Noé Gomes Borges Júnior

The antinociceptive effect of iontophoretic direct application of diclofenac to arthritic knee-joints of rats.

This study compared the antinociceptive effect produced by cathodic iontophoresis of sodium diclofenac close to an arthritic knee-joint in rats with that of systemic application. Arthritic nocifensive incapacitation was induced by LPS (1 microg) injection into a knee-joint previously (72 h) primed with carrageenan (300 microg). Diclofenac (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg) given intraperitoneally 1 h after LPS injection caused dose-dependent inhibition of incapacitation. Diclofenac iontophoresis was performed by varying either the current density (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mA/cm2) or the duration of application (4, 10, 20 and 30 min) of a polyvinylpirrolydone-hydroxymethylcellulose gel containing 1% sodium diclofenac. A clear, current density-dependent effect was observed for 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mA/cm2 (10 min period), which was similar to the effect observed for the intraperitoneal application of 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg doses. Combining different application periods with different current densities, in a manner that resulted in the same total current (1.6 mA*min) application, did not produce similar therapeutic effects, but the antinociceptive effect was directly proportional to the current density. The ipsilateral iontophoresis (0.25 mA/cm2 x 10 min or 0.5 mA/cm2 x 4 min) of diclofenac produced an effect significantly greater than the same contralateral application (p<0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that the therapeutic effect depends on the current density but not on the application time, and also that the iontophoretic, direct application to the inflamed knee-joint enhances the therapeutic effect probably as a result of the direct delivery of the drug.

Dinamometria de preensão manual como parâmetro de avaliação funcional do membro superior de pacientes hemiparéticos por acidente vascular cerebral

A forca muscular e a valencia fisica mais importante. E provavel que exista correlacao entre a forca de preensao manual e outros testes para o membro superior afetado por um acidente vascular cerebral (AVC). O proposito deste estudo e analisar o valor preditivo da dinamometria de preensao manual (DPM) para recuperacao do membro superior paretico por AVC. Foram avaliados 43 pacientes hemipareticos pos-AVC (60,7 anos±12,1). Varios testes (Escala de movimento da mao (EMM), Estesiometria, Teste de caixa e blocos, 9 buracos e pinos, Escala de Ashworth modificada e Indice de Barthel) foram relacionados com a DPM. Os resultados apontaram que a DPM apresenta boa correlacao com EMM e, contrariamente, os testes de destreza manual, a sensibilidade e o indice de independencia funcional nao apresentaram valores significativos. A DPM e um teste rapido, facil e acessivel, e pode fazer parte dos protocolos de avaliacao funcional do membro superior de pacientes hemipareticos por AVC.

Using an accelerometer for analyzing a reach-to-grasp movement after stroke

O objetivo deste estudo foi usar um acelerometro para avaliar a cinematica do movimento de alcance e preensao de individuos com hemiparesia. Participaram deste estudo oito individuos (59,4 ± 6,9 anos) com hemiparesia cronica (50,9 ± 25,8 meses pos-AVE). A avaliacao cinematica foi realizada atraves de acelerometro triaxial (EMG Systems do Brasil) fixado no antebraco. Os individuos realizaram 10 movimentos de alcancar uma garrafa de 500 ml pelo membro superior (MS) paretico e nao paretico. As seguintes variaveis espaco-temporais foram calculadas e utilizadas para comparar o MS paretico e nao paretico: tempo de movimento (TM), tempo para alcancar o pico de velocidade, absoluto e relativo (TPV e TPV%TM), duracao relativa da desaceleracao(DEC%TM), tempo para alcancar o pico de aceleracao (TPA) e pico de aceleracao da mao (PA). Os movimentos foram mais lentos no MS paretico com maiores TM, TPA e DEC. A utilizacao do acelerometro permitiu identificar alteracoes no movimento de alcance em individuos com hemiparesia. Quando sistemas mais compexos nao sao disponiveis, acelerometros podem ser uma alternativa para medir o movimento do MS.

