Is the Pilates method efficient to cause changes in the body composition of healthy individuals? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The Pilates Method has become more popular as an option for physical activity, also among healthy individuals, who seek a better quality of life and also an improve in body composition. This paper is a systematic review of the literature on the effectiveness of Pilates in the body composition of healthy individuals. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was carried out using the PEDro, Cochrane Library, Medline and Pubmed databases; the inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and the final studies were evaluated using the PEDro checklists. To ensure methodological quality, all steps were performed by two examiners and when discrepancies appeared, these were resolved by a third reviewer. RESULTS: Nine studies, published between 2004 and 2019, met the inclusion criteria. Six articles showed some improvement in relation to body composition, such as increased skeletal muscle mass and decrease in body fat mass and of these, when evaluated by the PEDro scale, only one obtained good methodological quality. CONCLUSION: This systematic review shows that the influence of Pilates on the body composition of healthy individuals is still uncertain due to the controversial results and the scarcity of studies with this public. The lack of studies with excellent methodological quality can be considered one of the factors that prevent a statement.

Electroacupuncture reduces weight, skinfold thickness and waist circumference and increases skin temperature of the abdominal region in women: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture, as a complementary and alternative medical treatment, has shown some promise as a therapeutic option for obesity and weight control. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on body weight, body mass index (BMI), skin fold thickness, waist circumference and skin temperature of the abdominal region in non-obese women with excessive abdominal subcutaneous fat. METHODS: A total of 50 women with excessive abdominal subcutaneous fat (and average BMI of 22) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: an EA group (n = 25) receiving 10 EA sessions (insertion of needles connected to an electrical stimulator at a frequency of 40 Hz for 40 min) and a control group (n = 25) that received no treatment. Outcome measures evaluated included waist circumference, supra-iliac and abdominal skinfolds, body composition and superficial skin temperature (measured by cutaneous thermography) before and after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the untreated group, women in the EA group exhibited decreased supra-iliac and abdominal skin folds (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.001), percentage body fat (p = 0.001) and percentage abdominal fat (p < 0.001). In addition, the EA group showed an elevated skin temperature at the site of the treatment. However, EA did not significantly impact body weight (p = 0.01) or BMI (p = 0.2). CONCLUSION: EA promoted a reduction in abdominal waist circumference, supra-iliac and abdominal skin folds, and percentage body and abdominal fat in women of normal BMI with excessive abdominal subcutaneous fat, as well as an increase in the superficial skin temperature of the abdominal region. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: RBR-9tsmpp (Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials).

Validação de um protocolo de auriculoterapia com laser para dor crônica na coluna vertebral / Validación de un protocolo de auriculoterapia láser para el dolor crónico en la columna vertebral / Validation of a laser auriculotherapy protocol for chronic spinal pain

RESUMO Objetivo: validar um protocolo de auriculoterapia com laser para dor crônica na coluna vertebral. Método: estudo metodológico realizado a partir de uma revisão sistemática, baseada no PRISMA Statement; validação de conteúdo por 21 experts e validação clínica do protocolo desenvolvido em pessoas com dor. Resultados: a partir da análise de 13 artigos foi observado o efeito positivo da acupuntura no alívio da dor e foi possível construir o seguinte protocolo: auriculoterapia com laser, em cinco sessões, com a proporção de uma sessão por semana, aplicação bilateral com alternância do pavilhão auricular nos pontos Shenmen, rim, simpático, bexiga, fígado, subcórtex e vértebras cervical, torácica e/ ou lombar, dependendo do local da dor. A avaliação desse conteúdo assumindo nível de concordância de 80% interavaliadores resultou em aprovação de todos os itens do protocolo. Na avaliação clínica, ao ser administrado em pessoas com dor na coluna vertebral, o protocolo desenvolvido demonstrou reduzir a média de dor, aumentar o limiar de tolerância e diminuir o impacto da dor nas atividades de vida diária. Conclusão: a acupuntura auricular, realizada com laser de baixa potência infravermelho no protocolo estudado, provou ser capaz de tratar com efetividade a dor crônica na coluna vertebral.

