Effect of exercise on female pelvic floor morphology and muscle function: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to synthesize the scientific evidence on the relationship of exercise with morphology and muscle function parameters of the female pelvic floor. The design was a systematic review. METHODS: Searches were performed in MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, SCOPUS, SportDiscuss, and Google Scholar up to April 2021. Observational and experimental studies evaluating the morphology and/or function of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) in women were eligible. Studies reporting exercise or sports disciplines as exposure/intervention were included. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies were included. Compared with the control group, women performing vigorous and high-impact exercises exhibited lower maximum voluntary contraction of the PFM and those performing moderate exercise had better maximum voluntary contraction. Exercise practitioners had a larger hiatal area at rest, during contraction, and during Valsalva, and greater bladder neck descent than the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this review demonstrate an inverse relationship of PFM maximum voluntary contraction with exercise intensity. Qualitative synthesis showed that the studies found favorable outcomes for the control group in terms of hiatal area during contraction and Valsalva and bladder neck displacement.

Handgrip strength, functional capacity and cognitive status of centenarians / Força de preensão manual, capacidade functional e estado cognitivo em centenários

Objective: To compare and correlate handgrip strength (HGS) with functional capacity and cognitive status in centenarians. Method: This is a cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of 127 centenarians, of which 78 met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 101.7 ± 2.52 years. Cognitive status was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and functional capacity using the Katz Scale. To investigate HGS, we used a manual dynamometer. The level of significance was 5%. Results: Centenarian men have higher right (p= 0.005) and left (p<0.001) HGS compared to women. About functional capacity, centenarians more functional present higher right and left HGS (p<0.001) when compared to intermediate and less functional. Furthermore, when analyzing cognition, centenarians with preserved cognitive status have higher right and left HGS (p<0.001) than cognitively impaired elderly. In the relationship analysis, it was possible to verify that the lower the MMSE score, the higher the right (rho= 0.59; p<0.001) and left (rho= 0.57; p<0.001) HGS. Furthermore, the lower the Katz Scale score, the higher the right (rho= -0.53; p<0.001) and left (rho= -0.57; p<0.001) HGS. Conclusion: Our results show that male centenarians, more functional and with preserved cognitive status have higher HGS in both hands. Moreover, we found a moderate negative relationship between HGS and functional capacity and a moderate positive relationship between HGS and cognitive status of centenarians.

Objetivo: Comparar e correlacionar a força de preensão manual (HGS) com a capacidade funcional e o estado cognitivo em centenários. Método: Este é um estudo de corte transversal. A população do estudo consistiu em 127 centenários, dos quais 78 preenchiam os critérios de inclusão, com uma idade média de 101,7 ± 2,52 anos. O estado cognitivo foi avaliado utilizando o Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) e a capacidade funcional utilizando a Escala Katz. Para investigar o HGS, utilizamos um dinamômetro manual. O nível de significância foi de 5%. Resultados: Os homens centenários têm o HGS mais alto à direita (p= 0,005) e à esquerda (p<0,001) em comparação com as mulheres. Quanto à capacidade funcional, os centenários mais funcionais apresentam HGS mais altos à direita e à esquerda (p<0,001) quando comparados com os intermediários e menos funcionais. Além disso, ao analisar a cognição, os centenários com estado cognitivo preservado têm HGS direito e esquerdo mais elevados (p<0,001) do que os idosos com deficiência cognitiva. Na análise da relação, foi possível verificar que quanto mais baixa a pontuação MMSE, mais alta a direita (rho= 0,59; p<0,001) e esquerda (rho= 0,57; p<0,001) HGS. Além disso, quanto mais baixa a pontuação da Escala Katz, mais alta a direita (rho= -0,53; p<0,001) e esquerda (rho= -0,57; p<0,001) HGS. Conclusão: Os nossos resultados mostram que os centenários masculinos, mais funcionais e com estatuto cognitivo preservado, têm HGS mais elevado em ambas as mãos. Além disso, encontramos uma relação negativa moderada entre HGS e capacidade funcional e uma relação positiva moderada entre HGS e estado cognitivo dos centenários.

