Edson Donizetti Verri

Effects of Acupuncture at the Yintang and the Chengjiang Acupoints on Cardiac Arrhythmias and Neurocardiogenic Syncope in Emergency First Aid

This study evaluated the effectiveness of YinTang and ChengJiang acupoints on patients with cardiac arrhythmia and neurocardiogenic syncope in emergency first aid. A 45 year old woman underwent acupuncture. She had a previous history of a valvuloplasty for rheumatic disease and two acute myocardial infarctions, followed by four catheterizations and an angioplasty. Needling of the YinTang acupoint and stimulation of the ChengJiang acupoint through acupressure were performed for 20 minutes soon after syncope and during tachycardia, hypertension, tachypnea, and precordial pain, without any effect on peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) or the glycemic index. Data were analyzed comparatively by using the following parameters at rest, during syncope, and at 1 minute and 10 minutes after an emergency acupuncture procedure: blood pressure; heart rate; SpO2; and respiratory rate. We found that acupuncture at YinTang and ChenJiang acupoints induced cardiovascular responses, increased the limits of the bodys homeostasis, and normalized the patients condition in the case of syncope. Acupuncture using a combination of ChengJiang and YinTang acupoints had an immediate effect on the autonomic nervous system and on maintaining homeostasis and energy balance in the body. Although this technique was effective, the patient was still referred to the Emergency Room.

Influência da posição do braço na relação EMG-força em músculos do braço

A relacao entre a amplitude do sinal eletromiografico e a forca muscular (EMG-forca) tem sido tomada como medida indireta da forca muscular. Este estudo, em 18 voluntarias saudaveis e destras, visou avaliar a influencia da posicao do braco na relacao EMG-forca em musculos do braco em tres tarefas - flexao do braco (FB), abducao do braco (AB) e neutra do braco (NB) - enquanto se tomavam ambas as medidas: uma celula de carga foi acoplada ao conversor do eletromiografo para registrar simultaneamente forca e sinal eletromiografico. Foram analisados os sinais dos musculos biceps braquial, braquiorradial e triceps braquial, e estimada a forca de flexao e de extensao do braco nas diferentes tarefas. A relacao entre esses conjuntos de valores foi analisada estatisticamente, verificando se havia correlacao entre forca e sinal eletromiografico. Os resultados mostraram nao haver tal correlacao nas tarefas avaliadas. A posicao do braco nao influenciou a relacao EMG-forca dos musculos avaliados, com excecao do triceps braquial, cuja atividade eletromiografica foi maior durante a tarefa NB. Conclui-se que, em isometria, as tarefas podem ser empregadas para ativar o biceps braquial e o braquiorradial; a tarefa NB e a mais indicada para ativar o triceps braquial.

The Effects of Acupuncture on Peripheral Facial Palsy Sequelae after 20 Years via Electromyography.

OBJECTIVE This research used electromyography to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on facial palsy peripheral sequelae. METHODS The 44-year-old woman who participated in this study presented sequelae resulting from 20 years of peripheral facial nerve palsy (FNP) on the right side and synkinesis in the left eye. In electromyography, the electrodes were positioned on the motor points over the orbicularis oris and the orbicularis oculi muscles to establish myofunctional feedback prior to and after rehabilitation, which consisted of 20-minute sessions of acupuncture once per week for 20 weeks: using manual stimulation at acupoints Yintang, LR3, GB21, CV17, ST2, ST3, ST6, ST7, GB2, and SI19; and Tou-Kuang-Min and ST4 using electrical stimulation with a 4-Hz pulsed current. The subjective pain intensities were recorded. RESULTS The root-mean-square (RMS) electromyographic comparative analysis showed greater activation and recruitment of muscle fibers on the right side and a reduced overload on the left side, which promoted a functional evolution of movements and a positive response in the stomatognathic system. CONCLUSION Acupuncture associated with electrical stimulation reversed the peripheral facial paralysis in a short time. Severe sequelae were minimized due to the balance of muscle activation in response to the electrical stimulation provided by the acupuncture needles.

Analysis of Endodontist Posture Utilizing Cinemetry, Surface Electromyography and Ergonomic Checklists

The postural risk factors for dentists include the ease of vision in the workplace, cold, vibration and mechanical pressure in tissues, incorrect posture, functional fixity, cognitive requirements and work-related organizational and psychosocial factors. The objective was to analyze the posture of endodontists at the workplace. Eighteen right-handed endodontists aged 25 to 60 years (34±3) participated in the study. Electromyography, kinemetry, ergonomic scales (RULA and Coutos checklist) and biophotogrammetry were used to analyze the posture of endodontists during root canal treatment of the maxillary right first and second molars using rotary and manual instrumentation. The variations observed in the electromyographic activities during the performance of rotary and manual techniques suggest that the fibers of the longissimus region, anterior and medium deltoid, medium trapezium, biceps, triceps brachii, brachioradialis and short thumb abductor muscles underwent adaptations to provide more accurate functional movements. Computerized kinemetry and biophotogrammetry showed that, as far as posture is concerned, rotary technique was more demanding than the manual technique. In conclusion, the group of endodontists evaluated in this study exhibited posture disorders regardless of whether the rotary or manual technique was used.

