Uncovering emotional and network dynamics in the speech of patients with chronic low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Computational linguistics allows an understanding of language structure and different forms of expression of patients' perceptions. AIMS: The aims of this study were (i) to carry out a descriptive analysis of the discourse of people with chronic low back pain using sentiment analysis (SA) and network analysis; (ii) to verify the correlation between patients' profiles, pain intensity and disability levels with SA and network analysis; and (iii) to identify clusters in our sample according to language and SA using an unsupervised machine learning technique. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis of a qualitative study including participants with chronic non-specific low back pain. We used the data related to participants' feelings when they received the diagnosis. The SA and network analysis were performed using the Valence Aware Dictionary and sEntiment Reasoner, and the Speech Graph, respectively. Clustering was performed using the K-means algorithm. RESULTS: In the SA, the mean composite score was -0.31 (Sd. = 0.58). Most participants presented a negative discourse (n = 41; 72%). Word Count (WC) and Largest Strongly connected Component (LSC) positively correlated with education. No statistically significant correlations were observed between pain intensity, disability levels, SA, and network analysis. Two clusters were identified in our sample. CONCLUSION: The SA showed that participants reported their feeling when describing the moment of the diagnosis using sentences with negative discourse. We did not find a statistically significant correlation between pain intensity, disability levels, SA, and network analysis. Education level presented positive correlation with WC and LSC.

Falta de conhecimento sobre os fatores de risco não ocupacionais da dor lombar entre profissionais de saúde ocupacional brasileiros: um estudo observacional transversal / Lack of knowledge about non-occupational low back pain risk factors among brazilian occupational health professionals: a cross-sectional observational study

INTRODUÇÃO: A dor lombar possui alta prevalência, sendo uma das principais causas de incapacidade no Brasil e no mundo. A dor lombar apresenta etiologia multifatorial, sendo extremamente comum em trabalhadores. OBJETIVOS: Verificar o conhecimento sobre os fatores de risco para dor lombar, crenças e atitudes sobre o manejo da dor lombar entre profissionais de saúde (fisioterapeutas e ergonomistas) atuantes na área ocupacional. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo observacional transversal com 81 profissionais de saúde ocupacional brasileiros. Os participantes preencheram um questionário eletrônico composto por dados profissionais, sociodemográficos, itens sobre fatores de risco para dor lombar e a Brazilian version of the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists. Conhecimentos, crenças e atitudes foram analisados por meio do teste do qui-quadrado para fatores de risco para dor lombar e um modelo de regressão linear para crenças e atitudes dos profissionais de saúde. RESULTADOS: Obesidade (7,4%), ficar sentado mais de 2 horas (8,6%), atividade física (9,9%), falta de apoio psicossocial no trabalho (11,1%) e consumo de álcool (37,0%), apresentaram os menores índices de conhecimento sobre fatores de risco da dor lombar pelos profissionais. Itens sobre saúde geral apresentaram o menor conhecimento. Uma orientação biomédica e psicossocial equilibrada de crenças e atitudes sobre o manejo da dor lombar foi observada. CONCLUSÃO: Profissionais de saúde ocupacional brasileiros carecem de conhecimento sobre os fatores de risco não ocupacionais da dor lombar, especialmente o estado geral de saúde. Esses profissionais também possuem conceitos biomédicos e psicossociais equilibrados no manejo da dor lombar.

