Shoulder and scapulothoracic impairments in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema in the upper limb: A cross-sectional study shoulder and breast cancer-related lymphedema.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphedema in the upper limb as a complication of breast cancer may lead to shoulder pain and dysfunctions. OBJECTIVE: To compare the scapular positioning, the shoulder range of motion, and muscle strength among women undergoing treatment for breast cancer with and without lymphedema and a control group. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated women undergoing treatment for breast cancer (N = 25) and without lymphedema (N = 25), and a control group (N = 25). Static scapular positions and shoulder range of motion were measured by using an inclinometer. The shoulder and periscapular muscle strength were measured by using a hand-held dynamometer and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire was applied. Linear regression of the mixed effects model was used to compare the groups. RESULTS: Both groups of mastectomized women had reduced shoulder range of motion, scapular upward rotation, and muscle strength for shoulder and periscapular muscles compared to the control group. Also, women undergoing treatment for breast cancer with lymphedema had reduced shoulder range of motion, scapular upward rotation, increased anterior tilt, reduced muscle strength of the upper trapezius, and greater upper limb disability compared to women without lymphedema. CONCLUSION: Women undergoing treatment for breast cancer with lymphedema had even greater shoulder and scapulothoracic impairments when compared to the control group and women without lymphedema.

Influence of type 1 diabetes on the postural control of women in the third gestational trimester.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes can cause biomechanical alterations that may be responsible for additional changes to those existing in a regular gestational period. The way a maternal body responds when affected by diabetes has not been clearly understood. This study aimed to describe the influence of type 1 diabetes on pregnant women's postural control. METHODS: Forty pregnant women in their third gestational trimester were allocated in two equal groups - the control group and the type 1 diabetic group. The variables related to postural control and balance were assessed using photogrammetry (head protrusion; cervical lordosis; thoracic kyphosis; lumbar lordosis; pelvic anteversion, knee flexion, tibiotarsal and foot inclination angles were measured), and baropodometry (anteroposterior and mediolateral distance trajectory of the center of pressure, amplitude and average speed of displacement of the center of pressure). FINDINGS: The results of the type 1 diabetic group showed, in the postural analysis, lower head protrusion and pelvic anteversion angles, while there was higher cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, and lumbar lordosis angles. In the baropodometry, the anteroposterior distance and the amplitude of the center of pressure displacement with eyes open and closed were higher. INTERPRETATION: The findings suggest that type 1 diabetes mellitus in the third trimester of pregnancy is associated with postural changes, a decrease in the active ankle range of motion and increase in the anteroposterior oscillation of the center of pressure, with negative repercussions for postural control.

Ischemic compression and kinesiotherapy on chronic myofascial pain in breast cancer survivors.

OBJECTIVE: assess the effects of ischemic compression and kinesiotherapy on the rehabilitation of breast cancer survivors with chronic myofascial pain. METHODS: A randomized, controlled, blinded clinical trial was performed with 20 breast cancer survivors with myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle. Patients were randomly allocated to ischemic compression + kinesiotherapy (G1, n = 10) and kinesiotherapy (G2, n = 10). Both groups were submitted to 10 sessions of treatment. The variables evaluated were: Numeric Rating Scale, Pain Related Self-Statement Scale, pressure pain threshold, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast and Infrared thermography. RESULTS: A significant reduction (p < 0.05) was observed in pain intensity after 10 sessions in Groups 1 and 2, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in pressure pain threshold in both the operated and non-operated side after 10 sessions for Group 1. CONCLUSION: Ischemic compression associated with kinesiotherapy increases the pressure pain threshold on the myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius muscle and reduces the intensity of pain in breast cancer survivors with myofascial pain.

Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability of Bioimpedance in the Evaluation of Lymphedema Secondary to Treatment of Breast Cancer.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of bioimpedance in determining upper limb volume in women with lymphedema resulting from breast cancer treatment, as well as its correlation with the upper limb volume calculated by circumferential measurement. A blind cross-sectional study was performed in which 27 women (62.59 ± 10.50 years) were evaluated with upper limb lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment. Two examiners performed assessments in the same volunteers independently and twice, with an interval of 1 week between assessments. The collections were performed by the direct tetrapolar multifrequency segmental bioimpedance and by the circumference of the upper limb homolateral to the breast cancer. The results of the circumference showed that the homolateral limb had lymphedema. The intra- and inter-rater analysis showed excellent reliability with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values ranging from 0.954 to 0.999 for the amount of liquid and excellent reliability with ICC values ranging from 0.852 to 0.999 for the electrical impedance of the upper limb with lymphedema. The correlation was strong and negative (p < 0.05) between intracellular, extracellular, and total water when associated with electrical impedance and moderate and positive (p < 0.05) when associated with upper limb volume for all frequencies. The correlations between upper limb volume and water quantities were moderate and positive (p < 0.05). The results indicate that bioimpedance is a reliable method for the evaluation of lymphedema, and the volume of the homolateral upper limb is associated with the amount of water in women with lymphedema secondary to the treatment of breast cancer.

