The Effectiveness of Goal-Oriented Dual Task Proprioceptive Training in Subacute Stroke: A Retrospective Observational Study.

OBJECTIVE: To show the effectiveness of goal-oriented proprioceptive training in subacute stroke for balance, autonomy, and fall risk. METHODS: Out a total of 35 patients, consistent in age (75.31±8.65 years), type of stroke (ischemic, 3 to 11 weeks before), and motor impairment, 18 patients underwent solely proprioceptive rehabilitation, the other 17 dual task exercises. The study assessed autonomy using Barthel Index, fall risk with Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), balance through Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Tinetti test. RESULTS: After two months, significant improvements were recorded in Barthel Index, BBS (p<0.0001), Tinetti test (p<0.0001 in dual task group, p=0.0029 in single task group), and TUG (p=0.0052 in dual task group, p=0.0020 in single task group) in both groups. Comparing the two groups, dual task group showed a significant difference in Tinetti balance assessment (p=0.0052), between the total score of Tinetti test and TUG in single (p=0.0271), and dual task (p=0.0235). Likewise, Tinetti gait test was significantly related to TUG in single (p=0.0536), and dual task (p=0.0466), while Tinetti balance test to Barthel Index (p=0.0394), BBS (p<0.0001), and TUG in single (p=0.0219), and dual task (p=0.0196). Lastly, there is a positive correlation of the use of aids with BBS (p=0.0074), and total score of Tinetti test (p=0.0160). CONCLUSION: In subacute stroke, goal-oriented proprioceptive training improved balance, but only partially autonomy. Furthermore, the use of aids after dual-task exercises improved recovery of balance, but did not reduced falls.

The Role of Rehabilitation in the Treatment of Constipation in Oncological Patients.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy, as well as opioid and antiemetic drugs, can contribute to constipation in oncological patients. This systematic review aims to analyse the potential of specific rehabilitation strategies and alternative strategies for improving constipation symptoms, with the goal of incorporating these strategies into a dedicated protocol for managing cancer-related constipation. This could potentially reduce the dosages of or eliminate the need for constipation medications. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. The review included studies analysing constipation complaints in cancer patients treated with rehabilitation, acupuncture and osteopathy. RESULTS: The review included 16 studies in line with PRISMA and PICOS criteria. Most studies showed that physical exercise, abdominal massage, TENS, acupuncture and education on the correct defecation position positively impacted the management of constipation and quality of life in oncological patients. A physiotherapy program involving massages as well as aerobic and resistance training improved constipation in oncological women, regardless of age, sex and frailty. A combination of abdominal massage, abdominal muscle stretching and education on proper defecation position alleviated the severity of constipation and related depression. However, the outcomes regarding TENS were yet inconsistent. Another technique, becoming increasingly common for constipation, and demonstrating positive results, involved stimulating trigger points through acupressure and acupuncture. Conversely, osteopathic and superficial manipulations more frequently required constipation medications than did the other alternative approaches. However, no existing studies have proposed a specific protocol to manage cancer-related constipation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the studies confirm the positive influences of rehabilitation, osteopathy and acupuncture on constipation and pain in oncological patients. Nevertheless, further studies are required to establish the best type, timing and duration of treatment, as well as how the stage and location of the cancer and the cause of constipation (drug-induced or functional) impact the results.

Proprioceptive and Dual-Task Training: The Key of Stroke Rehabilitation, A Systematic Review.

This systematic review aims to reveal the effectiveness of proprioceptive exercise combined with dual-task training in stroke patients. The research was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to evaluate studies of rehabilitation interventions with proprioceptive and dual-task exercises in patients with stroke. The keywords for the search were: "stroke" AND "proprioception" OR "proprioceptive" AND "rehabilitation" OR "training" OR "exercises" AND "dual-task" OR "task-performance" with the following inclusion criteria: comparative studies of rehabilitation interventions with proprioceptive and dual-task exercises in stroke patients. Of the 104,014 studies identified, 23 were included according to the inclusion criteria. Proprioceptive and dual-task exercises stimulate and promote postural balance, gait, and quality of life and reduce the risk of falls in stroke patients compared with traditional rehabilitation programs. In conclusion, this systematic review suggests that proprioceptive exercise combined with dual-task training is needed to improve balance and recover gait. Moreover, it provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on the various proprioceptive treatments with contextual dual-task exercises for imbalance after stroke, providing a guide for choosing a complete rehabilitation protocol that combines these two techniques.