INTRODUCTION: Low back pain (LBP) is highly prevalent and is one of the main causes of disability in Brazil and around the world. LBP presents a multifactorial etiology, being extremely common in workers. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to verify the knowledge about the LBP risk factors, beliefs and attitudes about the management of LBP among health professionals (physiotherapists and ergonomists) working in the occupational area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 81 Brazilian occupational health professionals. Participants completed an electronic questionnaire comprising professional data, sociodemographics, items about LBP risk factors, and the Brazilian version of the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physiotherapists. Knowledge, beliefs and attitudes were analyzed using the chi-square test for LBP risk factors and the linear regression model for health professionals' beliefs and attitudes. RESULTS: Obesity (7.4%), sitting for more than 2 hours (8.6%), physical activity (9.9%), lack of psychosocial support at work (11.1%) and consuming alcohol (37.0%) presented the lowest rate of knowledge about LBP risk factors by professionals. Items about general health showed the lowest knowledge. A balanced biomedical and psychosocial orientation of beliefs and attitudes about managing LBP was observed. CONCLUSION: Brazilian occupational health professionals lack knowledge about non-occupational LBP risk factors, especially general health status. These professionals also have balanced biomedical and psychosocial concepts in managing LBP.

Pragmatic neural tissue management improves short-term pain and disability in patients with sciatica: a single-arm clinical trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical effect of sciatic neural mobilization in combination with the treatment of surrounding structures for sciatica patients. Secondly, we were also interested in identifying possible baseline characteristics that may be associated with improvements in pain and disability for sciatica patients. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with a clinical diagnosis of sciatica were treated with neural mobilization, joint mobilization and soft tissue techniques. Pain intensity and lumbar disability were assessed at baseline and after treatment using a Numerical Rating Scale (0-10) and the Oswestry Disability Index (0-100), respectively. The pre- and post-intervention data were compared. The research protocol was registered under the number NCT03663842. Results: Participants attended an average of 16 (SD±5.6) treatmentsessions over an average of 12 weeks. Decrease in pain scores (before median = 8, after median = 2; p < 0.001) and improvement in lumbar disability scores (before median = 33.3%, after median = 15.6%; p < 0.001) were observed. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that duration of pain and age of the patient predicted the disability improvement: F (2, 24) = 4.084, p < 0.030, R2 = 0.254. Discussion: Patients with sciatica may benefit from neural mobilization in combination with manual therapy for pain and lumbar disability. Longer pain duration and younger age had a negative influence on lumbar disability improvement.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Revised Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire into Brazilian Portuguese language / Adaptação transcultural do Questionário Neurofisiológico da Dor revisado para língua portuguesa do Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective To perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire for the Brazilian population (NPQ-BR). Methods A translation and cross-cultural adaptation study were conducted in 11 stages according to standard procedures. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach's Alpha test (α). Results Four translators, six experts, twenty-one patients and ten physiotherapists participated in the study. The NPQ-BR was obtained after seven versions. The expert committee adapted four out of twelve items (item 1, 3, 11, and 12) to adapt the content of the instrument to the Brazilian context. The pre-test phase showed good internal consistency (α = 0.63). The comparison of the correct answers of the questionnaire between the groups (physical therapist group mean = 7.0 ± 1.7; patient group mean = 3.7 ± 2.1; p < 0.01) confirmed the discriminative validity of the NPQ-BR. Conclusion The Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire was cross-culturally adapted into a Brazilian context and can be used to assess the level of neurophysiological knowledge of pain of Brazilian patients. The interpretation of the results of the NPQ-BR must be taken with caution due to the absence of a robust validation methodology of the instrument.

RESUMO Objetivo Realizar a adaptação transcultural do Questionário Neurofisiológico de Dor (QND) para a população brasileira. Métodos Um estudo de tradução e adaptação transcultural foi conduzido em 11 estágios de acordo com procedimentos padronizados. Foi realizada estatística descritiva e inferencial. A consistência interna do questionário foi avaliada pelo teste de Alfa de Cronbach (α). Resultados Participaram do estudo quatro tradutores, seis especialistas, vinte e um pacientes e dez fisioterapeutas. A versão brasileira do QND foi obtida após sete versões. O comitê de especialistas adaptou quatro dos doze itens (item 1, 3, 11 e 12) para ajustar o conteúdo do instrumento ao contexto brasileiro. A fase de pré-teste evidenciou boa consistência interna (α = 0,63). A comparação dos acertos dos itens do questionário entre os grupos (média dos fisioterapeutas = 7,0 ± 1,7; média dos pacientes = 3,7 ± 2,1; p < 0,01) confirmou a validade discriminativa da versão brasileira do QND. Conclusão O Questionário Neurofisiológico de Dor revisado foi adaptado para o contexto brasileiro e pode ser utilizado para avaliar o nível de conhecimento neurofisiológico da dor de pacientes brasileiros. A interpretação dos resultados da versão brasileira do QND deve ser feita com cautela devido à ausência de metodologia robusta de validação do instrumento.