Postural control in blind subjects

OBJECTIVE To analyze postural control in acquired and congenitally blind adults. METHODS A total of 40 visually impaired adults participated in the research, divided into 2 groups, 20 with acquired blindness and 20 with congenital blindness - 21 males and 19 females, mean age 35.8 ± 10.8. The Brazilian version of Berg Balance Scale and the motor domain of functional independence measure were utilized. RESULTS On Berg Balance Scale the mean for acquired blindness was 54.0 ± 2.4 and 54.4 ± 2.5 for congenitally blind subjects; on functional independence measure the mean for acquired blind group was 87.1 ± 4.8 and 87.3 ± 2.3 for congenitally blind group. CONCLUSION Based upon the scale used the results suggest the ability to control posture can be developed by compensatory mechanisms and it is not affected by visual loss in congenitally and acquired blindness.

Dinamometria lombar: um teste funcional para o tronco

| Context: Muscle strength is the main physical valence. Clinical evaluation is performed using manual tests. However, these tests although reproducible are very subjective and imprecise. The torso evaluation has been performed by means of the the lumbar dynamometry (LD). This information is valuable in admission and periodic examinations of employees working on tasks that require repetitive effort, lifting, and transfer of loads. Objectives: As literature does not have reference values for this test, the objective of this research was to present values that can be used as reference for future study of normative values. Methods: The study was conducted with 691 healthy participants of both the genders and practitioners that do not practice regular physical activity, all with normal body mass index (BMI). Their ages ranged between 18 and 45 years, 382 were men, with an average age of 27.1 years (±7.5), and 309 women, with an average age of 28.2 years (±8.1). A portable digital system is composed of a dynamometer connected to a load cell and platform, and a digital indicator. Results: The average value of force measured in men with the LD system was 114.0 kgf (±25.4), and 48.5 kgf (±18.8) in women. Men had 235,1% more strength than women. Conclusion: This study presents an initial contribution to establish normative values for this dynamometer test, but further studies are needed, given the fact that the measurements are preliminary and specific to the geographic region studied.

Use of visual feedback for balance training in hemiparetic Stroke patients

Introduction Hemiparetic Stroke patients have their daily activities affected by the balance impairment. Techniques that used visual information for training this impairment it seems to be effective. Objective To analyze the effects of the unstable balance board training and compare two ways of visual feedback: the biomechanical instrumentation and the mirror. Materials and methods Eight chronic hemiparetic Stroke patients participated in the research, randomized in two groups. The first group (G1) accomplished the training with biomechanical instrumentation, and the second group (G2) trained in front of the mirror. Sixteen training sessions were done with feet together, and feet apart. The evaluation instruments that were used before and after the period of training were the Time Up and Go Test (TUGT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Instrumented Balance Board (IBB), that quantified the functional mobility, the balance and the posture control respectively. Results The TUGT showed significant results (p 0.05). A strong correlation between all the applied tests was observed in this research. Conclusion Although the advantages found were different between the groups, in both it could be observed that the training brought benefits, with the transference to the functional mobility.