Análisis acústico de la voz en la enfermedad de Parkinson: revisión sistemática de la discapacidad vocal y metaanálisis de estudios / Acoustic analysis of voice in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review of voice disability and meta-analysis of studies

OBJETIVO: Revisar de manera exhaustiva la bibliografía referente a la evaluación instrumental cuantitativa de la voz en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) y realizar un metaanálisis para definir las principales características de los trastornos de la voz en la EP. Pacientes y métodos. Búsquedas bibliográficas con las palabras clave «Parkinson» y «voice» en PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library y Web of Science. Los principales criterios de aceptación fueron: EP con confirmación clínica y medición instrumentada de los parámetros de la voz mediante análisis acústico. RESULTADOS: Catorce publicaciones cumplieron los criterios de aceptación y se incluyeron en el metaanálisis. De los datos incorporados al metaanálisis, se dedujo que varios parámetros vocales, como el jitter, el shimmer y la variación de la frecuencia fundamental, presentan variaciones significativas en los pacientes con EP frente a los controles sanos. Se hallaron variaciones significativas de la frecuencia fundamental y de su desviación estándar, del tiempo máximo de fonación y de la razón armónicos-ruido, si bien con una alta heterogeneidad entre los estudios. En cambio, no se observaron variaciones sustanciales de la razón ruido-armónicos, en el índice s/z ni en la variación de la amplitud. CONCLUSIÓN: El análisis acústico de la voz por medio de un sistema electrónico permite detectar los cambios de los parámetros vocales de cara a predecir el empeoramiento de la enfermedad y elegir una intervención específica. Entre dichos parámetros, el jitter y el shimmer aumentaron significativamente en los pacientes con EP

AIM: To systematically review all the literature, focusing on instrumental quantitative assessment of voice in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Furthermore, a meta-analysis was performed to identify the main characteristics of voice disturbances in PD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Literature searches with the keywords «Parkinson» and «voice» were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Main inclusion criteria were: clinically confirmed PD and instrumented measurement of voice parameters with acoustic analysis of voice. RESULTS: Fourteen publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. The data within the meta-analysis revealed that several voice parameters including jitter, shimmer and fundamental frequency variation presented significant variations between patients with EP and healthy controls. Significant variations of fundamental frequency, maximum phonation time, harmonic to noise ratio, standard deviation of fundamental frequency were observed, but with a high heterogeneity between the studies. On the other hand, significant variations of noise to harmonic ratio, s/z ratio, variation of amplitude were not observed. CONCLUSION: Acoustic analysis of voice, using an electronic system, allows the identification of changes in voice parameters for predicting the worsening of disease and for targeting specific intervention. Among the voice parameters, jitter and shimmer significantly increased in patients with PD

A significant relationship between personality traits and adhesive capsulitis.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the associations between adhesive capsulitis (AC) and a specific psychological profile. METHODS: We assessed 72 patients with phase-II AC. In our study, 36 patients were affected by primary disease and 36 by secondary disease. The inclusion criteria were as follows: unilateral AC and pain in the shoulder for at least two months. The exclusion criteria were: psychiatric and neurological manifestations with a previous diagnosis and inability to comprehend the instruments. Outcomes were determined at 52 weeks. Shoulder pain severity was assessed with the Visual Analog Scale. We also measured the range of motion with a universal goniometer and the strength with the Medical Research Council. We assessed the personality traits of our patients with the Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. RESULTS: Patients with primary AC needed more time to improve the symptomatology compared to the group with the secondary disease (p<0.01). Patients with primary AC complained of severe and lasting pain more frequently than patients with the secondary disease (p< 0.01). In patients with primary disease, the prevalence of perfectionism, low levels of novelty seeking, and high levels of harm avoidance were 88.2 and 86.2%, and 80.4, respectively, and below 20 percent in patients with secondary AC disease. CONCLUSION: We found a significant correlation between primary AC and particular personality traits, indicating an interaction between psychological and somatic factors.

