A influência dos pontos-gatilho latente na lombalgia aguda: um estudo prospectivo longitudinal / Influence of latent trigger points in acute low back pain: a prospective longitudinal study

Pontos-gatilho são nódulos musculares que podem desenvolver dor. A dor lombar é um importante problema de saúde pública e estudos apontam que todas as pessoas que sofrem de dor na coluna apresentam ponto-gatilho. Objetivo: Analisar o nível dor de pacientes com dor lombar aguda que quando assintomáticos apresentava pontos-gatilho latente, comparado com os níveis de dor de pacientes com dor lombar aguda que quando assintomáticos não apresentava pontos-gatilho. Método:96 indivíduos de ambos os sexos entre 18 -60 anos participaram de um estudo transversal com avaliador cego. Foram analisados o nível de dor, função, atividade física, cinesiofobia, algometria e mensurada a força do músculo glúteo máximo e médio do membro dominante e não-dominante, no memento que os participantes estavam assintomáticos e após desenvolverem dor lombar aguda. Para análise estatística consideramos valores de significância igual ou menor que 0,05. Resultados: Foi observado diferenças significativas entre os grupos na intensidade da dor (p=0,01), na funcionalidade (p=0,02), na algometria (p=0,00), na dinamometria do músculo glúteo máximo do membro não-dominante (p=0,05) e da dinamometria do glúteo médio do membro dominante (p=0,01) e não-dominante (p=0,00). Conclusão: Indivíduos assintomáticos com pontos-gatilho latente nos músculos paravertebrais lombares apresentam pior intensidade da dor e outros desfechos quando evoluem dor lombar aguda, comparados com indivíduos que não apresentam pontos-gatilho no momento que estão assintomáticos

Trigger points are muscle nodules that can lead to pain. Low back pain is an important problem of public health and studies point out all the people who suffer from spinal pain present trigger points. Objective: To analyze the pain level of the asymptomatic patients, with acute low back pain, who present latent trigger point, when compared to the pain level of the asymptomatic patients with acute low back pain who did not present latent trigger point. Method:96 individuals of both genres, aged 18 to 60 years took part in a transversal, evaluator-blind study. Level pain, function, physical activity, kynesiophobia, algometer were analyzed and the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles' strength of the dominant limb and non-dominant were measured, at the moment the participants were asymptomatic and after developing acute back low pain. For statistical analysis, we considered significant value ≤ 0.05 Results: It was observed significant differences between the groups in relation to pain intensity (p=0.01), functionality (p=0.02), algometer (p=0.05), gluteus maximus muscle dynamometry of the non-dominant limb (p=0.05) and in the gluteus medius muscle of the dominant limb (p=0.01) and non-dominant (p=0.00). Conclusion: Asymptomatic individuals with latent trigger points in the paravertebral lumber muscles present worse pain intensity and other outcomes when it evolves to acute back pain if compared to individuals who don't present trigger points at the moment they, are considered asymptomatic.

Use of the STarT Back Screening Tool in patients with chronic low back pain receiving physical therapy interventions.

BACKGROUND: The STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) is used to stratify care. It is unclear if the SBST approach works as well for patients in low- and medium-income countries as for patients from high-income countries. OBJECTIVES: (1) To investigate whether patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) stratified by the SBST are different at baseline; (2) to describe the clinical course for each SBST subgroup; (3) to investigate the SBST utility to predict clinical outcomes; and (4) to determine which SBST subgroup show greater clinical improvement. DESIGN: This is a secondary analysis of data derived from a previously published clinical trial. METHODS: 148 patients with chronic nonspecific LBP were included. Pain intensity, disability, global perceived effect, and the SBST were assessed at baseline and at 5, 12, and 24 weeks after baseline. Descriptive data were provided and ANOVA, unadjusted and adjusted regression models, and linear mixed models were used for data analysis. RESULTS: Duration of symptoms, use of medication, pain, disability, and global perceived effect were different between SBST subgroups. Clinical improvements over a 6-month period were consistently greater in patients classified as high risk. The SBST was able to predict disability but this predictability decreased when the analysis was adjusted for possible confounders. CONCLUSION: Clinical outcomes were different between SBST subgroups over 6 months. Adjusting for confounders influenced the predictability of SBST. Patients classified as high risk presented higher improvements in terms of disability.

