Liane de Brito Macedo

Kinesio Taping(®) does not alter neuromuscular performance of femoral quadriceps or lower limb function in healthy subjects: randomized, blind, controlled, clinical trial.

The aim of this study was to analyze the immediate effects of applying Kinesio Taping(®) (KT) on the neuromuscular performance of femoral quadriceps, postural balance and lower limb function in healthy subjects. This is a randomized, blind, controlled, clinical trial, where sixty female volunteers (age: 23.3 ± 2.5 years; BMI: 22.2 ± 2.1 kg/m(2)) were randomly assigned to three groups of 20 subjects each: control (10 min at rest); nonelastic adhesive tape (application over the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles); and KT (KT application over the same muscles). All individuals were assessed for single and triple hops, postural balance (by baropodometry), peak concentric and eccentric torque and electromyographic activity of vastus lateralis, before and after interventions. No significant differences in electromyographic activity of the VL or concentric and eccentric knee peak torque were recorded, between groups and initial and final assessment in any of the three groups. We also observed no significant alteration in single and triple-hop distance and one-footed static balance between the three groups. Application of KT to RF, VL and VM muscles did not significantly change lower limb function, postural balance, knee extensor peak torque or electromyographic activity of VL muscle in healthy women.

Immediate effects of Kinesio Taping® on neuromuscular performance of quadriceps and balance in individuals submitted to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES Investigate the immediate effects of Kinesio Taping(®) on neuromuscular performance of femoral quadriceps and balance in individuals submitted to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. DESIGN This is a randomized clinical trial. METHODS Forty-seven male participants, between 12 and 17 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, underwent initial assessment consisting of postural balance analysis using baropodometry, followed by eccentric and concentric isokinetic assessment at 60°/s of knee extensors, concomitant to electromyographic signals captured from the vastus lateralis muscle. They were then randomly allocated to one of the following groups: control, placebo and Kinesio Taping(®). Kinesio Taping(®) group participants were submitted to Kinesio Taping(®) on the femoral quadriceps of the affected limb, while placebo group subjects used the same procedure without the tension proposed by the method. The control group remained at rest for 10min. All participants were reassessed following the same procedure as the initial evaluation. The following variables were analyzed: peak torque/body weight and muscle potential using dynamometry; amplitude of antero-posterior and latero-lateral displacement from the center of pressure using baropodometry; and amplitude of muscle activation (root mean square) applying surface electromyography. RESULTS None of the variables analyzed showed significant intergroup or intragroup differences. CONCLUSIONS Kinesio Taping(®) does not alter the neuromuscular performance of femoral quadriceps or balance of subjects submitted to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, for any of the variables analyzed.

Low-level laser therapy reduces the fatigue index in the ankle plantar flexors of healthy subjects

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been suggested as a resource capable of increasing resistance to fatigue and enhancing muscle performance through its metabolic and photochemical effects. This study evaluated the immediate effects of the application of LLLT on neuromuscular performance of the plantar ankle flexors in healthy subjects through a fatigue-induced protocol. This is a randomized controlled clinical trial, attended by 60 young and physically active volunteers of both genders. The subjects were randomly assigned into three groups, control, placebo, and laser, and underwent a preliminary evaluation of the isokinetic performance of plantar flexors and electromyographic activity of the soleus muscle to ensure homogeneity between groups. After the application of the respective intervention protocols, participants were induced to fatigue by performing 100 isokinetic concentric contractions of ankle plantar flexors at a speed of 90°/s. The dynamometric fatigue index (DFI) and median frequency were recorded during the fatigue protocol for comparison between groups. The group receiving the laser application showed significantly lower dynamometric fatigue index (p = 0.036) when compared to control and placebo groups. In relation to the median frequency during the fatigue test, there was a decrease in all groups, however with no differences between them. We suggest that LLLT being applied prior to exercise can reduce the fatigue index in the ankle plantar flexors of healthy subjects.

