Impact of biomechanics on therapeutic interventions and rehabilitation for major chronic musculoskeletal conditions: A 50-year perspective.

The pivotal role of biomechanics in the past 50 years in consolidating the basic knowledge that underpins prevention and rehabilitation measures has made this area a great spotlight for health practitioners. In clinical practice, biomechanics analysis of spatiotemporal, kinematic, kinetic, and electromyographic data in various chronic conditions serves to directly enhance deeper understanding of locomotion and the consequences of musculoskeletal dysfunctions in terms of motion and motor control. It also serves to propose straightforward and tailored interventions. The importance of this approach is supported by myriad biomechanical outcomes in clinical trials and by the development of new interventions clearly grounded on biomechanical principles. Over the past five decades, therapeutic interventions have been transformed from fundamentally passive in essence, such as orthoses and footwear, to emphasizing active prevention, including exercise approaches, such as bottom-up and top-down strengthening programs for runners and people with osteoarthritis. These approaches may be far more effective inreducing pain, dysfunction, and, ideally, incidence if they are based on the biomechanical status of the affected person. In this review, we demonstrate evidence of the impact of biomechanics and motion analysis as a foundation for physical therapy/rehabilitation and preventive strategies for three chronic conditions of high worldwide prevalence: diabetes and peripheral neuropathy, knee osteoarthritis, and running-related injuries. We conclude with a summary of recommendations for future studies needed to address current research gaps.

Development of a customized booklet of foot-ankle exercises for people with diabetes mellitus as a management and prevention tool for musculoskeletal complications: A customized booklet of foot-ankle exercises for people with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) compromises the structures of the musculoskeletal system, especially in the foot-ankle complex. Foot-related exercises can be a promising tool to be incorporated in health care programs to manage and prevent musculoskeletal complications resulting from DM and DPN progression. OBJECTIVE: To present the development, validation, and usability evaluation of a booklet that directs training and personalizes the progression of a home-based program of foot-ankle exercises. METHODS: The booklet containing a foot-ankle exercise program developed in a previous clinical trial was validated using the Delphi technique, with a multi-professional jury of experts who assessed the content of the material, language, individual education, exercise execution, exercise quality, and material implementation. The validated version was evaluated through telephone interview by a convenience sample of 10 individuals with DPN regarding its relevance, health education, comprehension, and usability. RESULTS: The validation process with experts was performed in two rounds achieving 100% agreement in the second round. During the usability evaluation process the main complaint of users was that performing all the exercises was very tiring and took too much time out of their daily routine. Thus, the number of repetitions for each exercise was changed from 30 to 12. CONCLUSION: The booklet is a material for prevention and management of the impacts of DM and DPN progression by improving the musculoskeletal function of the foot-ankle. This material provides an exercise regime with a personalized progression based on the perceived effort of the users.

Predictive Effect of Well-Known Risk Factors and Foot-Core Training in Lower Limb Running-Related Injuries in Recreational Runners: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Running carries the risk of several types of running-related injuries (RRIs), especially in the lower limbs. The variety of risk factors and the lack of strong evidence for several of these injury risks hinder the ability to draw assertive conclusions about them, hampering the implementation of effective preventive strategies. Because the etiology of RRIs seems to be multifactorial, the presence of RRI risk factors might influence the outcome of therapeutic strategies in different ways. Thus, further investigations on how risk and protective factors influence the incidence and prevention of RRIs should be conducted. PURPOSE: To investigate the predictive effect of well-known risk factors and 1 protective factor-foot-core training-on the incidence of lower limb RRIs in recreational runners. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Middle- and long-distance recreational runners (N = 118) were assessed at baseline and randomly allocated to either an intervention group (n = 57) or a control group (n = 61). The intervention group underwent an 8-week (3 times/wk) foot-core training program. Participants were followed for a year after baseline assessment for the occurrence of RRIs. Logistic regression with backward elimination of variables was used to develop a model for prediction of RRI in recreational runners. Candidate predictor variables included age, sex, body mass index, years of running practice, number of races, training volume, training frequency, previous RRI, and the foot-core exercise training. RESULTS: The final logistic regression model included 3 variables. As previously shown, the foot-core exercise program is a protective factor for RRIs (odds ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.15-0.98). In addition, older age (odds ratio, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.00-1.14) and higher training volume (odds ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03) were risk factors for RRIs. CONCLUSION: The foot-core training was identified as a protective effect against lower limb RRI, which can be negatively influenced by older age and higher weekly training volume. The predictive model showed that RRIs should be considered a multivariate entity owing to the interaction among several factors. REGISTRATION: NCT02306148 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Recognition of Foot-Ankle Movement Patterns in Long-Distance Runners With Different Experience Levels Using Support Vector Machines.