RESUMEN Objetivo: validar un protocolo de auriculoterapia láser para el dolor crónico en la columna vertebral. Método: estudio metodológico realizado a partir de una revisión sistemática, en base a la declaración PRISMA; validación de contenido por 21 expertos y validación clínica del protocolo de tratamiento en personas con dolor. Resultados: del análisis de 13 artículos se observó el efecto positivo de la acupuntura en el alivio del dolor y se pudo construir el siguiente protocolo: auriculoterapia láser, en cinco sesiones, con una sesión por semana, aplicación bilateral con alternancia de pabellón auricular en los puntos Shen Men, Riñón, Nervio simpático, Vejiga, Hígado, Subcórtex y vértebras cervicales, torácicas y / o lumbares, dependiendo de la localización del dolor. La evaluación de este contenido, asumiendo un nivel de acuerdo del 80% entre evaluadores, resultó en la aprobación de todos los ítems del protocolo. En la evaluación clínica, cuando se administró a personas con dolor en la columna, el protocolo de tratamiento demostró reducir el promedio de dolor, aumentar el umbral de tolerancia y disminuir el impacto del dolor en las actividades de la vida diaria. Conclusión: la acupuntura auricular, realizada con láser infrarrojo de baja potencia en el protocolo estudiado, demostró ser capaz de tratar eficazmente el dolor crónico de columna vertebral.

ABSTRACT Objective: to validate a laser auriculotherapy protocol for chronic spinal pain. Method: methodological study carried from a systematic review based on the PRISMA Statement; content validation carried out by 21 specialists and pilot test with clinical validation of the protocol developed in people with pain. Results: from the analysis of 13 articles, a positive effect of acupuncture on pain relief was noted and it was possible to develop the following protocol: laser auriculotherapy, in 5 sessions, with the proportion of one session a week, bilateral application with alternation of the auricular pavilion at Shenmen points, Kidney, Sympathetic Nervous System, Urinary Bladder, Liver, Subcortex and Cervical, Thoracic and/or Lumbar Vertebrae, depending on the location of the pain. The evaluation of this content, assuming a level of agreement of 80% interobserver, resulted in the approval of all items in the protocol. In the clinical evaluation, when it was administered in people with spinal pain, the protocol developed showed a reduction in the pain average, an improvement in the tolerance threshold and a reduction in the pain impact on daily activities. Conclusion: the auricular acupuncture, carried out using an infrared low-level laser, in the studied protocol, proved to be capable of effectively treating chronic spinal pain.

The photobiomodulation (658, 830 and 904nm) on wound healing in histomorphometric analysis / A fotobiomodulação (658, 830 e 904nm) na cicatrização de feridas na análise histomorfométrica / La fotobiomodulación (658, 830 y 904nm) en la cicatrización de heridas en el análisis histomorfométrico

Abstract Introduction: Photobiomodulation (PBM) assists in the processes of angiogenesis and cellular mitosis after skin lesion, contributing to tissue repair. Objective: to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation (during the proliferative phase) of 658 nm, 830 nm and 904 nm in the repair of skin lesions in an animal model. Method: 658 nm (G658), 830 nm (G830), 904 nm (G904) PBM, and control group (CG) integrated the research. We submitted the animals to an excisional wound and treatment at different wavelengths for 14 days. On the seventh and 14-1485004059th postoperative days, we calculated the area and percentage of lesion contraction. The animals were sacrificed on the 14-1485004056th postoperative day and cutaneous section of the injured region was collected for histomorphometric evaluation of the cellularity, neovascularization, thickness of the epidermis and volume density of collagen fibers colored with H&E and Picross Sirius respectively. For the statistical analysis, we applied the ANOVA test. Results: the G658 presented higher cellularity than GC (p = 0.03). The animals in the G658 group showed a significant increase in the neovascularization in relation to the CG (p = 0.01). Type III collagen significantly increased in G904 compared to G830 (p < 0.0001) and CG (p < 0.0001). The G658 had a significant increase in type III collagen fibers compared to G830 (p < 0.0001) and GC (p < 0.0001). We found no significant difference in the thickness of the epidermis, wound area, and in the percentage wound of contraction between the analyzed groups. Conclusion: PBM was effective to stimulate the tissue repair process, with better results for the 658 nm wavelength.