Delayed effect of Kinesio Taping on neuromuscular performance, balance, and lower limb function in healthy individuals: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Background Kinesio Taping (KT) is an elastic bandage that aims to improve neuromuscular performance, although there is no consensus as to its benefits. Objective To analyze the immediate and delayed effects of KT on the neuromuscular performance of the femoral quadriceps, on balance, and lower limb function in healthy subjects. Method This is a randomized controlled trial. Thirty-six women with a mean age of 22.2±3.6 years and BMI of 22.5±2.3 Kg/m2 were divided into three groups: control, with ten minutes of rest (control, n=12), application of Kinesio Taping without tension (placebo, n=12) and with tension (KT, n=12) on the quadriceps. The primary outcome was isokinetic performance, while secondary outcomes were the single-hop test, one-footed static balance, and electromyographic activity. The evaluations were carried out in five stages: 1) before application of KT, 2) immediately after the application of KT, 3) after 24h, 4) after 48h, and 5) after 72h. Mixed ANOVA was used to determine differences between groups. Results There was no change in one-footed static balance, electromyographic activity of the VL in the lower limb function, nor in isokinetic performance between groups. Conclusion KT promotes neither immediate nor delayed changes in neuromuscular performance of the femoral quadriceps in healthy women.

Effect of burst TENS and conventional TENS combined with cryotherapy on pressure pain threshold: randomised, controlled, clinical trial

OBJECTIVE To assess the immediate effect of conventional and burst transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in combination with cryotherapy on pain threshold and tolerance in healthy individuals. DESIGN Randomised, controlled trial. SETTING University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS One hundred and twelve healthy women. INTERVENTIONS Volunteers were allocated at random to seven groups (n=16): (1) control, (2) placebo TENS, (3) conventional TENS, (4) burst TENS, (5) cryotherapy, (6) cryotherapy in combination with burst TENS, and (7) cryotherapy in combination with conventional TENS. Pain threshold and tolerance were measured by applying a pressure algometer at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus, before and after each intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome measure was pressure pain threshold. RESULTS A significant increase in pain threshold and tolerance at the 5% level of significance was recorded as follows: burst TENS {pain threshold: mean difference 1.3 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4 to 1.2]; pain tolerance: mean difference 3.8 (95% CI 3.9 to 3.7)}, cryotherapy [pain threshold: mean difference 1.3 (95% CI 1.4 to 1.2); pain tolerance: mean difference 1.9 (95% CI 1.8 to 2.0)] and cryotherapy in combination with burst TENS [pain threshold: mean difference 2.6 (95% CI 2.4 to 2.8); pain tolerance: mean difference 4.9 (95% CI 5.0 to 4.8)]. Cryotherapy in combination with burst TENS provided greater analgesia compared with the other groups (P<0.001). CONCLUSION These results support the use of cryotherapy in combination with burst TENS to reduce induced pain, and suggest a potentiating effect when these techniques are combined. No such association was found between cryotherapy and conventional TENS.

Effects of kinesio taping on neuromuscular performance and pain of individuals affected by patellofemoral pain: A randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal dysfunctions in the knee and its treatment is controversial. This study analyzed the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) immediately and 72 hours after its application on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle, on the isokinetic performance of the quadriceps femoris and on the pain of subjects with PFP. Fifty-four participants were divided into three groups and performed one of the following protocols: (1) control group (CG)—remained at rest; (2) KT tension group (TG)—KT application with tension in the VMO region; and (3) KT without tension group (WTG)—KT application without tension in the same region. VMO and vastus lateralis (VL) EMG activity (RMS and onset), isokinetic performance and pain intensity were evaluated at three moments: before KT application, immediately after and 72 hours after. A mixed model ANOVA was used for statistical analysis with a significance level of 5% (p ≤ 0.05). No differences between the evaluated groups were found in relation to EMG variables and isokinetic performance. A reduction in pain intensity was found in the WTG in comparison to CG, after 72 hours. KT does not alter EMG parameters nor the isokinetic performance of subjects with PFP. However, we noticed reduced pain in the group submitted to the technique without tension 72 hours after its application.