Running practice could generate musculoskeletal adaptations that modify the body mechanics and generate different biomechanical patterns for individuals with distinct levels of experience. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether foot-ankle kinetic and kinematic patterns can be used to discriminate different levels of experience in running practice of recreational runners using a machine learning approach. Seventy-eight long-distance runners (40.7 ± 7.0 years) were classified into less experienced (n = 24), moderately experienced (n = 23), or experienced (n = 31) runners using a fuzzy classification system, based on training frequency, volume, competitions and practice time. Three-dimensional kinematics of the foot-ankle and ground reaction forces (GRF) were acquired while the subjects ran on an instrumented treadmill at a self-selected speed (9.5-10.5 km/h). The foot-ankle kinematic and kinetic time series underwent a principal component analysis for data reduction, and combined with the discrete GRF variables to serve as inputs in a support vector machine (SVM), to determine if the groups could be distinguished between them in a one-vs.-all approach. The SVM models successfully classified all experience groups with significant crossvalidated accuracy rates and strong to very strong Matthew's correlation coefficients, based on features from the input data. Overall, foot mechanics was different according to running experience level. The main distinguishing kinematic factors for the less experienced group were a greater dorsiflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and a larger plantarflexion angles between the calcaneus and metatarsals, whereas the experienced runners displayed the opposite pattern for the same joints. As for the moderately experienced runners, although they were successfully classified, they did not present a visually identifiable running pattern, and seem to be an intermediate group between the less and more experienced runners. The results of this study have the potential to assist the development of training programs targeting improvement in performance and rehabilitation protocols for preventing injuries.

Balance as an Additional Effect of Strength and Flexibility Aquatic Training in Sedentary Lifestyle Elderly Women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the additional effects of on balance an aquatic muscle strengthening and flexibility training program in healthy sedentary lifestyle elderly women. METHOD: This controlled clinical trial included 56 healthy sedentary women, aged from 65 to 70 years, divided into two groups. The aquatic group (AG) underwent aquatic training (45 minutes/session, 32 sessions), and the control group (CG) received no intervention. Data were collected pre- and post-intervention, during a one-week period. Lower limb muscle strength was measured by a force sensor (myometer). Flexibility was measured by biophotogrammetry. Functional balance was evaluated by the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). RESULTS: Muscle strength, flexibility, and balance improved in AG (p < 0.001), but not in CG. CONCLUSION: The aquatic exercises program, which was originally developed to promote muscle strength and flexibility, also improved functional balance. Aquatic training is an option for physical health promotion for sedentary lifestyle elderly women.

Impact of diabetic neuropathy severity on foot clearance complexity and variability during walking.

BACKGROUND: The control of foot trajectory during swing phase is important to achieve safe clearance with the ground. Complexity of a physiological control system arises from the interaction of structural units and regulatory feedback loops that operate to enable the organism to adapt to a non-static environment. Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) impairs peripheral feedback inputs and alters ankle control during gait, which might affect toe clearance (ToC) parameters and its complexity, predisposing DPN-subjects to tripping and falling. RESEARCH QUESTION: How do different DPN-severity degrees change ToC trajectory and minimum ToC, and its complexity during gait of diabetic subjects? METHODS: 15 healthy controls and 69 diabetic subjects were assessed and classified into DPN-severity degrees by an expert fuzzy model: absent (n = 26), mild (n = 21) and severe (n = 22). Three-dimensional kinematics was measured during comfortable walking. ToC was the minimum vertical distance between the marker placed at the first metatarsal head and the ground during swing. Mean ToC, ToC standard deviation (SD) between trials, and sample entropy (SaEn) and standard deviation (SD) of ToC trajectory were calculated from the ToC temporal series. ANOVA and ANCOVA (with the walking speed as the covariate) and Bonferroni pairwise post-hoc tests (P < 0.05) were used to compare groups. RESULTS: Mean ToC and ToC SD did not show differences between groups (ANCOVA F = 0.436; df = 3; P = 0.705; F=1.719; df=3; P=0.170, respectively). ToC trajectory SD also did not show differences between groups (ANCOVA F = 3.98; df = 3; P = 0.755). Severe-DPN subjects showed higher ToC_Traj_SaEn than controls (ANCOVA F=2.60; df=3; P = 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: Severe-DPN subjects showed a more complex pattern of overall foot-ankle trajectory in swing phase in comparison to controls, although did not present lower minimum ToC values. The higher complexity of ToC might lead to an increase in the motor system output (more strategies, increase in variability), resulting in a more unstable system and selected motor strategies.