Resumo Introdução: A Fotobiomodulação (FBM) auxilia nos processos de angiogênese e mitose celular após lesão cutânea, contribuindo para reparo do tecido. Objetivo: investigar os efeitos da fotobiomodulação (durante a fase proliferativa) com comprimento de onda de 658 nm, 830 nm e 904 nm no reparo de lesões cutâneas em modelo animal. Método: FBM 658 nm (G658), 830 nm (G830), 904 nm (G904) e controle (GC) integraram a pesquisa. Os animais foram submetidos a uma ferida excisional e receberam tratamento em diferentes comprimentos de por 14 dias. No 7º e 14º dia pós-operatório, calculou-se a área e a porcentagem de contração da lesão. Os animais foram sacrificados no 14º dia pós-operatório e a secção cutânea da região lesada foi coletada para avaliação histomorfométrica da celularidade, neovascularização, espessura da epiderme e densidade volumétrica das fibras colágenas, corados com H&E e Picross Sirius respectivamente. Para a análise estatística, foi aplicado o teste ANOVA. Resultados: o G658 apresentou maior celularidade que GC (p = 0,03). Os animais do grupo G658 apresentaram aumento significativo da neovascularização em relação ao GC (p = 0,01). Houve aumento significativo do colágeno tipo III no G904 em relação ao G830 (p < 0,0001) e GC (p < 0,0001). O G658 teve um aumento significativo nas fibras colágenas tipo III em comparação ao G830 (p < 0,0001) e GC (p < 0,0001). Nenhuma diferença significativa foi encontrada na espessura da epiderme, área da ferida e na porcentagem de contração da ferida entre os grupos analisados. Conclusão: a PBM foi efetiva para estimular o processo de reparo tecidual, com melhores resultados para o comprimento de onda de 658 nm.

Resumen Introducción: La fotobiomodulación (FBM) auxilia en los procesos de angiogénesis y mitosa celular después de lesión cutánea, contribuyendo para la reparación. Objetivo: investigar los efectos de la fotobiomodulación (durante la fase proliferativa) con longitud de onda de 658 nm, 830 nm y 904 nm en la reparación de lesiones cutáneas en modelo animal. Método: grupos de FBM 658 nm (G658), 830 nm (G830), 904 nm (G904) y control (GC) integraron la investigación. Los animales fueron sometidos a una herida excisional y recibieron tratamiento 14 días. En el 7º y 14º día postoperatorio, se calculó el área y el porcentaje de contracción de la lesión. Los animales fueron sacrificados en el 14º día postoperatorio y la sección cutánea de la región lesada fue recolectada para evaluación histomorfométrica de la celularidad, neovascularización, espesor de la epidermis y densidad volumétrica de las fibras colágenas, colorados con H & E y Picross Sirius respectivamente. Para el análisis estadístico, se aplicó la prueba ANOVA. Resultados: G658 presentó mayor celularidad que GC (p = 0,03). G658 presentaron un aumento significativo de la neovascularización en relación al GC (p = 0,01). Se observó un aumento significativo del colágeno tipo III en el G904 con respecto al G830 (p < 0,0001) y GC (p < 0,0001). El G658 tuvo un aumento significativo en las fibras colágenas tipo III en comparación con el G830 (p < 0,0001) y GC (p < 0,0001). Ninguna diferencia significativa se encontró en el espesor de la epidermis, área de la herida entre los grupos. Conclusión: la PBM fue efectiva para estimular el proceso de reparación del tejido, con mejores resultados para grupo 658 nm.