A significant relationship between personality traits and adhesive capsulitis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE We investigated the associations between adhesive capsulitis (AC) and a specific psychological profile. METHODS We assessed 72 patients with phase-II AC. In our study, 36 patients were affected by primary disease and 36 by secondary disease. The inclusion criteria were as follows: unilateral AC and pain in the shoulder for at least two months. The exclusion criteria were: psychiatric and neurological manifestations with a previous diagnosis and inability to comprehend the instruments. Outcomes were determined at 52 weeks. Shoulder pain severity was assessed with the Visual Analog Scale. We also measured the range of motion with a universal goniometer and the strength with the Medical Research Council. We assessed the personality traits of our patients with the Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. RESULTS Patients with primary AC needed more time to improve the symptomatology compared to the group with the secondary disease (p<0.01). Patients with primary AC complained of severe and lasting pain more frequently than patients with the secondary disease (p< 0.01). In patients with primary disease, the prevalence of perfectionism, low levels of novelty seeking, and high levels of harm avoidance were 88.2 and 86.2%, and 80.4, respectively, and below 20 percent in patients with secondary AC disease. CONCLUSION We found a significant correlation between primary AC and particular personality traits, indicating an interaction between psychological and somatic factors.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Investigar as associações entre a capsulite adesiva (CA) e um perfil psicológico específico. METODOLOGIA Foram avaliados 72 pacientes com CA fase II. Em nosso estudo, 36 pacientes foram afetados pela doença primária e 36 pela secundária. Os critérios de inclusão foram os seguintes: CA unilateral e dor no ombro durante por pelo menos dois meses. Os critérios de exclusão foram: manifestações neurológicas e psiquiátricas com um diagnóstico prévio e incapacidade de compreender os instrumentos de medição utilizados. Os resultados foram determinados após 52 semanas. A intensidade da dor no ombro foi avaliada usando a Escala Visual Analógica. Também medimos a amplitude de movimento com um goniômetro universal e a força com a escala do Conselho de Pesquisa Médica. Avaliamos os traços da personalidade dos nossos pacientes através do Inventário de Temperamento e Caráter de Cloninger e da Escala Multidimensional de Perfeccionismo. RESULTADOS Pacientes com CA primária precisaram de mais tempo para melhorar a sintomatologia quando comparados ao grupo secundário (p<0,01). Pacientes com CA primária apresentaram mais queixas de dor intensa e duradoura do que pacientes secundários (p< 0,01). Em pacientes com a doença primária, a prevalência de perfeccionismo, baixos níveis de procura por novidade, e altos níveis de prevenção de danos foram 88,2, 86,2% e 80,4, respectivamente, e abaixo de 20% em pacientes secundários. CONCLUSÃO Encontramos uma correlação significativa entre CA primária e traços de personalidade específicos, indicando uma interação entre fatores psicológicos e somáticos.

Acoustic analysis of voice in bulbar amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies.

Objective: A systematic review and a meta-analysis were performed to identify the main characteristics of voice disturbances in bulbar amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Materials and Methods: Literature searches with the keywords: "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis" and "dysarthria" and "intelligibility" were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science to perform the systematic review about the articulatory disorders and with the keyword "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis" and "voice" to conduct the meta-analysis about the phonetic changes in patients with bulbar ALS.Results: Seven publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis, twenty-six publications were included in the systematic review. The data within the meta-analysis revealed that several voice parameters including Jitter, Shimmer, Noise to Harmonic Ratio discriminated best between bulbar amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and healthy controls. On the other hand, significant variations of fundamental frequency were not observed.Conclusion: Acoustic analysis of voice and articulatory analysis contributes to identification of the earliest signs of bulbar degeneration and allows the identification of changes in voice parameters for an early detection, for predicting bulbar involvement and the worsening of disease, for targeting specific intervention. Among the voice parameters, Jitter and Shimmer discriminated better bulbar involvement, they are significantly increased in the patients, on the contrary maximum phonation time is significantly worsened. The careful monitoring of speech symptoms improves diagnostic accuracy and the close cooperation of a multidisciplinary team (physicians as otolaryngologist and physiatrist, speech and language therapists, physiotherapist, dietitians, caregivers, the patients, and their relatives) could be essential.