Experimental knee-related pain enhances attentional interference on postural control.

PURPOSE: To quantify how postural stability is modified during experimental pain while performing different cognitively demanding tasks. METHODS: Sixteen healthy young adults participated in the experiment. Pain was induced by intramuscular injection of hypertonic saline solution (1 mL, 6%) in both vastus medialis and vastus lateralis muscles (0.9% isotonic saline was used as control). The participants stood barefoot in tandem position for 1 min on a force plate. Center of pressure (CoP) was recorded before and immediately after injections, while performing two cognitive tasks: (i) counting forwards by adding one; (ii) counting backwards by subtracting three. CoP variables-total area of displacement, velocity in anterior-posterior (AP-velocity) and medial-lateral (ML-velocity) directions, and CoP sample entropy in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions were displayed as the difference between the values obtained after and before each injection and compared between tasks and injections. RESULTS: CoP total area ( - 84.5 ± 145.5 vs. 28.9 ± 78.5 cm2) and ML-velocity ( - 1.71 ± 2.61 vs. 0.98 ± 1.93 cm/s) decreased after the painful injection vs. Control injection while counting forward (P < 0.05). CoP total area (12.8 ± 53.9 vs. - 84.5 ± 145.5 cm2), ML-velocity ( - 0.34 ± 1.92 vs. - 1.71 ± 2.61 cm/s) and AP-velocity (1.07 ± 2.35 vs. - 0.39 ± 1.82 cm/s) increased while counting backwards vs. forwards after the painful injection (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pain interfered with postural stability according to the type of cognitive task performed, suggesting that pain may occupy cognitive resources, potentially resulting in poorer balance performance.

Muscle fiber conduction velocity in different gait phases of early and late-stage diabetic neuropathy.

We investigated the muscle fiber conduction velocity (MFCV) during gait phases of the lower limb muscles in individuals with various degrees of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Forty-five patients were classified into severity degrees of DPN by a fuzzy model. The stages were absent (n=11), mild (n=14), moderate (n=11) and severe (n=9), with 10 matched healthy controls. While walking, all subjects had their sEMG (4 linear electrode arrays) recorded for tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps femoris (BF). MFCV was calculated using a maximum likelihood algorithm with 30ms standard deviation Gaussian windows. In general, individuals in the earlier stages of DPN showed lower MFCV of TA, GM and BF, whilst individuals with severe DPN presented higher MFCV of the same muscles. We observed that mild patients already showed lower MFCV of TA at early stance and swing, and lower MFCV of BF at swing. All diabetic groups showed a markedly reduction in MFCV of VL, irrespective of DPN. Severe patients presented higher MFCV mainly in distal muscles, TA at early and swing phases and GM at propulsion and midstance. The absent group already showed MFCV of VL and GM reductions at the propulsion phase and of VL at early stance. Although MFCV changes were not as progressive as the DPN was, we clearly distinguished diabetic patients from controls, and severe patients from all others.

An 'Importance' Map of Signs and Symptoms to Classify Diabetic Polyneuropathy: An Exploratory Data Analysis.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Early diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) is critical for a good prognosis. We aimed to identify different groups of patients, based on the various common clinical signs and symptoms of DPN, that represent a progressive worsening of the disease before the onset of plantar ulceration or amputation. We also sought to identify the most important DPN-related variables that can discriminate between groups, thus representing the most informative variables for early detection. METHODS: In 193 diabetic patients, we assessed 16 DPN-related signs, symptoms, and foot characteristics, based on the literature and the International Consensus on the Diabetic Foot. We used multiple correspondence analysis and the Kohonen algorithm to group the variables into micro and macro-classes and to identify clusters of patients that represent different DPN conditions. RESULTS: Four distinct groups were observed. One group showed no indication of DPN. The remaining groups were characterized by a progressive loss of the vibration perception, without a worsening of symptoms or tactile perception. The 2 intermediate groups presented different aspects of DPN: one showed mostly DPN symptoms and the other showed the incipient vibration impairment, callus and crack formation, and foot arch alteration. The fourth group showed more severe foot and DPN conditions, including ulceration and amputation, absence of vibration and tactile perception (irrespective of how many compromised foot areas), and worse foot deformities and callus and crack formation. CONCLUSION: Vibration perception was more informative than tactile sensitivity in discriminating early DPN onset because its impairment was evident in more groups. Symptoms and callus and cracks did not discriminate the severity status and should be interpreted in association with other clinical variables. Reconsideration of the current screening techniques is needed to clinically determine the early onset of neuropathy using tactile perception.

