Internet and decision-making regarding health among pregnant woman: cross-cultural adaptation of a questionnaire for use in Brazil.

The aim of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Women's Use of the Internet in Pregnancy Questionnaire (WUIPQ) to Brazilian Portuguese and analyze the psychometric properties of the Preparation for Decision Making Scale (PDMS). This study consisted of the following steps: translation, synthesis, back-translation, evaluation by the author of the original questionnaire, review by the panel of experts, and pretest of the WUIPQ. For such, Brazilian pregnant women and mothers who were members of Facebook groups participated in the study. We measured test-retest reliability as well as internal consistency and performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the B-PDMS. In the pretest, 88.14% of the participants considered the items of the B-WUIPQ to be clear and pertinent, and 84.09% rated the sequence and organization of the questionnaire as excellent/good. The intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the B-PDMS were 0.850 (95%CI: 0.791-0.899) and 0.91, respectively. CFA revealed factor loadings higher than 0.70 for most items, with a comparative fit index of 0.989, Tucker-Lewis index of 0.984, and root mean square error of approximation of 0.08 (95%CI: 0.06-0.09). The B-WUIPQ presented cross-cultural adapted, and the B-PDMS demonstrated satisfactory psychometric proprieties to Brazilian pregnant women.

Internet and decision-making regarding health among pregnant woman: cross-cultural adaptation of a questionnaire for use in Brazil / A Internet e tomada de decisões sobre saúde entre gestantes: uma adaptação transcultural de um questionário para uso no Brasil / Internet y toma de decisiones respecto a la salud entre mujeres embarazadas: adaptación transcultural de un cuestionario para su uso en Brasil

The aim of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Women's Use of the Internet in Pregnancy Questionnaire (WUIPQ) to Brazilian Portuguese and analyze the psychometric properties of the Preparation for Decision Making Scale (PDMS). This study consisted of the following steps: translation, synthesis, back-translation, evaluation by the author of the original questionnaire, review by the panel of experts, and pretest of the WUIPQ. For such, Brazilian pregnant women and mothers who were members of Facebook groups participated in the study. We measured test-retest reliability as well as internal consistency and performed confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the B-PDMS. In the pretest, 88.14% of the participants considered the items of the B-WUIPQ to be clear and pertinent, and 84.09% rated the sequence and organization of the questionnaire as excellent/good. The intraclass correlation coefficient and Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the B-PDMS were 0.850 (95%CI: 0.791-0.899) and 0.91, respectively. CFA revealed factor loadings higher than 0.70 for most items, with a comparative fit index of 0.989, Tucker-Lewis index of 0.984, and root mean square error of approximation of 0.08 (95%CI: 0.06-0.09). The B-WUIPQ presented cross-cultural adapted, and the B-PDMS demonstrated satisfactory psychometric proprieties to Brazilian pregnant women.

O estudo teve como objetivos, traduzir e realizar a adaptação transcultural do Women's Use of the Internet in Pregnancy Questionnaire (WUIPQ) para português do Brasil e analisar as propriedades psicométricas da Preparation for Decision Making Scale (PDMS). O estudo consistiu nas seguintes etapas: tradução, síntese, retrotradução, avaliação pelo autor do questionário original, revisão pelo painel de especialistas e pré-teste do WUIPQ. Gestantes e mães brasileiras que pertenciam a grupos de Facebook participaram no estudo. Medimos a confiabilidade teste-reteste e a consistência interna e realizamos análise fatorial confirmatória (AFC) do B-PDMS. No pré-teste, 88,14% das participantes consideraram os itens do B-WUIPQ claros e pertinentes, e 84,09% avaliaram a sequência e organização do questionário como excelentes ou boas. Os coeficientes de correlação intraclasse e alfa de Cronbach para o B-PDMS foram 0,850 (IC95%: 0,791-0,899) e 0,91, respectivamente. A AFC revelou cargas fatoriais acima de 0,70 para a maioria dos itens, com um índice de ajuste comparativo de 0,989, índice de Tucker-Lewis de 0,984 e raiz da média dos quadrados dos erros de aproximação de 0,08 (IC95%: 0,06-0,09). O B-WUIPQ apresentou boa adaptação transcultural, e o B-PDMS demonstrou propriedades satisfatórias para gestantes brasileiras.

