Laser auriculotherapy associated with cupping therapy in chronic spinal pain: Randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal spine disorders are common causes of chronic pain and impair functionality. Laser auriculotherapy and cupping has played a significant role in the treatment of chronic pain. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of laser auriculotherapy associated with cupping at systemic acupuncture points on chronic spinal pain. METHODS: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Volunteers underwent three evaluations: an initial evaluation, a final evaluation immediately after the last intervention session, and a 15-day follow-up. The pain was identified using the numeric pain scale. The pain threshold was also evaluated against mechanical stimulation using a Digital Dynamometer at specific points in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. Fifty individuals with chronic spinal pain, randomized into groups: experimental (n = 25), submitted to 10 sessions of auriculotherapy with laser and cupping therapy and control (n = 25). RESULTS: The experimental group achieved pain intensity reduction between pre and post and follow-up moments (p < 0.0001), of greatest pain in the last seven days among all moments (p < 0.0001), of least pain in the pre with post moment (p = 0.006) and follow-up (p = 0.002), and an increased pain threshold between pre and post (p = 0.023). The control group achieved a reduction in the nociceptive threshold between pre and post (p = 0.001) and follow-up (p < 0.0001). The experimental group showed reduced pain intensity (p = 0.027) and greater pain (p = 0.005) after intervention and in pain intensity (p = 0.018), greater (p < 0.0001) and less pain (p = 0.025) at follow-up, compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Auriculotherapy with laser associated with cupping therapy may effectively reduce pain intensity and increase the nociceptive threshold.

Effect of kinesio-taping on the acute phase of the post-operative reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the Kinesio taping (KT) effects on reducing pain and edema on postoperative (PO) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. DESIGN: Controlled and randomized clinical study. SETTINGS: Individuals of both sexes, aged 18-45, underwent ACL reconstruction were randomized into intervention (IG; n = 19) and control (CG; n = 19) groups. METHODS: Intervention consisted of KT bandage applications at hospital discharge for seven days, and on the 7th PO day, which was removed on the 14th PO. CG received specific instructions from the physiotherapy service. All volunteers were evaluations before and immediately after surgery, on the 7th and 14th PO day. Pain threshold (KgF), evaluated by algometer; edema (cm), evaluated by the perimetry measurements and volume of the lower limbs and the truncated cone test (ml) were the evaluated variables. The Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to evaluate intergroup, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Dunnett's test to evaluate intragroup. RESULTS: Edema reduction and increased nociceptive threshold were significant in the 7th (p < 0.001; p = 0.003) and 14th (p < 0.001; p = 0.006) PO day in IG when compared to CG patients. IG perimetry levels, on the 7th and 14th PO were similar to preoperative period (p = 0.229; p = 1.000). IG nociceptive threshold value was similar on the 14th PO to before the surgery (p = 0.987). The same pattern did not occur in CG. CONCLUSION: KT treatment reduced edema and increased nociceptive threshold in the 7th and 14th PO ACL reconstruction.

Aquatic Exercise on Brain Activity in Type 2 Diabetic: Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: A water-based physical exercise program is extremely important for the rehabilitation of type 2 diabetes. Little is known about its action on cerebral electrical activity. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a water-based physical exercise protocol on electroencephalographic activity, blood glucose levels, and functional capacity, as well as their correlation, in type 2 diabetics. METHODS: Study design: Randomized Clinical Trial. Forty volunteers were randomized into two groups: control (n = 20) and study (n = 20). A water-based physical exercise program comprising 50 min sessions was conducted three times a week for five weeks. Assessments were performed at the pre- and post-intervention and follow-up phases. The qualitative data were compared using the Mann-Whitney test and Chi-Square. Quantitative data were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis, Independent t, and ANOVA mixed tests. The Spearman correlation coefficient was used to correlate the data. RESULTS: The data were similar when comparing the groups. Six-minute walk test data increased in the comparison between times (p = 0.01-PrexPos). EEG data decreased in comparison between times (prexfollow-up-p < 0.05), except AF3. EEG data decreased in the timexgroup comparison (prexfollow-up and postxfollow-up-p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The water-based exercise protocol maintained electroencephalographic activity, glucose levels, and functional capacity in people with type 2 diabetes, and there was no relationship between brain electrical activity and capillary blood glucose.

Effects of low-power laser auriculotherapy on chronic spinal pain: Randomized clinical trial.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of laser auriculotherapy on chronic spinal pain. It is a randomized controlled clinical trial. METHODS: Volunteers with chronic spinal pain underwent three evaluations: an initial evaluation, a final evaluation immediately after the last intervention session, and a 15-day follow-up. Pain intensity, nociceptive threshold in relation to mechanical stimulus, and degree of pain (the greatest and least pain) in the last seven days were the assessed variables. The experimental group (EG, n = 24) underwent 10 sessions of laser auriculotherapy twice a week, while the control group (CG, n = 23) did not receive any intervention. RESULTS: The EG showed great clinical improvement in relation to the variable pain intensity between pre- and post-interventions (65.2%) and pre-intervention and follow-up (58.62%) compared to the CG. There was a significant increase in the nociceptive threshold for the EG. In contrast, the CG showed a significant reduction in the nociceptive threshold. The intergroup analysis indicated an improvement in pain intensity for the EG (0.006). This result remained at the follow-up (0.012). The nociceptive threshold increased over time for the EG (0.016). In contrast, the CG showed a reduction in this variable with a significant difference over time (<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this clinical trial suggest that the proposed intervention may be effective in reducing pain intensity and increasing the nociceptive threshold. The effect of the intervention remained 15 days after the end of the treatment, when the volunteers were re-evaluated.