Trial Protocol: Cognitive functional therapy compared with combined manual therapy and motor control exercise for people with non-specific chronic low back pain: protocol for a randomised, controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic low back pain is a public health problem, and there is strong evidence that it is associated with a complex interaction of biopsychosocial factors. Cognitive functional therapy is an intervention that deals with potentially modifiable multidimensional aspects of pain (eg, provocative cognitive, movement and lifestyle behaviours). There is evidence (from a single randomised, controlled trial) that cognitive functional therapy is better than combined manual therapy and motor control exercise. However, this study had significant methodological shortcomings including the failure to carry out an intention-to-treat analysis and a considerable loss of follow-up of participants. It is important to replicate this study in another domain through a randomised clinical trial with similar objectives but correcting these methodological shortcomings. AIM: To investigate the efficacy of cognitive functional therapy compared to combined manual therapy and exercise on pain and disability at 3 months in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain. DESIGN: Two-group, randomised, multicentre controlled trial with blinded assessors. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS: One hundred and forty-eight participants with chronic low back pain that has persisted for >3months and no specific spinal pathology will be recruited from the school clinic of the Centro Universitário Augusto Motta and a private clinic in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. INTERVENTION A: Four to 10 sessions of cognitive functional therapy. The physiotherapists who will treat the participants in the cognitive functional therapy group have previously attended 2 workshops with two different tutors of the method. Such physiotherapists have completed 106 hours of training, including workshops and patient examinations, as well as conducting a pilot study under the supervision of another physiotherapist with>3 years of clinical experience in cognitive functional therapy. INTERVENTION B: Four to 10 sessions of combined manual therapy and motor control exercises. Participants in the combined manual therapy and exercise group will be treated by two physiotherapists with an average of >10years of clinical experience in manual therapy and motor control exercises, including isolated contractions of the deep abdominal muscles. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome measures will be pain intensity and disability 3 months after randomisation. Secondary outcomes will be pain and disability assessed 6 and 12 months after randomisation, and both global perceived effect and patient satisfaction at 3, 6 and 12 months after randomisation. The potential outcome mediators will be assessed at 3 and 6 months after randomisation, with brief screening questions for anxiety, social isolation, catastrophisation, depression, fear of movement, stress and sleep. Non-specific predictors and moderators will include age, gender, duration of chronic low back pain, chronicity risk (Örebro and Start Back score), number of pain areas, stressful life event, MRI scan imaging, and family history. ANALYSIS: Intention-to-treat analysis will be performed. Linear mixed models will be used to compare the mean differences in pain intensity, disability and global perceived effect between the intervention arms. The analysis of the effect of potential mediators of the treatment will be performed using the causal mediation methods described by Imai and colleagues. The baseline variables will be evaluated as predictors and moderators of treatment, including terms and interaction models. A level of statistical significance of 5% will be used in the analysis. All the analyses will be performed using RStudio. SIGNIFICANCE: This study will investigate whether the results of the first cognitive functional therapy randomised clinical trial are reproducible. The present study will have a sample size capable of detecting clinically relevant effects of the treatment with a low risk of bias. In pragmatic terms, this clinical trial is designed to reproduce the intervention as it would be performed in clinical practice by a trained physiotherapist who works with cognitive functional therapy, which increases the relevance of this study. The combined manual therapy and exercise group comprises an intervention strategy widely used by physiotherapists to treat low back pain. As evidence of efficacy is still limited, the results of a randomised, controlled clinical trial of high methodological quality will help physiotherapists in clinical decision-making.