Association between the Paraplegia and Athletics Sports In The Upper Limbs, Posture and Stomatognathic System

Physical or sports activities for the disabled provides an opportunity to test limits and potential, prevent secondary deformities and promote social integration of individuals. This study examined the effects of paraplegia on the posture and upper limbs in practitioners and non-practitioners of physical activities. Twenty individuals (25 to 45 years), were selected and divided into three groups: Group 1 (G1), 5 paraplegic individuals with neurological injury in the lumbar structures (L1-L5), who were not practicing any sports, Group 2 (G2), 5 paraplegic individuals with neurological injury in the lumbar structures (L1-L5) who were sports practitioners (professional athletics) and Group 3 (G3) (control group), consisting of 10 healthy individuals. The individuals were submitted to assessments utilizing biophotogrammetry following a passive referential protocol: manubrium of the sternum, acromion, lateral epicondyle of the humerus, styloid process of the radius, 7th cervical vertebra (C7) and upper and lower angles of the scapula. The evaluations were completed by scoring the postural impairment patterns according to the New York posture rating. Finally they were submitted to an electromyography, bite force and ultrasound analyses. The statistical analysis was performed utilizing ANOVA (SPSS 17.0, p<0.05). The biophotogrammetry shows that in shoulder a postural symmetrical pattern for all of the groups. For left and right elbow, G1 exhibited a larger loading angle; for the scapula, G1 presented a greater external rotation on the right side compared to the left side. In the New York posture rating, a greater threshold of postural changes was observed for G3. The electromyography, bite force and ultrasound images, showed that paraathletes exhibited greater changes in the functional masticatory system. The paraplegia, regardless of its association with athletic endeavors, did not lead to relevant functional changes in posture or in the upper limbs. However, observed a functional change in the performance of the stomatognathic system.

Relação do desequilíbrio postural com incapacidade cervical em pessoas com deficiência visual

Objective: To identify the relationship between postural imbalance and cervical disability in visually impaired individuals. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at the Association for the Visually Impaired in Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil, in the period from January 2014 to December 2014, with 26 participants of both sexes, with an average age of 31.92 years, featuring complete or partial visual impairments. The postural assessment was performed by means of photogrammetry associated with the Neck Disability Index (NDI), which identifies cervical disability. To assess the statistical significance of 5%, the Chi-square test of independence was applied. Results: In the front view, there was a 2.82cm cervical inclination to the left. In the rear view, there was left shoulder elevation of 9.15cm in relation to the right one. In the right and left views, a 2.44cm cervical flexion-extension of the head against the cervical and thoracic hyperkyphosis of 0.67cm were found. There was a difference in the scapular alignment of the right side to the left in 5.08cm. The NDI showed 33.3% of the individuals with mild disability due to pain, while 66.7% had no disability. Conclusion: The study found compensatory postural changes adopted by the visually impaired in an attempt to adjust the center of gravity. However, these postural changes do not coincide with cervical disability and pain.

Comparative Analysis of Angles and Movements Associated with Sporting Gestures in Road Cyclists

Objective: To compare the angles of both hemibodies and movements associated with sporting gestures in road cyclists. Methods: Fifteen right-handed male road cyclists, with a mean age of 27 ± 4.25 years, participated in the study. Subjects who were younger than 18 years old or were previously diagnosed with posture impairment, motor disorders, and cognitive or mental deficits were excluded. Measurement procedures were performed using biophotogrammetry and kinemetry to analyze the angles and biomechanics of sporting gestures during the activities. Results: Based on the results of biophotogrammetry, the angles measured showed symmetry among the participants. The kinematics analysis revealed that the trunk flexion did not show any significant differences between the angles when the sporting gestures were performed. When the triple maximum flexion of the lower limbs and the maximum extension of the lower limbs were analyzed, a statistical significance (p < 0.05) between the angles in both sitting and standing positions was found. However, the results showed a direct association with the desired physiological movement, which did not affect the function. Conclusion: The results showed that the biomechanics of the angles between both hemibodies and the sporting gestures in cyclists were not affected. This finding is directed in particular to the implementation and planning of training practices that will raise the awareness among cyclists of their bodies and the appropriate adjustments of the bicycle components.