Effects of Exercise on Sleep in Older Adults: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.

We aimed to systematically analyze reviews of randomized clinical trials that investigate the overall effect of exercise and of different types of exercise on sleep in older adults. Meta-analysis was performed to obtain the standardized mean difference of the effect of the different types of exercise. Twenty systematic reviews published between 2012 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria of this overview. Moderate significant effects of exercise were observed on overall sleep quality and its subjective components (quality, duration, latency, habitual efficiency, medication use, and daytime dysfunction). Among the types of exercise, sensitivity analysis revealed significant effects of Pilates, Tai Chi, and Baduanjin Qigong on sleep quality. Exercise has a positive effect on sleep quality in older people. Our findings are extremely important, especially for decision makers in the health area, permitting the planning of actions and evidence-based decision making. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020222469.

Sleep quality and urinary incontinence in elderly female exercise practitioners.

Objectives: Older women with urinary incontinence (UI) commonly report sleep problems. However, little is known about sleep problems in older women with UI who exercise. We aimed to evaluate the relationship of sleep quality with the presence or absence of UI, urine loss, and nocturia episodes in elderly female practitioners of physical exercise. Material and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on older women participating in an extension program, southern Brazil. Data were collected in 2018. Sociodemographic and health characteristics were collected by interview. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - short form was applied to evaluate the presence of UI, as well as the frequency and amount of urine loss. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Overactive Bladder was used to analyze nocturia episodes. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Results: The study group included 142 older women with a mean age of 68.8±6.8 years. The prevalence of UI was 33.8% (95% CI: 0.26-0.42). Women with UI had higher use of medication, daytime dysfunction, and total sleep quality scores than women without UI (p<0.05). Older women who leak urine several times a day exhibited worse sleep quality than those who lose urine once a week or less (p=0.036). Women with three or more episodes of nocturia also showed worse sleep quality than those without any episode (p=0.029). Conclusion: Exercising older women with UI have worse sleep quality than those without this dysfunction. Furthermore, participants who lose large amounts of urine and have more episodes of nocturia also exhibit worse sleep quality.

Frailty and physical activity in centenarians: a systematic review

There is a lack of studies evaluating frailty and physical activity in people aged 100 years or older. This review aimed to synthesize the evidence on frailty and physical activity in centenarians. A systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. We searched the PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Lilacs databases for articles published until 18 June 2020. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020162913). Five studies were included in this review according to the eligibility and exclusion criteria. In summary, the reviewed studies show that centenarians are fragile and that frailty increases with age; however, women are frailer than men. The most common frailty criteria were low physical activity level (78% to 72.5%), muscle weakness (84.2% to 66%), and slow walking speed (77.6% to 48.4%). Most centenarians perform less exercise than younger older adults, have a low physical activity level, live in nursing homes, and exhibit functional disability. Regarding the methodological quality of the studies, one article was classified as regular and the other four as poor. Frailty and a low physical activity level are common in centenarians. Experimental studies with better methodological quality are necessary to better understand the causal relationship between variables.

Factors associated with urinary incontinence in volleyball athletes: a cross-sectional study

The article has the purpose of identify the factors associated with the occurrence of urinary incontinence (UI) among volleyball athletes. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with female athletes of court volleyball. An interview was conducted to identify the factors associated with UI. The presence of urinary loss was identified using the Urinary Distress Inventory 6 (UDI-6). The associated factors found were divided into those related to sociodemographic (education and marital status), behavioral (constipation occurrence), obstetric (previous pregnancies), hereditary (skin color), and sports practice variables (sports level, volleyball position, time of sports practice in years, physical and tactical training routine, and daily water intake). The Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, and binary logistic regression model were used. This study included 83 volleyball athletes with a mean age of 26.6 (± 7.2) years. It was found that 25.3% of the volleyball athletes presented UI and those that reported symptoms of constipation were 10 times more likely to develop UIthan those without constipation.Women who practice high-impact sports in a professional manner, such as volleyball, should be aware of the symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, since they will be predisposed to urine leakage. The finding that a considerable number of athletes report UI and that long-term sports practice exposes athletes to a higher risk of UI indicates that pelvic exercises should be proposed in order to reduce these symptoms.