Multidisciplinary protocol for the management of fibromyalgia associated with imbalance. Our experience and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: We reported our multidisciplinary protocol for the management of fibromyalgia associated with imbalance. Our aim was to verify the effectiveness of a proprioceptive training program as a complementary therapy for a traditional protocol of education, mindfulness, and exercise training for the management of fibromyalgia associated with imbalance. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study on 84 women, with primary fibromyalgia associated to imbalance. A group of patients performed traditional exercise training; in a second group the training was supplemented with proprioception exercises. Each session lasted from 40 to 60 minutes and was performed three times a week for 12 weeks. RESULTS: After three months of training and eight months after the end of the training, the balance evaluation revealed significant differences in the comparison of the Timed Up and Go test, Berg Balance Scale, and Tinetti scale with the baseline, there was a better improvement in the proprioceptive training group (p<0.05). A reduction in pain and improvement in functional and muscular performance and quality of life were observed in both groups (p<0.05), but with no significant differences between them in the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and Short Form Health Survey (p>0.05). Fifteen months after the end of the program, the effects of training were not maintained. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that training supplemented with proprioception exercises has beneficial effects on clinical findings and improves balance in patients with fibromyalgia, even if the positive results did not persist after the interruption of the rehabilitative program in the long term.

Multidisciplinary protocol for the management of fibromyalgia associated with imbalance. Our experience and literature review

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE We reported our multidisciplinary protocol for the management of fibromyalgia associated with imbalance. Our aim was to verify the effectiveness of a proprioceptive training program as a complementary therapy for a traditional protocol of education, mindfulness, and exercise training for the management of fibromyalgia associated with imbalance. METHODS Retrospective cohort study on 84 women, with primary fibromyalgia associated to imbalance. A group of patients performed traditional exercise training; in a second group the training was supplemented with proprioception exercises. Each session lasted from 40 to 60 minutes and was performed three times a week for 12 weeks. RESULTS After three months of training and eight months after the end of the training, the balance evaluation revealed significant differences in the comparison of the Timed Up and Go test, Berg Balance Scale, and Tinetti scale with the baseline, there was a better improvement in the proprioceptive training group (p<0.05). A reduction in pain and improvement in functional and muscular performance and quality of life were observed in both groups (p<0.05), but with no significant differences between them in the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and Short Form Health Survey (p>0.05). Fifteen months after the end of the program, the effects of training were not maintained. CONCLUSION The present study revealed that training supplemented with proprioception exercises has beneficial effects on clinical findings and improves balance in patients with fibromyalgia, even if the positive results did not persist after the interruption of the rehabilitative program in the long term.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Relatamos nosso protocolo multidisciplinar para o manejo da fibromialgia associada ao desequilíbrio. Nosso objetivo foi verificar a eficácia do programa de treinamento proprioceptivo como terapia complementar de um protocolo tradicional (exercícios aeróbicos, de resistência e flexibilidade). MÉTODOS Estudo retrospectivo em 84 mulheres com fibromialgia primária associada a desequilíbrio. Um grupo de pacientes realizou o treinamento tradicional; em um segundo grupo o treinamento foi complementado com exercícios de propriocepção. Cada sessão durou de 40 a 60 minutos e foi realizada três vezes por semana durante 12 semanas. RESULTADOS Após três meses de treinamento e oito meses após o término do treinamento, a avaliação do equilíbrio revelou diferenças significativas nos testes Timed Up and Go, Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg e Escala de Tinetti em comparação com a linha de base, com uma melhora maior no grupo de treinamento proprioceptivo (p<0,05). Redução da dor e melhora do desempenho funcional e muscular e da qualidade de vida foram observadas em ambos os grupos (p<0,05), mas sem diferenças significativas entre eles na Escala Numérica de Dor, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire e Short Form Health Survey (p>0,05). Quinze meses após o final do programa, os efeitos do treinamento não foram mantidos. CONCLUSÃO O presente estudo revelou que o treinamento suplementado com exercícios de propriocepção tem efeitos benéficos sobre os achados clínicos e melhora o equilíbrio em pacientes com fibromialgia, mesmo que os resultados positivos não tenham persistido após a interrupção do programa de reabilitação no longo prazo.

The primacy of ultrasound in the assessment of muscle architecture: precision, accuracy, reliability of ultrasonography. Physiatrist, radiologist, general internist, and family practitioner's experiences.

