Correlation between MOVA3D, a Monocular Movement Analysis System, and Qualisys Track Manager (QTM) during Lower Limb Movements in Healthy Adults: A Preliminary Study.

New technologies based on virtual reality and augmented reality offer promising perspectives in an attempt to increase the assessment of human kinematics. The aim of this work was to develop a markerless 3D motion analysis capture system (MOVA3D) and to test it versus Qualisys Track Manager (QTM). A digital camera was used to capture the data, and proprietary software capable of automatically inferring the joint centers in 3D and performing the angular kinematic calculations of interest was developed for such analysis. In the experiment, 10 subjects (22 to 50 years old), 5 men and 5 women, with a body mass index between 18.5 and 29.9 kg/m2, performed squatting, hip flexion, and abduction movements, and both systems measured the hip abduction/adduction angle and hip flexion/extension, simultaneously. The mean value of the difference between the QTM system and the MOVA3D system for all frames for each joint angle was analyzed with Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). The MOVA3D system reached good (above 0.75) or excellent (above 0.90) correlations in 6 out of 8 variables. The average error remained below 12° in only 20 out of 24 variables analyzed. The MOVA3D system is therefore promising for use in telerehabilitation or other applications where this level of error is acceptable. Future studies should continue to validate the MOVA3D as updated versions of their software are developed.

Fortalecimento do quadríceps através do método Kaatsu Training em mulheres com dor femoropatelar / Fortalecimiento del cuádriceps con el método kaatsu training en mujeres con dolor patelofemoral / Quadriceps strengthening by the Kaatsu Training method in women with patellofemoral pain

RESUMO Este é um estudo transversal, comparativo e randomizado, cujo objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos da técnica de oclusão vascular parcial (Kaatsu Training) associada a exercícios de baixa carga no fortalecimento muscular de quadríceps em mulheres com dor femoropatelar. Foram avaliadas 18 mulheres com dor femoropatelar, com idade entre 18 e 35 anos, que foram alocadas em dois grupos. O grupo experimental realizou fortalecimento com redução do fluxo sanguíneo por meio de um esfigmomanômetro, associado com baixa carga (≅20% RM). Enquanto o grupo-controle realizou exercícios com a mesma carga, porém sem redução do fluxo sanguíneo. O tratamento foi realizado três vezes na semana, em um período de seis semanas, totalizando 18 sessões. Para avaliação foram utilizadas a escala numérica de avaliação da dor (NPRS) e o questionário anterior knee pain scale (AKPS); a força muscular de extensores do joelho foi avaliada através do dinamômetro digital. Os resultados mostraram que a técnica de oclusão vascular parcial provocou melhorias significativas nos valores de ganho de força do quadríceps no membro direito, 6,22kg (p=0,03), e esquerdo, 6,98kg (p=0,04), em mulheres com dor femoropatelar. Portanto, treinamento com oclusão vascular parcial pode ser uma alternativa útil para ganho de força da musculatura extensora do joelho em mulheres com dor femoropatelar que, devido à dor, tenham baixa tolerância a exercícios de alta carga para fortalecimento muscular, sendo uma técnica eficaz, segura e com boa relação de custo-benefício, não necessitando a compra de uma cadeira extensora, uma vez que utilizando um manguito é possível obter resultados significativos associados a exercícios de baixa carga.

RESUMEN Se trata de un estudio transversal, comparativo y aleatorizado. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los efectos de la técnica de oclusión vascular parcial (kaatsu training) asociada a ejercicios de baja carga en el fortalecimiento del músculo cuádriceps de mujeres con dolor patelofemoral. Participaron dieciocho mujeres con dolor patelofemoral, con edades entre 18 y 35 años, las cuales fueron divididas en dos grupos. El grupo experimental realizó fortalecimiento con restricción del flujo sanguíneo mediante un esfigmomanómetro asociado a baja carga (≅20% RM). Mientras tanto el grupo control realizó ejercicios con la misma carga, pero sin restricción del flujo sanguíneo. El tratamiento se aplicó tres veces por semana, durante seis semanas, en total fueron 18 sesiones. Para la evaluación se utilizaron la escala numérica de calificación del dolor (NPRS) y la anterior knee pain scale (AKPS); para estimar la fuerza muscular de los extensores de la rodilla se aplicó el dinamómetro digital. Los resultados mostraron que la técnica de oclusión vascular parcial resultó en mejoras significativas en los valores de ganancia de fuerza del cuádriceps en el miembro derecho, 6,22kg (P=0,03), e izquierdo, 6,98kg (P=0,04), en mujeres con dolor patelofemoral. Por lo tanto, el entrenamiento con oclusión vascular parcial puede ser una alternativa útil para ganar fuerza en los músculos extensores de la rodilla en mujeres con dolor patelofemoral que, debido al dolor, tienen baja tolerancia a los ejercicios de alta carga para el fortalecimiento muscular, lo que muestra ser una técnica eficaz, segura y con buen costo-beneficio, y no necesita para esto la compra de una silla extensible, ya que con un manguito es posible obtener resultados significativos asociados con ejercicios de baja carga.