Estado funcional de pacientes com quadro crônico de ciatalgia / Functional status of patients with chronic sciatica

Introdução: Dor lombar persistente e ciatalgia são queixas comuns na população geral. A dor lombar é amplamente estudada, porém o estado funcional de pacientes com quadro crônico de ciatalgia é pouco descrito. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o estado funcional de pacientes com ciatalgia. Métodos: Estudo transversal foi conduzido em 44 pacientes com ciatalgia. Os pacientes preencheram a Escala Numérica de Dor (END) e o questionário Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Um exame físico foi realizado com avaliação clínica e os testes funcionais: teste de caminhada de 10 metros e a Síndrome de Disfunção de Movimento (SDM). Foi realizada a estatística descritiva e a correlação das variáveis. Resultados: A média de idade observada foi de 58,1 anos, com alta intensidade (END = 7,57) e duração (31,22 meses) de dor. A média de incapacidade autopercebida foi 32,79% e foi observada redução da velocidade de caminhada em 97,7% dos participantes. A intensidade da dor, levantar, ficar de pé e sentar foram os itens mais prejudicados. A SDM mais prevalente foi rotação com extensão (48,6%). O Índice de Massa Corporal e desempenho da caminhada se correlacionaram. Conclusão: A velocidade da caminhada e a capacidade funcional estão comprometidas nos pacientes com ciatalgia. (AU)

Introduction: Persistent back pain and sciatica are common complaint in the general population. Back pain is widely studied, but the functional status of sciatica patients is poorly described. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the functional status of patients with sciatica. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 44 sciatica patients. The patients filled a Numeric Rating Pain Scale (NRPS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). A physical examination was performed with clinical examination and functional tests: ten meters walk test (TWT) and Lumbar Movement Impairment. A descriptive statistics and variables correlation was performed. Results: The mean age observed was 58.1 years, with a high intensity (NRPS = 7.57) and duration (31.22 months) of pain levels. Self-perceived disability average was 32.79% and lower walking speed was observed on 97.7% of the sample. Pain intensity, lifting, standing, and siting section were the most impaired sections. The most prevalent lumbar syndrome was rotation with extension (48.6%). Body mass index and gait performance were correlated. Conclusion: The walking speed and functional capacity are affected in patients with sciatica. (AU)

The effect of adding myofascial techniques to an exercise programme for patients with anterior knee pain.

Anterior knee pain is a common complaint and can cause difficulty with its inability to bear weight. The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of adding myofascial techniques to an exercise programme for patients with anterior knee pain. A clinical trial with 18 patients with a clinical diagnosis of anterior knee pain was conducted. One group (E) with nine individuals was treated with hip muscle strengthening exercises; another group (EM), with nine individuals, had myofascial techniques added. To quantify the results, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) were used. The E group showed an improvement in pain (p = 0.02), but not in the mean degree of disability. The EM group showed an improvement in pain (p = 0.01), as well as the degree of disability (p = 0.008). The effect size analysis showed that participants of the EM group had a greater impact on clinical pain and disability (Cohen's d = .35 and .30, respectively). The addition of myofascial techniques should be considered to improve the functionality of the lower limbs and reduce pain in patients with anterior knee pain.

Satisfaction measurement instruments for healthcare service users: a systematic review.

Patient satisfaction surveys can be an interesting way to improve quality and discuss the concept of patient-centered care. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the validated patient satisfaction measurement instruments applied in healthcare. The systematic review searched the MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, Scopus and Web of Knowledge. The search strategy used the terms: "Patient Satisfaction" AND "Patient centered care" AND "Healthcare survey OR Satisfaction questionnaire" AND "Psychometric properties". 37 studies were included and almost all studies showed that satisfaction is a multidimensional construct. In these studies, 34 different instruments were used and most surveys contained the dimension patient-healthcare professional interactions, physical environment and management process. The COSMIN score for methodological quality showed that most of them scored a good or fair average. We can conclude that there is not a gold standard instrument for patient satisfaction assessment but some dimensions are essential for this construct.

