Influence of neoprene ankle orthoses on dynamic balance during a vertical jump in healthy individuals and with sprain history: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: A sprain describes an excessive amount of force or strain on a ligament, which may or may not lead to its rupture. Orthoses are among the most common modalities prescribed as a conservative treatment for ankle instability and sprain. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to analyse the effect of neoprene orthosis on the balance and functionality of healthy individuals and volunteers with lateral ankle sprains METHODS: We evaluated 12 healthy volunteers (control group) and 12 volunteers diagnosed with a sprain and/or instability (patient group). A total of 14 men and 10 women participated in the study, with an average age of 26.15 (± 4.40) years. The volunteers' tasks consisted of performing vertical bipodal and unipodal jumps on a force platform, which were recorded in a video from the lateral view of the lower limb for posterior evaluation of the knee and ankle angles. Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests were used for comparisons, considering p < 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: The control group presented a decrease in ground reaction force when using Orthosis during the bipodal jump (p < 0.05). A decrease in anteroposterior force displacement was also observed in the left unipodal jump (p < 0.01). The patient group presented an increase in force and moment of medial-lateral displacement for both bipodal (p < 0.02) and left unipodal jumps with Orthosis (p < 0.02). A kinematic analysis showed that the control group presented the smallest knee flexion angle (p < 0.01), while the patient group presented the smallest dorsiflexion ankle angle in the bipodal jump when using orthosis (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: We concluded that orthosis had influence on individuals' balance and joint angles. In healthy individuals presented better balance with and without orthosis and greater flexion with orthosis in the bipodal jump, regarding to the patient group presented smaller oscillations in the unipodal jump with orthosis and showed smaller knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion.

Effectiveness of electrophysical agents for treating pressure injuries: a systematic review.

Tissue injuries that affect the skin and/or adjacent tissues and are usually over a bony prominence are called pressure injuries. The prevalence of these dysfunctions remains high, and despite technological advances, there is no consensus on the most appropriate treatment. The objective of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of photobiomodulation (PBM), ultrasound, and high-frequency electrophysical agents in the healing of pressure injuries in adults and the elderly. The search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and PEDro databases; in clinical trial records, a list of references of the selected articles, as well as through manual search (Google), of the last 5 years in humans in English and Portuguese. Nine thousand and sixty-seven studies were identified, 13 pre-selected, and 6 were included in this systematic review. PBM showed similar efficacy to other technologies indicated in other studies in healing pressure injuries. PBM with red wavelength (660 nm) in stages 2 and 3 pressure injuries effectively promoted healing compared to standard care. It was observed that the use of PBM accelerates tissue repair in pressure injuries; therapeutic ultrasound showed similar efficacy to other electrophysical agents but was effective in reducing the area of pressure injuries when comparing pre- and post-intervention. No clinical studies using the high-frequency electrophysical agent have been described in the last 5 years.

Effect of photobiomodulation therapy (660 nm and 830 nm) on carrageenan-induced edema and pain behavior in mice / Efeito da terapia por fotobiomodulação (660 nm e 830 nm) no comportamento da dor e edema induzidos por carragenina em camundongos