Analysis of peak plantar pressure and center of pressure oscillation in individuals with chronic neck pain: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Baropodometric evaluation has been used in research and clinical environments by professionals who are working on the physical rehabilitation of patients. However, to date, there is no published data on the use of baropodometry in patients with chronic neck pain. OBJECTIVE: To analyze peak plantar pressure and center of pressure oscillation in individuals with chronic neck pain compared to a control group. METHODS: This was a blind cross-sectional study. It included 44 participants of both genders, between 18 and 45 years old, distributed into a chronic neck pain group (n= 22) and a control group (n= 22). Participants were assessed by means of baropodometry, the Numeric Rating Scale, the Neck Disability Index, and the Pain-Related Self Statement Scale. The Mann-Whitney test was used for comparison of baropodometric variables between the two groups, and the Spearman correlation coefficient was used to check possible associations between the variables. RESULTS: No significant differences (p> 0.05) in peak plantar pressure or center of pressure oscillation were detected in the comparisons between the chronic neck pain and control groups. In addition, no significant correlation was observed (p> 0.05) between baropodometric variables and neck pain. CONCLUSION: Individuals with chronic neck pain with mild disability did not differ from a control group in terms of peak plantar pressure or center of pressure oscillation.

Correlation Between Upper Limb Volume and Arterial and Venous Blood Flow Velocity in Lymphedema Secondary to Breast Cancer Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to correlate upper limb volume and arterial and venous blood flow velocity in breast cancer survivors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 women with lymphedema and a mean age of 55.60 years (standard deviation = 8.12). For the assessment of upper limb volume, perimetry was performed with measures at 6 points on the limb, which were mathematically calculated as volume. The blood flow velocity of the axillary and brachial arteries and veins were assessed by Doppler ultrasound with a probe at 4 MHz. In the statistical analysis, a Shapiro-Wilk test determined a non-normal data distribution. Spearman correlation coefficients (ρ) were calculated to determine the association between the variables blood flow velocity and lymphedema volume. RESULTS: We identified significant and positive associations between all variables correlated with limb volume: blood flow velocity of the axillary artery (ρ = 0.381, P = .041), axillary vein (ρ = 0.383, P = .039), brachial artery (ρ = 0.375, P = .044), and the brachial vein (ρ = 0.373, P = .045). CONCLUSION: There is a positive association between limb volume and blood flow velocity in the upper limbs of women with lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment.

Blood Flow Velocity in Brachial and Subclavian Vessels Immediately After Compressive Procedures for Treatment of Postcancer Therapy Lymphedema in Breast Cancer: A Randomized Blind Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate the effect of elastic compression, functional compressive bandaging, and kinesiotherapy on blood flow of the upper limb with lymphedema secondary to the treatment of breast cancer. METHODS: This was a randomized blind crossover clinical trial with a washout period of 7 days between treatments. We evaluated 20 women with a mean age of 66.85 years (standard deviation = 11.76), undergoing three types of therapeutic procedures randomly applied by lot: kinesiotherapy, functional compressive bandaging + kinesiotherapy (FCB), and elastic compression + kinesiotherapy (EC). Blood flow, including mean and maximum velocity, was assessed by Doppler ultrasound before and after the therapeutic procedure (immediately after, 15 minutes, and 30 minutes). We used two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures followed by Bonferroni's test, considering a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The EC and FCB groups showed a significant increase in the mean velocity of blood flow in the axillary and brachial arteries and veins compared to the group that received only kinesiotherapy (p < 0.05), but no difference between them (p > 0.05). Moreover, the EC and FCB groups showed greater increase in maximum velocity of blood flow in the brachial artery (p < 0.05) compared to the group that received only kinesiotherapy, but no difference between them (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Elastic compression and functional compressive bandaging combined with kinesiotherapy increased blood flow of upper limb lymphedema.

