Gait Training with Functional Electrical Stimulation Improves Mobility in People Post-Stroke.

(1) Background: Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability. To identify the best treatment strategies for people with stroke (PwS), the aim of the current study was to compare the effects of training on a treadmill with functional electrical stimulation (TT-FES) with training on a treadmill (TT), and to analyze the effects of sequence of training on mobility and the parameters of walking ability. (2) Methods: Prospective, longitudinal, randomized and crossover study, in which 28 PwS were distributed into groups, namely the A-B Group (TT-FES followed by TT) and B-A Group (TT followed by TT-FES), using the foot drop stimulator, and were measured with functional tests. (3) Results: We found improved mobility, balance, non-paretic limb coordination, and endurance only in the group that started with TT-FES. However, sensorimotor function improved regardless of the order of training, and paretic limb coordination only improved in the B-A Group, but after TT-FES. These data indicate that the order of the protocols changed the results. (4) Conclusions: Although biomechanical evaluation methods were not used, which can be considered a limitation, our results showed that TT-FES was superior to isolated training on a treadmill with regard to balance, endurance capacity, and coordination of the non-paretic limb.

Phototherapy 660 nm for the prevention of radiodermatitis in breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Breast neoplasms are the second most common type of cancer worldwide, and radiation therapy is a key component of their treatment. Acute skin reactions are one of the most common side effects of radiation therapy, and prevention of this adverse event has been investigated in several studies. However, a clinically applicable, preventative treatment remains unavailable. It has been demonstrated that application of a low-power laser can promote tissue repair. Therefore, the aim of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of an indium gallium aluminum phosphorus (InGaAIP) laser operated at 660 nm in preventing radiodermatitis in women undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a two-arm, randomized controlled trial. A total of 52 patients undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer (stages I to III) will be enrolled. Patients will be randomly assigned to an intervention group to receive laser therapy (n = 26) or a control group to receive a placebo (n = 26). The laser or placebo will be applied five days a week, immediately before each radiotherapy session. Skin reactions will then be graded weekly by a nurse, a radiotherapist, and an oncologist (all of whom will be blinded) using the Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) developed by the National Cancer Institute and the Acute Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria developed by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group. Patients will also answer a modified visual analogue scale for pain (a self-evaluation questionnaire). Primary and secondary outcomes will be the prevention of radiodermatitis and pain secondary to radiodermatitis, respectively. DISCUSSION: The ideal tool for preventing radiodermatitis is an agent that mediates DNA repair or promotes cell proliferation. Application of a low-power laser has been shown to promote tissue repair by reducing inflammation and inducing collagen synthesis. Moreover, this treatment approach has not been associated with adverse events and is cost-effective. Thus, the results of this ongoing trial may establish whether use of a low-power laser represents an ideal treatment option for the prevention of radiodermatitis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02003599. Registered on 2 December 2013.

Intervenção fisioterapêutica na mielomeningocele / Physical therapy intervention in myelomeningocele

A mielomeningocele (MMC) é um defeito de fechamento do tubo neural, caracterizado pela falha na fusão dos arcos vertebrais, displasia medular e distensão cística das meninges, que contêm tecido nervoso em seu interior. O defeito acontece entre a terceira e quinta semana de vida intra-uterina e nem sempre é diagnosticada durante a gravidez, sendo responsável por 85 por cento dos casos de defeito do tubo neural (DFTN). A manifestação clínica mais óbvia da mielomeningocele (MMC) é a perda das funções sensoriais e motoras nos membros inferiores. O presente estudo demonstrou os resultados da fisioterapia em uma criança com MMC através da funcionalidade e da independência nas atividades de vida diária (AVDs), por meio de aquisições da capacidade de engatinhar e deambular com auxílio.

The myelomeningocele (MMC) is a failure on the neural tube closing, characterized by the flaw in the fusion of vertebral arches, medullary dysplasia and cystic distention of the meninges which contain nervous tissue in their interior. The defect occurs between the third and fifth week of intra-uterine life and not always is diagnosed during pregnancy. It is responsible for 85 percent of neural tube defect cases. The most obvious myelomeningocele clinical manifestations are: loss of sensory and motor functions of the lower limbs. The present study showed the results of physical therapy in a child with MMC through functionality and independence on daily life activities through acquisitions of the capacity of crawling and walking with assistance.