Instrumentos de avaliação para limitações funcionais associadas à instabilidade crônica de tornozelo: uma revisão sistemática da literatura / Assessment instruments for chronic ankle instability: a systematic review of literature

A instabilidade de tornozelo é definida como a sua tendência para sofrer falseios e entorses de repetição após a ocorrência de entorse lateral. Como a presença de instabilidade é definida por meio das queixas relatadas pelo indivíduo, apresenta caráter subjetivo, sendo importante identificar o melhor instrumento de avaliação para a determinação de sua presença e/ou gravidade. O objetivo deste estudo foi revisar, de forma sistemática, instrumentos de avaliação concebidos para pacientes com instabilidade crônica de tornozelo. Foram realizadas pesquisas bibliográficas nas bases de dados PubMed, Embase, BVS, LILACS e SciELO para identificar os instrumentos elegíveis. No total, seis estudos foram incluídos e apresentaram cinco instrumentos diferentes - Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI), Ankle Joint Functional Assessment Tool (AJFAT), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), Ankle Joint Functional Assessment Tool (AII) e Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT). Foram encontrados instrumentos com qualidade que detectam limitações funcionais em indivíduos com instabilidade crônica de tornozelo, não sendo instrumentos válidos para diagnóstico de instabilidade. O CAIT mostrou-se a ferramenta mais completa, mas não foi validada em uma população específica de indivíduos com condição de instabilidade do tornozelo. Observa-se a necessidade de mais estudos clinimétricamente válidos a fim de atestar a sua validade para se obter uma ferramenta eficaz e completa da instabilidade funcional do tornozelo.

Ankle instability is defined as the tendency of the ankle to "give way" and suffer recurrent sprains after a lateral ankle sprain. Since the presence of instability is defined by means of subjects' complaints, it has a subjective characteristic it is important to identify the best assessment tool to determine its presence and/or severity. The purpose of this study was to systematically review assessment instruments designed for patients with chronic ankle instability. A computerized literature search was performed in the databases of PubMed, Embase, VHL, LILACS and SciELO to identify eligible instruments. Five studies were included and presented five different instruments - Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI), Ankle Joint Functional Assessment Tool (AJFAT), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), Ankle Joint Functional Assessment Tool (AII) e Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT). There were instruments that can detect functional limitations in subjects with functional ankle instability but that are not reliable to detect this condition. There is still a need for further clinimetric studies in order to validate these tools to obtain an effective and complete evaluation of the functional instability of the ankle.

Relação entre nível geral de saúde, dor musculoesquelética e síndrome de burnout em professores universitários / Relationship between general level of health, musculoeskeletal pain and occurrence of burnout syndrome in college teachers

O objetivo desse estudo foi verificar a relação entre nível de saúde geral, dor musculoesquelética, frequência de sintomas musculoesqueléticos e a síndrome de burnout em professores universitários. Foram avaliados 50 professores de uma universidade privada. O nível de saúde geral foi verificado pela versão em português da Personal Health Scale (PHS-Pt), a dor musculoesquelética pelo Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares (QNSO) e a presença da síndrome de burnout pelo questionário Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). A maioria dos professores apresentou comprometimento do nível de saúde (escore total PHS-Pt=6,7±3,8), sendo que 70% apresentaram dor no pescoço e 64% na região lombar nos últimos 12 meses. Houve correlação positiva entre nível geral de saúde e a dimensão exaustão emocional do inventário de burnout. Porém, não houve correlação entre as dimensões do MBI-HSS e dor musculoesquelética.

The aim of this study was to verify the relationship between general level of health, muskuloeskeletal pain and occurrence of burnout syndrome in college teachers. Fifty teachers from a private university were evaluated. The level of general health was evaluated by the Portuguese version of the Personal Health Scale (PHS-Pt), muskuloeskeletal pain was verified by Nordic Muskuloeskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) and the occurrence of burnout syndrome was evaluated by the Portuguese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS). The majority of the sample presented some compromising of general health level (total score PHS-Pt=6.7±3.8) with 70% presenting neck pain and 64% presenting lower back pain in the last year. Positive correlation occurred between burnout exhaustion dimension and level of general health. There were no correlation between MBI-HSS dimensions and muskuloeskeletal pain occurrence in the last year.