Impact of Social Isolation on Physical Activity and Factors Associated With Sedentary Behavior in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The objective was to analyze the impact of social isolation on moderate physical activity and factors associated with sedentary behavior of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a cross-sectional study involving 111 older adults (aged 71.0 ± 6.87 years). The data were collected at two time points: in November 2019 and in June 2020. There was a decline in moderate physical activity when the minutes/week were compared before and during social isolation (p < .001). Sedentary behavior was associated with the condition of living alone. Older adults who lived alone were 3.29 times more likely to spend 4 hr or more in sedentary behavior than those who lived with a partner (95% confidence interval [1.01, 10.74]). Government agencies must establish PA-related health promotion strategies, especially in developing and low-income countries. Therefore, home exercises need to be encouraged to prevent the consequences of this pandemic period.

Urine Loss during a Volleyball Competition: Comparison between Amateur and Professional Athletes.

BACKGROUND: High-impact sports can cause dysfunction to the female pelvic floor that leads to the occurrence of stress urinary incontinence. OBJECTIVE: To identify and compare the presence of urine loss between professional and amateur female volleyball athletes during a competition. METHODS: A cross-sectional and comparative study was conducted on 75 volleyball athletes, including 30 amateurs and 45 professional athletes. Female athletes 18 years of age or older were included. Urine loss during the competition was evaluated by self-report and measured by a pad test (in grams). Day-to-day urinary incontinence was identified using the Urinary Distress Inventory 6 (UDI-6). Before the beginning of the game, the instruments were applied by individual interview for data collection and the pad was positioned. After the game, the pad was removed and weighed again. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: Half of the professional (50.0%) and amateur (55.6%) athletes have symptoms of urine loss during a competition. Objective urine loss was higher among professional athletes (4.5 ± 1.4 g) compared to amateur athletes (3.8 ± 1.4 g). There was a significant difference (P < .001) in objective urine loss between symptomatic (mean = 5.41, standard deviation [SD] = 0.8) and asymptomatic professional athletes (mean = 3.40, SD = 1.3). CONCLUSION: Self-report of urinary incontinence during the competition was common among professional and amateur athletes. However, objective urine loss was significantly higher among professional athletes.

Força de preensão manual e velocidade máxima da caminhada de acordo com o nível de atividade física e o sexo de centenários / Handgrip strenght and maximum walking speed according to the physical activity and sex of centenarians

Objetivo: comparar a força de preensão manual (FPM) e a velocidade máxima da caminhada de acordo com o nível de atividade física (NAF) e o sexo em idosos centenários. Método: participaram do estudo 48 centenários (101,73±2,52 anos), sendo 29 mulheres e19 homens. Dados sociodemográficos, de saúde e hábitos de vida foram analisados por meio do Protocolo de Avaliação Multidimensional do Idoso Centenário ­ PAMIC. A FPM foi mensurada por meio de dinamômetro, o NAF por meio de pedômetro e a velocidade máxima da caminhada por meio de teste físico. Foram classificados como centenários ativos os que atingiram no mínimo 1.000 passos/semana e como insuficientemente ativos aqueles abaixo deste valor. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados: centenários do sexo masculino apresentaram maior FPM direita (17,47±6,94kgf) e esquerda (16,63±6,28kgf) quando comparados ao sexo feminino (11,90±4,84kgf; 10,48±5,00kgf) (p<0,05). Quando analisados de acordo com o NAF, centenários ativos apresentaram maior FPM direita (22,86±8,01 kgf) e esquerda (22,14±5,55kgf) em comparação aos insuficientemente ativos (14,33±3,82kgf; 13,42±4,14kgf) (p<0,05). Para o sexo feminino, a FPM direita foi maior nas centenárias ativas (15,75±4,68kgf) quando comparadas às insuficientemente ativas (10,43±4,12kgf) (p=0,006). Na FPM esquerda, o grupo ativo apresentou maior valor médio (14,00±4,63 kgf) em comparação ao grupo insuficientemente ativo (9,14±4,55kgf) (p=0,017). A velocidade máxima da caminhada não apresentou diferença significativa de acordo com o NAF ou o sexo dos idosos. Conclusão: o estudo evidencia que a atividade física está intimamente relacionada a melhores valores de FPM, indicando que idosos centenários ativos possuem melhor força corporal global.(AU)