Satisfaction measurement instruments for healthcare service users: a systematic review / Instrumentos para mensuração de satisfação de usuários de serviços de saúde: uma revisão sistemática / Los instrumentos para medir la satisfacción del usuario de los servicios de salud: una revisión sistemática

Patient satisfaction surveys can be an interesting way to improve quality and discuss the concept of patient-centered care. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of the validated patient satisfaction measurement instruments applied in healthcare. The systematic review searched the MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, Scopus and Web of Knowledge. The search strategy used the terms: "Patient Satisfaction" AND "Patient centered care" AND "Healthcare survey OR Satisfaction questionnaire" AND "Psychometric properties". 37 studies were included and almost all studies showed that satisfaction is a multidimensional construct. In these studies, 34 different instruments were used and most surveys contained the dimension patient-healthcare professional interactions, physical environment and management process. The COSMIN score for methodological quality showed that most of them scored a good or fair average. We can conclude that there is not a gold standard instrument for patient satisfaction assessment but some dimensions are essential for this construct.

Questionários para satisfação dos pacientes podem ser uma boa maneira para melhorar a qualidade e discutir aspectos do cuidado centrado no paciente. O objetivo foi conduzir uma revisão sistemática referente a instrumentos já validados para mensuração de satisfação de pacientes em serviços de saúde. A revisão sistemática realizou buscas nas bases MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, Scopus and Web of Knowledge. A estratégia de busca foi: "Patient Satisfaction" AND "Patient centered care" AND "Healthcare survey OR Satisfaction questionnaire" AND "Psychometric properties". Trinta e sete estudos foram incluídos e quase todos demonstraram que a satisfação é um construto multidimensional. Foram encontrados 34 diferentes instrumentos e a maioria deles possuía as dimensões paciente-profissional da saúde, ambiente físico e processos gerenciais. A pontuação COSMIN em qualidade metodológica dos artigos indicou que a maioria apresenta um valor bom ou médio neste aspecto. Não existe um padrão ouro para mensuração da satisfação do paciente, mas algumas dimensões são essenciais para este construto.

Los cuestionarios para la satisfacción del paciente pueden ser una buena opción de mejorar la calidad y discutir la atención centrada en el paciente. El objetivo era llevar a cabo una revisión sistemática, en relación con los instrumentos previamente validados para medir la satisfacción de los pacientes. La revisión sistemática realizó búsquedas en las bases de datos MEDLINE/PubMed, LILACS, SciELO, Scopus y Web of Knowledge. La estrategia de búsqueda fue: "Patient Satisfaction" AND "Patient centered care" AND "Healthcare survey OR Satisfaction questionnaire" AND "Psychometric properties". Se incluyeron treinta y siete estudios y casi todos han demostrado que la satisfacción es multidimensional. Se encontraron 34 instrumentos y la mayoría contaba con las dimensiones: interacción paciente-profesional de la salud, entorno físico y procesos administrativos. La puntuación COSMIN en calidad metodológica indica que la mayoría de los estudios tiene un valor bueno o medio. No existe un estándar clave para la medición de la satisfacción del paciente, pero algunas dimensiones son esenciales para este constructo.

Instrumentos para mensuração de satisfação de usuários de serviços de saúde: uma adaptação transcultural do instrumento MedRisk para o contexto brasileiro / Instruments for measuring health service user satisfaction: a cross-cultural adaptation of MedRisk instrument for the Brazilian context

