Effects of Exergames in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Objective: Evaluation of the effects of exergames in women with fibromyalgia on the impact of the disease-pain threshold and physical variables-compared to performing stretching exercises. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five women were enrolled in the study and divided by simple randomization into two treatment groups: the control group (n = 19) and the Wii™ (exergames) group (n = 16). Participants were evaluated using the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), algometry, step tests, cardiopulmonary parameters, and fatigue in the lower limbs. The participants underwent treatments for a period of 7 weeks with three 1-hour sessions weekly and were reevaluated after the 10th and the 20th sessions. Results: The exergames group showed significant reduction of their fibromyalgia symptoms, as demonstrated by lower FIQ scores in the key domains on questions regarding missed work, pain, fatigue, problems resting, stiffness, anxiety, and depression. Significant improvements were observed in mean algometric values in the cervical region, the second chondrocostal junction, the lateral epicondyle, left medial knee border, left occipital region, trapezius, supraspinatus, gluteal muscles, and the greater trochanter. Improved cardiovascular adaptation was reflected by decreased systolic blood pressure, reduction in fatigue of the lower limbs assessed by the CR10 Borg scale, and improved exercise capacity assessed by a step test. Conclusion: Exergames have the potential to increase exercise capacity, decrease the impact of fibromyalgia, promote cardiovascular adaptation, reduce fatigue of lower limbs, and improve the pain threshold in women with fibromyalgia.

Efeito da técnica isostretching no equilíbrio postural / Effect of the isostretching tecnique on postural balance

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da técnica isostretching em alterações posturais. Doze voluntários com aumento da cifose torácica, escoliose, protrusão de cabeça e ombros foram tratados com a técnica isostretching três vezes por semana em sessões de 1 hora cada. Foram divididos em dois grupos, segundo o número de sessões de tratamento que freqüentaram: grupo 1 (n=8), mais de 30 sessões e grupo 2 (n=4), menos de 30 sessões. Para a avaliação postural, os voluntários foram fotografados antes e após o tratamento no plano frontal anterior e posterior, no plano sagital ereto e em flexão anterior de tronco. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente, considerando o nível de significância de 5%. No grupo 1, os resultados foram satisfatórios quanto às modificações no alinhamento do triângulo de Talles (.T) esquerdo (f=0,00), ângulo coxofemoral (f=0,00), ângulo tibiotársico (f=0,00) e alinhamento da coluna torácica f=0,01). Nos indivíduos do grupo 2, os resultados foram satisfatórios quanto ao alinhamento do joelho esquerdo (f=0,03), .T esquerdo (f=0,00), .T direito (f=0,01), alinhamento da coluna torácica (f=0,03) e alinhamento da cabeça (f=0,02). A técnica de isostretching, nas posturas adotadas neste estudo, foi pois eficaz no alinhamento da coluna vertebral torácicanos dois grupos, bem como na melhora da flexibilidade no grupo 1; entretanto, não houve melhora nas assimetrias posturais no plano frontal, independente do número de sessões freqüentadas pelos sujeitos...

The purpose was to assess the effects of the isostretching technique on postural changes. Twelve subjects with increased thoracic kyphosis, scoliosis, head and shoulders protusion were treated with the isostretching technique in three one-hour weekly sessions. Subjects were dividded into two groups according to the number of sessions attended: group 1 (n=8), over 30 sessions; and group 2 (n=4) attended less than 30 sessions. In order to assess postural changes, subjects were photographed before and after treatment at anterior and posterior frontal planes, at upright sagittal plane and at anterior trunk flexion. Data were statistically analysed and significance level set at 5%. Group 1 results were satisfactory as to changes in letf Talles triangle (T.) alignment (f=0.00), hip angle (f=0.00), tibiotarsal angle (f=0.01), and thoracic kyphosis alignment (f=0.00). In group 2 subjects, results were satisfactory as to left knee angle (f=0.03), left T. f=0.00) and right T. (f=0.01) alignment, thoracic kyphosis (f=0.03) and head alignment (f=0.02). The isostretching technique, in the postures here adopted, was efficient in aligning thoracic spine in both groups and in improving flexibility in group 1; however, regardless of the number of sessions attended, no changes in frontal plane posture asymmetries were noticed...