El objetivo de este estudio fue traducir y adaptar transculturalmente el Women's Use of the Internet in Pregnancy Questionnaire (WUIPQ) al portugués de Brasil y analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la Preparation for Decision Making Scale (PDMS). Este estudio consistió en los siguientes pasos: traducción, síntesis, traducción inversa, evaluación por parte del autor del cuestionario original, revisión de un panel de expertos, y pretest del WUIPQ. Para ello, mujeres embarazadas brasileñas, y madres que eran miembros de grupos de Facebook, participaron en el estudio. Se midió la fiabilidad del test-retest y la consistencia interna, y se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC) de la B-PDMS. En los pretest, 88,14% de las participantes consideraron los ítems del B-WUIPQ claros y pertinentes, y un 84,09% calificaron la secuencia y organización del cuestionario como excelente/buena. El coeficiente de correlación intraclase y el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach para la B-PDMS fueron 0,850 (IC95%: 0,791-0,899) y 0,91, respectivamente. El AFC reveló cargas factoriales superiores a 0,70 para la mayoría de los ítems, con un índice de ajuste comparativo de 0,989, índice de Tucker-Lewis de 0,984 y raíz de la media de los cuadrados de los errores de aproximación de 0,08 (IC95%: 0,06-0,09). El B-WUIPQ demostró estar transculturalmente adaptado, y la B-PDMS mostró propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias para las mujeres brasileñas embarazadas.

Adaptação transcultural da versão brasileira do "Womens' Use of the Internet in Pregnancy Questionnaire" / Cross-cultural adaptation of the brazilian version of "womens 'use of the internet in pregnancy questionnaire"

Há necessidade de instrumentos, criados ou adaptados no país, que avaliem o uso da internet por gestantes e a sua influência no processo de tomada de decisão relacionada à saúde. O objetivo deste trabalho é adaptar transculturalmente para o português do Brasil o "Womens' Use of the Internet in Pregnancy Questionnaire" (WUIPQ) e avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira da escala "Preparação para a Tomada de Decisão" (PDMS). O WUIPQ foi desenvolvido e validado na Irlanda do Norte e apresenta 71 itens. Dentre estes, 11 correspondem à escala PDMS que avalia a percepção da gestante sobre a utilidade da internet para a tomada de decisão relacionada à saúde e comunicação com o profissional durante as consultas de pré-natal. A autora do questionário autorizou o processo de adaptação transcultural do WUIPQ para o contexto brasileiro. A população-alvo do estudo foram 941 mulheres, integrantes dos grupos virtuais de gestantes e mães do Facebook@, que atenderam aos critérios de elegibilidade: gestantes e mães brasileiras maiores de 18 anos que tiveram filhos há menos de um ano e residentes no Brasil. A avaliação da equivalência conceitual e de itens do questionário foi realizada pelo painel de especialistas. A tradução foi realizada de forma independente por dois tradutores bilíngues. As duas versões foram analisadas pelo painel de especialistas originando a versão síntese, retrotraduzida para o inglês por outro tradutor bilíngue e avaliada pela autora do questionário original. As adequações realizadas na versão síntese resultaram na versão pré-teste. A versão pré-teste foi aplicada em 151mulheres membros de um grupo virtual do Facebook®. Para o estudo das propriedades psicométricas da escala PDMS, a confiabilidade teste-reteste foi estimada por meio Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse, aplicando o B-WUIPQ em uma amostra de 117 participantes, integrantes de quatro grupos virtuais. Após o resultado, o questionário foi aplicado em 673 gestantes e mães de 118 grupos para avaliação da consistência interna e validade de constructo / estrutural, os quais foram mensurados por meio do alfa de Cronbach e da Análise Fatorial Confirmatória, respectivamente. O B-WUIPQ apresentou evidência de boa compreensão de seu conteúdo, atestada pelo painel de especialistas e membros da população-alvo. A maioria das mulheres do pré-teste (88,14%) considerou os itens claros e pertinentes para o contexto brasileiro e 84,09% avaliaram a sequência do questionário como ótima/boa. O Coeficiente de Correlação Intraclasse da versão brasileira da escala PDMS foi 0,85 (IC95% 0,791-0,899) e o valor encontrado para o alpha de Cronbach foi 0,91. A Análise Fatorial Confirmatória identificou 81% (IC 0,071- 0,092) de variância explicada e cargas fatoriais superiores a 0,70 para a maioria dos itens. Os resultados demonstraram que o B-WUIPQ apresentou boa validação semântica e a versão brasileira da escala PDMS mostrou-se confiável e válida indicando a aplicabilidade da escala no contexto brasileiro. (AU)

