Analysis of strength and electromyographic activity of lower limbs of individuals with down syndrome assisted in physiotherapy and hippotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: one of the characteristics of Down Syndrome (DS) is muscle hypotonia. Different therapeutic approaches have a positive influence, between them Physiotherapy applications with different therapeutic approaches such as Hippotherapy have a positive effect on the physical health and quality of live of individuals with DS. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effects of both treatments on the strength and electromyographic activity of the lower limbs of children and adolescents with DS. METHODS: fourteen individuals, aged between 10 and 18 years, participated in two groups: Physiotherapy group (n = 5) and Hippotherapy group (n = 9). Thirty interventions were performed for each type of therapy, once a week, lasting 30 min. Pre and post-interventions, the 30-Second Chair Stand Test (30s-CST) was used to assess the strength of the lower limbs and the surface electromyography equipment (EMG 800RF) to assess the lower limb myoelectric activity. RESULTS: there was a reduction in the post-intervention electromyographic values for both treatments (p˂0.001), with significantly less myoelectric activity in Hippotherapy compared to Physiotherapy for all evaluated muscles (p˂0.001) and a significant increase in muscle strength for the Hippotherapy, post-intervention group (p = 0.0007). CONCLUSION: Physiotherapy and Hippotherapy are interventions that promote positive changes in the myoelectric activities of individuals with DS. However, only hippotherapy promoted an increase in strength of the lower limbs.

Effect of dry needling and instrumental myofascial release on masticatory, facial, and cervical muscles of patients with temporomandibular disorders of muscular origin.

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of dry needling (DN) and instrumental myofascial release (IMR) therapies in the cervico-cranio-mandibular system through pain, bite force, and distribution of occlusal contacts in patients with muscular temporomandibular disorders. Material and Methods: Thirty patients were divided into treatment groups: DN (n=15) and IMR (n=15). Therapeutic efficacy regarding pain perception and tolerance of masticatory, facial, and cervical muscles, bite force, and distribution of occlusal contacts were analyzed in this observational longitudinal clinical study pre/post-intervention and pre/post one month of therapeutic intervention. The data were tabulated and statistically analyzed (repeated measures and Bonferroni post-hoc test, p<0.05). Results: There was a statistically significant difference in pain between the groups in the comparison of pre- and post-intervention with effect on time versus intervention in the head and neck. Pain perception and tolerance showed a statistical effect of time on the temporal, suboccipital, sternocleidomastoid, mental (right and left), right masseter, and left trapezius muscles. There was a statistically significant effect of the intervention on the mentalis, supraorbital, and infraorbital (right and left) muscles. There was a statistically significant effect of the interaction on the upper masseter (right and left), anterior temporal (left), suboccipital, sternocleidomastoid, and mentalis (left) muscles. There was an increase in post-intervention molar bite force in the groups, with a statistical effect on time versus intervention in the right and left regions. Contact of occlusal forces at the maxilla/mandible interface showed a difference between the mean times on teeth 26-36 after versus 1 month after the intervention. Conclusions: The two therapeutic techniques are viable for the treatment of muscular temporomandibular disorders; however, IMR proved to be more effective immediately after the intervention and after one month. Key words:Temporomandibular disorders, pain, masticatory muscles, facial muscles, cervical muscles, dry needling, instrumental myofascial release.

Impact of equine assisted therapy on the cardiovascular parameters of the elderly / Impacto da terapia assistida por equinos nos parâmetros cardiovasculares de idosos

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity programs in the elderly aim to prevent and/or reduce the functional decline resulting from the senescence process. Several studies provide evidence that Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) is an effective means of improving health. However, studies addressing the effects of EATon the cardiovascular system are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Equine Assisted Therapyon the cardiovascular responses of participants divided into two groups: normotensive and hypertensive. METHODS: Twenty individuals participated, aged between 60 and 79 years, divided into three groups: Normotensive Group (n=14), Hypertensive Group (n=6) and all participants, Total Group (n=20). The Omron® HEM 742 blood pressure monitor was used to measure blood pressure and the Gerathem® portable finger oximeter to measure heart rate and blood oxygen saturation. Ten visits were made once a week, lasting 30 minutes. RESULTS: Between the first and tenth interventions, there was a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate, with statistical significance of systolic blood pressure for the Hypertensive Group (p=0.0478), the Total Group (p=0.0201) and diastolic pressure for the Total Group (p=0.0421). There was also a statistically significant difference in systolic blood pressure and heart rate during some visits. Blood oxygen saturation increased after the intervention, but without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Equine Assisted Therapy can promote a reduction in blood pressure in the elderly, especially hypertensive individuals.

