Hybrid Therapeutic Device (CUHK-OA-M2) for Relieving Symptoms Induced by Knee Osteoarthritis.

The symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) severely affect the life quality of the elderly population. Low-level laser therapy, heat therapy, and massage therapy are widely used as independent treatments for joint disorders. However, there are very limited reports of a combination of these therapies into an integrated device for KOA so far. This study aims to develop a novel hybrid therapeutic device that can meet various requirements for knee therapy. Our hybrid therapeutic device (CUHK-OA-M2) integrated with low-level laser therapy, heat therapy, and local massage therapy can effectively provide patients with KOA with relief from their clinical symptoms. A pilot test of 50 community-dwelling elderly volunteers with KOA was performed. Finally, 43 volunteers completed two treatment periods (30 days each) and two post-treatment periods (30 days each). The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were collected and analyzed after each period. The outputs of the low-level laser, heating, and massage therapies significantly decreased the WOMAC scores in terms of pain, stiffness, function and total WOMAC after two treatment periods (p < 0.05). Although the score increased slightly after the post-treatment period, it was still lower than the baseline, indicating the treatment outcome could last for an extended period. Therefore, our CUHK-OA-M2 device, as an integrated multi-functional hybrid therapeutic device, is therapeutically significant for treating osteoarthritis symptoms on the knee joints of elderly subjects.

Estrategias de intervención en la UCI neonatal: un enfoque fisioterapéutico / Intervention strategies in the neonatal ICU: a physiotherapeutic approach

Resumen El fisioterapeuta a lo largo de su profesión ha ampliado el espectro de intervenciones y escenarios de desempeño, siendo uno de los más recientes el abordaje en la unidad de cuidado intensivo neonatal. Recientemente se han reportado en la literatura diferentes estrategias de intervención con el objetivo de lograr un desarrollo adecuado del neonato, tales como masaje, estimulación kinestésica, educación en el programa madre canguro, y maniobras de tórax. El objetivo del artículo fue revisar la información actual proveniente de la evidencia científica disponible sobre estas diferentes estrategias de intervención aplicadas en la unidad de cuidado intensivo neonatal, por lo que se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de los artículos encontrados entre febrero y agosto del 2019 en las bases de datos PUBMED y SCOPUS. Se obtuvieron 40 artículos que cumplieron los criterios de selección y que se incluyeron en la revisión. Finalmente, se concluye que estas estrategias de intervención fisioterapéutica contribuyen al logro de un desarrollo integral adecuado en el neonato. MÉD.UIS.2021;34(1): 63-72

Abstract The physiotherapist throughout his profession has broadened the spectrum of interventions and performance scenarios, one of the most recent being the approach in the neonatal intensive care unit. Recently, different intervention strategies have been reported in the literature with the aim of achieving adequate development of the newborn, such as massage, kinesthetic stimulation, education in the kangaroo mother program, and chest maneuvers. This article aimed to review the current information from the scientific evidence available on these different intervention strategies in the neonatal intensive care unit, so a bibliographic review of the articles found between February and August 2019 in PUBMED and SCOPUS databases was carried out. 40 articles which met the eligibility criteria were obtained and included in the review. Finally, it is concluded that these physiotherapeutic intervention strategies contribute to the achievement of an adequate integral development in the neonate. MÉD.UIS.2021;34(1): 63-72

[Reactions in the organ of Corti to electrical stimulation : StED technology for detecting changes]. / Reaktionen im Corti-Organ auf elektrische Stimulation : StED-Technologie zum Nachweis von Veränderungen.

Increasing numbers of cochlear implant patients have residual hearing. Despite surgical and pharmacological efforts to preserve residual hearing, a significant number of these patients suffer a late, unexplained loss of residual hearing. Surgical trauma can be excluded as the cause. To investigate this phenomenon and because cells in their native environment react differently to stimuli (such as electrical current) than isolated cells, whole-organ explants from cochleae may be a better model. For early detection of synaptic changes in the organ of Corti, a high-resolution microscopic technique such as stimulated emission depletion (StED) can be used. The aim of this study was establishment of a qualitative and quantitative technique to determinate changes in the organ of Corti and its synapses after electrical stimulation. Explanted organs of Corti from postnatal rats (P2-4) were cultured on a coverslip for 24 h and subsequently exposed to biphasic pulsed electrical stimulation (amplitude 0.44-2.0 mA, pulse width 400 µs, interpulse delay 120 µs, repetition 1 kHz) for another 24 h. For visualization, the cytoskeleton and the ribbon synapses were stained immunocytochemically. For an early detectable response to electrical stimulation, the number of synapses was quantified. Organs of Corti without electrical stimulation served as a reference. Initial research has shown that electrical stimulation can cause changes in ribbon synapses and that StED can detect these alterations. The herein established model could be of great importance for identification of molecular changes in the organ of Corti in response to electrical or other stimuli.

