Physiotherapeutic approach in seamstresses with neck pain: A single-blind, randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate and compare the effects of therapeutic exercise, therapeutic ultrasound and photobiomodulation on pain, functionality and recruitment pattern of motor units, after a rehabilitation protocol for seamstresses with neck pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All 36 female, randomly divided into three groups; i)exercise control group, ii)exercise and photobiomodulation group, iii)exercise and ultrasound group. The groups were composed of sewing machine operators with complaints neck pain. Clinical evaluations: Visual analog pain scale, questionnaires Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and electromyographic evaluations of the sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles. All variables were compared before and after the protocol. For statistical analysis, the values of mean, standard deviation and standard error of the mean were used. The values obtained were compared using the One-Way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey, and Cohen's-d, with a significance coefficient of p < 0.05. RESULTS: In the Ultrasound and laser groups there was a greater tendency to improve pain (p < 0.0001) and size of the effect on pain reduction (ultrasound = d:1.99; photobiomodulation = d:1.81). Between groups, there was a significant difference in post-treatment for the onset of right trapezius (p = 0.024) in the exercise and photobiomodulation groups (p = 0.0347). The photobiomodulation group showed pre and post-intervention differences in the left trapezius maximum onset (p = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Interventions with photobiomodulation, ultrasound, and exercise assist to pain, function, and muscular activation in seamstresses with neck pain.

Comparison of photobiomodulation in the treatment of skin injury with an open wound in mice.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation at a wavelength of 660 and 830 nm at different numbers of application points in the healing of open wounds in mice. In total, 120 mice were divided into 10 groups. The animals were submitted to cutaneous lesion of the open wound type (1.5 × 1.5 cm). Photobiomodulation at a wavelength of 660 and 830 nm and total energy of 3.6 J were used, applied at 1, 4, 5, and 9 points, for 14 days. The animals were subjected to analysis of the lesion area, skin temperature, and histological analysis. Macroscopic analysis results showed a difference (p < 0.05) between the irradiated groups and the sham group at 14 days PO. There was no statistical difference in skin temperature. Histological analysis findings showed better results for the epidermis thickness. Regarding the number of blood vessels, a difference was found between the 1- and 5-point 830-nm photobiomodulation groups and between the 4-point 660-nm group and the naive group. A significant difference in the number of fibroblasts was observed between the 830- and 660-nm photobiomodulation groups and the naive and sham groups. When comparing photobiomodulation wavelength, the 830-nm groups were more effective, and we emphasize the groups irradiated at 5 points, which showed an improvement in macroscopic analysis and epidermis thickness, an increase in the number of vessels, and a lower number of fibroblasts on the 14th day after skin injury.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage in Blood Circulation of Upper Limb With Lymphedema After Breast Cancer Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess blood flow after manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in women who had received surgery for breast cancer and had post-axillary lymphadenectomy lymphedema. METHODS: Sixteen volunteers (mean age 64 ± 11.44 years) were divided into 2 groups. Those in group 1 received MLD without upper limb elevation, and those in group 2 received MLD with elevation of 30° of the upper limb. Blood flow velocity of the brachial vein and artery were measured using Doppler ultrasound before, immediately after, and 30 minutes after MLD, with and without 30° of upper limb elevation as defined by a random crossover design and an interval (washout) of 7 days. Comparison of data before and after MLD was evaluated by the Friedman test. RESULTS: There was a significant increase of blood flow velocity in the brachial vein after the therapeutic procedure with upper limb elevation. However, after 30 minutes the data returned to the pretreatment value. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study indicated that MLD promoted increased brachial vein velocity flow in the short term.