A satisfação dos pacientes é um eixo importante relacionado ao cuidado centrado no paciente e, consequentemente, está imbricada nas discussões referentes à qualidade do cuidado. Existem diferentes instrumentos para mensuração da satisfação disponíveis para diversas especialidades do campo da saúde. Especificamente na fisioterapia, o instrumento MedRisk (composto por duas dimensões e 12 itens) se destaca atualmente pelo interesse de diferentes grupos de pesquisadores. O objetivo do estudo foi conduzir o processo de adaptação transcultural do instrumento Medrisk para mensuração da satisfação do paciente para o contexto brasileiro. Assim, a metodologia foi desenvolvida em duas etapas: (i) Equivalência conceitual, equivalência de itens e equivalência semântica; (ii) Equivalência de mensuração - psicometria (avaliação da validade dimensional, itens componentes e avaliação da confiabilidade). Na primeira etapa, para avaliação das traduções e pertinência dos itens, foi utilizado um painel de especialistas e um pré-teste do instrumento com 55 pacientes do Hospital Universitário Gaffrée e Guinle. Na segunda etapa, foi realizada a análise fatorial exploratória / confirmatória para identificação das dimensões e itens componentes do instrumento, com dados coletados de 325 indivíduos do mesmo serviço onde foi realizado o pré-teste. Foi realizada ainda a avalição da confiabilidade do instrumento, índice de correlação intra-classe e medidas de erro. Na etapa 1, o painel de especialistas propôs a retirada de dois itens devido ao contexto de aplicação do instrumento. O pré-teste identificou dificuldade de compreensão de um item e após modificação semântica, o problema foi minimizado. O resultado das análises indicaram um instrumento com 6 itens específicos e duas medidas globais de satisfação. Três itens foram retidos na dimensão 1- Interpessoal e três na dimensão 2- Estrutura física e apoio ao serviço...

Patient satisfaction is an important construct for patient-centered care concept and it is usually embedded in discussions regarding the quality of care. There are different instruments to measure patient satisfaction available in various specialties of healthcare. Specifically in the physiotherapy the MedRisk instrument gain currently notoriety because the common interest form different researchers groups. The objective of the study was to conduct the MedRisk cross-cultural adaptation for measuring patient satisfaction in the Brazilian context. Therefore, methods have been developed in two stages: (i) Conceptual equivalence, item equivalence, and semantic equivalence; (ii) Measurement Equivalence - psychometry (dimensional validity evaluation, items and realiability). In the first stage it were evaluated the pertinence of the items, relevance of the content for the target population and also the comprehension of the items after the translation to the portuguese language. For this we used a panel of experts and a pre-testing of the instrument in 55 patients from Gaffrée and Guinle Universtity Hospital. In the second stage it was performed an exploratory / confirmatory factor analysis in 325 patients from the same health service of pre-testing to identify the dimensions and items that should remain in the instrument. The reliability of the MedRisk was evaluated also in this phase. Another aspect of reliability was measure with intra-class correlation indices and error measurements. The expert panel proposed the exclusion of two items due to the context of instrument application. The pre-testing identified only one item with difficult comprehension and after semantic adjustment, this issue was resolved. The results proposed an instrument with six specific items and two global measures of satisfaction. Three items were retained in Interpersonal dimension and three other items in Physical structure and service support dimension...

Pain intensity and functional limitation are not related with medical image findings in patients with shoulder pain / A intensidade da dor e a limitação funcional não estão relacionadas com os achados em imagens de pacientes com dor no ombro

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Shoulder pain limits patients' ability to perform daily life activities, as well as to carry out professional activities. This study aimed at evaluating the relationship between pain intensity, incapacity and medical image findings of patients with shoulder pain. METHODS: This was an observational analytical study with 54 patients with possible shoulder injury. Participants have answered an incapacity questionnaire, a pain intensity scale and then were submitted to image exams. Incapacity, pain intensity and image diagnosis were correlated, in addition to comparing pain intensity and level of incapacity among participants with and without medical image abnormalities. RESULTS: Mean pain intensity was 7.4±2.52. There has been a high degree of incapacity (mean of 57.2%). Image findings have shown abnormalities in 59.3% of reports. There has been no correlation between image findings and pain intensity, as well as there has also been no correlation between image findings and incapacity. There has been high correlation between pain intensity and incapacity (Rho=0.67; p<0.001). Pain intensity and incapacity were not different between participants with and without some type of abnormality at image exams. CONCLUSION: Patients with shoulder complaints may have limitations to perform daily activities and pain, even with negative image findings...