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Photobiomodulation (PBM) is an important therapeutic tool for inflammatory process modulation. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of two different energies and two different wavelengths (660 nm and 830 nm) were investigate and compared through the model of carrageenan-induced paw edema in mice. METHODS: Male Swiss mice, 36 animals (n=6 animals/group) were divided into six groups: Group 1 (saline-control), Group 2 (carrageenan), Group 3 (carrageenan + laser 660 nm, 5.88 J), Group 4 (carrageenan + laser 660 nm, 2.94 J), Group 5 (carrageenan + laser 830 nm, 5.88 J), and Group 6 (carrageenan + laser 830 nm, 2.94 J). PBM was applied 1h after the carrageenan injection which induced paw edema and hyperalgesia, which were measured by means of a plethysmometer and by flicker test using a water bath at 38ºC (±0.5ºC), respectively. Left paws of mice injected with carrageenan exhibited local edema that persisted for up to 6h after its administration. All animals were evaluated before, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 h after the injection of carrageenan. RESULTS: PBM, specially the 830 nm wavelength with 2.94 J of energy, reduced the paw edema induced by carrageenan. In addition, the 660 nm wavelengths (5.88 J / 2.94 J) and 830 nm (2.94 J) inhibited thermal hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan after 4 h of paw injection. CONCLUSION: There was evidence that the PBM 830 nm (2.94 J) produced a more pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, while the 660 nm (5.88 J / 2.94 J) energy laser was more effective to inhibit the hyperalgesia response induced by the carrageenan injection.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A fotobiomodulação (FBM) é uma importante ferramenta terapêutica para modulação dos processos inflamatórios. Neste estudo, investigou-se o efeito anti-inflamatório e analgésico de duas energias e dois comprimentos de onda diferentes (660 nm e 830 nm) através do modelo de edema de pata induzido por carragenina em camundongos. MÉTODOS: Trinta e seis camundongos Swiss machos (n=6 animais/grupo) foram divididos em seis grupos: Grupo 1 (controle salino), Grupo 2 (carragenina), Grupo 3 (carragenina + laser 660 nm, 5,88 J), Grupo 4 (carragenina + laser 660 nm, 2,94 J), Grupo 5 (carragenina + laser 830 nm, 5,88 J) e Grupo 6 (carragenina + laser 830 nm, 2,94 J). A FBM foi aplicada 1h após a injeção de carragenina que induziu o edema de pata e a hiperalgesia térmica, os quais foram medidos por meio de um pletismômetro e pelo flicker test em banho-maria a 38ºC (±0,5ºC), respectivamente. As patas esquerdas injetadas com carragenina apresentaram edema local que persistiu por até 6h após sua administração. Todos os animais foram avaliados antes, 1, 2, 3, 4, e 6 horas após a injeção de carragenina. RESULTADOS: A FBM, principalmente o comprimento de onda 830 nm com 2,94 J de energia, reduziu o edema de pata induzido pela carragenina. Além disso, o comprimento de onda 660 nm (5,88 J / 2,94 J) e o 830 nm (2,94 J) inibiram a hiperalgesia térmica induzida pela carragenina após 4h da injeção na pata. CONCLUSÃO: Evidenciou-se que a FBM 830 nm (2,94 J) produziu efeito anti-inflamatório mais pronunciado, enquanto o laser de 660 nm (5,88 J / 2,94 J) de energia foi mais eficaz para reduzir a resposta de hiperalgesia induzida pela injeção de carragenina.

Viability of transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap treated with photobiomodulation and therapeutic ultrasound: an experimental model.

Report the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) and therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) on the viability of TRAM in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five mice Swiss were subjected to treatment for 5 days. Group 1, treatment was performed with the agents switched off. Groups 2 to 5 were treated with different wavelengths 660 and 830 nanometers (nm) and groups 6 to 11 with TUS of 1 and 3 MHz frequency. Macrometric analyses were performed using a specific camera and analyzed by the ImageJ® software. Thermographic analyses were performed with the Flir C2 and analyzed using the FLIR Tools software. RESULTS: Group 9 obtained 95% of viable area on the 3rd day and 85% on the 5th day, showing the effectiveness of the TUS in the flap viability. Regarding skin temperature, there was a difference only in the immediate postoperative period in group 1, which had a lower temperature than the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: TUS demonstrated greater efficiency in maintaining the viability of TRAM. PBM 830 nm also demonstrated good results in the viability of TRAM.

Effects of photobiomodulation on different application points and different phases of complex regional pain syndrome type I in the experimental model.

BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I) consists of disorders caused by spontaneous pain or induced by some stimulus. The objective was to verify the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) using 830 nm wavelength light at the affected paw and involved spinal cord segments during the warm or acute phase. METHODS: Fifty-six mice were randomized into seven groups. Group (G) 1 was the placebo group; G2 and G3 were treated with PBM on the paw in the warm and acute phase, respectively; G4 and G5 treated with PBM on involved spinal cord segments in the warm and acute phase, respectively; G6 and G7 treated with PBM on paw and involved spinal cord segments in the warm and acute phase, respectively. Edema degree, thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, skin temperature, and functional quality of gait (Sciatic Static Index [SSI] and Sciatic Functional Index [SFI]) were evaluated. RESULTS: Edema was lower in G3 and G7, and these were the only groups to return to baseline values at the end of treatment. For thermal hyperalgesia only G3 and G5 returned to baseline values. Regarding mechanical hyperalgesia, the groups did not show significant differences. Thermography showed increased temperature in all groups on the seventh day. In SSI and SFI assessment, G3 and G7 showed lower values when compared to G1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PBM irradiation in the acute phase and in the affected paw showed better results in reducing edema, thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, and in improving gait quality, demonstrating efficacy in treatment of CRPS-I symptoms.

