Effect of Systemic and Auricular Acupuncture with a 2/100 Hz Frequency and Nogier Frequency in Fibromyalgia: a Randomized Clinical Trial, Pilot Study.

Background: Fibromyalgia is a syndrome of chronic, generalized muscular pain, accompanied by sleep disturbances, fatigue and cardic autonomic dysfunction that will affect the quality of life. There is currently no gold standard treatment. There are limitations of studies with electroacupuncture in auricular acupuncture. Objectives: We evaluate the effects of systemic electroacupuncture (EA) with frequencies of 2/100 Hz associated of auricular acupuncture with a Nogier frequency (2.28, 4.56 and 9.12 Hz) for pain intensity, heart rate variability (HRV), and quality of life in fibromyalgia. Methods: Randomized clinical trial, a pilot study. Eighteen volunteers were randomized into a control group (CG, n = 9) and an experimental group (EG, n = 9). Six systemic EA sessions systemic and auricular were applied in the EG for 20 min, twice a week, for six weeks consecutive. The Numerical Pain Assessment Scale (NPRS), 2010 diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (FDC 2010), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and analysis of HRV were the instruments used. The independent t-test compared to the groups was applied. Results: There was no statistically significant difference for the primary outcome for NPRS (p > 0.05). In the secondary outcome there was a significant difference in the total score and in some FIQ domains (p = 0.008) and some variables such as pain (p = 0.02) and anxiety (p = 0.006). There was no significant difference for the FDC 2010 and HRV variables (p > 0.05). Conclusion: 2/100 Hz systemic EA associated with the Nogier frequency positively influenced some quality of life variables; however, pain intensity, diagnostic criteria, and HRV variables did not change.

Pulsed Laser Acupuncture in the Treatment of Pain and Heart Rate Variability in Fibromyalgia Patients: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Laser acupuncture (LA) is a medically approved treatment for chronic pain, especially fibromyalgia. It is widely known that all pain is related to autonomic modulation, which may influence heart rate variability (HRV). There are robust studies in the literature on the effect of LA with continuous frequency on musculoskeletal pain and autonomic modulation. However, little is known about the effect of pulsed frequency on fibromyalgia. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether an individualized intervention protocol applying pulsed LA would provide benefits related to pain symptoms and cardiac autonomic modulation in patients with fibromyalgia. Methods: In this pilot randomized clinical controlled trial, the sample consisted of women with fibromyalgia between the ages of 40 and 80, randomized into two groups: a control group (CG; n=10) and an experimental group (EG; n=10). EG received the intervention twice per week for 3 weeks. Statistical analysis was conducted by delta (difference between post-intervention and pre-intervention) and the Shapiro-Wilk test (normality). For comparison between the groups, the Mann-Whitney test was used. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in pain intensity as reported via the pain numerical scale (PNS; P=0.00), generalized pain index (GPI; P=0.00), and symptom severity scale (SSS; P=0.00). There was no significant difference in any HRV variable (P>0.05). Conclusion: Pulsed LA, when applied in an individualized protocol, can reduce pain intensity, as reported on the PNS, GPI, and SSS. However, no therapeutic effect was observed for HRV.

High-Intensity Inspiratory Protocol Increases Heart Rate Variability in Myocardial Revascularization Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate heart rate variability during an inspiratory muscle endurance protocol at three different load levels [30%, 60% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure], in patients who had previously undergone coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Nineteen late postoperative myocardial revascularization patients participating in a cardiovascular rehabilitation program were studied. Maximal inspiratory pressure maneuvers were performed. An inspiratory muscle endurance protocol at 30%, 60% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure was applied for four minutes each, in random order. Heart rate and RR intervals were recorded and heart rate variability was analyzed by time (RMSSD-the mean of the standard deviations for all R-R intervals, and RMSM-root-mean square differences of successive R-R intervals) and frequency domains indices (high and low frequency) in normalized units. ANOVA for repeated measurements was used to compare heart rate variability indices and Student t-test was used to compare the maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure values. RESULTS: Heart rate increased during performance of maximal respiratory pressures maneuvers, and the maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure mean values were significantly lower than predicted values (P <0.05). RMSSD increased significantly at 80% in relation to rest and 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure and RMSM decreased at 30% and 60% of maximal inspiratory pressure in relation to rest (P <0.05). Additionally, there was significant and progressive decrease in low frequency and increase in high frequency at 30%, 60% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure in relation to the resting condition. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that respiratory muscle training at high intensities can promote greater parasympathetic activity and it may confer important benefits during a rehabilitation program in post-coronary artery bypass grafting.

