Susana Cristina Domenech

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.

Padronização de modelo experimental adequado a estudos do efeito do exercício na artrite

ABSTRACT Objective: To standardize an experimental model of chronic monoarthritis induced by complete Freunds adjuvant appropriate for the analysis of the effect of walking on nociception and on joint edema. Methods: The following factors were evaluated as to monoarthritis induction: route and site of administration, number and interval of inoculations, Mycobacterium species, and animal gender. Wistar male and female rats (200 to 250g) received two injections of complete Freunds adjuvant containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (1.0mg/mL; 50μL) or Mycobacterium butyricum (0.5mg/mL; 50μL) intra-articularly in the tibiotarsal or tibiofemoral joints, or an injection of complete Freunds adjuvant (Mycobacterium butyricum or tuberculosis) intradermally at the base of the tail and another intra-articularly (tibiotarsal or tibiofemoral). The animals were submitted to evaluations of articular disability and edema. Articular disability was assessed by paw elevation time (in seconds) during the one-minute walk test. Edema of the tibiofemoral joint was assessed by variation of joint diameter (cm). Tibiotarsal joint edema was measured by the volume of the paw (mL). Results: Administration of complete Freunds adjuvant containing Mycobacterium butyricum increased paw elevation time and edema in both joints. Conclusion: These data allow standardization of an animal model of chronic monoarthritis adequate for analysis of the effects of exercise on treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Polypyrrole-modified starch films: structural, thermal, morphological and electrical characterization

Abstract Starch films were obtained by incorporating sorbitol and FeCl3.6H2O by casting. The films were exposed to pyrrole vapors to promote polymerization. PPy/starch films were characterized by rheology, elemental analysis, electrical dc conductivity measurements, X-Ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, SEM and FTIR. Optimal synthesis conditions were obtained with starch films containing 5 % w/w of FeCl3.6H2O and 10 h of exposure to pyrrole vapors. The method allowed obtaining smooth, homogeneous films, with electrical conductivity values up to ca. 3.5 x 10-6 S.cm-1. The results suggest that a complex of starch and ferric chloride is formed properties of which are not influenced by the presence of polypyrrole. No chemical interactions were observed between polypyrrole and starch in the film.

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.

Evidências de que um protocolo de atividade física pode reduzir a contagem de leucócitos sinoviais de ratos artríticos

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity is thought to be beneficial to arthritis, delaying disability and/or improving joint function. In vivo studies using experimental models of arthritis may provide useful information about such benefits. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the low-intensity exercise on a model of CFA-induced arthritis in rats. METHODS: Articular incapacitation was measured by the paw elevation time in 1-min periods of stimulated walk. Edema was evaluated by the knee-joint diameter. Synovial exudate was sampled after 10 days for leukocyte count. The exercise protocol consisted of a 2-min period of stimulated walk in the 1st day, 10 min in the 2nd day, and 20 min from the 3rd to the 10th day; The control animals were submitted to 1-min period of stimulated walk once a day over 10 days. Corticosteroid involvement was assessed by treating the animals with aminoglutethimide. RESULTS: The exercise protocol produced a slight but sustained reduction of disability and joint swelling associated with a large reduction in the synovial leukocyte count. Aminoglutethimide only prevented the effect on synovial leukocyte count. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a low-intensity physical activity does not aggravate the symptoms of arthritic animals, in fact showing a slight improvement, and still can markedly reduce the migration of leukocytes into the synovial space.

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.

Ergonomics of the Built Environment: Main Methodologies Used in Brazil and the Most Adequate Ones to Evaluate the Interaction Between the Elderly and Built Environment

Ergonomics is not only concerned with the relationship between man/object, but also with the relationship with the environment in which he carries out his tasks. The man, to carry out his activities, uses the built environment and the man/environment relationship is what interferes with human behavior. In addition, it is known that the aging of the population in most countries, including Brazil, is a growing phenomenon. It is also important to point that the built environment has explicit participation in the quality of life and well-being of the elderly. Thus, this article aims to determine which were the main methodologies used in ergonomics of the built environment (EBE) research in Brazil between 2013 and 2017, make a comparative analysis between them and then determine which of them might be appropriate when the human-environment interaction is related to the elderly user.

The Influence of Ergonomics Aspects on the Use of Hydrotherapy Equipment by Individuals with Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Specialists Perspective

This paper analyzes the most and least used upper limb aquatic equipment for hydrotherapy/hydro kinesiology specialists in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). By using questionnaires, the paper identifies the ergonomic aspects considered positive or negative by specialists, as related to the manual equipment/patient interactions, and shows that price and market availability are the main reasons for the use of any equipment. The study discusses ergonomic adaptations needed to make hydrotherapy equipment suitable for usage with RA patients.