Vânia Tie Koga Ferreira

Reliability of different methodologies of infrared image analysis of myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle

BACKGROUND: Infrared thermography is recognized as a viable method for evaluation of subjects with myofascial pain. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability of infrared image analysis of myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. METHOD: A reliability study was conducted with 24 volunteers of both genders (23 females) between 18 and 30 years of age (22.12±2.54), all having cervical pain and presence of active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle. Two trained examiners performed analysis of point, line, and area of the infrared images at two different periods with a 1-week interval. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC2,1) was used to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability. RESULTS: With regard to the intra-rater reliability, ICC values were between 0.591 and 0.993, with temperatures between 0.13 and 1.57 °C for values of standard error of measurement (SEM) and between 0.36 and 4.35 °C for the minimal detectable change (MDC). For the inter-rater reliability, ICC ranged from 0.615 to 0.918, with temperatures between 0.43 and 1.22 °C for the SEM and between 1.19 and 3.38 °C for the MDC. CONCLUSION: The methods of infrared image analyses of myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle employed in the present study are suitable for clinical and research practices.

Assessing the impact of pain on the life of breast cancer survivors using the Brief Pain Inventory

[Purpose] This study attempted to assess the impact of pain on the life of breast cancer survivors using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). [Subjects and Methods] A cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants comprised 30 women, aged 30–80 years, who had received treatment for breast cancer (surgery and complementary treatment) at least 12 months prior to the study and had reported chronic pain related to the treatment procedures. [Results] The highest scores were found for “mood” (median: 5.00 points; first quartile: 1.00 points; third quartile: 7.25 points), “normal work” (median: 5.00 points; first quartile: 0.00 points; third quartile: 8.00 points), and “sleep” (median: 4.50 points, first quartile: 0.00 points, third quartile: 8.00 points). [Conclusion] Pain exerts a negative impact primarily on mood, normal work, and sleep among breast cancer survivors.

Characterization of pain in women after breast cancer treatment

The aim was to characterize and locate the pain in women who received breast cancer treatment. The study has an exploratory-descriptive character with a quantitative approach, undertaken through measures of central tendency and percentages. The research was undertaken in the Center for Teaching, Research and Assistance in the Rehabilitation of Mastectomized Women, with 30 women. Data was collected in February - August 2008, using an instrument containing variables able to characterize and locate the pain. The data was treated using means, medians, mode, standard deviation and percentages. It stood out that 56.7% of the women mentioned that the pain is daily, 46.7% of the women mention that the pain began after the breast surgery, and that for 40% the pain is constant. Knowledge, recognition and management of the symptom allow alternative therapeutic options for pain relief, minimizing physical and emotional effects which may be caused in the lives of women who receive breast cancer treatment.Este estudo pretendeu caracterizar e localizar a dor nas mulheres submetidas ao tratamento por câncer de mama. Estudo de carater exploratorio, descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, pelas medidas de tendencia central e percentual. Pesquisa desenvolvida no Nucleo de Ensino e Pesquisa e Assistencia na Reabilitacao de Mastectomizadas com 30 mulheres. Os dados foram coletados no periodo de fevereiro a agosto de 2008, por meio de instrumento contendo variaveis capazes de caracterizar e localizar a dor, e foram tratados por meio de media, mediana, moda e desvio-padrao e percentual. Destacou-se que 56,7% mulheres referiram que a dor e diaria, 46,7% mulheres referiram que a dor teve inicio apos a cirurgia da mama, e para 40% a dor e constante. Conhecimento, reconhecimento e manejo do sintoma permitem ofertas terapeuticas alternativas para o alivio da dor, minimizando efeitos fisicos e emocionais que podem ser causados na vida de mulheres submetidas ao tratamento por câncer de mama.

Caracterização da dor em mulheres após tratamento do câncer de mama

The aim was to characterize and locate the pain in women who received breast cancer treatment. The study has an exploratory-descriptive character with a quantitative approach, undertaken through measures of central tendency and percentages. The research was undertaken in the Center for Teaching, Research and Assistance in the Rehabilitation of Mastectomized Women, with 30 women. Data was collected in February - August 2008, using an instrument containing variables able to characterize and locate the pain. The data was treated using means, medians, mode, standard deviation and percentages. It stood out that 56.7% of the women mentioned that the pain is daily, 46.7% of the women mention that the pain began after the breast surgery, and that for 40% the pain is constant. Knowledge, recognition and management of the symptom allow alternative therapeutic options for pain relief, minimizing physical and emotional effects which may be caused in the lives of women who receive breast cancer treatment.Este estudo pretendeu caracterizar e localizar a dor nas mulheres submetidas ao tratamento por câncer de mama. Estudo de carater exploratorio, descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, pelas medidas de tendencia central e percentual. Pesquisa desenvolvida no Nucleo de Ensino e Pesquisa e Assistencia na Reabilitacao de Mastectomizadas com 30 mulheres. Os dados foram coletados no periodo de fevereiro a agosto de 2008, por meio de instrumento contendo variaveis capazes de caracterizar e localizar a dor, e foram tratados por meio de media, mediana, moda e desvio-padrao e percentual. Destacou-se que 56,7% mulheres referiram que a dor e diaria, 46,7% mulheres referiram que a dor teve inicio apos a cirurgia da mama, e para 40% a dor e constante. Conhecimento, reconhecimento e manejo do sintoma permitem ofertas terapeuticas alternativas para o alivio da dor, minimizando efeitos fisicos e emocionais que podem ser causados na vida de mulheres submetidas ao tratamento por câncer de mama.