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O quadro doloroso do ombro limita o paciente de realizar suas tarefas diárias, assim como de realizar atividades dentro da sua jornada de trabalho. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a relação entre a intensidade da dor, a incapacidade e os achados no exame de imagem de pacientes com dor no ombro. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo observacional analítico em 54 pacientes com possível lesão de ombro. Os participantes responderam um questionário de incapacidade, uma escala de intensidade de dor e em seguida foram submetidos ao exame de imagem. Foi realizada a análise de correlação entre a incapacidade, a intensidade de dor e o diagnóstico por imagem, além da comparação da intensidade da dor e do nível de incapacidade entre os participantes com e sem anormalidade no exame de imagem. RESULTADOS: A intensidade de dor média encontrada foi de 7,4±2,52. Houve alto grau de incapacidade (média de 57,2%). Nos exames de imagem analisados foram encontradas anormalidades em 59,3% dos laudos. Não houve correlação entre os achados na imagem e a intensidade de dor, assim como não houve correlação entre os achados na imagem e a incapacidade. Observou-se alta correlação entre intensidade de dor e o nível de incapacidade (Rho=0,67; p<0,001). A intensidade de dor e incapacidade não foram diferentes entre os participantes com ou sem algum tipo de anormalidade nos exames de imagem. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com queixas na região do ombro podem apresentar limitações nas atividades de vida diária e presença de dor, mesmo sem achados no exame de imagem...

Estímulos manual e elétrico da acupuntura sistêmica no tratamento da dor crônica: uma revisão sistemática / Manual and electrical stimulation of systemic acupuncture in the treatment of chronic pain: a systematic review

Para a Organização Mundial de Saúde, a condição clínica mais tratada pela acupuntura é a dor, que é caracterizada de acordo com o tempo de acometimento do indivíduo em aguda ou crônica. Os resultados do efeito analgésico da acupuntura estão relacionados a diversos aspectos, dentre eles o tipo de estímulo utilizado (manual ou elétrico). O objetivo desta revisão sistemática foi verificar se existe diferença do efeito analgésico entre a acupuntura com estímulo manual e a eletroacupuntura na redução da dor crônica. Foram selecionados ensaios clínicos que utilizaram acupuntura manual ou eletroacupuntura de forma sistêmica no tratamento de pacientes com dor crônica. Escala Visual Analógica foi utilizada como desfecho primário para mensuração da dor. A partir das bases de dados PUBMED, COCHRANE, LILACS e utilizando as palavras-chave acupuncture, electroacupuncture, electro-acupuncture e chronic pain foram obtidos 12 artigos nesta revisão, os quais abordaram seis condições clínicas diferentes. Rigor metodológico dos estudos não esteve associado à eficiência do grupo teste na redução da dor crônica, aspecto este que parece estar relacionado ao número de sessões realizadas. Não houve diferença entre eletroacupuntura e acupuntura com estímulo manual em relação à eficácia no tratamento da dor crônica. Sugere-se que os trabalhos futuros sobre acupuntura e dor crônica sejam realizados seguindo, primeiramente, os itens do STRICTA para um maior rigor metodológico. Espera-se que os resultados do tratamento da dor crônica por estímulos manual ou elétrico da acupuntura sejam mais detalhados, contribuindo para elucidar os fatores que realmente estão associados à ocorrência de seus efeitos. Palavras-chave: acupuntura, dor crônica, eletroacupuntura e eletroacupuntura.(AU)