High-Intensity Inspiratory Protocol Increases Heart Rate Variability in Myocardial Revascularization Patients

Abstract Objective: To evaluate heart rate variability during an inspiratory muscle endurance protocol at three different load levels [30%, 60% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure], in patients who had previously undergone coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: Nineteen late postoperative myocardial revascularization patients participating in a cardiovascular rehabilitation program were studied. Maximal inspiratory pressure maneuvers were performed. An inspiratory muscle endurance protocol at 30%, 60% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure was applied for four minutes each, in random order. Heart rate and RR intervals were recorded and heart rate variability was analyzed by time (RMSSD-the mean of the standard deviations for all R-R intervals, and RMSM-root-mean square differences of successive R-R intervals) and frequency domains indices (high and low frequency) in normalized units. ANOVA for repeated measurements was used to compare heart rate variability indices and Student t-test was used to compare the maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure values. Results: Heart rate increased during performance of maximal respiratory pressures maneuvers, and the maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure mean values were significantly lower than predicted values (P <0.05). RMSSD increased significantly at 80% in relation to rest and 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure and RMSM decreased at 30% and 60% of maximal inspiratory pressure in relation to rest (P <0.05). Additionally, there was significant and progressive decrease in low frequency and increase in high frequency at 30%, 60% and 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure in relation to the resting condition. Conclusion: These results suggest that respiratory muscle training at high intensities can promote greater parasympathetic activity and it may confer important benefits during a rehabilitation program in post-coronary artery bypass grafting.

Circulatory and Ventilatory Power: Characterization in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease / Potência Circulatória e Ventilatória: Caracterização em Pacientes com Doença Arterial Coronariana

Background: Circulatory power (CP) and ventilatory power (VP) are indices that have been used for the clinical evaluation of patients with heart failure; however, no study has evaluated these indices in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) without heart failure. Objective: To characterize both indices in patients with CAD compared with healthy controls. Methods: Eighty-seven men [CAD group = 42 subjects and healthy control group (CG) = 45 subjects] aged 40–65 years were included. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed on a treadmill and the following parameters were measured: 1) peak oxygen consumption (VO2), 2) peak heart rate (HR), 3) peak blood pressure (BP), 4) peak rate-pressure product (peak systolic HR x peak BP), 5) peak oxygen pulse (peak VO2/peak HR), 6) oxygen uptake efficiency (OUES), 7) carbon dioxide production efficiency (minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production slope), 8) CP (peak VO2 x peak systolic BP) and 9) VP (peak systolic BP/carbon dioxide production efficiency). Results: The CAD group had significantly lower values for peak VO2 (p < 0.001), peak HR (p < 0.001), peak systolic BP (p < 0.001), peak rate-pressure product (p < 0.001), peak oxygen pulse (p = 0.008), OUES (p < 0.001), CP (p < 0.001), and VP (p < 0.001) and significantly higher values for peak diastolic BP (p = 0.004) and carbon dioxide production efficiency (p < 0.001) compared with CG. Stepwise regression analysis showed that CP was influenced by group (R2 = 0.44, p < 0.001) and VP was influenced by both group and number of vessels with stenosis after treatment (interaction effects: R2 = 0.46, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The indices CP and VP were lower in men with CAD than healthy controls. .

Fundamento: Os índices da Potência Circulatória (PC) e Potência Ventilatória (PV) têm sido utilizados para avaliação clínica de pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca, mas nenhum estudo avaliou esses índices em pacientes com Doença Arterial Coronariana (DAC). Objetivo: Caracterizar ambos os índices em pacientes com DAC comparados a indivíduos saudáveis. Métodos: Oitenta e sete homens [grupo DAC = 42 sujeitos e, grupo controle (GC) = 45 sujeitos] com idade entre 45 e 65 anos foram incluídos. Um Teste de Exercício Cardiopulmonar (TECP) foi realizado em esteira e as seguintes variáveis foram obtidas: 1) consumo de oxigênio (VO2) pico; 2) Frequência Cardíaca (FC) pico; 3) Pressão Arterial (PA) pico; 4) duplo produto pico (PA sistólica pico x FC pico); 5) pulso de oxigênio pico (VO2 pico dividido pela FC pico); 6) eficiência ventilatória para o consumo de oxigênio (OUES); 7) eficiência ventilatória para a produção de dióxido de carbono (VE/VCO2 slope); 8) PC (VO2 pico x PA sistólica pico); e 9) PV (PA sistólica pico dividido pelo VE/VCO2 slope). Resultados: O grupo DAC apresentou valores significativamente menores das seguintes variáveis no pico do exercício: VO2 (p < 0,001), FC (p < 0,001), PA sistólica (p < 0,001), duplo produto (p < 0,001), pulso de oxigênio (p = 0,008), OUES (p < 0,001), PC (p < 0,001) e PV (p < 0,001), e valores significativamente maiores de PA diastólica (p = 0,004) e VE/VCO2 slope (p < 0,001) em relação ao GC. Uma análise de regressão pelo método stepwise mostrou que a PC foi influenciada pelo grupo (R2 = 0,44, p < 0,001) e a PV tanto pelo grupo quanto pelo número de vasos com estenose pós tratamento (efeito de interação: R2 = 0,46, p < 0,001). Conclusion: Os índices da PC e PV foram menores em homens com DAC comparados ao GC, podendo dessa forma ser utilizados na caracterização dessa população. .