Comparison of photobiomodulation in the treatment of skin injury with an open wound in mice.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation at a wavelength of 660 and 830 nm at different numbers of application points in the healing of open wounds in mice. In total, 120 mice were divided into 10 groups. The animals were submitted to cutaneous lesion of the open wound type (1.5 × 1.5 cm). Photobiomodulation at a wavelength of 660 and 830 nm and total energy of 3.6 J were used, applied at 1, 4, 5, and 9 points, for 14 days. The animals were subjected to analysis of the lesion area, skin temperature, and histological analysis. Macroscopic analysis results showed a difference (p < 0.05) between the irradiated groups and the sham group at 14 days PO. There was no statistical difference in skin temperature. Histological analysis findings showed better results for the epidermis thickness. Regarding the number of blood vessels, a difference was found between the 1- and 5-point 830-nm photobiomodulation groups and between the 4-point 660-nm group and the naive group. A significant difference in the number of fibroblasts was observed between the 830- and 660-nm photobiomodulation groups and the naive and sham groups. When comparing photobiomodulation wavelength, the 830-nm groups were more effective, and we emphasize the groups irradiated at 5 points, which showed an improvement in macroscopic analysis and epidermis thickness, an increase in the number of vessels, and a lower number of fibroblasts on the 14th day after skin injury.

Photobiomodulation promotes neural regeneration when compared to simvastatin treatment in a sciatic nerve crush model.

To determine whether the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) were associated with the use of Simvastatin in the functional recovery from sciatic nerve in mice submitted to crush injury. Fifty Swiss mice (approximately 3 months old; average weight 40 g) were randomly divided into six groups: naive, sham, control, PBM (660 nm, 10 J/cm2; 30 mW; 0.6 J per day for 28 days; 0.06 cm2; 16.8 J total and 20 s), Simvastatin (20 mg/kg), and PBM/Simv (association of the two protocols). The sciatic functional index (SFI), thermal heat hyperalgesia, mechanical hyperalgesia, and thermographic evaluation were used as analyses. The evaluations were performed preoperatively and 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after the initial injury analyzed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for mixed models followed by the Bonferroni post-test. All groups except sham and naive presented an SFI compatible with severe peripheral nerve injury on the 7th day of evaluation. The PBM group presented better results in the SFI analysis (p < 0.001) on the 21st postoperative day compared to the control group. This benefit was maintained when compared to the Simvastatin (p < 0.001) and PBM/Simv groups (p < 0.01). The results of the thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia and thermography analyses were not significant (p > 0.05). The obtained results showed that PBM alone was more effective compared to Simvastatin alone or PBM combined with Simvastatin for sciatic nerve injury in mice.

Effectiveness of the Pilates method for individuals with nonspecific low back pain: clinical and electromyographic aspects

AIMS: The aim of this study was to verify the influence of Pilates on muscle activation of lumbar multifidus (LM) and transversus abdominis/internal oblique muscles (TrA/IO) in individuals with nonspecific low back pain. METHODS: Twelve individuals of both sexes with non-specific low back pain were evaluated before and after a two-month Pilates program in relation to electromyographic activity of LM and TrA/IO, as well as clinical aspects such as pain, flexibility, muscular endurance, quality of life; and Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (in relation to physical and work-related activities. A statistical analysis was performed using a test for independent samples and significance was established at the level of 0.05. RESULTS: After eight weeks of Pilates training, there was an improvement in the clinical parameters of pain, flexibility, muscular endurance and disability. The individuals presented lower LM activation (p=0.025), higher trunk extension strength (p=0.005) and an increase in time from onset to peak muscle activation (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Pilates protocol was effective for clinical improvement and motor behavior in patients with nonspecific low back pain and the parameters assessed showed a large effect size despite the small sample.(AU)