Rui Soles Gonçalves

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Portuguese version of the Oxford Knee Score (OKS).

The purpose of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) to the Portuguese language and to test its reliability and validity. This new version was obtained with forward/backward translations, consensus panels and a pre-test. The Portuguese OKS and Medical Outcomes Study - 36 item Short Form (SF-36) questionnaires, visual analog scales (VAS) of pain and disability, and a form for the characteristics of the patients were administered to 80 subjects who underwent total knee replacement (TKR) for severe knee osteoarthritis (OA). Reliability was acceptable with a Cronbachs alpha coefficient of 0.87, and an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.97. Construct validity was supported by the confirmation of three predefined hypotheses involving expected significant correlations between OKS scale, SF-36 subscales and VAS that represent similar constructs. The Portuguese OKS exhibited suitable psychometric properties, in terms of internal consistency, reproducibility and construct validity.

Physical models of ten asteroids from an observers' collaboration network

Aims. We present physical models of ten asteroids obtained by means of lightcurve inversion. A substantial part of the photometric data was observed by amateur astronomers. We emphasize the importance of a coordinated network of observers that will be of extreme importance for future all-sky asteroid photometric surveys. Methods. The lightcurve inversion method was used to derive spin states and shape models of the asteroids. Results. We derived spin states and shape model for ten new asteroids: (110) Lydia, (125) Liberatrix, (130) Elektra, (165) Loreley, (196) Philomela, (218) Bianca, (306) Unitas, (423) Diotima, (776) Berbericia, and (944) Hidalgo. This increases the number of asteroid models up to nearly one hundred.

Quality of life, school backpack weight, and nonspecific low back pain in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVES To describe the degree of disability, anthropometric variables, quality of life (QoL), and school backpack weight in boys and girls aged 11-17 years. The differences in QoL between those who did or did not report low back pain (LBP) were also analyzed. METHODS Eighty-six girls (13.9 ± 1.9 years of age) and 63 boys (13.7 ± 1.7 years of age) participated. LBP was assessed by questionnaire, and disability using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. QoL was assessed by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Multivariate analyses of variance and covariance were used to assess differences between groups. RESULTS Girls reported higher disability than boys (p = 0.01), and lower QoL in the domains of physical (p < 0.001) and emotional functioning (p < 0.01), psychosocial health (p = 0.02) and physical health summary score (p < 0.001), and on the total PedsQL score (p < 0.01). School backpack weight was similar in both genders (p = 0.61) and in participants with and without LBP (p = 0.15). After adjustments, participants with LBP reported lower physical functioning (p < 0.01), influencing lower physical health summary score (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Girls had higher disability and lower QoL than boys in the domains of physical and emotional functioning, psychosocial health, and physical health summary scores, and on the total PedsQL score; however, similar school backpack weight was reported. Participants with LBP revealed lower physical functioning and physical health summary score, yet had similar school backpack weight to those without LBP.

Measuring the Pain Impact in Adults with a Chronic Pain Condition: Adaptation and Validation of the Pain Impact Questionnaire (PIQ-6) to the Portuguese Culture

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to validate the Pain Impact Questionnaire (PIQ-6) for Portuguese adults with a chronic pain condition. DESIGN The Portuguese version was developed through forward-backward translations and a cognitive debriefing with chronic pain patients. A subsequent sample of patients was selected to test the validity and the obtained Portuguese measure. PATIENTS AND SETTING Patients are comprised of a sample of 104 physical therapy patients with chronic pain from four outpatient clinics. OUTCOMES MEASURES Reliability and validity were tested by administering the PIQ-6, the Medical Outcomes Study-12-Item Short Form (SF-12) questionnaire, a numerical rating pain scale, and a form to collect some of the characteristics of the patients. RESULTS After obtaining the semantic and content equivalence, the Portuguese version of PIQ-6 showed good levels of reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient between 0.82 and 0.94) and good levels of internal consistency, with Cronbachs alpha of 0.92. The factor analysis confirmed the unidimensionality of the measure (initial eigen-value = 4.29, 71.6%). Construct validity was supported by the correlations obtained with a numerical rating pain scale (rho = 0.705), SF-12 subscales (r = -0.723 and -0.656), and the age of the patients (r = 0.274). CONCLUSION The PIQ-6 proved to be equivalent in both cultures (American/Portuguese), and is useful, reliable, and valid for use in Portugal.