Análise postural fotogramétrica após exercícios supervisionados em mulheres pós-cirurgia oncológica mamária / Photogrammetric postural analysis after supervised exercises in breast cancer after surgery women

Uma das complicações no pós-cirúrgico de câncer de mama é a alteração na postura, no entanto os estudos enfocam mais a amplitude de movimento do ombro. Objetivo: Estudo quantitativo que teve como objetivo avaliar a amplitude de movimento do ombro e a postura de pacientes pós-cirurgia oncológica mamária, antes e após seis meses de tratamento com exercícios supervisionados. Métodos: Participaram 12 mulheres em pós-operatório, após a realização de exercícios semanais durante uma hora. Para avaliar a abdução de ombro, foram realizadas fotografias semanais durante o primeiro mês e, para a avaliação da postura, o registro foi realizado mensalmente durante seis meses de exercícios supervisionados. As imagens foram analisadas por intermédio do aplicativo ALCimagem-2000 e SAPO versão 0.68. Resultados: Houve incremento significativo da abdução do ombro do lado da cirurgia (p<0,05) e diminuição significativa do triângulo de tales bilateral (p<0,05). Conclusão: A aplicação de exercícios supervisionados se mostrou importante na correção de desvios posturais e na recuperação da abdução de ombro.

One of the complications in the post-surgery of breast cancer is the change in posture, however the studies focus more on the range of motion of the shoulder. Objective: A quantitative study aimed at evaluating shoulder range of motion and posture of patients after breast surgery, before and after six months of treatment with supervised exercises. Methods: Twelve women participated in the postoperative period after weekly exercises for one hour. Evaluating the abduction of the shoulder, weekly photographs was taked during the first month and, for the evaluation of the posture, the recording was performed monthly during six months of supervised exercises. The images were analyzed through the application LCimagem-2000 and SAPO versão 0.68. Results: There was a significant increase in the abduction of the shoulder on the surgery side (p <0.05) and a significant decrease in the bilateral triangle (p <0.05). Conclusion: The application of supervised exercises was shown to be important in the correction of postural deviations and recovery of shoulder abduction

Efeitos do método isostretching na função respiratória e postura de respiradores bucal / Isostretching method effects on lung function and posture of mouth breathers

Introdução: A respiração bucal interfe na tonicidade, na postura, na mobilidade e na sensibilidade de órgãos fonoarticulatórios, podendo gerar hábitos orais viciosos. Objetivo: Avaliar a capacidade respiratória e a postura de respiradores bucais submetidos à técnica de isostretching. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo e quasi-experimental, em que a postura de 17 crianças foi avaliada por fotogrametria e os parâmetros respiratórios avaliados pela cirtometria; pela manovacuometria, e por peak flow. As crianças foram avaliadas inicialmente e ao final de 12 sessões da técnica isostretching. Resultados: Houve mudança nos ângulos esternoclavicular (Inicial: 3,57±1,54; Final 2,08±0,93, p= 0,003); espinha ilíaca ântero-superior (Inicial: 3,31±2,51; Final: 2,00±1,26, p= 0,001) e posterosuperior (Inicial: 2,99±2,22; Final 1,62±1,92, p= 0,009) e na pressão expiratória máxima (PEmáx) (Inicial: 79,29±16,11; Final 91,17±17,80, p= 0,001) e Peak Flow (Inicial: 279,41±72,92; Final 310,91±66,65, p= 0,01). Conclusão: O tratamento com isostretching foi eficaz para melhorar a capacidade respiratória e para alterar ângulos posturais.

Introduction: Mouth breathing interferes with tonicity, posture, mobility and sensitivity of phonoarticulatory organs, which may generate vicious oral habits. Objective: Assessing the posture and the breathing capacity of mouth breathers submitted to the isostretching technique. Methods: A prospective, quasi-experimental study in which the posture of 17 children was assessed by photogrammetry and the respiratory parameters were evaluated by cirtometry; manovacuometry and peak flow. The children were evaluated before the first session and successively after 12 sessions of isostretching technique. Results: There was a change in the sternoclavicular angles (Initial: 3.57±1.54, Final 2.08±0.93; p=0.003), anterosuperior (Initial: 3.31±2.51, Final: 2.00±1.26; p= 0.001) and posterosuperior (Initial: 2.99±2.22, Final 1.62±1.92, p= 0.009) iliac spine, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) (Initial: 79.29±16.11; Final 91.17±17.80; p= 0.001) and in the Peak Flow (Initial: 279.41±72.92, Final 310.91±66.65; p= 0.01). Conclusion: Treatment with isostretching was effective to improve the respiratory capacity and to change the postural angles.