INTRODUÇÃO: Programas de atividade física em idosos visam prevenir e/ou reduzir o declínio funcional decorrente do processo de senescência. Vários estudos fornecem evidências de que a Terapia Assistida por Equinos (TAE) é um meio eficaz de melhorar a saúde. No entanto, estudos que abordam os efeitos da TAE no sistema cardiovascular são escassos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito da Terapia Assistida por Eqüinos nas respostas cardiovasculares dos participantes dividos em dois grupos: normotensos e hipertensos. MÉTODOS: Participaram 20 indivíduos, com idade entre 60 a 79 anos, distribuídos em três Grupos: Grupo Normotenso (n=14), Grupo Hipertenso (n=6) e todos os participantes, Grupo Total (n=20). Foi utilizado o monitor de pressão arterial Omron® HEM 742 para aferir a pressão arterial e o oxímetro de dedo portátil Gerathem® para medir a freqüência cardíaca e a saturação de oxigênio no sangue. Foram realizados dez atendimentos uma vez por semana, com duração de 30 minutos. RESULTADOS: Entre a primeira e décima intervenção, houve redução da pressão arterial e da frequência cardíaca, com significância estatística da pressão arterial sistólica para o Grupo Hipertenso (p=0,0478), o Grupo Total (p=0,0201) e da pressão diastólica para o Grupo Total (p=0,0421). Também houve diferença estatisticamente significante da pressão arterial sistólica e da frequência cardíaca durante alguns atendimentos. A saturação de oxigênio no sangue aumentou após a intervenção, porém sem significância estatística. CONCLUSÃO: A Terapia Assistida por Eqüinos pode promover redução da pressão arterial em idosos, principlamente de hipertensos.

Electromyographic analysis of stomatognathic muscles in elderly after hippotherapy.

The aging process affects the entire human body, including the stomatognathic system, and can trigger not only occlusal but also postural imbalances involving other muscular chains. Hippotherapy has been used to promote cervical, postural, and balance control in individuals with diverse impairments. The present study used electromyography to evaluate the masseter and temporal muscles in an elderly population pre- and post-hippotherapy. Participants included 17 individuals, mean age 66,5±7 years. Electromyographic recording of the bilateral masseter and temporal muscles was performed during the postural resting condition and activities that involved the active participation of these muscles in different conditions. The practitioner performed no other type of activity or exercise during the intervention because the objective is to evaluate the effect of the three-dimensional movement provided by the horse. Raw electromyographic data were tabulated using commercially available software (IBM® SPSS® Statistics 234.0) and subjected to statistical analysis, in which p ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Post-hippotherapy, there was lower electromyographic activity for the masseter and temporalis muscles in all the static mandibular tasks, with significant effect for time for the right temporal muscle (p = 0.038), the left temporal muscle (p = 0.028) and in the all dynamic mandibular tasks for the left temporal muscle (p = 0.025) and the left masseter muscle (p = 0.027). Hippotherapy promotes a reduction in the myoelectric activity of the masticatory muscles of elderly individuals.

Impact of hippotherapy for balance improvement and flexibility in elderly people.

INTRODUCTION: The decrease in functional ability, strength, balance, flexibility, agility, and coordination owing to neurological and muscular changes is one of the characteristic features of the human aging process. Hippotherapy has been highlighted as a therapeutic approach with physical and psychological benefits for this section of the population. However, the effects of hippotherapy in elderly people need to be further studied by assessing their balance and flexibility. METHODS: Thirty elderly people were recruited and divided into two groups; 15 in the Hippotherapy Group (HG), and 15 in the control group (CG) (aged 66.07 ±â€¯5.80 and 68.47 ±â€¯5.85 years, respectively). The HG received ten 30-min sessions of hippotherapy once a week. Assessment included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), the Functional Reach Test (FRT)and the Sit-and-Reach Test with the Well's box before the first and after the tenth session of hippotherapy; and the Sit-and-Reach Test before and after each session. RESULTS: The HG demonstrated a significant difference in the TUG test execution time and the FRT scores before and after the hippotherapy sessions (p = 0.036, p = 0.030, respectively), indicating an improvement in functional range. The examination of flexibility with the Wells's box also revealed a significant difference in the rates (cm) before and after 10 sessions of the hippotherapy for the HG (p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings showthat hippotherapy improved elderly people's functional mobility, dynamic balance, and flexibility. These results will guide professionals who treat this population.