Kinesio Taping reduces pain and improves disability in low back pain patients: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Kinesio Taping® (KT) on chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP). DESIGN Randomised controlled trial with intention-to-treat analysis. SETTING University laboratory. PARTICIPANTS One hundred and eight women with chronic non-specific LBP underwent an evaluation pre, 3 and 10 days after intervention. INTERVENTIONS After randomisation, participants were assigned to four groups: KT with tension group (KTT) applied KT® with tension in the region of the erector spinae muscles; KT no tension group (KTNT) applied KT® with no tension in the same region; Micropore group (MP) applied Micropore® tape on the erector spinae muscles; and control group (CG) did not receive any intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was pain sensation, measured by numerical pain rating scale. Secondary outcomes were: disability (Roland Morris Disability questionnaire), trunk range of motion (inclinometry), strength (dynamometry) and electromyographic amplitude (electromyography). RESULTS Improved pain relief was observed for KTT group (mean difference 2.0; 95% CI 0.5 to 3.4; P=0.003) and KTNT group [mean difference (MD) 1.9; 95% CI 0.5 to 3.4; P=0.004] compared with CG at 3days after application of the tape. For disability, there was a difference between CG and KTT group at 3days (MD 3.5; 95% CI 0.8 to 6.1; P=0.004) and 10days (MD 32; 95% CI 0.4 to 6.0; P=0.016). For all the other variables, there were no differences between groups. CONCLUSION KT with or without tension reduces pain 3days after its application. Additionally, when applied with tension, it improves disability after 3 and 10days in patients with LBP. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02550457 (clinicaltrials.gov).

T75. The relationship between Motor Unit (MU) behaviour and nerve conduction velocity follow cooling at the elbow: An exploration of conduction dependent MUs rate block

Introduction Nerve conduction velocity is a common assessment of peripheral demyelinating conditions used to locate the lesions and assess severity. Considering measurements involve low frequency or single stimuli, changes due to continuous activity would remain out of their scope. Accordingly, slowing of conduction velocity is not thought to result in weakness, but may account for loss of deep tendon reflexes leading to neural transmission failure. It has previously been shown that a decrease in temperature of 1 °C can cause a 2.4 m/s reduction in nerve conduction velocity, however little is known on the neuromuscular effects, specifically the behavior of individual Motor Units (MUs). This study explored the relationship between the MU behavior and motor-sensory nerve conduction velocities following the application of a standard therapeutic cooling technique at the elbow. Methods Eleven healthy individuals, aged 20–49, were tested using two non-invasive Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS); compound muscle action potentials of the First Dorsal Interosseous (FDI) muscle and sensory nerve action potentials, and a non-invasive investigation of the firing of MU using surface EMG decomposition (dEMG, Delsys Inc.) of FDI. Testing was performed prior to cooling, immediately after cooling and after 15 min of rewarming. Cooling was performed for 15 min using crushed ice and water to a skin temperature between 10 and 15 °C. Results Repeated measures ANOVAs with post hoc pairwise comparisons showed significant reductions in the MU firing between pre-cooling and post-cooling and between pre-cooling and re-warming (p = 0.013, p = 0.045) respectively. Similar patterns were seen in both the Motor and Sensory NCS with significant differences between pre-cooling and post-cooling, pre-cooling and re-warming, and between post-cooling and 15 min of re-warming in the Sensory assessment, although the latter is of questionable clinical importance (p  Conclusion There appears to be a clear relationship between the motor and sensory NCS and the MU firing rate. In contrast to high stimulation frequencies used clinically or activity dependent conduction block, this study shows conduction dependent MUs rate block (CDRB) verifying motor deficit whilst only nerve conduction slowing is evident, and revealing the first recruited MUs are affected more than the later recruited ones. This highlights the potential for dEMG as a novel neurological assessment, which could be used when conduction velocity is difficult to measure and motor control is affected, especially early in the clinical state before axonal degeneration is evident, which is still challenging for routine neurophysiological methods.