OBJECTIVE: With high-resolution real-time ultrasonography we investigated the muscle architectural parameters of vastus lateralis in healthy volunteers. PURPOSES: We determined the reproducibility and validity of ultrasonography and the role of the ultrasonographer in assessing muscle architecture. We proposed the most appropriate clinical parameters for objective measurements and an ultrasound protocol of muscle architecture. METHODS: We conducted an intraobserver and interobserver study. We investigated 21 healthy male volunteers. The subjects were independently evaluated by four different operators using high-resolution real-time ultrasonography. To assess the reproducibility of ultrasound examinations, four operators repeated measurements using the same ultrasound device. Muscle thickness, muscle volume, muscle fiber pennation angle, and subcutaneous adiposity of the vastus lateralis muscle were measured. RESULTS: Intra-observer (ICC 0.92-0.97), interobserver (ICC 0.78-0.92) reproducibility was good to excellent for all measurements. CONCLUSION: Simple, reproducible, non-invasive ultrasound measurements of muscle structure easily demonstrated differences in muscle morphology. With a protocol and with objective and repeatable measurements, sonographers from different backgrounds could obtain an objective measurement of ultrasound images with little differences and low variability in results, thanks to the upgrading of diagnostic ultrasound imaging and their clinical skills.

Multi-disciplinary clinical protocol for the diagnosis of bulbar amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / Protocolo clínico multi-disciplinar para el diagnóstico de la esclerosis lateral amiotrófica bulbar

Introduction and objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the role of different specialists in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), to understand changes in verbal expression and phonation, respiratory dynamics and swallowing that occurred rapidly over a short period of time. Materials and methods: 22 patients with bulbar ALS were submitted for voice assessment, ENT evaluation, Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP), spectrogram, electroglottography, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. Results: In the early stage of the disease, the oral tract and velopharyngeal port were involved. Three months after the initial symptoms, most of the patients presented hoarseness, breathy voice, dysarthria, pitch modulation problems and difficulties in pronunciation of explosive, velar and lingual consonants. Values of MDVP were altered. Spectrogram showed an additional formant, due to nasal resonance. Electroglottography showed periodic oscillation of the vocal folds only during short vocal cycle. Swallowing was characterized by weakness and incoordination of oro-pharyngeal muscles with penetration or aspiration. Conclusions: A specific multidisciplinary clinical protocol was designed to report vocal parameters and swallowing disorders that changed more quickly in bulbar ALS patients. Furthermore, the patients were stratified according to involvement of pharyngeal structures, and severity index

Introducción y objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar la función de los diferentes especialistas en el diagnóstico de la esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA), para comprender qué cambios se produjeron en cuanto a expresión verbal, dinámica fonatoria y respiratoria, y deglución, en un breve periodo de tiempo. Materiales y métodos: Se sometió a 22 pacientes con ELA bulbar a evaluación de la voz, examen ORL, programa de voz multi-dimensional (MDVP), espectrograma, electroglotografía y evaluación de la deglución mediante endoscopía de fibra óptica. Resultados: En la etapa temprana de la enfermedad, el tracto oral y el cierre velofaríngeo se vieron comprometidos. Transcurridos 3 meses de los síntomas iniciales, la mayoría de los pacientes presentó ronquera, voz entrecortada, disartria, problemas de modulación de la afinación y dificultades de pronunciación de las consonantes oclusivas, velares y linguales. Los valores del MDVP se vieron alterados. El espectrograma reflejó un formante adicional, debido a la resonancia nasal. La electroglotografía mostró una oscilación periódica de las cuerdas vocales únicamente durante el ciclo vocal corto. La deglución se vio caracterizada por debilidad y descoordinación de los músculos orofaríngeos, con penetración o aspiración. Conclusiones: Se diseñó un protocolo clínico multidisciplinar específico para reportar los parámetros vocales y los trastornos deglutorios que experimentan un cambio más rápido en los pacientes con ELA bulbar. Además, se estratificaron los pacientes con arreglo al compromiso de las estructuras faríngeas y el índice de gravedad

The primacy of ultrasound in the assessment of muscle architecture: precision, accuracy, reliability of ultrasonography. Physiatrist, radiologist, general internist, and family practitioner's experiences