Análise da performance funcional em indivíduos com instabilidade do tornozelo: uma revisão sistemática da literatura: / Functional performance assessment in individuals with ankle instability: a systematic review of the literature

INTRODUÇÃO E OBJETIVO: Os entorses do tornozelo estão entre as lesões mais frequentes nos esportes, nas atividades de vida diária, nos acidentes e nos departamentos de emergências médicas, afetando principalmente os indivíduos jovens fisicamente ativos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisão sistemática da literatura a fim de levantar a existência de medidas clínicas que avaliem a performance funcional de indivíduos com instabilidade crônica do tornozelo, assim como a de estudos que verifiquem objetivamente a presença de déficits de performance funcional nesses indivíduos. MÉTODO: Foi conduzida uma busca nas bases de dados Medline, Embase e Lilacs. Essa revisão incluiu estudos que descrevem instrumentos de avaliação da performance funcional em indivíduos com instabilidade crônica do tornozelo. Os dois revisores realizaram buscas nas bases de dados computadorizadas de forma independente. RESULTADOS: No total, seis estudos foram incluídos, apenas três considerados de alta qualidade. Os testes descritos na literatura para avaliação de performance funcional em indivíduos com instabilidade do tornozelo foram Cocontraction test, Shuttle run test, Agility hop test, Triple-crossover hop for distance, 6-m shuttle run, Figure-of-8-hop, Side hop, Up-down-hop, Single hop, Multiple hop test e Star excursion balance test. Apenas os dois últimos testes foram capazes de detectar déficits de performance funcional em indivíduos com instabilidade de tornozelo. CONCLUSÃO: Observou-se que, até o momento, apenas os testes Multiple hop test e SEBT têm sua validade e confiabilidade atestadas como ferramentas capazes de detectar déficits de performance funcional em indivíduos com instabilidade do tornozelo.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ankle sprains are among the commonest injuries in sports, in daily routine activities, in accidents and in medical emergency rooms, affecting mainly physically active young adults. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature in order to identify the existence of clinical procedures to assess functional performance of individuals with chronic ankle instability, and to identify the existence of studies that objectively assess the presence of functional performance deficits in these subjects. METHOD: A database search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS. This review included studies that described tools that evaluated functional performance in individuals with chronic ankle instability. Two reviewers conducted the research and independently assessed the methodological quality and extracted relevant data of each included study. RESULTS: A total of six studies were included, from which three were considered of high quality. The tests described in the literature for performance evaluation in unstable individuals were "Cocontraction test", "Shuttle run test", "Agility hop test", "Triple-hop crossover for distance", "6-m shuttle run" , "Figure-of-8-hop," "Side hop," "Up-down-hop," "Single hop," "Multiple hop test" and "Star excursion balance test." Only the two last tests were able to detect functional performance deficits in individuals with ankle instability. CONCLUSION: It was observed that until the present time, only the "Multiple Hop Test" and "SEBT" tests were valid and reliable as instruments able to detect deficits of performance in individuals with chronic ankle instability.

Influence of ankle functional instability on the ankle electromyography during landing after volleyball blocking.

The purpose of this study was to describe, interpret and compare the EMG activation patterns of ankle muscles - tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL) and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) - in volleyball players with and without ankle functional instability (FI) during landing after the blocking movement. Twenty-one players with FI (IG) and 19 controls (CG) were studied. The cycle of movement analyzed was the time period between 200 ms before and 200 ms after the time of impact determined by ground reaction forces. The variables were analyzed for two different phases: pre-landing (200 ms before impact) and post-landing (200 ms after impact). The RMS values and the timing of onset activity were calculated for the three studied muscles, in both periods and for both groups. The co-activation index for TA and PL, TA and GL were also calculated. Individuals with FI presented a lower RMS value pre-landing for PL (CG=43.0+/-22.0; IG=26.2+/-8.4, p<0.05) and higher RMS value post-landing (CG=47.5+/-13.3; IG=55.8+/-21.6, p<0.10). Besides that, in control group PL and GL activated first and simultaneously, and TA presented a later activation, while in subjects with FI all the three muscles activated simultaneously. There were no significant differences between groups for co-activation index. Thus, the rate of contraction between agonist and antagonist muscles is similar for subjects with and without FI but the activation individually was different. Volleyball players with functional instability of the ankle showed altered patterns of the muscles that play an important role in the stabilization of the foot-ankle complex during the performance of the blocking movement, to the detriment of the ligament complex, and this fact could explain the usual complaints in these subjects.