There is a need for instruments, either created in Brazil or adapted to the Brazilian context, that assess the use of the Internet by pregnant women and its influence on the decision-making process related to health. The aim of the present study is to transculturally adapt the "Women's Use of the Internet in Pregnancy Questionnaire" (B-WUIPQ) and to evaluate the psychometric properties the Brazilian version of the "Preparedness for Decision Making" Scale (PDMS). WUIPQ was developed and validated in Northern Ireland and presents 71 items, 11 of which correspond to the PDMS, which evaluates the perception of the pregnant woman about the usefulness of the internet for health-related decision making and communication with the professional during prenatal consultations. The author of the questionnaire authorized the process of adaptation of WUIPQ to the Brazilian context. The target population of the study were 941 women, members of the virtual groups of pregnant women and mothers of Facebook@, who met the eligibility criteria: pregnant women and Brazilian mothers over 18 years of age who had children less than a year and residing in Brazil. The evaluation of the conceptual equivalence and questionnaire items was carried out by the panel of experts. The translation was performed independently two bilingual translators. After analysis of the two versions, the panel of experts created the synthesis version, which was back-translated into English by another bilingual translator and the back-translated version was submitted for the evaluation of the author of the original questionnaire. The adjustments carried out in the synthesis version resulted in the pre-test version. The pre-test version was applied to 151 female members of a virtual Facebook® group. For the study of the psychometric properties of the PDMS scale, the test-retest reliability was estimated by means of Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, applying the B-WUIPQ in a sample of 117 participants, members of four virtual groups. After the result, the questionnaire was applied to 673 pregnant women and mothers of 118 groups to evaluate the internal consistency and construct / structural validity, which were measured by Cronbach's alpha and Confirmatory Factor Analysis, respectively. The B-WUIPQ demonstrated evidence of the good comprehension of its content, as attested by the panel of experts and members of the target population. Most women in the pretest (88.14%) considered the items to be clear and pertinent to Brazilian culture and 84.09% evaluated the sequence of the questionnaire to be excellent/good. The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient of the Brazilian version of the PDMS scale was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.791-0.899) and Cronbach's alpha was 0.91. Confirmatory factorial identified explained 81% (IC 0,071- 0,092) of the variance and factor loads greater than 0.70 for most items. The results showed that the B-WUIPQ presented good semantic validation and the Brazilian version of the PDMS scale proved to be reliable and valid indicating the applicability of the scale in the Brazilian context.(AU)

Knowledge and attitudes of puerperal women relating to breastfeeding in a university hospital / Saberes e atitudes de puérperas sobre o aleitamento materno em um hospital universitário

Breastfeeding (BF) has presented, among other benefits, a reduction in infant mortality, a prevention of respiratory infections and a reduction in the risks of developing diseases. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of puerperal in relation to BF in a university hospital, as well as the sources from which this information was obtained and the professional categories responsible for same. The work was carried out at the Hospital das Clinicas, Federal University of Uberlândia (HC-UFU). Structured interviews were conducted to obtain data for the evaluation of information and exercise of the BF practice with puerperal hospitalized in the accommodation complex, for mother and child, from July 1st to December 31st, 2010. Of the total of 907 women interviewed, 617 (68.0%) intended to BF for 12 months or more, 566 (62.4%) performed the BF within the first hour of birth, in 551 cases (60.8%) the decision to BF was taken by the woman before the current pregnancy and 828 (91.3%) received help in BF. Of the women who received help, 788 (95.1%) were assisted by professionals from the nursing team. It was shown that the majority of the puerperal intended to breast-feed for 12 months or more, considering that they also carried out BF in the first hour after child birth. The study also noted the importance of the nursing staff in taking care of the mother/child pair, promoting better interaction and acceptance of BF.