Aim: to compare the handgrip strength (HGS) and the maximum walking speed according to the level of physical activity (PA) and sex in elderly centenarians. Method: 48 centenarians (101.73 ± 2.52 years old) participated in the study, 29 women and 19 men. Sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle data were analyzed using the Multidimensional Assessment Protocol for the Elderly Centenary ­ PAMIC. HGS was measured using a dynamometer, PA utilizing a pedometer, and the maximum gait speed through a physical test. Those who reached at least 1,000 steps/week were classified as active centenarians and those below this value as insufficiently active. The level of significance adopted was 5%. Results: centenarians of the male sex had higher HGS on the right (17.47 ± 6.94kgf) and left (16.63 ± 6.28kgf) when compared to the female sex (11.90 ± 4.84kgf; 10.48 ± 5, 00kgf) (p<0.05). When analyzed according to PA, active centenarians had a higher right (22.86 ± 8.01 kgf) and left (22.14 ± 5.55kgf) HGS compared to insufficiently active (14.33 ± 3.82kgf; 13, 42 ± 4.14 kgf) (p <0.05). For females, the right HGS was higher in active centenarians (15.75 ± 4.68kgf) when compared to insufficiently active women (10.43 ± 4.12kgf) (p = 0.006). In the left HGS, the active group had a higher mean value (14.00 ± 4.63 kgf) compared to the insufficiently active group (9.14 ± 4.55kgf) (p = 0.017). The maximum gait speed did not show any significant difference according to PA or the gender of the elderly. Conclusion: the study shows that physical activity is closely related to better values of HGS, indicating that active elderly centenarians have better overall body strength.(AU)

Treinamento dos músculos do assoalho pélvico em mulheres com dispareunia: um ensaio clínico randomizado / Pelvic floor muscles training in women with dyspareunia: randomized clinical trial

Introdução: A dispareunia afeta a função sexual feminina, bem como a qualidade de vida. Deste modo, o treinamento do assoalho pélvico gera consciência da região vaginal, bem como melhora da função sexual. Objetivo: Analisar o efeito do treinamento dos músculos do assoalho pélvico (TMAP) na qualidade de vida de mulheres com dispareunia. Métodos: Trata-se de um ensaio clínico randomizado em mulheres sexualmente ativas com sintomas de dispareunia que foram aleatoriamente distribuídas em Grupo Intervenção (GI; n = 6) e Grupo Controle (GC; n = 7). A função sexual foi verificada através do Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). A interferência da dispareunia na qualidade de vida foi verificada por uma escala visual analógica (0= nenhuma interferência; 10= máxima interferência). O GI foi submetido ao TMAP por oito semanas, sendo dois encontros semanais com e duração de 40 minutos, e o GC não recebeu nenhum treinamento. Para análise dos dados, utilizou-se estatística descritiva e inferencial, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Observou-se que os domínios desejo, excitação, lubrificação, orgasmo e satisfação não apresentaram diferença significativa em ambos os grupos. No entanto, houve diminuição dos valores encontrados no domínio dor (p = 0,043; d = 1,24) no GI. Quanto à interferência da dispareunia na qualidade de vida, os valores foram significativamente melhores no GI (p = 0,022; d = 1,95). Conclusão: Após intervenção fisioterapêutica de treino dos músculos do assoalho pélvico, há melhora da dor em mulheres. (AU)