ABSTRACT This is a cross-sectional, comparative, and randomized study aimed to evaluate the effects of the partial vascular occlusion technique (Kaatsu Training) associated with low load exercises in the muscle strengthening of quadriceps in women with patellofemoral pain. We evaluated 18 women with patellofemoral pain, aged from 18 to 35 years, allocated into two groups. The experimental group performed the strengthening with blood flow reduction with the aid of a sphygmomanometer, associated with low load (≅20% RM). Whereas the control group performed exercises with the same load, but without blood flow reduction. The treatment was performed three times a week for six weeks, totaling 18 sessions. We used the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) and the anterior knee pain scale (AKPS) questionnaire for evaluation; we evaluated the muscle strength of knee extensors by the digital dynamometer. The results showed that the partial vascular occlusion technique significantly improved the values of quadriceps strength gain in the right, 6.22kg (p=0.03) and left limb, 6.98kg (p=0.04), in women with patellofemoral pain. Therefore, training with partial vascular occlusion can be useful for strengthening of the knee extensor musculature in women with patellofemoral pain who, because of the pain, have low tolerance to high load exercises for muscle strengthening. An effective, safe and cost-effective technique, which does not require an investment in a leg extension machine, since, with a cuff, low load exercises can offer significant results.

Assessment of measurement properties of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the low back activity confidence scale (LoBACS) in patients with chronic low back pain.

The Low Back Activity Confidence Scale (LoBACS) assesses the self-efficacy to perform activities in individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP). As self-efficacy appears to directly influence the patient's functional capacity and prognosis, it is important to develop a scale that evaluates this attribute to guide treatment strategy and monitor the clinical course of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability, construct validity, and responsiveness of the Brazilian version of the LoBACS. The scale was applied to 112 male and female patients (age, 18-65 years) with specific and nonspecific CLBP. For evaluating the interobserver reliability, the scale was applied twice on the first evaluation day by two trained evaluators (A and B). Within 48-72 h of the first evaluation, assessor A reapplied the scale to evaluate intraobserver reliability (test-retest), which was analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The first LoBACS applied in the baseline evaluation was also used to assess the construct validity of the scale by factor analysis. For responsiveness, the scale was applied 5 times at 2-week intervals and the change in scores was analyzed by the repeated measures ANOVA. Although factor analysis indicated three subscales, they did not present acceptable values of convergent and divergent validity. Reliability ranged from good to excellent, with ICC values of .90 (95% CI, .84; .93) and .85 (95% CI, .77; .91) for inter- and intraobserver variability for total score. Moreover, the total score was responsive in all comparisons, with no floor or ceiling effects. Thus, only the total score of the Brazilian version of LoBACS proved to be reliable, valid, and responsive.

Posturography Comparison and Discriminant Analysis Between Individuals With and Without Chronic Low Back Pain.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to evaluate the center of pressure (CoP) in individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP) compared with matched controls and perform discriminant analysis to detect which CoP variables differentiate the groups. METHODS: Thirty-two participants with LBP and 33 matched controls were evaluated on a force plate in a bipedal static position for 30 seconds in 2 conditions: eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC). Two discriminant analyzes were performed to detect which CoP variables could discriminate between groups. RESULTS: Those with LBP had higher values (ie, poorer balance) for most variables compared with the control group. With EO, total displacement of sway (TDS) was as follows: LBP group (median [25%-75%]) 31.77 (26.39-41.79) cm, control group 27.21 (22.29-31.78) cm, P = .008 and area: LBP group 3.31 (2.33-4.68) cm2, control group 1.77 (1.3-2.71) cm2. With EC, TDS was as follows: LBP group 49.6 (39.65-68.15) cm, control group 38.77 (30.36; 45.65) cm, P = .003 and area: LBP group 4.68 (2.6-7.28) cm2, control group 2.4 (2.1-3.34) cm2. The discriminating variables in the EO condition were the TDS for the LBP group and the anteroposterior mean velocity for the control group, while in the EC condition they were mediolateral dispersion and area for the LBP group. CONCLUSION: Individuals with chronic LBP had worse postural control performance than matched controls, and it is possible to characterize those with and without LBP with CoP variables.

Effects of the serjania erecta and zeyheria montana ethanol extracts in experimental pulpitis in rats: a histological study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate, by the semi-quantitative histological analysis, the anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extracts of Serjania erecta e Zeyheria Montana, in experimental pulpits in rats. STUDY DESIGN: In order to induce pulp inflammation, cavities were performed on the occlusal surface of the mandibular first molars of 45 male rats, without pulp exposure. The animals were distributed into 4 groups: GI, teeth without cavities; GII, single dose of saline solution via intraperitoneal (IP); GIII, single dose (IP) of 300 mg/Kg of ethanolic extract of Zeyheria montana; GIV, single dose (IP) of 300 mg/Kg of ethanolic extract of Serjania erecta. After 6, 12 and 24 hours, 5 animals of each group were killed by anesthetic overdose. The histological analyses of the pulp tissue were performed and the data analyzed by Dunn's multiple test, at significance of 5%. RESULTS: After 12 h, the GIII presented score statistically lower (p<0.05) than positive control group. After 24 h, GIII presented inflammatory index statistically lower than the positive control (p<0.01) and Serjania erecta (p<0.05) groups. CONCLUSION: The Zeyheria montana extract presented better anti-inflammatory activity than positive control group and Serjania erecta extract, which did not show anti-inflammatory effect in the analyzed periods.