O aleitamento materno tem, dentre outros benefícios, a diminuição da morbimortalidade infantil, a prevenção de infecções respiratórias e a redução dos riscos de desenvolvimento de doenças, portanto, os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar os saberes e atitudes de puérperas sobre aleitamento materno em um hospital universitário, bem como as fontes de obtenção e as categorias profissionais responsáveis por essas informações. O trabalho foi realizado no Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (HC-UFU). Foram realizadas entrevistas estruturadas para obtenção de dados para avaliação de informações e exercício da prática do AM com puérperas internadas no alojamento conjunto, entre 1º de julho a 31 de dezembro de 2010. Do total de 907 entrevistadas, 617 (68,0%) das mulheres pretendiam amamentar por 12 meses ou mais, 566 (62,4%) das mulheres realizaram o AM já na primeira hora do nascimento, em 551 (60,8%) a decisão de amamentar foi tomada pela mulher antes da gravidez atual e 828 (91,3%) receberam ajuda no processo de amamentação. Das mulheres que receberam ajuda, 788 (95,1%) foram auxiliadas por profissionais da equipe de enfermagem. Foi demonstrado que a maioria das puérperas pretendia amamentar por 12 meses ou mais, tendo em vista que também realizaram o AM na primeira hora. Observou-se também a importância da equipe de enfermagem para com o cuidado do binômio mãe/filho, fazendo com que houvesse melhor interação e aceitação do AM

Autonomic cardiovascular control recovery in quadriplegics after handcycle training.

The aim of this study was to investigate the cardiovascular autonomic acute response, during recovery after handcycle training, in quadriplegics with spinal cord injury (SCI). [Subjects and Methods] Seven quadriplegics (SCIG -level C6-C7, male, age 28.00 ± 6.97 years) and eight healthy subjects (CG -male, age 25.00 ± 7.38 years) were studied. Their heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed before and after one handcycle training. [Results] After the training, the SCIG showed significantly reduced: intervals between R waves of the electrocardiogram (RR), standard deviation of the NN intervals (SDNN), square root of the mean squares differences of sucessive NN intervals (rMSSD), low frequency power (LF), high frequency power (HF), and Poincaré plot (standard deviation of short-term HRV -SD1 and standard deviation of long-term HRV -SD2). The SDNN, LF, and SD2 remained decreased during the recovery time. The CG showed significantly reduced: RR, rMSSD, number of pairs of adjacent NN intervals differing by more than 50 ms (pNN50), LF, HF, SD1, and sample entropy (SampEn). Among these parameters, only RR remained decreased during recovery time. Comparisons of the means of HRV parameters evaluated between the CG and SCIG showed that the SCIG had significantly lower pNN50, LF, HF, and SampEn before training, while immediately after training, the SCIG had significantly lower SDNN, LF, HF, and SD2. The rMSSD30s of the SCIG significantly reduced in the windows 180 and 330 seconds and between the windows 300 seconds in the CG. [Conclusion] There was a reduction of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity in the recovery period after the training in both groups; however, the CG showed a higher HRV. The parasympathetic activity also gradually increased after training, and in the SCIG, this activity remained reduced even at three minutes after the end of training, which suggests a deficiency in parasympathetic reactivation in quadriplegics after SCI.

Can cement film thickness influence bond strength and fracture resistance of fiber reinforced composite posts?

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the influence of cement film thickness (CFT) on bond strength (BS) and fracture resistance (FR) of fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) posts to root canal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred bovine incisors were used for BS and FR analysis (n = 10) and distributed into five experimental groups according to FRC post diameters (WhitePost DC no. 0.5, no. 1, no. 2, no. 3, no. 4), leading to five different CFTs. The canals were prepared using drill no. 4 provided by the post manufacturer and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl. After conditioning (24% H2O2/5 min) and silanization, posts were cemented with resin cement. BS was evaluated using push-out test and FR using the compression test at 45°. A stereomicroscope was used to measure CFT and to analyze failure pattern. BS data were subjected to two-way ANOVA and Scheffé test for contrast (α = 0.05); FR data were subjected to one-way ANOVA. RESULTS: BS was significantly affected by CFT, as the most well-adapted post achieved the highest values (p < 0.05). BS was similar for all root thirds. CFT did not affect fracture resistance. No root fractures were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A FRC post well adapted to the root canal results in higher BS values. Different CFTs did not influence the FR of teeth restored with FRC posts. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results indicate that post retention is improved when a well-adapted post is used, although this has not been critical to fracture resistance.