Effects of Kinesio Taping on breast cancer-related lymphedema: A meta-analysis in clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is known as a secondary complication of breast cancer treatment, caused by reduction on lymphatic flow and lymph accumulation on interstitial space. The Kinesio Taping (KT) has become an alternative treatment for lymphedema volume reduction. The objective of the study was to evaluate the literature through a systematic review on KT effects on lymphedema related to breast cancer. METHODS: Search strategies were performed by the following keywords: "Kinesio Taping," "Athletic Tape," "Cancer," "Neoplasm," "Lymphedema," and "Mastectomy" with derivations and different combinations. The following databases were accessed: SCIELO, LILACS, MEDLINE via PubMed, and PEDro, between 2009 and 2016. Studies published in English, Portuguese, and Spanish were considered for inclusion. The studies' methodological quality was assessed by the PEDro scale. RESULTS: Seven studies were identified by the search strategy and eligibility. All of them showed positive effect in reducing lymphedema (perimeter or volume) before versus after treatment. However, with no effects comparing the KT versus control group or others treatments (standardized mean difference = 0.04, confidence interval 95%: -0.24; 0.33), the average score of the PEDro scale was 4.71 points. CONCLUSIONS: KT was effective on postmastectomy lymphedema related to breast cancer; however, it is not more efficient than other treatments.

Effects of a Knee Brace With a Patellar Hole Versus Without a Patellar Hole in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

The objective of this study was to observe the immediate effect of a knee brace with a patellar hole versus without a patellar hole on pain perception in patients with knee osteoarthritis. To accomplish this, a double-blind, randomized controlled trial enrolled 108 patients divided into two groups (knee brace with a patellar hole or without a patellar hole). Patients were evaluated by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in order to measure their pain sensation, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used to evaluate their ability to walk, and the 8-m walking test (8MWT) was used to estimate their walking speed. Both groups presented significant reduction in pain perception, higher function of the lower extremities, and greater mobility while wearing a knee brace. However, the patients who wore a knee brace without a patellar hole presented more favorable results than those who wore a knee brace with a patellar hole: a 1.6-point reduction was found versus 1.1 points in the VAS, the patients presented 0.7 s less time versus 0.4 s in the TUG, and the speed was reduced by 1.4 s versus 0.8 s in the 8MWT. Therefore, the knee brace without a patellar hole presented more favorable results when compared with the knee brace with a patellar hole.

Longitudinal Monitoring of Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain During Physical Therapy Treatment Using the STarT Back Screening Tool.

Study Design Preplanned secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Background The STarT Back Screening Tool (SBST) was developed to screen and to classify patients with low back pain into subgroups for the risk of having a poor prognosis. However, this classification at baseline does not take into account variables that can influence the prognosis during treatment or over time. Objectives (1) To investigate the changes in risk subgroup measured by the SBST over a period of 6 months, and (2) to assess the long-term predictive ability of the SBST when administered at different time points. Methods Patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (n = 148) receiving physical therapy care as part of a randomized trial were analyzed. Pain intensity, disability, global perceived effect, and the SBST were collected at baseline, 5 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Changes in SBST risk classification were calculated. Hierarchical linear regression models adjusted for potential confounders were built to analyze the predictive capabilities of the SBST when administered at different time points. Results A large proportion of patients (60.8%) changed their risk subgroup after receiving physical therapy care. The SBST improved the prediction for all 6-month outcomes when using the 5-week risk subgroup and the difference between baseline and 5-week subgroup, after controlling for potential confounders. The SBST at baseline did not improve the predictive ability of the models after adjusting for confounders. Conclusion This study shows that many patients change SBST risk subgroup after receiving physical therapy care, and that the predictive ability of the SBST in patients with chronic low back pain increases when administered at different time points. Level of Evidence Prognosis, 2b. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(5):314-323. Epub 29 Mar 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7199.

