Therapeutic exercises in the clinical practice of Brazilian physical therapists in the management of rotator cuff tendinopathy: An online survey.

The objective of this study was to investigate how Brazilian physical therapists (PTs) use therapeutic exercises in the rehabilitation of individuals with rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy. The study used an online survey with a mix of 62 open- and closed-ended questions divided into three sections: participant demographics, professional experience, and clinical practice in the rehabilitation of patients with RC tendinopathy. One hundred and fifty-nine Brazilian physical therapists completed the survey. Most of our sample recommended isometric exercises (69.9%) in the initial phase of rehabilitation and eccentric exercises (47.4%) in the advanced phase. However, there was a wide variability in determining the volume of exercises, particularly with isometric exercises. Most of our sample considered patient comfort and pain levels when adjusting exercise intensity, regardless of exercise type. The majority (48.40%) recommended weekly reassessment and modification of exercises. Additionally, despite pain being a key factor for discharge and the primary adverse effect of exercise, most of our sample would not discontinue exercises in case of pain during the early and late phases of rehabilitation. Despite the lack of consensus on some aspects, the clinical practice of our sample is in line with the current literature and practice in other countries. However, further research and implementation are crucial to enhance future rehabilitation outcomes, including exploring the exercise training volume, the safety and effectiveness of exercising with pain and identifying the optimal pain level for best results.

Rotator cuff isometric exercises in combination with scapular muscle strengthening and stretching in individuals with rotator cuff tendinopathy: A multiple-subject case report.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To assess the effects of a rehabilitation protocol of rotator cuff (RC) isometrics coupled with traditional shoulder exercises on patient-rated outcomes, muscle strength, and electromyographic activity in individuals with RC tendinopathy. METHODS: Eleven individuals (8 women and 3 men, 37.9 ± 5.6 years) with RC tendinopathy performed isometric RC exercises in combination with scapular muscle stretching and strengthening for 6 weeks. Treatment effects were assessed with patient-rated pain and shoulder function, isometric muscle strength, electromyographic activity during arm elevation and internal and external shoulder rotation, and pain during arm elevation before and at the end of the first session, and after 6 weeks of intervention. RESULTS: There were improvements in pain and shoulder function, increased isometric muscle strength for arm elevation and internal rotation, increased muscle activity of the infraspinatus and serratus anterior, and reduced pain during arm elevation after 6 weeks of intervention. DISCUSSION: This case report showed improvements on pain and function, increases on isometric strength of the shoulder and on electromyographic activity of the serratus anterior and infraspinatus muscles, as well as decreases on pain during arm elevation, after a 6-week intervention of RC isometric exercises associated with scapular muscle stretching and strengthening in patients with RC tendinopathy.

Desempenho do membro não-acometido em pacientes com reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior / Performance of uninjured lower limb after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Défices sensoriais persistentes após a reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) podem causar alterações como fraqueza muscular e comprometimento do equilíbrio e do desempenho funcional. Diversos estudos discutem se essas alterações também estão presentes no membro inferior não acometido e se esse membro pode ser utilizado como referência nas avaliações desses pacientes. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar o torque extensor e flexor do joelho, o equilíbrio unipodal e o desempenho funcional sobre o membro não-acometido de pacientes submetidos à reconstrução do LCA, com membros inferiores de sujeitos saudáveis. Participaram do estudo 23 indivíduos submetidos à reconstrução do LCA e 22 sujeitos saudáveis, que foram avaliados quanto ao torque extensor e flexor do joelho durante contração isocinética concêntrica a 60 graus/s no dinamômetro isocinético, à velocidade média de oscilação do centro de pressão em apoio unipodal no baropodômetro, e submetidos a dois testes de salto para avaliar o desempenho funcional. Os resultados não revelaram diferenças entre o membro não-acometido e os membros inferiores do grupo controle em todas as variáveis estudadas (p>0,05). Esses resultados sugerem que o membro não-acometido de pacientes submetidos à reconstrução do LCA pode ser utilizado como referência nos estudos de avaliação desses pacientes.