Avaliação do equilíbrio corporal de pacientes com artrite reumatoide

| Postural control, stability in voluntary movements in response to external disturbances and proprioception are basic elements for maintaining balance. People with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) have difficulty maintaining postural control, undermining the balance in the Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), making it an important risk factor for falls. The present study aimed to evaluate the body balance of individuals with RA, according to the level of disease activity. We evaluated 24 individuals with 54.66±9.52 years. All underwent a questionnaire identification and medical history, anthropometric measurements, blood sampling for analysis of C-Reactive Protein (CRP), determining the level of disease activity using the DAS-28 and equilibrium through tests: Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and TUG. Patients were divided into three groups: low, moderate and high disease activity. The results of equilibrium tests showed that, although the sample has presented low risk for falls, the group in high disease activity had higher frequency distribution (57.2%) in scores between 48–52 in the BBS compared to the moderate activity group, whose frequency distribution prevailed in the scores between 53 and 56 (92.3%-p≤0.05). It was also observed differences in the time of the TUG execution between groups high (11.86±4.62 s) and moderate (9.71±0.90 s) disease activity (p≤0.05). These data show that the levelControle postural, estabilidade nos movimentos voluntarios, reacao as perturbacoes externas e propriocepcao constituem elementos basicos para a manutencao do equilibrio. Pessoas com Artrite Reumatoide (AR) tem dificuldade em manter o controle postural, prejudicando o equilibrio nas Atividades de Vida Diarias (AVDs), tornando-se um importante fator de risco para quedas. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o equilibrio corporal de individuos com AR, em funcao do nivel de atividade da doenca. Foram avaliados 24 individuos com 54,66±9,52 anos. Todos foram submetidos a aplicacao de questionario de identificacao e historia clinica, avaliacoes antropometricas, coleta de amostra sanguinea para analise de Proteina C-Reativa (PCR), determinacao do nivel de atividade da doenca por meio do Disease Activity Score (DAS-28) e avaliacao do equilibrio atraves dos testes: Escala de Equilibrio de Berg (EEB) e Timed Up and Go (TUG). Os pacientes foram divididos em tres grupos: baixa, moderada e alta atividade da doenca. Os resultados dos testes de equilibrio demonstraram que, embora a amostra tenha apresentado baixo risco para quedas, o grupo em alta atividade da doenca apresentou maior distribuicao de frequencia (57,2%) nos escores entre 48-52 na EEB, em comparacao ao grupo moderada atividade, cuja distribuicao de frequencia predominou nos escores entre 53 e 56 (92,3%-p<0,05). Tambem foi verificada diferenca no tempo de execucao do TUG, entre os grupos alta (11,86±4,62s) e moderada (9,71±0,90s) atividade da doenca (p<0,05). Estes dados evidenciam que o nivel de atividade da doenca pode influenciar na realizacao dos testes EEB e TUG, sugerindo um aumento do risco de quedas ou ate mesmo uma dependencia na realizacao de suas AVDs em funcao do aumento do nivel de atividade da doenca.

Evaluation of body balance in rheumatoid arthritis patients

| Postural control, stability in voluntary movements in response to external disturbances and proprioception are basic elements for maintaining balance. People with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) have difficulty maintaining postural control, undermining the balance in the Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), making it an important risk factor for falls. The present study aimed to evaluate the body balance of individuals with RA, according to the level of disease activity. We evaluated 24 individuals with 54.66±9.52 years. All underwent a questionnaire identification and medical history, anthropometric measurements, blood sampling for analysis of C-Reactive Protein (CRP), determining the level of disease activity using the DAS-28 and equilibrium through tests: Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and TUG. Patients were divided into three groups: low, moderate and high disease activity. The results of equilibrium tests showed that, although the sample has presented low risk for falls, the group in high disease activity had higher frequency distribution (57.2%) in scores between 48–52 in the BBS compared to the moderate activity group, whose frequency distribution prevailed in the scores between 53 and 56 (92.3%-p≤0.05). It was also observed differences in the time of the TUG execution between groups high (11.86±4.62 s) and moderate (9.71±0.90 s) disease activity (p≤0.05). These data show that the levelControle postural, estabilidade nos movimentos voluntarios, reacao as perturbacoes externas e propriocepcao constituem elementos basicos para a manutencao do equilibrio. Pessoas com Artrite Reumatoide (AR) tem dificuldade em manter o controle postural, prejudicando o equilibrio nas Atividades de Vida Diarias (AVDs), tornando-se um importante fator de risco para quedas. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o equilibrio corporal de individuos com AR, em funcao do nivel de atividade da doenca. Foram avaliados 24 individuos com 54,66±9,52 anos. Todos foram submetidos a aplicacao de questionario de identificacao e historia clinica, avaliacoes antropometricas, coleta de amostra sanguinea para analise de Proteina C-Reativa (PCR), determinacao do nivel de atividade da doenca por meio do Disease Activity Score (DAS-28) e avaliacao do equilibrio atraves dos testes: Escala de Equilibrio de Berg (EEB) e Timed Up and Go (TUG). Os pacientes foram divididos em tres grupos: baixa, moderada e alta atividade da doenca. Os resultados dos testes de equilibrio demonstraram que, embora a amostra tenha apresentado baixo risco para quedas, o grupo em alta atividade da doenca apresentou maior distribuicao de frequencia (57,2%) nos escores entre 48-52 na EEB, em comparacao ao grupo moderada atividade, cuja distribuicao de frequencia predominou nos escores entre 53 e 56 (92,3%-p<0,05). Tambem foi verificada diferenca no tempo de execucao do TUG, entre os grupos alta (11,86±4,62s) e moderada (9,71±0,90s) atividade da doenca (p<0,05). Estes dados evidenciam que o nivel de atividade da doenca pode influenciar na realizacao dos testes EEB e TUG, sugerindo um aumento do risco de quedas ou ate mesmo uma dependencia na realizacao de suas AVDs em funcao do aumento do nivel de atividade da doenca.