Kinesio Taping Does Not Provide Additional Benefits in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain Who Receive Exercise and Manual Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Design Randomized controlled trial. Background Many clinical practice guidelines endorse both manual therapy and exercise as effective treatment options for patients with low back pain. To optimize the effects of the treatments recommended by the guidelines, a new intervention known as Kinesio Taping is being widely used in these patients. Objectives To determine the effectiveness of Kinesio Taping in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain when added to a physical therapy program consisting of exercise and manual therapy. Methods One hundred forty-eight patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain were randomly allocated to receive 10 (twice weekly) sessions of physical therapy, consisting of exercise and manual therapy, or the same treatment with the addition of Kinesio Taping applied to the lower back. The primary outcomes were pain intensity and disability (5 weeks after randomization) and the secondary outcomes were pain intensity, disability (3 months and 6 months after randomization), global perceived effect, and satisfaction with care (5 weeks after treatment). Data were collected by a blinded assessor. Results No between-group differences were observed in the primary outcomes of pain intensity (mean difference, -0.01 points; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.88, 0.85) or disability (mean difference, 1.14 points; 95% CI: -0.85, 3.13) at 5 weeks' follow-up. In addition, no between-group differences were observed for any of the other outcomes evaluated, except for disability 6 months after randomization (mean difference, 2.01 points; 95% CI: 0.03, 4.00) in favor of the control group. Conclusion Patients who received a physical therapy program consisting of exercise and manual therapy did not get additional benefit from the use of Kinesio Taping. Level of Evidence Therapy, level 1b. Prospectively registered May 28, 2013 at www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01866332). J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(7):506-513. Epub 6 Jun 2016. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.6590.

Efficacy of adding the Kinesio Taping method to guideline-endorsed conventional physiotherapy in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic nonspecific low back pain is a significant health condition with high prevalence worldwide and it is associated with enormous costs to society. Clinical practice guidelines show that many interventions are available to treat patients with chronic low back pain, but the vast majority of these interventions have a modest effect in reducing pain and disability. An intervention that has been widespread in recent years is the use of elastic bandages called Kinesio Taping. Although Kinesio Taping has been used extensively in clinical practice, current evidence does not support the use of this intervention; however these conclusions are based on a small number of underpowered studies. Therefore, questions remain about the effectiveness of the Kinesio Taping method as an additional treatment to interventions, such as conventional physiotherapy, that have already been recommended by the current clinical practice guidelines in robust and high-quality randomised controlled trials. We aim to determine the effectiveness of the addition of the use of Kinesio Taping in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain who receive guideline-endorsed conventional physiotherapy. METHODS/DESIGN: One hundred and forty-eight patients will be randomly allocated to receive either conventional physiotherapy, which consists of a combination of manual therapy techniques, general exercises, and specific stabilisation exercises (Guideline-Endorsed Conventional Physiotherapy Group) or to receive conventional physiotherapy with the addition of Kinesio Taping to the lumbar spine (Conventional Physiotherapy plus Kinesio Taping Group) over a period of 5 weeks (10 sessions of treatment). Clinical outcomes (pain intensity, disability and global perceived effect) will be collected at baseline and at 5 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after randomisation. We will also collect satisfaction with care and adverse effects after treatment. Data will be collected by a blinded assessor. All statistical analysis will be conducted following the principles of intention to treat, and the effects of treatment will be calculated using Linear Mixed Models. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will provide new information about the usefulness of Kinesio Taping as an additional component of a guideline-endorsed physiotherapy program in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.