Photometric analysis for the spin and shape parameters of the C-type main-belt asteroids (171) Ophelia and (360) Carlova

Aims. Two C-type main-belt asteroids (171) Ophelia and (360) Carlova are studied for their spin parameters and shapes in the present paper. Although it was suspected that Ophelia was a binary system owing to the eclipse features in the light curve obtained in 1977, no direct evidence has been obtained to confirm the binarity. To verify the previous findings, the spin parameters and shape of Ophelia are derived by analyzing the photometric data. To understand the dispersion in the previous determination of Carlovas spin parameters, new observational data and existing photometric data are reanalyzed to find a homogenous solution for its spin parameters and shape. Methods. The spin parameters and shapes of two asteroids were determined from photometric data using the convex inversion technique. The simplified virtual-observation Markov chain Monte Carlo method was applied to estimate the uncertainties of the spin parameters and to understand the divergence of derived shapes. Results. A pair of possible poles for Ophelia are derived, the spin periods corresponding to the two poles are nearly the same. The convex shape of Ophelia shows binary characteristics. For Carlova, a unique pole solution and its convex shape are ascertained together with the occultation observations. The convex shape of Carlova shows that it is a rough ellipsoid.

Reproducibility of estimated optimal peak output using a force-velocity test on a cycle ergometer

The current study aimed to examine the reproducibility of estimated peak power and estimated pedal velocity in a multi-trial 10-s all-out cycling test among adult athletes (n = 22; aged 23.50±4.73 years). Stature, sitting height and body mass were measured. Leg length was estimated as stature minus sitting height. Body volume was obtained from air displacement plethysmography and was subsequently used to calculate body density. Fat mass and fat-free mass were derived. The short-term power outputs were assessed from the force-velocity test (FVT), using a friction-braked ergometer on two separated occasions. Differences between repeated measurements were examined with paired t-test and effect sizes calculated. No significant differences were found between session 1 (898 W, 142 rpm) and session 2 (906 W, 142 rpm). Test-retest procedure showed acceptable reliability for estimated peak power output [technical error of measurement (TEM) = 31.9 W; % coefficient of variation (CV) = 3.5; intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.986] and pedal velocity (TEM = 5.4 rpm, %CV = 3.8, ICC = 0.924). The current study demonstrated a reasonable reproducibility of estimated peak power and pedal velocity outputs in non-elite male athletes and supports that a familiarization session including a complete FVT protocol is not required.

Reproducibility of isokinetic strength assessment of knee muscle actions in adult athletes: Torques and antagonist-agonist ratios derived at the same angle position

The current study aimed to examine the reliability of the conventional and functional ratios derived from peak torques (PTs) and those obtained from the combination of knee flexors torque at the angle of knee extensors PT. Twenty-six male athletes (mean of 24.0±0.7 years) from different sports completed a test-to-test variation in isokinetic strength (Biodex, System 3) within a period of one week. Anthropometry and body composition assessed by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry were also measured. The proposed isokinetic strength ratio measurements appeared to be highly reliable: conventional ratio at PT angle (intra-class correlation, ICC = 0.98; 95% confidence interval; 95%CI: 0.95 to 0.99); functional extension ratio at PT angle (ICC = 0.98; 95%CI: 0.96 to 0.99); and, functional flexion ratio at PT angle (ICC = 0.95; 95%CI: 0.89 to 0.98). Technical error of measurement (TEM) and associated percentage of the coefficient of variation (%CV) were as follows: conventional ratio at PT angle (TEM = 0.02; %CV = 4.1); functional extension ratio at PT angle (TEM = 0.02; %CV = 3.8); and, functional flexion ratio at PT angle (TEM = 0.03; %CV = 3.6). The current study demonstrated that the traditional and new obtained simple and combined isokinetic indicators seem highly reliable to assess muscle strength and function in adult male athletes. A single testing session seems to be sufficiently to obtain these isokinetic strength indicators.