Immediate effects of low-intensity laser (808 nm) on fatigue and strength of spastic muscle.

The cerebrovascular accident (CVA), high-impact disease II, affects the basic functions of the limbs, leading to changes of sensory, language, and motor functions. The search for resources that minimize the damage caused by this disease grows every day. The clinical use of low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) has provided major breakthroughs in the treatment of muscular disorders and prevention of muscle fatigue. Thus, the objective of the present study is to analyze the answers and immediate adaptations of the rectus femoris and vastus medialis of spastic hemiparetic patients, facing the increase in peak torque and triggering muscle fatigue, after application of LILT. Double-blind clinical trials were conducted with 15 volunteers post-CVA with spasticity, of both genders, between 40 and 80 years old. To this end, the volunteers went through three consecutive stages of rating (control, placebo, and laser). All performed tests of isometric contraction on the patient's hemiparetic side. Significant differences were observed with regard to the increase in muscle performance (p = 0.0043) and the reduction in blood lactate concentration (p < 0.0001) of the post-LILT muscles. The LILT (diode laser, l100 mW 808 nm, 4.77 J/cm(2)/point, 40 s/AP) can be employed during and after spastic muscle-strengthening exercises, contributing to the improvement of motor function of the patient. After application of LILT, we found increased torque as well as decreased in lactate level in patients with spasticity.

Influence of different width/height ratio of maxillary anterior teeth in the attractiveness of gingival smiles

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, among laypersons and orthodontists, the influence of the width/height proportions of upper anterior teeth on the smile attractiveness, in photographs of close up smile from three adult Caucasian women, with 4 mm of gingival exposure. METHODS: The photographs of close up smiles were digitally manipulated and six images were created from each smile with teeth's width/height proportions in 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85% and 90%. Then, all these images were manipulated again and a black mask covering all teeth from the lower arch was created. The figures were then assessed by 60 evaluators, 30 orthodontists and 30 laypersons, who assigned, in a visual analog scale, the level of attractiveness of each image. RESULTS: The obtained results, in general, showed that the proportions of 75%, 80% and 85% received the highest scores while the proportion of 65% received the lowest scores, for both groups of examiners (p < 0.05). When orthodontists and laypersons were compared, it was not found, in most situations, a significant statistical difference between their assessments (p > 0.05). Yet, the comparison between scores assigned to smiles with and without inferior teeth showed that, for all situations, there was no statistically significant difference between them (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: For patients with gingival smile, the width/height proportions of upper anterior teeth considered more esthetic were the ones of 75%,80% and 85% for laypersons and orthodontists, and the presence or absence of inferior teeth did not affect the attractiveness level of the assessed smiles.

OBJETIVO: avaliar, entre leigos e ortodontistas, a influência da alteração das proporções largura/altura dos dentes anterossuperiores na atratividade do sorriso, em fotografias do sorriso aproximado de três mulheres leucodermas adultas, com 4mm de exposição gengival. MÉTODOS: as fotografias dos sorrisos aproximados foram manipuladas em computador e seis imagens foram criadas para cada sorriso com as proporções largura/altura dos dentes em 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85% e 90%. Em seguida, todas essas imagens foram novamente manipuladas e criou-se uma máscara preta cobrindo todos os dentes da arcada inferior. As imagens foram, então, julgadas por 60 avaliadores, 30 ortodontistas e 30 leigos, que aferiram, em uma escala visual analógica, o nível de atratividade de cada imagem. RESULTADOS: os resultados encontrados, em geral, demonstraram que as proporções de 75%, 80% e 85% receberam as maiores notas enquanto a de 65% recebeu as menores notas, para os dois grupos de examinadores (p<0,05). Quando os ortodontistas e leigos foram comparados, não foi encontrada, na grande maioria das situações, diferença estatística significativa entre seus julgamentos (p>0,05). Ainda, a comparação entre as notas aferidas aos sorrisos com e sem os dentes inferiores mostrou que, para todas as situações, não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre elas (p>0,05). CONCLUSÃO: para pacientes com sorriso gengival, as proporções largura/altura dos dentes anterossuperiores consideradas mais estéticas foram as de 75%, 80% e 85% para leigos e ortodontistas, e a presença ou não dos dentes inferiores não influenciou no nível de atratividade dos sorrisos pesquisados.