Avaliação da satisfação dos pacientes atendidos em uma clínica-escola de fisioterapia de Santo André, SP / Assessment of patient satisfaction with physical therapy at a college health clinic in Santo André, SP

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o grau de satisfação com o atendimento fisioterapêutico de 51 pacientes (idade 47,6±14,8 anos) que estavam recebendo tal atendimento em uma clínica-escola que atende gratuitamente. O nível de satisfação foi avaliado por um questionário brasileiro, validado, sobre a satisfação dos pacientes com a fisioterapia. A ampla maioria (77%) dos pacientes eram de baixo nível socioeconômico. Os resultados mostram que os pacientes apresentam um alto nível de satisfação com o atendimento fisioterapêutico quanto à relação paciente-terapeuta, aos membros da equipe de atendimento, à dinâmica e à infraestrutura da clínica. Respostas negativas figuraram apenas em algumas questões referentes à infra-estrutura da clínica. A questão relativa à satisfação com o atendimento em geral obteve 55% de respostas “excelente”, 27% de “ótimo” e 18% de “bom”. O paciente atendido pela clínica-escola tem a consciência que um aluno/estagiário estará realizando o atendimento. Embora os resultados possam ter sido influenciados pelo baixo status socioeconomico da clientela, que em geral não alimenta altas expectativas, ainda assim apontam para uma opinião homogênea positiva sobre a seriedade e competência do trabalho realizado pela equipe na clínica...

The purpose of this study was to measure patient satisfaction at a publicly offered physical therapy service in a university clinic. Fifty-one patients were evaluated (mean age 47,6±14,8 years), who were being attended to at the health clinic. Satisfaction level was assessed by means of a Brazilian-developed and validated patient satisfaction physical therapy questionnaire. Most subjects (77%) presented low social-economic status. Results showed a high level of satisfaction as to therapist-patient relationship, staff, clinic dynamics, and facilities. Some negative answers were observed as to the clinic’s convenience (location and parking place). Answers to the question concerning overall satisfaction with the assistance ranged from 55% “excellent”, 27% “very good”, to 18% “good”. The clinic patients are aware that they will be attended to by students. Though results may have been based by patients’ low social-economic profile, who do not usually have high expectations, still they point to a homogenous, positive evaluation of the seriousness and competency of the clinic team work...

Mudanças no padrão temporal da EMG de músculos do tornozelo e pé pré e pós-aterrissagem em jogadores de voleibol com instabilidade funcional / Changes in the EMG temporal pattern of pre and post-landing of ankle and foot muscles in volleyball players with functional instability

INTRODUÇÃO: A instabilidade funcional (IF) é a complicação mais comum após o entorse de tornozelo; acomete até 52 por cento dos atletas com história de entorse. O entorse de tornozelo é uma das lesões esportivas mais comuns, inclusive no voleibol, em que 90 por cento dos entorses de tornozelo ocorrem durante a aterrissagem, após o movimento de bloqueio. A IF é definida por queixas de falseios e entorses recorrentes, sem que haja evidências clínicas de lesão ligamentar, sendo extremamente prejudicial para a prática do voleibol, pois interfere na realização dos fundamentos envolvidos na modalidade. OBJETIVOS: Comparar os padrões temporais e de magnitude da atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos tibial anterior (TA), fibular longo (FL) e gastrocnêmio lateral (GL) durante a aterrissagem do salto vertical após a execução da habilidade do bloqueio do voleibol entre jogadores com e sem IF de tornozelo. MÉTODOS: Foi adquirida a atividade EMG do tibial anterior, do fibular longo e do gastrocnêmio lateral em 21 atletas com IF (GI) e em 19 atletas controle (GC) - idade média de 20 ± 4 anos. Os envoltórios lineares foram calculados para cada um dos grupos no período de tempo entre 200ms antes e 200ms após o instante do impacto, determinados por meio da componente vertical da FRS. A magnitude e o instante do pico máximo de cada um dos músculos também foram determinados matematicamente. Os grupos foram comparados por meio do teste t (α = 0,05). RESULTADOS: O grupo com instabilidade apresentou instante de pico do TA mais tardio ± (GC = -107,4 ± 29,6ms; GI = -134,0 ± 26,0ms) e FL (GC = -11,0 ± 55,9ms; GI = -41,7 ± 49,8ms) e menor pico de TA (GC = 68,5 ± 17,2 por cento; GI = 81,2 ± 28,8 por cento) e FL (GC = 72,9 ± 27,3 por cento; GI = 59,1 ± 16,0 por cento), CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostram um padrão de alteração mais tardio e com menor magnitude nos músculos de atletas com IF que podem predispô-los à condição de instabilidade, mesmo na ausência...