Persistent sensorial deficits after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction might lead to muscle weakness, balance and functional performance disorders. Several studies inquire whether these alterations also appear in the uninjured limb and whether the latter could be used as reference for patient assessment. The aim of the present study was to compare knee extensor and flexor torque, balance and functional performance of non-injured lower limb, after contralateral ACL reconstruction, with lower limbs of healthy subjects. Twenty three male patients who had had ACL reconstruction, and 22 control subjects were assessed as to knee flexor and extensor torque during concentric isokinetic contraction at 60o/s with an isokinetic dynamometer, mean speed of centre of pressure swing during single-limb stance, and submitted to two hop tests to assess functional performance. Results showed no significant differences between uninjured side and healthy subjects lower limbs at all assessed variables (p>0.05). These findings suggest that the uninjured limb may be safely used as reference in studies to assess post-ACL patients.

Efeito imediato da estimulação elétrica neuromuscular seletiva na atividade eletromiográfica do músculo vasto medial oblíquo / Immediate effect of selective neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis oblique muscle

A Síndrome da dor patelofemoral (SDPF) é descrita como dor anterior ou retro-patelar do joelho na ausência de outras patologias associadas, sendo freqüentemente associada à disfunção do Vasto Medial Oblíquo (VMO). Entretanto, diversos estudos têm demonstrado a impossibilidade de ativar seletivamente este músculo através de exercícios. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o efeito imediato da estimulação elétrica neuromuscular (EENM) seletiva no músculo VMO por meio do comportamento eletromiográfico dos músculos VMO e vasto lateral (VL). Foram avaliadas 18 mulheres saudáveis, com idade média de 23,2 anos e IMC médio de 20 Kg/m2. Os procedimentos do estudo incluíram uma análise eletromiográfica dos músculos VMO e VL, antes e imediatamente após a EENM do músculo VMO. Durante a análise eletromiográfica, as voluntárias realizaram uma contração isométrica voluntária máxima durante a extensão do joelho a 60° em um dinamômetro isocinético. A estimulação elétrica foi realizada através da corrente Russa. A análise dos dados mostrou um aumento significativo na intensidade de ativação do músculo VMO imediatamente após a estimulação do mesmo (p=0,0125), enquanto que a intensidade de ativação do músculo VL, não mostrou aumento significativo (p=0,924). Além disso, verificou-se também um aumento significativo na relação VMO/VL (p=0,048). No presente estudo, observou-se uma modificação na relação VMO/VL após a EENM, sugerindo que a mesma tem um efeito favorável no fortalecimento seletivo do VMO...

The Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is described as an anterior or retropatellar knee pain in the absence of other associated diseases, and has often been associated with dysfunction of the vastus medialis oblique muscle (VMO). However, several studies have demonstrated the impossibility of selectively activating this muscle with exercises. The aim of the present study was to analyze the immediate effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation of VMO muscle by means of monitoring the electromyographic activity of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles. Eighteen healthy women with a mean age of 23.2 years and mean BMI of 20 Kg/m2 were evaluated. The study protocol included electromyographic analysis of VMO and VL muscles, before and immediately after neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the VMO muscle. During the electromyographic analysis, the volunteers performed maximal voluntary isometric contraction in a 60° knee extension on an isokinetic dynamometer. ôRussian currentõ apparatus was used for electrical stimulation. Results: The data analysis demonstrated a signifi cant increase in VMO activation intensity immediately after it had been electrically stimulated (p=0.0125), whereas VL activation intensity exhibited no signifi cant increase (p=0.924). Moreover, a signifi cant increase in the VMO/VL ratio was also detected (p=0.048). In this study it was observed that electrical stimulation modifi ed the VMO/VL ratio, which suggests electrical stimulation has a benefi cial effect on VMO muscle strength...