, respectively. However, the results were not statistically significant (p gt; 0.05). CONCLUSIONS When performed using contralateral techniques, neural mobilization alters the electrical signal of spastic muscles.

Fatores associados à qualidade do sono em estudantes de Fisioterapia

Sleep deprivation is a common situation among students and can cause health problems and learning difficulties. On this way, the aim of the study was to analyze the sleep pattern of physical therapy university students, as well as the associated factors with quality of sleep. A total of 199 physical therapy students participate of the study. To asses sleep quality, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used. Environmental, biological and social variables were investigated and their relations to sleep quality were analyzed. It was shown that 51.75% of the students showed poor sleep quality, which has been associated with shorter sleep duration (p<0.01) and earlier wake-up time in weekdays (p<0.01), double work shift (p<0.01) and increased daytime sleepiness (p<0.01). It was concluded that the quality of sleep was poor in 51.75% of the evaluated students and this may have multifactorial cause.

Exposição crônica em ambiente de conflito sensorial e sua influência no controle postural

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the balance of subjects chronically exposed to an environment with sensorial conflict before and immediately after exposition to this environment. Fifteen fishermen volunteered to participate and had their displacement of center of pressure (CP) measured by a force platform before and after a sea journey. Six different conditions, in which the sensorial information of visual and somatosensory system was manipulated, were tested. The total path of the center of pressure indicated the participants ability to use each sensory system separately for each condition to control upright posture. There were no changes in body sway or sensory dependence immediately after exposure to an environment with sensorial conflict. A chronic adaptation seemed to prevent them to be influenced by acute effects of exposure to an environment with sensorial conflict.

Método Pediasuit melhora a função motora grossa de criança com paralisia cerebral atáxica

Introduction: Pediasuit is an intensive therapy performed by means of a “suit” in neurologic patient. Objective: to verify the influence of the Pediasuit on gross motor function and in caregiver`s perception of a child with Cerebral Palsy. Methods: This is a case study of a child with 6 years old with ataxic Cerebral Palsy. The primary outcome measured was gross motor function evaluated by the Index of Gross Motor Function (GMFM-88) which was assessed before and after intervention. The Pediasuit treatment was performed five times a week, two hours daily, during a month. Results: The results of the total score of GMFM showed an increase, which was better seem in standing domain (25.36%) after treatment. Conclusion: The intervention resulted in improvement in gross motor function for the participant of the study.