Autonomic cardiovascular control recovery in quadriplegics after handcycle training.

The aim of this study was to investigate the cardiovascular autonomic acute response, during recovery after handcycle training, in quadriplegics with spinal cord injury (SCI). [Subjects and Methods] Seven quadriplegics (SCIG -level C6-C7, male, age 28.00 ± 6.97 years) and eight healthy subjects (CG -male, age 25.00 ± 7.38 years) were studied. Their heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed before and after one handcycle training. [Results] After the training, the SCIG showed significantly reduced: intervals between R waves of the electrocardiogram (RR), standard deviation of the NN intervals (SDNN), square root of the mean squares differences of sucessive NN intervals (rMSSD), low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF), and Poincaré plot (standard deviation of short-term HRV -SD1 and standard deviation of long-term HRV -SD2). The SDNN, LF, and SD2 remained decreased during the recovery time. The CG showed significantly reduced: RR, rMSSD, number of pairs of adjacent NN intervals differing by more than 50 ms (pNN50), LF, HF, SD1, and sample entropy (SampEn). Among these parameters, only RR remained decreased during recovery time. Comparisons of the means of HRV parameters evaluated between the CG and SCIG showed that the SCIG had significantly lower pNN50, LF, HF, and SampEn before training, while immediately after training, the SCIG had significantly lower SDNN, LF, HF, and SD2. The rMSSD30s of the SCIG significantly reduced in the windows 180 and 330 seconds and between the windows 300 seconds in the CG. [Conclusion] There was a reduction of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity in the recovery period after the training in both groups; however, the CG showed a higher HRV. The parasympathetic activity also gradually increased after training, and in the SCIG, this activity remained reduced even at three minutes after the end of training, which suggests a deficiency in parasympathetic reactivation in quadriplegics after SCI.

Immediate effects of low-intensity laser (808 nm) on fatigue and strength of spastic muscle.

The cerebrovascular accident (CVA), high-impact disease II, affects the basic functions of the limbs, leading to changes of sensory, language, and motor functions. The search for resources that minimize the damage caused by this disease grows every day. The clinical use of low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) has provided major breakthroughs in the treatment of muscular disorders and prevention of muscle fatigue. Thus, the objective of the present study is to analyze the answers and immediate adaptations of the rectus femoris and vastus medialis of spastic hemiparetic patients, facing the increase in peak torque and triggering muscle fatigue, after application of LILT. Double-blind clinical trials were conducted with 15 volunteers post-CVA with spasticity, of both genders, between 40 and 80 years old. To this end, the volunteers went through three consecutive stages of rating (control, placebo, and laser). All performed tests of isometric contraction on the patient's hemiparetic side. Significant differences were observed with regard to the increase in muscle performance (p = 0.0043) and the reduction in blood lactate concentration (p < 0.0001) of the post-LILT muscles. The LILT (diode laser, l100 mW 808 nm, 4.77 J/cm(2)/point, 40 s/AP) can be employed during and after spastic muscle-strengthening exercises, contributing to the improvement of motor function of the patient. After application of LILT, we found increased torque as well as decreased in lactate level in patients with spasticity.

Resistência ao movimento e atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos flexores e extensores de cotovelo em pacientes hemiparéticos espásticos submetidos à crioterapia e estimulação elétrica neuromuscular / Resistance to movement and electromyographic activity of the elbow flexor and extensor muscles in spastic hemiparetic patients following cryotherapy and electrical stimulation

A espasticidade quase sempre coexiste a um Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE), devido à lesão do motoneurônio superior, provocando um impacto nas atividades da vida diária e na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Por esse motivo é de suma importância o controle do tônus muscular, que pode ser alcançado por meio de recursos fisioterapêuticos, como a crioterapia e a Estimulação Elétrica Neuromuscular (EENM). Como demonstrado em diversas pesquisas na área, esses recursos são vantajosos pelos efeitos fisiológicos que proporcionam, porém, são insuficientes os trabalhos científicos que forneçam embasamento para o tratamento da espasticidade dos membros superiores e, evidenciem o tempo de duração dos efeitos fisiológicos após aplicação desses recursos. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho vem contribuir para o estabelecimento de protocolo de aplicação de crioterapia e EENM em indivíduos portadores de hemiparesia espástica e, informar a duração dos efeitos após submissão às terapias, por meio da análise da resistência ao movimento dos músculos flexores e extensores de cotovelo antes, depois, 10, 20 e 30 minutos após a aplicação de crioterapia e EENM. Participaram do estudo 15 pacientes com diagnóstico de AVE e diagnóstico fisioterapêutico de hemiparesia espástica, de ambos os sexos, com idade média de 56 ± 16 anos. A avaliação foi realizada antes e após a terapia, e nos instantes de 10, 20 e 30 minutos após o término de sua aplicação, e consistiu na captação da atividade eletromiográfica por meio da Eletromiografia (EMG) de superfície e da resistência ao movimento por meio do Dinamômetro Isocinético, no modo passivo nas velocidades angulares de 30 º/s e 150 º/s. Embora não estatisticamente significativos (p < 0,05) os resultados evidenciam uma redução da resistência à movimentação passiva dos flexores e extensores de cotovelo após a aplicação de crioterapia e EENM, comprovando a eficácia dos recursos fisioterapêuticos na redução da resistência à movimentação passiva de indivíduos hemiparéticos espásticos, embora, apresentem efeitos diferentes com relação ao tempo.

Spasticity often coexists with stroke due to an upper motor neuron lesion, which impacts the patient's quality of life. Therefore, the control of muscle tone through physical therapy such as cryotherapy and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) is extremely important. Several studies have demonstrated their advantageous physiological effects. However, these studies have not provided sufficient scientific proof for the treatment of upper limb spasticity and the duration of the physiological effects after the therapy. Therefore, this work helps to establish an application protocol for cryotherapy and NMES in individuals with spastic hemiparesis. The resistance to movement of the elbow flexor and extensor muscles before and after application of cryotherapy and NMES was used to determine the effect of the therapies. The study included 15 stroke patients that required physical therapy for spastic hemiparesis. They included both sexes, mean age of 56 ± 16. An evaluation was performed before and after therapy, as well as 10, 20, and 30 minutes following the application, by means of surface electromyography (EMG). The resistance to movement was measured with an Isokinetic Dynamometer in the passive mode at an angular velocity of 30 and 150 º/s. Although not statistically significant (p < 0.05), the results showed a reduced resistance to passive movement of the elbow flexors and extensors after cryotherapy and NMES, allowing us to conclude that physical therapy effectively reduces the resistance to passive movement in spastic hemiparetic patients, however, they have different effects with respect to time.