Feasibility of a Home-Based Therapeutic Exercise Program in Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of a four-week home-based therapeutic exercise program for individuals with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Patients and methods Feasibility outcomes, namely the recruitment rate, retention rate, exercise adherence and adverse events, as well as pain, knee muscle strength, range of motion, functional mobility, physical function, and postural sway were assessed on 15 individuals (4 males, 11 females; mean age 62.8±2.5 years; range 55 to 83 years) with knee OA before and after a four-week home-based therapeutic exercise program. Results The main results indicated that this program was feasible, as indicated by recruitment, adherence, and safety outcomes. The retention rate was 80% and the overall exercise adherence for those completing the program was 93%. The exercise program improved significantly pain intensity (visual analog scale: 5.8±2.8 to 3.8±2.4 cm, p=0.006), functional mobility, muscle strength, and physical function (Knee injury and OA Outcome Score-Physical Function Short-form: 53.8±21.0 to 41.3±13.9 points, p=0.011). Conclusion This home-based therapeutic exercise program is feasible for individuals with OA of the knee and seems to improve pain intensity, functional mobility, muscle strength, and physical function.

Original articlePortuguese cultural adaptation and validation of the Activities Scale for Kids (ASK)Adaptação à cultura portuguesa e validação da Escala de Atividades para Crianças (ASK)

Objectives The main purpose of the current study was to perform the cross cultural adaptation and validation of the Activities Scale for Kids (ASK) both in its capability and performance versions to the European Portuguese language so it can be used in Portugal by healthcare professionals in children from 5 to 15 years of age with functional disabilities related to specific health conditions.OBJECTIVES The main purpose of the current study was to perform the cross cultural adaptation and validation of the Activities Scale for Kids (ASK) both in its capability and performance versions to the European Portuguese language so it can be used in Portugal by healthcare professionals in children from 5 to 15 years of age with functional disabilities related to specific health conditions. METHODS The cross-cultural adaptation of ASK followed the classic sequential methodology for linguistic equivalence. To test its validity, internal consistency, and reproducibility, the Portuguese version of ASK was administered together with the KINDL Questionnaire (KINDL) to 88 children (10±3 years of age) with functional limitations. The test-retest study was conducted two weeks apart. RESULTS After obtaining the semantic and content validity, the Portuguese version of ASK demonstrated good levels of reproducibility (performance: intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.99; capability: ICC=0.98) and internal consistency (performance: α=0.98; capability: α=0.97). The correlations between ASK and KINDL were positive and moderate. CONCLUSIONS The Portuguese version of ASK showed acceptable levels of validity, internal consistency, and reproducibility; the authors recommend its use in clinical settings.

Portuguese cultural adaptation and validation of the Activities Scale for Kids (ASK)

Objectives The main purpose of the current study was to perform the cross cultural adaptation and validation of the Activities Scale for Kids (ASK) both in its capability and performance versions to the European Portuguese language so it can be used in Portugal by healthcare professionals in children from 5 to 15 years of age with functional disabilities related to specific health conditions.OBJECTIVES The main purpose of the current study was to perform the cross cultural adaptation and validation of the Activities Scale for Kids (ASK) both in its capability and performance versions to the European Portuguese language so it can be used in Portugal by healthcare professionals in children from 5 to 15 years of age with functional disabilities related to specific health conditions. METHODS The cross-cultural adaptation of ASK followed the classic sequential methodology for linguistic equivalence. To test its validity, internal consistency, and reproducibility, the Portuguese version of ASK was administered together with the KINDL Questionnaire (KINDL) to 88 children (10±3 years of age) with functional limitations. The test-retest study was conducted two weeks apart. RESULTS After obtaining the semantic and content validity, the Portuguese version of ASK demonstrated good levels of reproducibility (performance: intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=0.99; capability: ICC=0.98) and internal consistency (performance: α=0.98; capability: α=0.97). The correlations between ASK and KINDL were positive and moderate. CONCLUSIONS The Portuguese version of ASK showed acceptable levels of validity, internal consistency, and reproducibility; the authors recommend its use in clinical settings.