Introduction: Dyspareunia affects female sexual function as well as quality of life. In this mode, pelvic floor training generates awareness of the vaginal region as well as enhances sexual function. Aim: To analyze the effect of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on the quality of life of women with dyspareunia. Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial in sexually active women with symptoms of dyspareunia that were randomly assigned to Intervention Group (GI; n = 6) and Control Group (CG; n = 7). Sexual function was verified through the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Dyspareunia interference on quality of life was verified by a visual analog scale (0 = no interference; 10 = maximum interference). The GI was submitted to the PFMT for eight weeks, two weekly meetings lasting 40 minutes, and the CG received no training. For data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics were used, with a significance level of 5%. Results: The domains desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm and satisfaction did not present significant difference in both groups. However, there was a decrease in the values found in the pain domain (p = 0.043; d = 1.24) in the GI. Regarding the interference of dyspareunia in quality of life, values were significantly better in GI (p = 0.022; d = 1.95). Conclusion: After physical therapy intervention of pelvic floor muscles training there is pain improvement in women. (AU)

Anthropometric indicators as predictors of pelvic floor muscle distress in young women.

AIM: To identify anthropometric indicators that could predict pelvic floor muscle distress (PFMD) in young women. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted, whose sample consisted of 54 women aged between 18 and 35 years. The Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory was used to assess the PFMD. The anthropometric indicators evaluated were body mass index (BMI) being measured the weight and height, body fat percentage (skinfolds), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and relative fat mass (RFM), which is calculated from height and WC. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Spearman correlation, simple linear regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve) were used, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The PFMD and the anthropometric indicators BMI (r = .43), body fat percentage (r = .42), WC (r = .46), WHR (r = .49), and RFM (r = .48) showed a positive and moderate correlation (P < .01). In all, 24%, 23%, 20%, and 18% of the PFMD can be credited to RFM, WC, WHR, and body fat percentage, respectively. The cut-off point for RFM was 38.44 for the symptom of pressure in the lower abdomen and 36.24 for symptom of stress urinary incontinence and incomplete emptying of the bladder. CONCLUSION: Anthropometric indicators of body fat percentage, WC, WHR, and RFM can be predictors of PFMD in young women minimally symptomatic.

Maternal Knowledge and Unsafe Baby Sleep Position: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Southern Brazil.

Objective to evaluate women's knowledge about the best baby sleeping position and to identify factors associated with a greater probability of putting infants to sleep in an unsafe position, in Rio Grande, Southern Brazil. Method This is a cross-sectional population-based study that included all women who bore children in 2013 in this municipality. A single, standardized questionnaire was given within 48 h after delivery in the only two local maternity hospitals. The outcome was that women reported the lateral and the ventral decubitus as the best sleeping positions for babies. A Chi square test was used for proportions and Poisson regression was used with robust variance adjustment in the multivariate analysis. The prevalence ratio was the measure of effect used. Results We included 2624 women in this study. Of these, 82.1% (95% CI 80.6-83.6) stated that the baby should sleep in the lateral or ventral decubitus positions. 76.4% reported having acquired this knowledge from their mothers and 34.7% were willing to adopt the correct (supine) sleeping position for their child if recommended by doctors. The adjusted analysis showed that the lower the schooling of the mothers and the greater the number of people per bedroom and number of children, the greater the probability of women choosing an unsafe baby sleeping position. Conclusions for Practice This study showed that the percentage of women who are unaware of the correct baby sleeping position is very high, that doctors should be convinced to recommend the supine baby sleeping position, and that campaigns on this subject should also include grandparents as a priority intervention group.

Palate ulcer, uvular destruction and nasal septal perforation caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis in an HIV-infected patient.