INTRODUCTION: The ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries in athletes, including volleyball. 90 percent of ankle injuries in volleyball occur during landing after a blocking maneuver. The most common complication following ankle sprains is functional instability (FI), a condition that affect about 52 percent of the patients that suffered an ankle sprains . Functional ankle instability (FI) has been defined as a tendency for the foot to give way after an ankle sprain with no evidence of ligament injury. Hence, FI is an impairing condition for volleyball performance since it interferes in its basic skills. AIMS: The purpose of this study was to compare the EMG activation patterns of tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL) and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) in volleyball players with and without FI during landing after the blocking movement. METHODS: EMG activity was acquired for 21 subjects (mean age 20 ± 4 yrs) with FI (IG) and 19 control ones (CG). Linear envelopes were calculated for both groups for the time period between 200 ms before and 200 ms after the instant of impact, and time and magnitude of peak occurrence were extracted from the envelopes. Groups were compared using T test (α < 0.05). RESULTS: IG subjects showed a later peak occurrence for TA (CG = -107.4 ± 29.6 ms; IG = -134.0 ± 26.0 ms) and PL (CG = -11.0 ± 55.9 ms; IG = -41.7 ± 49.8 ms) and a lower peak magnitude for TA (CG = 68.5 ± 17.2 percent; FIG = 81.2 ± 28.8 percent) and PL (CG = 72.9 ± 27.3 percent; FIG = 59.1 ± 16.0 percent). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that individuals with FI present a later and lower activation pattern of muscular activity and different activation magnitudes that predispose them to ankle sprains, even in the absence of an anatomical damage.

Comparação dos efeitos da estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea e da hidroterapia na dor, flexibilidade e qualidade de vida de pacientes com fibromialgia / Comparison of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and hidrotherapy effects on pain, flexibility and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia

Este estudo visou comparar a eficácia da hidroterapia e da estimulação elétrica transcutânea do nervo (TENS) na melhora da sintomatologia de pacientes com fibromialgia. Participaram do estudo 10 sujeitos com fibromialgia (48,8+-9,8 anos) divididos em dois grupos: um tratado com hidroterapia e outro com...

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of hidrotherapy and of transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)on symptomology of patients with fibromyalgia. Ten subjects (aged 48,8+-9,8 years) with fibromyalgia were divided into two groups, one treated with hidrotherapy, the other with...

Ground reaction force in basketball cutting maneuvers with and without ankle bracing and taping

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: In basketball, the most common injuries are ankle sprains. For this reason, players frequently use external ankle devices or taping as prophylactic and rehabilitation measures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ground reaction force (GRF) responses in basketball players while performing typical cutting maneuvers with and without ankle bracing and ankle taping. DESIGN AND SETTING: Comparative study with experimental design of single-group repeated measurements, at Medical Rehabilitation Division, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo. METHODS: Vertical (Fy) and medial-lateral (Fz) GRF measurements were made under three conditions (taping, Aircast-type orthosis and basketball shoes alone), with analysis of peak forces at foot contact (Fymax1, Fzmax1, Fymax2 and Fzmax2), growth gradient (peak/time) (GG Fymax1, GG Fzmax1, GG Fymax2 and GG Fzmax2) and impulse after foot contact. RESULTS: Bracing significantly reduced Fymax2 and GG Fymax2. GG Fzmax1 was significantly higher for the sport shoe condition than for the taping condition. Taping increased Fy in relation to the sport shoe at foot contact, but over a longer time interval, without increasing excessive ankle loading. Fz reached a peak in less time, which might generate greater inversion/eversion loading on a player's foot. The Aircast exerted better shock-absorbing effect than did the other two conditions, since it generated less vertical force over longer time intervals and smaller medial-lateral forces in relation to taping. CONCLUSIONS: Ankle bracing and ankle taping action mechanisms are still unclear and therefore should be carefully prescribed. More studies are needed to clarify taping and bracing effects on sporting activities.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: A lesão mais comum no basquetebol é a entorse de tornozelo. Assim, os atletas freqüentemente utilizam suportes externos como medidas profiláticas. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar as respostas da força de reação do solo (FRS) durante a execução do movimento de cutting do basquetebol com e sem acessórios de tornozelo. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo comparativo. Delineamento experimental de grupo único com medidas repetidas; Divisão de Medicina de Reabilitação, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram colhidas as forças vertical (Fy) e médio-lateral (Fz) em três condições (bandagem, Aircast e calçado esportivo) e analisados os picos de força e de propulsão no contato com o solo (Fymax1, Fzmax1, Fymax2 e Fzmax2), o gradiente de crescimento (pico/tempo) (GC Fymax1, GC Fzmax1, GC Fymax2 e GC Fzmax2) e o impulso após o contato. RESULTADOS: Os acessórios reduziram significativamente Fymax2 e GC Fymax2. GC FZmax1 foi maior na situação com tênis quando comparado com bandagem. No momento do impacto, a bandagem aumentou a Fy em relação ao calçado, mas em um intervalo de tempo maior, não aumentando a carga articular. Fz atingiu um pico em menor tempo, podendo gerar maior carga eversora/inversora. O Aircast exerceu um melhor efeito de absorção de impacto, pois gera menor Fy em um maior intervalo de tempo. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar do uso freqüente deste tipo de recurso pelos atletas, seu mecanismo de ação ainda é confuso. Mais estudos são necessários para esclarecer seus efeitos nas atividades esportivas a longo prazo.