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: With high-resolution real-time ultrasonography we investigated the muscle architectural parameters of vastus lateralis in healthy volunteers. PURPOSES: We determined the reproducibility and validity of ultrasonography and the role of the ultrasonographer in assessing muscle architecture. We proposed the most appropriate clinical parameters for objective measurements and an ultrasound protocol of muscle architecture. METHODS: We conducted an intraobserver and interobserver study. We investigated 21 healthy male volunteers. The subjects were independently evaluated by four different operators using high-resolution real-time ultrasonography. To assess the reproducibility of ultrasound examinations, four operators repeated measurements using the same ultrasound device. Muscle thickness, muscle volume, muscle fiber pennation angle, and subcutaneous adiposity of the vastus lateralis muscle were measured. RESULTS: Intra-observer (ICC 0.92-0.97), interobserver (ICC 0.78-0.92) reproducibility was good to excellent for all measurements. CONCLUSION: Simple, reproducible, non-invasive ultrasound measurements of muscle structure easily demonstrated differences in muscle morphology. With a protocol and with objective and repeatable measurements, sonographers from different backgrounds could obtain an objective measurement of ultrasound images with little differences and low variability in results, thanks to the upgrading of diagnostic ultrasound imaging and their clinical skills.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Nós utilizamos ultrassonografia de alta resolução em tempo real para investigar os parâmetros da arquitetura muscular do vasto lateral em voluntários saudáveis. PROPÓSITO: Nós determinamos da reproduzibilidade e validade da ultrassonografia e o papel do ultrassonografista na avaliação da arquitetura muscular. Nós propomos os parâmetros clínicos mais apropriados para uma medição objetiva e um protocolo de ultrassonografia para arquitetura muscular. MÉTODOS: Nós conduzimos um estudo intra-observador e inter-observador. Investigamos 21 voluntários saudáveis do sexo masculino. Os participantes foram avaliados de forma independente por quatro operadores diferentes usando ultrassonografia de alta-resolução em tempo real. Para avaliar a reprodutibilidade dos exames de ultrassonografia, quatro operadores repetiram as medições usando o mesmo equipamento de ultrassonografia. A espessura e o volume do músculo, o ângulo de penação da fibra muscular, adiposidade subcutânea do músculo vasto lateral foram medidos. RESULTADOS: A reprodutibilidade intra-observador (ICC 0,92-0,97) e inter-observador (ICC 0,78-0,92) foi boa a excelente para todas as medições. CONCLUSÃO: Medições de ultrassonografia simples, reprodutíveis e não-invasivas da estrutura muscular demostraram facilmente as diferenças na morfologia muscular. Seguindo um protocolo e com medições objetivas e reproduzíveis, ultrassonografistas com diferentes formações e experiências podem conseguir uma medição objetiva de imagens de ultrassonografia com poucas diferenças e pouca variação nos resultados graças à melhoria da qualidade nos exames de diagnóstico por imagem de ultrassonografia e das habilidades clínicas.

Multi-disciplinary clinical protocol for the diagnosis of bulbar amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the role of different specialists in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), to understand changes in verbal expression and phonation, respiratory dynamics and swallowing that occurred rapidly over a short period of time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 22 patients with bulbar ALS were submitted for voice assessment, ENT evaluation, Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP), spectrogram, electroglottography, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. RESULTS: In the early stage of the disease, the oral tract and velopharyngeal port were involved. Three months after the initial symptoms, most of the patients presented hoarseness, breathy voice, dysarthria, pitch modulation problems and difficulties in pronunciation of explosive, velar and lingual consonants. Values of MDVP were altered. Spectrogram showed an additional formant, due to nasal resonance. Electroglottography showed periodic oscillation of the vocal folds only during short vocal cycle. Swallowing was characterized by weakness and incoordination of oro-pharyngeal muscles with penetration or aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: A specific multidisciplinary clinical protocol was designed to report vocal parameters and swallowing disorders that changed more quickly in bulbar ALS patients. Furthermore, the patients were stratified according to involvement of pharyngeal structures, and severity index.