Resistência ao movimento e atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos flexores e extensores de cotovelo em pacientes hemiparéticos espásticos submetidos à crioterapia e estimulação elétrica neuromuscular / Resistance to movement and electromyographic activity of the elbow flexor and extensor muscles in spastic hemiparetic patients following cryotherapy and electrical stimulation

A espasticidade quase sempre coexiste a um Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE), devido à lesão do motoneurônio superior, provocando um impacto nas atividades da vida diária e na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Por esse motivo é de suma importância o controle do tônus muscular, que pode ser alcançado por meio de recursos fisioterapêuticos, como a crioterapia e a Estimulação Elétrica Neuromuscular (EENM). Como demonstrado em diversas pesquisas na área, esses recursos são vantajosos pelos efeitos fisiológicos que proporcionam, porém, são insuficientes os trabalhos científicos que forneçam embasamento para o tratamento da espasticidade dos membros superiores e, evidenciem o tempo de duração dos efeitos fisiológicos após aplicação desses recursos. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho vem contribuir para o estabelecimento de protocolo de aplicação de crioterapia e EENM em indivíduos portadores de hemiparesia espástica e, informar a duração dos efeitos após submissão às terapias, por meio da análise da resistência ao movimento dos músculos flexores e extensores de cotovelo antes, depois, 10, 20 e 30 minutos após a aplicação de crioterapia e EENM. Participaram do estudo 15 pacientes com diagnóstico de AVE e diagnóstico fisioterapêutico de hemiparesia espástica, de ambos os sexos, com idade média de 56 ± 16 anos. A avaliação foi realizada antes e após a terapia, e nos instantes de 10, 20 e 30 minutos após o término de sua aplicação, e consistiu na captação da atividade eletromiográfica por meio da Eletromiografia (EMG) de superfície e da resistência ao movimento por meio do Dinamômetro Isocinético, no modo passivo nas velocidades angulares de 30 º/s e 150 º/s. Embora não estatisticamente significativos (p < 0,05) os resultados evidenciam uma redução da resistência à movimentação passiva dos flexores e extensores de cotovelo após a aplicação de crioterapia e EENM, comprovando a eficácia dos recursos fisioterapêuticos na redução da resistência à movimentação passiva de indivíduos hemiparéticos espásticos, embora, apresentem efeitos diferentes com relação ao tempo.

Spasticity often coexists with stroke due to an upper motor neuron lesion, which impacts the patient's quality of life. Therefore, the control of muscle tone through physical therapy such as cryotherapy and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) is extremely important. Several studies have demonstrated their advantageous physiological effects. However, these studies have not provided sufficient scientific proof for the treatment of upper limb spasticity and the duration of the physiological effects after the therapy. Therefore, this work helps to establish an application protocol for cryotherapy and NMES in individuals with spastic hemiparesis. The resistance to movement of the elbow flexor and extensor muscles before and after application of cryotherapy and NMES was used to determine the effect of the therapies. The study included 15 stroke patients that required physical therapy for spastic hemiparesis. They included both sexes, mean age of 56 ± 16. An evaluation was performed before and after therapy, as well as 10, 20, and 30 minutes following the application, by means of surface electromyography (EMG). The resistance to movement was measured with an Isokinetic Dynamometer in the passive mode at an angular velocity of 30 and 150 º/s. Although not statistically significant (p < 0.05), the results showed a reduced resistance to passive movement of the elbow flexors and extensors after cryotherapy and NMES, allowing us to conclude that physical therapy effectively reduces the resistance to passive movement in spastic hemiparetic patients, however, they have different effects with respect to time.