Ground reaction force in basketball cutting maneuvers with and without ankle bracing and taping.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: In basketball, the most common injuries are ankle sprains. For this reason, players frequently use external ankle devices or taping as prophylactic and rehabilitation measures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ground reaction force (GRF) responses in basketball players while performing typical cutting maneuvers with and without ankle bracing and ankle taping. DESIGN AND SETTING: Comparative study with experimental design of single-group repeated measurements, at Medical Rehabilitation Division, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo. METHODS: Vertical (Fy) and medial-lateral (Fz) GRF measurements were made under three conditions (taping, Aircast-type orthosis and basketball shoes alone), with analysis of peak forces at foot contact (Fymax1, Fzmax1, Fymax2 and Fzmax2), growth gradient (peak/time) (GG Fymax1, GG Fzmax1, GG Fymax2 and GG Fzmax2) and impulse after foot contact. RESULTS: Bracing significantly reduced Fymax2 and GG Fymax2. GG Fzmax1 was significantly higher for the sport shoe condition than for the taping condition. Taping increased Fy in relation to the sport shoe at foot contact, but over a longer time interval, without increasing excessive ankle loading. Fz reached a peak in less time, which might generate greater inversion/eversion loading on a player's foot. The Aircast exerted better shock-absorbing effect than did the other two conditions, since it generated less vertical force over longer time intervals and smaller medial-lateral forces in relation to taping. CONCLUSIONS: Ankle bracing and ankle taping action mechanisms are still unclear and therefore should be carefully prescribed. More studies are needed to clarify taping and bracing effects on sporting activities.

Influência de implementos para o tornozelo nas respostas biomecânicas do salto e aterrissagem no basquete / Influence of ankle devices in the jump and landing biomechanical responses in basketball

FUNDAMENTOS E OBJETIVO: O segmento mais freqüentemente lesado no basquetebol é o tornozelo, sendo a entorse por inversão a lesão mais comum. Para evitá-la, é comum o uso de implementos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a força reação do solo (FRS) em jogadores de basquete durante execução do salto em três situações: uso de tênis, bandagem e tênis, e tênis e órtese tipo Aircast. MÉTODOS: Oito atletas foram analisados durante o salto, através de uma plataforma de força, nas três situações citadas, para análise das componentes vertical e horizontal médio-lateral da FRS. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSAO: Não houve diferença estatística significativa entre as três situações na componente vertical da FRS durante o salto, embora o uso de bandagem tenda a apresentar, na impulsão, maiores valores do pico de força vertical (3,10 ± 0,46PC; 3,01 ± 0,39PC; 3,03 ± 0,41PC) e do gradiente de crescimento (GC) (12,33 ± 12,21PC; 8,16 ± 3,89PC; 8,46 ± 3,85PC), e durante a aterrissagem, menores valores de pico de força vertical (5,18 ± 1,35PC; 5,56 ± 1,31PC; 5,49 ± 1,44PC) e do GC (88,83 ± 33,85PC; 95,63 ± 42,64PC; 94,53 ± 31,69PC). Durante a impulsão, a força medial do salto com Aircast foi significativamente menor que com tênis (p = 0,0249) e apresentou valor semelhante ao do uso da bandagem, enquanto a força lateral foi significativamente maior com a bandagem do que com tênis (p = 0,0485) e tendeu a ser maior do que o Aircast. Na aterrissagem o componente médio-lateral da FRS ficou inalterado nas três situações. Concluiu-se que a bandagem potencializou a força direcionada ao salto vertical durante a impulsão, porém não estabilizou tanto quanto o Aircast os movimentos de inversão e eversão do pé. Durante a aterrissagem, os implementos não foram efetivos para reduzir a força médio-lateral, mas com a bandagem, houve um tempo maior para absorção do impacto.