Perfil da musculatura extensora lombar de trabalhadores rurais na atividade leiteira

Background Milk production is a work system that comprises several tasks from cattle handling, feeding and milking to product consumption. Isometric lumbar extension dynamometry is considered a satisfactory instrument for occupational evaluation and monitoring, especially for populations of workers whose activities demand high levels of strength. Objective To investigate isometric lumbar extension strength among rural milk production workers. Methods The sample comprised 47 rural milk production workers affiliated with the Technical Assistance and Rural Outreach Company/Southern Credit and Rural Assistance Company (Empresa de Assistencia Tecnica e Extensao Rural/Associacao Sulina de Credito e Assistencia Rural - EMATER/ASCAR), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The participants were analyzed based on a sociodemographic questionnaire and lumbar extensor muscle strength testing by means of an isometric dynamometry system. Results Participants were 20 men with average age 50.45±9.44 years old and 27 women with average age 46.15±7.56 years old. The isometric lumbar extension strength was 1,169±289.96 N for the men and 571.34±190.36 N for the women. Conclusion The lumbar extensor muscle profile of rural milk production workers was characterized by higher values for the men, which might be attributed to the fact that men exhibit higher body mass levels, and consequently produce greater force.Background Milk production is a work system that comprises several tasks from cattle handling, feeding and milking to product consumption. Isometric lumbar extension dynamometry is considered a satisfactory instrument for occupational evaluation and monitoring, especially for populations of workers whose activities demand high levels of strength. Objective To investigate isometric lumbar extension strength among rural milk production workers. Methods The sample comprised 47 rural milk production workers affiliated with the Technical Assistance and Rural Outreach Company/Southern Credit and Rural Assistance Company (Empresa de Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural/Associação Sulina de Crédito e Assistência Rural - EMATER/ASCAR), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The participants were analyzed based on a sociodemographic questionnaire and lumbar extensor muscle strength testing by means of an isometric dynamometry system. Results Participants were 20 men with average age 50.45±9.44 years old and 27 women with average age 46.15±7.56 years old. The isometric lumbar extension strength was 1,169±289.96 N for the men and 571.34±190.36 N for the women. Conclusion The lumbar extensor muscle profile of rural milk production workers was characterized by higher values for the men, which might be attributed to the fact that men exhibit higher body mass levels, and consequently produce greater force.

Relation between functional mobility and dynapenia in institutionalized frail elderly

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar a relacao entre mobilidade funcional e dinapenia em idosos frageis institucionalizados. Metodos Estudo descritivo, correlacional conduzido com 26 idosos institucionalizados de ambos os sexos com media de idade de 82,3±6 anos. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Mini-Exame do Estado Mental, Escala de Depressao Geriatrica, Questionario Internacional de Atividade Fisica, teste Timed Up and Go, dinamometro de preensao manual e dinamometro portatil para avaliar grandes grupos musculares (flexores do ombro, flexores do cotovelo, flexores do quadril, extensores do [...]