Lower limb auriculotherapy points improves balance in young healthy subjects-assessed by computerized baropodometry

OBJECTIVE To analyze the effects of Lower Limb (LL) auricular stimulation points on the static equilibrium of healthy subjects, assessed by computerized baropodometry. METHODS AND MATERIALS Forty volunteers were assigned to one of two groups: Auriculotherapy (AT) who received unilateral needle stimulation of the coxofemoral, knee, and ankle points. Control (C) who did not receive any stimulation. We analyzed the contact area (CA) and the peak pressure (PP) for both feet at baseline, 20 and 25 min after the baseline was recorded. Three-Way ANOVA (P < 0.05) was used for data analysis. RESULTS AT showed an increase in CA (F:6.49) and a decrease in PP (F:3.11) at 20 and 25 min, when compared to C. The PP decreased was only for the right LL at 20 and 25 min (F:6.45). CONCLUSION The auriculotherapy points were able to modify the ipsilateral weight discharge on the same side of the stimulated auricular pavilion.

Correlation Between Upper Limb Volume and Arterial and Venous Blood Flow Velocity in Lymphedema Secondary to Breast Cancer Treatment

Objective: The purpose of this study was to correlate upper limb volume and arterial and venous blood flow velocity in breast cancer survivors. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted on 30 women with lymphedema and a mean age of 55.60 years (standard deviation = 8.12). For the assessment of upper limb volume, perimetry was performed with measures at 6 points on the limb, which were mathematically calculated as volume. The blood flow velocity of the axillary and brachial arteries and veins were assessed by Doppler ultrasound with a probe at 4 MHz. In the statistical analysis, a Shapiro‐Wilk test determined a non‐normal data distribution. Spearman correlation coefficients (&rgr;) were calculated to determine the association between the variables blood flow velocity and lymphedema volume. Results: We identified significant and positive associations between all variables correlated with limb volume: blood flow velocity of the axillary artery (&rgr; = 0.381, P = .041), axillary vein (&rgr; = 0.383, P = .039), brachial artery (&rgr; = 0.375, P = .044), and the brachial vein (&rgr; = 0.373, P = .045). Conclusion: There is a positive association between limb volume and blood flow velocity in the upper limbs of women with lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment.

Caracterización del dolor en mujeres después del tratamiento del cáncer de mama

The aim was to characterize and locate the pain in women who received breast cancer treatment. The study has an exploratory-descriptive character with a quantitative approach, undertaken through measures of central tendency and percentages. The research was undertaken in the Center for Teaching, Research and Assistance in the Rehabilitation of Mastectomized Women, with 30 women. Data was collected in February - August 2008, using an instrument containing variables able to characterize and locate the pain. The data was treated using means, medians, mode, standard deviation and percentages. It stood out that 56.7% of the women mentioned that the pain is daily, 46.7% of the women mention that the pain began after the breast surgery, and that for 40% the pain is constant. Knowledge, recognition and management of the symptom allow alternative therapeutic options for pain relief, minimizing physical and emotional effects which may be caused in the lives of women who receive breast cancer treatment.Este estudo pretendeu caracterizar e localizar a dor nas mulheres submetidas ao tratamento por câncer de mama. Estudo de carater exploratorio, descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa, pelas medidas de tendencia central e percentual. Pesquisa desenvolvida no Nucleo de Ensino e Pesquisa e Assistencia na Reabilitacao de Mastectomizadas com 30 mulheres. Os dados foram coletados no periodo de fevereiro a agosto de 2008, por meio de instrumento contendo variaveis capazes de caracterizar e localizar a dor, e foram tratados por meio de media, mediana, moda e desvio-padrao e percentual. Destacou-se que 56,7% mulheres referiram que a dor e diaria, 46,7% mulheres referiram que a dor teve inicio apos a cirurgia da mama, e para 40% a dor e constante. Conhecimento, reconhecimento e manejo do sintoma permitem ofertas terapeuticas alternativas para o alivio da dor, minimizando efeitos fisicos e emocionais que podem ser causados na vida de mulheres submetidas ao tratamento por câncer de mama.