ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction: Physicaltherapy in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) acts to decrease pain, increase joint functionality and to promote improvement in quality of life. Objective: To analyze the effect of a structured program of aquatic physiotherapy (AP) on functional capacity (FC) and mobility of elderly people with OA. Methods: Prospective, quantitative and analytical, randomized control study. The sample consisted of 29 patients, aged 60 years or over, diagnosed with OA, randomly allocated to the intervention group (IG), composed of 17 participants who underwent BP for two months, and to the control group (CG) of 12 participants. The primary outcome was measured by the WOMAC instruments and six-minute walk test. As a secondary endpoint, the Timed Up and Go Test measured mobility. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to present the data, with mean and standard deviation values. The comparison between groups for potential confounding factors and in relation to evolution was performed using the non-parametric chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and the Kruskal-Wallis test, and Dunn's test for multiple comparisons. The differences were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results: There was a significant difference in physical and functional parameters related to pain (p < 0.001), stiffness (p < 0.001) physical activity (p < 0.001), distance covered in six minutes (p = 0.001), and mobility (p < 0.001) when comparing IG to CG. Conclusion: The structured AP program effectively contributed to the improvement of FC and mobility of elderly people with knee OA.
Resumo Introdução: A fisioterapia em pacientes com osteoartrite (OA) atua na diminuição da dor, aumento da funcionalidade articular e promove melhora na qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Analisar o efeito de um programa estruturado de fisioterapia aquática (FA) na capacidade funcional (CF) e mobilidade de idosos com OA. Métodos: Estudo de controle prospectivo, quantitativo e analítico, randomizado. A amostra foi composta por 29 pacientes com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos e com diagnóstico de OA alocados aleatoriamente no grupo intervenção, composto por 17 participantes submetidos à PA por dois meses, e no grupo controle de 12 participantes. O desfecho primário foi medido pelos instrumentos WOMAC e teste de caminhada de seis minutos. Como desfecho secundário, o Timed Up and Go Test mediu a mobilidade. Análise estatística descritiva foi utilizada para apresentar os dados, com valores de média e desvio padrão. A comparação entre os grupos para potenciais fatores de confusão e em relação à evolução foi realizada com o teste qui-quadrado não paramétrico, o teste exato de Fisher e o teste de Kruskal-Wallis, e o teste de Dunn para comparações múltiplas. As diferenças foram consideradas estatisticamente significantes quando p < 0,05. Resultados: Observou-se diferença significativa nos parâmetros físicos e funcionais relacionados à dor (p < 0,001), rigidez (p < 0,001) atividade física (p < 0,001), distância percorrida em seis minutos (p = 0,001) e mobilidade (p < 0,001) quando comparado o IG ao GC. Conclusão: O programa estruturado de FA contribuiu efetivamente para a melhoria da CF e mobilidade de idosos com OA de joelho.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Aged , Physical Therapy Modalities , Osteoarthritis, Knee , Aquatic Therapy , Pain , Quality of Life , Walk TestABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We aimed to analyze the effect of a physical therapy protocol on unilateral vestibular hypofunction and overall balance in elderly with vertigo. METHODS: The study included nine subjects, four male subjects (68.5 ± 11.09 years old) and five females (72.4 ± 7.09 years old). It was used the performance-oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), to evaluate the balance and the Unterberger - Fukuda test for analysis of unilateral vestibular dysfunction through rotations and displacements of the body. We developed and applied a structured physical therapy protocol, consisting of group exercises. RESULTS: It was observed that after the protocol, all participants improved balance (33.9 ± 5.1 vs. 47.3 ± 7.6, p < 0.0001) and displacement (111.1 ± 38.0 vs. 53.3 ± 34.6, p = 0.0001). However, it was not found significant differences for rotation. CONCLUSION: The proposed protocol has contributed to an improvement in balance and vestibular dysfunction of the aged.