In loco provision of physical therapy services to military firefighters involved in Brumadinho dam disaster.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of in loco physical therapy interventions on military firefighters involved in search and rescue operations following the collapse of the Brumadinho dam, in Minas Gerais. To describe the clinical and demographic profile of military firefighters receiving physical therapy care. METHODS: Physical therapy assessment and care protocols were designed. Protocols were based on manual physical therapy approaches, and aimed primarily to alleviate musculoskeletal pain. Physical therapists involved were duly trained prior to interventions to level technical skills. Physical therapy was provided upon request (i.e., military workers sought the service after work shift completion). RESULTS: A total of 318 military firefighters, most of whom were males (92.5%) mean age 32.9 years, received physical therapy care (575 sessions spread out over 48 days). In this sample, 43.4% of military workers had a history of musculoskeletal complaints. Military workers seeking physical therapy after completion of their work shifts reported mean pain intensity of 5.4 in a numerical scale. Spinal pain was reported in 61.7% of cases, followed by generalized muscle and myofascial pain (16.7%), lower and upper limb pain (14.4% and 6.8%, respectively). At the end of sessions, mean pain intensity reported dropped down to 1.3. Differences were statistically significant (non-parametric Wilcoxon test; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The unprecedented physical therapy intervention described had a positive impact on relief of musculoskeletal pain among military firefighters involved in search and rescue operations during the Brumadinho dam disaster, and seen at the end of their work shifts.

In loco provision of physical therapy services to military firefighters involved in Brumadinho dam disaster

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the impact of in loco physical therapy interventions on military firefighters involved in search and rescue operations following the collapse of the Brumadinho dam, in Minas Gerais. To describe the clinical and demographic profile of military firefighters receiving physical therapy care. Methods Physical therapy assessment and care protocols were designed. Protocols were based on manual physical therapy approaches, and aimed primarily to alleviate musculoskeletal pain. Physical therapists involved were duly trained prior to interventions to level technical skills. Physical therapy was provided upon request (i.e., military workers sought the service after work shift completion). Results A total of 318 military firefighters, most of whom were males (92.5%) mean age 32.9 years, received physical therapy care (575 sessions spread out over 48 days). In this sample, 43.4% of military workers had a history of musculoskeletal complaints. Military workers seeking physical therapy after completion of their work shifts reported mean pain intensity of 5.4 in a numerical scale. Spinal pain was reported in 61.7% of cases, followed by generalized muscle and myofascial pain (16.7%), lower and upper limb pain (14.4% and 6.8%, respectively). At the end of sessions, mean pain intensity reported dropped down to 1.3. Differences were statistically significant (non-parametric Wilcoxon test; p=0.001). Conclusion The unprecedented physical therapy intervention described had a positive impact on relief of musculoskeletal pain among military firefighters involved in search and rescue operations during the Brumadinho dam disaster, and seen at the end of their work shifts.

Applicability of the coactivation method in assessing synergies of the scapular stabilizing muscles.

HYPOTHESIS: This study investigated the feasibility of quantifying the coactivation levels in the evaluation of synergisms of the scapular stabilizing muscles during the elevation and lowering of the arms. This method, which quantifies the overlapping area of the normalized electromyographic (EMG) activity, could be applicable in assessing such muscular synergies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both shoulders of 10 healthy volunteers were assessed. The coactivation of 3 synergic muscular groups (upper, middle and lower trapezius; upper trapezius and serratus anterior; middle trapezius and serratus anterior) and the isolated electromyographic activity of each muscle were analyzed. RESULTS: Analysis of variance revealed that the coactivation values between the synergic groups were different from the isolated levels of each respective muscle for both movements (24.42 < F < 40.12; df=6; p < 0.001). The coactivation values of all groups during elevation were different from those during the lowering of the arms (13.31

Impacto das alterações visuais nas quedas, desempenho funcional, controle postural e no equilíbrio dos idosos: uma revisão de literatura / The impact of visual alterations on falls, functional performance, postural control and balance in the elderly: a literature review

Idosos com déficits visuais podem alterar seu estilo de vida e sua independência funcional. As alterações visuais podem ocasionar a redução na interação social e na qualidade de vida, presença de depressão e quedas. O controle do equilíbrio corporal pode estar diminuído em indivíduos com déficits visuais. O objetivo deste estudo é realizar uma revisão da literatura dos últimos 15 anos sobre o impacto das alterações visuais nas quedas, no desempenho funcional, no controle postural e no equilíbrio dos idosos. A avaliação da acuidade visual pode não ser suficiente para identificar indivíduos com risco de quedas. Outras medidas relacionadas à função visual, como contraste, sensibilidade e profundidade, também são importantes. Muitos problemas relacionados à baixa visão em idosos são passíveis de correção e tratamento, seja através das órteses ou mesmo da extração da catarata, melhorando, assim, a função visual e motora.

Visual impairment in the elderly may alter their life style and functional independence. Visual alterations may cause depression, falls and a reduction in social interaction, altering the quality of life. The control of body balance may be impaired in individuals with visual deficits. The objective of this study was to review the last 15 years of literature on the impact of visual alterations through feedback from the visual system, on functional performance, on postural control and on balance in the elderly. The assessment of visual acuity may not be sufficient to identify those individuals who are at risk of falling. Other measurements related to visual function, such as contrast, sensitivity and depth perception, are also important. Many problems related to impaired vision in the elderly are correctable or treatable, either by the use of reflective vision correction or by extraction of cataracts, thus improving both visual and motor functions.

Comparisons of electromyographic activity of scapular muscles between elevation and lowering of the arms.

The aim of this study was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity levels of the serratus anterior, upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles between elevation and lowering of the arms with 10 healthy subjects. The EMGs of each muscle was quantified and normalized for the complete movement, as well as for the six different phases of each movement. Repeated measure ANOVAs were used to investigate main and interaction effects between movements/sides and sides/phases (alpha<0.05). Significant differences were found between the elevation and the lowering of the arms for all muscles (p