Influence of green tea extract with different concentrations of epigallocatechin gallate on calvaria bone repair of ovariectomized rats / Influencia del extracto de té verde con diferentes concentraciones de galato de epigalocatequina sobre la reparación ósea de calvaria de ratas ovariectomizadas

Impairing osteoporosis progression is a challenge, and recently the role of antioxidants has been associated to bone metabolism. Green tea extract is rich in catechins, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which may help control osteoporosis damage in bone tissue. This investigation evaluated the efficacy of green tea ingestion containing different concentrations of EGCG in calvaria bone repair of ovariectomized rats. Wistar rats (n=15) were ovariectomized and divided into 3 groups: ovariectomized (OVX), ovariectomized + GTE 15 % EGCG (OVX/GTE15), and ovariectomized + GTE 94 % EGCG (OVX/GTE94). Green tea extract was administered by gavage in the concentration of 50 mg/kg and sham group (n=5) received water. Bone defects were performed in the calvaria 60 days after ovariectomy followed by 4 weeks until euthanasia. Bone samples were collected to perform qualitative and quantitative histological analysis of bone formation. Data obtained were submitted to normality and ANOVA statistical test for p<0.05. The mean values of neoformed bone for Sham, OVX, OVX/GTE15 and OVX/GTE94 were respectively: 21.11 ± 3.91; 19.92 ± 2.20; 33.05 ± 1.26 e 34.75 ± 0.54 (p<0.05). Results show that continuous ingestion of green tea extract immediately after ovariectomy shows positive effects in the prevention of bone loss in osteoporosis, even with low concentrations of EGCG.

La disminución en la progresión de la osteoporosis es un desafío, y recientemente el papel de los antioxidantes se ha asociado al metabolismo óseo. El extracto de té verde es rico en catequinas, especialmente el galato de epigalocatequina (EGCG), lo que puede ayudar a controlar el daño de la osteoporosis en el tejido óseo. Esta investigación evaluó la eficacia de la ingesta de té verde con diferentes concentraciones de EGCG en la reparación ósea de calvaria de ratas ovariectomizadas. Las ratas Wistar (n = 15) fueron ovariectomizadas y divididas en 3 grupos: ovariectomizadas (OVX), ovariectomizadas + GTE 15 % EGCG (OVX / GTE15), y ovariectomizadas + GTE 94 % EGCG (OVX / GTE94). El extracto de té verde se administró por sonda en una concentración de 50 mg/kg y el grupo simulado (n = 5) recibió agua. Los defectos óseos se realizaron en la calvaria 60 días después de la ovariectomía, seguido de 4 semanas hasta la eutanasia. Se obtuvieron muestras de hueso para realizar un análisis histológico cualitativo y cuantitativo de la formación ósea. Los datos obtenidos se sometieron a normalidad y prueba estadística ANOVA (p<0,05). Los valores medios de hueso neoformado para Sham, OVX, OVX / GTE15 y OVX / GTE94 fueron: 21,11 ± 3,91; 19,92 ± 2,20; 33,05 ± 1,26 y 34,75 ± 0,54 (p <0,05), respectivamente. Los resultados muestran que la ingesta continua de extracto de té verde, inmediatamente después de la ovariectomía, muestra efectos positivos en la prevención de la pérdida ósea ocurrida en la osteoporosis, incluso con concentraciones bajas de EGCG.

Analysis of the electromiographic activity of lower limb and motor function in hippotherapy practitioners with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: Investigation of the effects of hippotherapy treatment on lower limb muscle activity and gross motor function in subjects with cerebral palsy (CP), comparing them to a group of subjects with adequate motor development. METHODS: Evaluation was made of seven individuals with spastic diparetic CP, average age 9.3 (±3.3) years (CP group), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I and II, and eight individuals with adequate motor development, average age 10.9 (±3.2) years (control group). The groups were submitted to 25 sessions of hippotherapy, each lasting 30 min, on a weekly basis, and the muscle activity of the lower limbs was evaluated using surface electromyography during the 1st, 10th, 20th, and 25th sessions. For the CP group, Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM-88) was performed before and after hippotherapy treatment. RESULTS: There was higher muscle activity in the 10th session, compared to the other sessions, with greater activity of the tibialis anterior muscles, for both groups studied. After treatment, the CP group showed significant improvement in the GMFM total score, and in the scores for dimensions D and E. CONCLUSION: Hippotherapy sessions improved the muscle responses in both groups, and improved the gross motor function of the subjects with CP.