Relationship between radiotherapy and gastroesophageal reflux disease in causing tracheoesophageal voice rehabilitation failure.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyze the association of radiotherapy with gastroesophageal reflux as determinant of fistula related pathology, in voice prosthesis patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: Sixty-one laryngectomy patients were enrolled between 2005 and 2012. All patients underwent phonatory rehabilitation with voice prosthesis, along with evidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease, for which proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were prescribed. We analyzed the occurrence of fistula-related problems among patients who received postoperative radiotherapy and those patients who did not. RESULTS: We observed a higher rate of failure of speech rehabilitation in laryngectomy patients with gastroesphageal reflux: this occurred when they had a history of postoperative radiotherapy (45%) compared with patients who did not (17%) (P < 0.05), although all patients were treated with PPIs. CONCLUSION: Our results seem to confirm the importance of postoperative radiotherapy with gastroesophageal reflux for the determinism of fistula-related problems.

Post laryngectomy speech rehabilitation outcome in elderly patients.

The aim of our work has been to evaluate the different options of tracheoesophageal voice rehabilitation in over 70-year-old patients, who had undergone laryngectomy, assessing advantages and drawbacks of this method of vocal recovery. A retrospective study has been carried out. This has included 40 subjects, all aged more than 70 years old, who have been referred to tracheoesophageal voice rehabilitation. It has been realized a phonatory fistula between trachea and esophagus with prosthesis positioning by means of a primary puncture in 18 cases and it has been realized a secondary puncture in 22 cases. The results gathered in these patients were compared with data obtained from a group made of 39 patients, less than 70 years of age that therefore represented our control group. In primary tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP), the short-term success was 67 %, while in the 22 cases who underwent secondary TEP, the short-term success was 64 %. After 2 years from TEP, the long-term success was 82.5 %. In the control group, the short-term success was 65 % in primary TEP and 73 % in secondary TEP. After 2 years from TEP, the long-term success was 77 %. The evaluation of the results has shown the absence of a statistically significant difference both as regards complications incidence, during and after surgery (p > 0.9) and as regards overall success ratio of prosthesis implants between the two groups (p > 0.7). The possibilities of tracheoesophageal recovery of elderly patients do not show dissimilarities in comparison with the results in younger subjects.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and postlaryngectomy tracheoesophageal fistula.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the incidence of pathologic gastroesophageal reflux in laryngectomized patient with phonatory prosthesis, analyzing potential related problems and appraising, at the same time, the effectiveness of a therapeutic protocol. A retrospective study was conducted on 43 phonatory prosthesis patients who had problems with regard to recurrent tracheoesophageal granulations, the need of frequent prosthesis replacement, within a 3-month period, and unsatisfactory vocal results. Such patients underwent physical examination of the fistula region and of the neopharynx and were submitted to esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Moreover the group of patients underwent a therapeutic protocol and were re-evaluated posttreatment, examining fistula region both on the tracheal side and on the esophageal side through videolaryngostroboscopy. Of the 43 recruited patients 13 (30%) presented tracheoesophageal granulations, 20 (46.5%) unsatisfactory vocal results and 10 (23.5%) frequent prosthesis replacement, within a 3-month period, due to abnormal biofilm development. In particular, of the 13 patients who had recurrent granulations, the evaluation results revealed the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in 6 cases (46%). In the group of patients presenting unsatisfactory vocal results GERD was shown in 13 cases (65%). In the third group of patients GERD was found in two cases (20%). The overall analysis of the data gathered, allowed to identify GERD in 21 (49%) of the 43 patients submitted to the study. The results posttreatment indicated, in the first group, the disappearance or a significant (>75%) volume reduction of such formation in five cases (38%, p = 0.002). In the second group an overall improvement in the quality of voice was displayed at least for 12 patients (60%, p = 0.0001). Finally in the last group an increase of the prosthesis life was recorded in four (40%, p = 0.05) of the ten patients who had the need of prosthesis replacement within 3 months. Also the 22 GERD negative cases (51%) underwent the treatment, therefore representing the control group, whose posttreatment results showed substantial modifications in just two cases (9%). The data obtained suggest a high degree of correlation between the presence of pathologic gastric reflux and the partial or total prosthesis failure. The introduction of a specific therapeutic protocol has allowed to improve the quality of prosthesis (QoP) in 22 of the 43 patients (p < 0.001) who had a pathologic condition of the fistula and of the prosthesis.