Effect of auditory-motor training on auditory processing of school children / Efeito do treinamento auditivo-motor no processamento auditivo de escolares

ABSTRACT Objective To compare performance in Avaliação Simplificada do Processamento Auditivo Central and Scale of Auditory Behaviors scores before and after auditory and motor training. Methods Sample comprising 162 children aged 9 to 11 years and attending public schools in the city of São Paulo (SP), Brazil; 122 out of 162 children were allocated to one of three experimental groups: Multisensory; Auditory/Motor and Motor/Auditory. Experimental groups were submitted to 8 hours of auditory, visuospatial and motor stimulation over the course of 8 weeks. The remaining 40 children formed the Control Group and received no stimulation. Results Relation between child behavior as perceived by school teachers and auditory test responses revealed that the better the performance in auditory processing assessment, the higher the Scale of Auditory Behaviors scores. Conclusion Auditory and motor training led to improvements in auditory processing skills as rated by Avaliação Simplificada do Processamento Auditivo Central and Scale of Auditory Behaviors; this intervention model proved to be a good tool for use in school settings.

RESUMO Objetivo Comparar as respostas da Avaliação Simplificada do Processamento Auditivo Central às da Scale of Auditory Behaviors antes e depois de um treinamento auditivo e de habilidades motoras. Métodos Participaram 162 escolares de 9 a 11 anos de escola pública municipal da cidade de São Paulo (SP), sendo 122 deles divididos em três grupos experimentais: Multissensorial; Auditivo/Motor e Motor/Auditivo. Eles receberam estimulação auditiva, visuoespacial e motora durante 8 semanas (8 horas). O Grupo Controle, que não recebeu estimulação, foi formado por 40 escolares. Resultados A relação entre a percepção dos professores sobre o comportamento dos alunos e suas respostas em testes auditivos mostrou que quanto melhor o resultado na avaliação do processamento auditivo, melhores os escores da Scale of Auditory Behaviors. Conclusão Após treinamento auditivo e motor, ocorreu melhora significativa das habilidades do processamento auditivo demonstradas pela Avaliação Simplificada do Processamento Auditivo Central e na Scale of Auditory Behaviors, e este modelo de intervenção consistiu em boa ferramenta para uso na escola.

A estimulação russa no fortalecimento da musculatura abdominal / Russian stimulation in strengthening abdominal muscle

INTRODUÇÃO - A flacidez muscular surge com maior frequência nas mulheres, o que causa fator ruim para a estética corporal. OBJETIVO - Analisar os resultados da corrente russa no fortalecimento da musculatura abdominal. MÉTODOS - Revisão bibliográfica com base nas publicações acessíveis pelas seguintes bases de dados: Medline/Pubmed, Scielo, Lilacs com cruzamento dos descritores corrente russa, flacidez, abdômen. O uso da eletroestimulação age tanto sobre as fibras brancas, que respondem pela velocidade, como também sobre as fibras vermelhas dado à sua sustentação, e ainda sobre as fibras intermediárias. CONCLUSÃO - Os dados publicados mostram a satisfação e êxito do tratamento, enfatizando que a corrente russa favorece o aumento da hipertrofia e força muscular.

INTRODUCTION - Muscle weakness appears most often in women, the factor that causes bad esthetics. OBJECTIVE - To analyze the results of the Russian current strengthening the abdominal muscles. METHODS - Literature review based on publications available in the following databases: Medline / Pubmed, Scielo, Lilacs with crossing headings Russian current, sagging, abdomen. The use of electrical stimulation acts both on the white fibers, which account for the speed, but also on the red fibers given their support, and on intermediate fibers. CONCLUSION - The data published show the satisfaction and success of treatment, emphasizing that the Russian current promotes increase of muscle strength and hypertrophy.