Sporotrichosis is a human and animal disease caused by dimorphic pathogenic species of the genus Sporothrix. We report a dramatic presentation of Sporothrix brasiliensis infection, with destruction of the nasal septum, soft palate, and uvula of an HIV-infected woman. She was successfully treated with amphotericin B deoxycholate followed by itraconazole. Sporotrichosis remains a neglected opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS and awareness of this potentially fatal infection is of utmost importance.

Effects of functional and analytical strength training on upper-extremity activity after stroke: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the effects of functional strengthening (using functional movements) and analytical strengthening (using repetitive movements) on level of activity and muscular strength gain in patients with chronic hemiparesis after stroke. Method A randomized, assessor-blinded trial was conducted in a therapist-supervised home rehabilitation program. Twenty-seven patients with chronic stroke were randomly allocated one of two groups: functional strengthening (FS) (n=13) and analytical strengthening (AS) (n=14). Each group received a five-week muscle strengthening protocol (30 minutes per day, three times per week) including functional movements or analytical movements, respectively. Pre-, post-, and ten-month follow-up outcomes included the Upper-Extremity Performance Test (primary outcome), Shoulder and Grip Strength, Active Shoulder Range of Motion (ROM), the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) (secondary outcomes). Results There was significant improvement in the Upper-Extremity Performance Test for the combined unilateral and bilateral task scores in the FS Group (mean difference 2.4; 95% CI=0.14 to 4.6) in the 10-month follow-up. No significant difference was observed between groups in the other outcomes (p>0.05). Conclusion A five-week home-based functional muscle strengthening induced positive results for the upper-extremity level of activity of patients with moderate impairment after chronic stroke.

Pilates Exercise for Hypertensive Patients: A Review of the Literature.

Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) has a prevalence of approximately 1 billion cases worldwide. The main goals for its treatment involve changes in a patient's lifestyle, with a strategy of management that aims to increase his or her level of physical activity, with a recommendation for aerobic and resistance exercise. Some evidence has suggested that training with isometric exercises can produce effects similar to aerobic exercise on blood pressure reduction. Conventional exercises that are currently used in rehabilitation of hypertensive patients show low adherence, with a lack of motivation on the part of those patients. In that context, the Pilates method, which uses isometric exercises, has been gaining in popularity and worldwide acceptance, and it has the potential to be an effective method. The current literature review shows the possible benefits of the Pilates method for rehabilitation of hypertensive patients. However, even though the method is a promising modality, the authors have found that future research appears to be necessary to evaluate the benefits of Pilates for hypertensive patients.

Effects of functional and analytical strength training on upper-extremity activity after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the effects of functional strengthening (using functional movements) and analytical strengthening (using repetitive movements) on level of activity and muscular strength gain in patients with chronic hemiparesis after stroke. Method: A randomized, assessor-blinded trial was conducted in a therapist-supervised home rehabilitation program. Twenty-seven patients with chronic stroke were randomly allocated one of two groups: functional strengthening (FS) (n=13) and analytical strengthening (AS) (n=14). Each group received a five-week muscle strengthening protocol (30 minutes per day, three times per week) including functional movements or analytical movements, respectively. Pre-, post-, and ten-month follow-up outcomes included the Upper-Extremity Performance Test (primary outcome), Shoulder and Grip Strength, Active Shoulder Range of Motion (ROM), the Fugl-Meyer Assessment, and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) (secondary outcomes). Results: There was significant improvement in the Upper-Extremity Performance Test for the combined unilateral and bilateral task scores in the FS Group (mean difference 2.4; 95% CI=0.14 to 4.6) in the 10-month follow-up. No significant difference was observed between groups in the other outcomes (p>0.05). Conclusion: A five-week home-based functional muscle strengthening induced positive results for the upper-extremity level of activity of patients with moderate impairment after chronic stroke.