Photobiomodulation laser and pulsed electrical field increase the viability of the musculocutaneous flap in diabetic rats.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of pulsed electrical field (PEF) and photobiomodulation laser (PBM) on the viability of the TRAM flap in diabetic rats. Fifty Wistar rats were divided into five homogeneous groups: Group 1-control; Group 2-diabetics; Group 3-diabetics + PEF; Group 4-diabetic + laser 660 nm, 10 J/cm2, 0.27 J; Group 5-diabetic + laser 660 nm, 140 J/cm2, 3.9 J. The percentage of necrotic area was evaluated using software Image J®. The peripheral circulation of the flap was evaluated by infrared thermography FLIR T450sc (FLIR® Systems-Oregon USA). The thickness of the epidermis (haematoxylin-eosin), mast cell (toluidine blue), leukocytes, vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast and newly formed blood vessels were evaluated. For the statistical analysis, the Kruskal-Wallis test was applied followed by Dunn and ANOVA test followed by Tukey with critical level of 5% (p < 0.05). The PEF reduced the area of necrosis, decreased the leukocytes, increased the mast cells, increased the thickness of epidermis and increased newly formed blood vessels when it was compared to the untreated diabetic group of animals. Laser 660 nm, fluence 140 J/cm2 (3.9 J) showed better results than the 10 J/cm2 (0.27 J) related to reduction of the area of necrosis and the number of leukocytes, increased mast cells, increased thickness of the epidermis, increased vascular endothelial growth factor, increased fibroblast growth factor and increase of newly formed blood vessels in diabetic animals. The laser and pulsed electrical field increase the viability of the musculocutaneous flap in diabetic rats.

Laser photobiomodulation (830 and 660 nm) in mast cells, VEGF, FGF, and CD34 of the musculocutaneous flap in rats submitted to nicotine.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of laser photobiomodulation (PBM) on the viability of the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap in rats subjected to the action of nicotine. We evaluated 60 albino Wistar rats, divided into six groups of ten animals. Group 1 (saline) underwent the surgical technique to obtain a TRAM flap; group 2 (laser 830 nm) underwent the surgical technique and was irradiated with a laser 830 nm; group 3 (laser 660 nm) underwent the surgical technique and was irradiated with a laser 660 nm; group 4 was treated with nicotine subcutaneously (2 mg/kg/2×/day/4 weeks) and underwent surgery; group 5 (nicotine + laser 830 nm) was exposed to nicotine, underwent the surgical technique, and was irradiated with a laser 830 nm; group 6 (nicotine + laser 660 nm) was exposed to nicotine, underwent the surgical technique, and was irradiated with a laser 660 nm. The application of PBM occurred immediately after surgery and on the two following days. The percentage of necrosis was assessed using the AxioVision® software. The number of mast cells (toluidine blue staining) was evaluated, and immunohistochemistry was performed to detect vascular endothelial growth factor expression (anti-VEGF-A), fibroblasts (anti-basic FGF), and neoformed vessels (anti-CD34). PBM with a wavelength of 830 nm increased the viability of the TRAM flap, with a smaller area of necrosis, increased number of mast cells, and higher expression of VEGF and CD34. PBM increases the viability of musculocutaneous flaps treated with to nicotine.

Low-level laser therapy on the viability of skin flap in rats subjected to deleterious effect of nicotine.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 830-nm laser in blocking the action of nicotine on the viability of skin flap. BACKGROUND DATA: The authors have analyzed the deleterious effect of cigarette smoke or nicotine on the skin flap alone with evidence of increased skin necrosis in the flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar-albino rats were divided into three groups of eight animals each: Group 1 (control), subjected to a surgical technique to obtain a flap for cranial base, laser irradiation simulation, and a subcutaneous injection of saline; Group 2, similar to Group 1, with subcutaneous injection of nicotine (2 mg/kg/day) for a period of 1 week before and 1 week after surgery; and Group 3, similar to Group 2, with skin flaps subjected to a λ 830-nm laser irradiation. The laser parameters used were: power 30 mW, beam area 0.07 cm(2), irradiance 429 mW/cm(2), irradiation time 84 sec, total energy 2.52 J, and energy density 36 J/cm(2). The laser was used immediately after surgery and for 4 consecutive days, in one point at 2.5 cm of the flap cranial base. The areas of necrosis were examined by two macroscopic analyses: paper template and Mini-Mop(®). The pervious blood vessels were also counted. RESULTS: The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA and post-test contrast orthogonal method (multiple comparisons), showing that the laser decreased the area of necrosis in flaps subjected to nicotine, and consequently, increased the number of blood vessels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The laser proved to be an effective way to decrease the area of necrosis in rats subjected to nicotine, making them similar to the control group.