For the World Health Organization, the clinical condition more treated by acupuncture is pain, which is characterized according to the time of onset of the individual in acute or chronic. The results of the analgesic effect of acupuncture are related to various aspects, including the type of stimulus used (manual or electric). The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether there are differences in analgesic effect between acupuncture with manual stimulation and electroacupuncture in reducing chronic pain. There were selected clinical trials of systemically manual acupuncture or electroacupuncture in the treatment of patients with chronic pain. Visual Analogue Scale was used as the primary outcome measure for pain. From the databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Lilacs using the keywords acupuncture, electroacupuncture, electro-acupuncture and chronic pain were obtained 12 articles in this review, which addressed six different clinical conditions. Methodological rigor of the studies was not associated with the efficiency of the test group in reducing chronic pain, a factor that seems to be related to the number of sessions. There was no difference between electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture stimulation in efficacy in the treatment of chronic pain. It is suggested that future work on acupuncture and chronic pain are carried out using, first, items STRICTA for greater methodological rigor. It is hoped that the results of the treatment of chronic pain by manual or electrical stimulation of acupuncture are more detailed, helping to elucidate the factors that are actually associated with the occurrence of its effects.(AU)

Análise do centro de pressão em pacientes com lombalgia crônica por meio de um sistema de realidade virtual / Analysis of the center of pressure in patients with chronic low back pain using a virtual reality system

A lombalgia é um sintoma que acomete a maioria dos sujeitosem idade produtiva e de causa multifatorial. Dentre as diversas estratégiasde tratamento fisioterapêutico, atualmente a utilização deambientes virtuais têm recebido destaque, em especial o Nintendo®Wii. O objetivo do estudo foi correlacionar as possíveis alteraçõesdo centro de pressão (CoP) com variáveis clínicas relevantes parapacientes com lombalgia crônica. Foram avaliados 48 sujeitos (35,2DP ± 16 anos) divididos em grupo experimental (n = 36) e controle(n = 12), nos quais foi analisado o CoP através da utilização daplataforma Wii. Foram correlacionados os dados de massa corporal(IMC), idade, quadro álgico (EVA e topografia) e CoP. Os resultadosdemonstraram uma posteriorização do CoP em ambos os grupos.Foi encontrada uma correlação entre o IMC e a localização do CoPno grupo dor lombar (rho = 0,34, p = 0,016), assim quanto maioro IMC, um deslocamento posterior do CoP pôde ser observado.Houve ainda correlação entre IMC e idade (rho = 0,56, p = 0,001)para ambos os grupos, idade e intensidade da dor (rho = 0,40; p =0,02), IMC e EVA (rho = 0,36, p = 0,03). Não foram observadascorrelações significativas entre a localização do COP e a intensidadeda dor. Conclui-se que as correlações entre idade, IMC e EVA sãodados importantes na análise multifatorial da lombalgia. Além disso,o sistema de realidade virtual pode contribuir substancialmentepara a análise de possíveis determinantes do padrão sintomáticoda dor lombar.

Low back pain is a symptom that affects most subjects in productiveage and has a multifactorial cause. Virtual reality has figuredprominently among many strategies of physical therapy treatment,specially the Nintendo® Wii. The aim of this study was to correlatepossible change in Center of Pressure (CoP) with clinical variablesin low back pain patient. This study analyzed 48 subjects (35.2± 16 years) divided into experimental (n = 36) and control (n =12) groups. The CoP was investigated through Wii balance boardand correlated with body mass index (BMI), age, pain (analogicalvisual pain scale [AVS] and topography). Results showed a CoPposterior displacement between groups and correlation of BMI andCoP localization in low back pain group (rho = 0.34, p = 0.016).Data demonstrated that with a BMI increasing we could observe aposterior displacement. Moreover, in this study had a correlationbetween BMI and age (rho = 0.56, p = 0.001), age and intensity ofpain (rho = 0.40; p = 0.02), BMI e AVS (rho = 0.36, p = 0.03). Wasnot observed a significant correlation between CoP localization andintensity of pain. Summing up the correlation among age, BMI,AVS are important data on the multifactorial analysis of low backpain. Furthermore, virtual reality system can contribute stronglyto the analysis to determinate possibilities in symptomatic patternsof low back pain.