A experiência da educação permanente como estratégia de gestão com os auxiliares de enfermagem / Continuing education experience for auxiliary nurses as a management strategy / Experiencia de educación permanente como estrategia de gestión con los auxiliares de enfermería

Este trabalho relata a experiência da educação permanente (EP) realizada com os auxiliares de enfermagem no Hospital Materno-Infantil no período de junho a outubro do ano de 2012. Trata-se de estudo de natureza qualitativa e optou-se em realizar a coleta de dados a partir da observação participante, que foi toda registrada em diário de campo com roteiro específico, com foco na frequência dos participantes, condução do grupo com enfoque na realização da ação-reflexão-ação e nos momentos de avaliação. O projeto foi submetido e aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em pesquisa envolvendo seres humanos da Faculdade de Medicina de Marília, protocolo número 638/12. Os dados foram analisados segundo a técnica de análise de conteúdo na modalidade temática. Utilizou-se Paulo Freire (1987) para iluminar a discussão dos resultados. Após a análise dos dados por meio das unidades de significado e processo de categorização emergiram duas temáticas essenciais, sendo elas: vivenciando o processo de ação-reflexão-ação nos encontros de educação permanente e fragilidades encontradas no processo de educação permanente. Experiências como esta demonstram que a educação permanente nos serviços de saúde é uma estratégia potente para a promoção de mudanças nos processos de trabalho, no sentido de que o trabalhador que tem a oportunidade de estar num grupo de EP se enxerga e se posiciona de modo mais ativo e participativo, proporcionando gestão mais compartilhada e poder mais horizontalizado nas instituições.

Este trabajo narra la experiencia de educación permanente (EP) realizada con auxiliares de enfermería de un Hospital Materno Infantil entre junio y octubre de 2012. Se trata de un estudio de naturaleza cualitativa cuyos datos fueron recogidos a través de la observación participante. Las notas se apuntaron en un diario de campo, con un guión específico, foco en la frecuencia de los participantes, conducción del grupo con enfoque en la realización de la acción - reflexión - acción y en los momentos de evaluación. El proyecto fue sometido y aprobado por el comité de ética en investigación en seres humanos de la Facultad de Medicina de Marília, protocolo 638/12. Los datos fueron analizados según la técnica de análisis de contenido en la modalidad temática. La discusión de los resultados se realizó a la luz de la teoría de Paulo Freire (1987). Después del análisis de datos por medio de las unidades de significado y proceso de clasificación emergieron dos temáticas esenciales: Viviendo el proceso de acción - reflexión - acción en los encuentros de educación permanente y fragilidades encontradas en el proceso de educación permanente. Experiencias como ésta demuestran que la educación permanente en los servicios de salud es una estrategia potente para la promoción de cambios en los procesos de trabajo. De esta forma, el trabajador que tiene la oportunidad de estar en un grupo de EP se ve y se coloca de modo más activo y participativo, proporcionando una gestión más compartida y un poder más horizontal en las instituciones.

Este trabajo narra la experiencia de educación permanente (EP) realizada con auxiliares de enfermería de un Hospital Materno Infantil entre junio y octubre de 2012. Se trata de un estudio de naturaleza cualitativa cuyos datos fueron recogidos a través de la observación participante. Las notas se apuntaron en un diario de campo, con un guión específico, foco en la frecuencia de los participantes, conducción del grupo con enfoque en la realización de la acción - reflexión - acción y en los momentos de evaluación. El proyecto fue sometido y aprobado por el comité de ética en investigación en seres humanos de la Facultad de Medicina de Marília, protocolo 638/12. Los datos fueron analizados según la técnica de análisis de contenido en la modalidad temática. La discusión de los resultados se realizó a la luz de la teoría de Paulo Freire (1987). Después del análisis de datos por medio de las unidades de significado y proceso de clasificación emergieron dos temáticas esenciales: Viviendo el proceso de acción - reflexión - acción en los encuentros de educación permanente y fragilidades encontradas en el proceso de educación permanente. Experiencias como ésta demuestran que la educación permanente en los servicios de salud es una estrategia potente para la promoción de cambios en los procesos de trabajo. De esta forma, el trabajador que tiene la oportunidad de estar en un grupo de EP se ve y se coloca de modo más activo y participativo, proporcionando una gestión más compartida y un poder más horizontal en las instituciones.