Intercessory Prayer on Spiritual Distress, Spiritual Coping, Anxiety, Depression and Salivary Amylase in Breast Cancer Patients During Radiotherapy: Randomized Clinical Trial.

The goal of this study was to assess the effect of intercessory prayer in the psychological, spiritual and biological scores of breast cancer patients who are undergoing radiotherapy. Double-blind RCT comprising a sample of 31 participants (15 in the Control Group and 16 in the Intervention Group). Data collection was performed in three time points (T0, T1 and T2). Significant changes have been identified in the intra-group analysis, concerning the decrease in spiritual distress score; negative religious/spiritual coping prevailed, while the total religious/spiritual coping increased between the posttest T2 to T0. Intercessory prayer was effective in religious and spiritual scores.

Contribution of Chinese and French ear acupuncture for the management of chronic back pain: A randomised controlled trial.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of Chinese and French ear acupuncture in people with chronic back pain. BACKGROUND: Chronic back pain is a common public health problem worldwide. An intervention for this condition is ear acupuncture. Several approaches are used for ear acupuncture, particularly the Chinese and French guidelines. METHODS: An open, randomised and controlled clinical trial, followed the recommendations of the CONSORT Checklist. One hundred and eleven people were selected and randomised into three groups: Chinese ear acupuncture, French ear acupuncture and Control. Evaluations were performed before the first intervention session (initial), 1 week after the fifth session (final) and after a fifteen-day follow-up period (follow-up), using the Brief Pain Inventory, Rolland Morris Disability Questionnaire, and a thermal imaging camera. For data analysis, the Generalized Estimating Equation Model was applied, with significance level set at 5%. RESULTS: Pain severity was significantly decreased by Chinese ear acupuncture throughout intervention period. Both types of ear acupuncture affected pain interference with daily activities. However, in the comparison between initial and final evaluations, only Chinese ear acupuncture produced statistically significant results. A reduction in physical disability was observed in both ear acupuncture-treated groups during the intervention period and, although Chinese ear acupuncture failed to induce significant changes in tissular temperature at individual time points, a significant increase in cutaneous temperature was detected after the follow-up period in the dorsal region of individuals treated with Chinese ear acupuncture. Importantly, at this time point, the mean difference between Chinese and French ear acupuncture revealed a more benefic effect of Chinese procedure on this parameter. CONCLUSIONS: The individualised treatment based on the Chinese precepts showed, in an overall evaluation, better results for management of chronic back pain in the present study. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Ear acupuncture can be implemented in the nurse's clinical practice to assist the treatment of people with chronic back pain.

Effects of auricular acupuncture on chronic pain in people with back musculoskeletal disorders: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of auricular acupuncture on pain intensity, its impact on daily activities, the relief provided by the intervention, and the pain threshold in people with back musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial carried out with people randomly allocated into three groups: treatment, placebo, and control. Evaluations were performed using the Brief Pain Inventory and a digital algometer before (initial) and after (final) the treatment and after a 15-day follow-up period. RESULTS: The sample was 110 people. There was a decrease in pain intensity in the treatment and placebo groups as revealed by the comparison between the initial and final evaluations (p<0.05), and in the treatment group in the comparison between the initial and follow-up evaluations (p<0.05). A decreased impact of pain on daily activities in the treatment and placebo groups over time was found (p<0.05). At the final evaluation, the impact of pain was lower in the treatment group (p<0.05). Auricular acupuncture did not increase the pain threshold. CONCLUSION: Auricular acupuncture presented positive effects by reducing the chronic pain intensity and its impact on daily activities in people with back musculoskeletal disorders. Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry: RBR-5X69X2.

Evaluation of body posture in nursing students.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the body posture of nursing students before and after clinical practice. METHOD: The study was developed in two stages. Initially the body posture of students of the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th periods were assessed through photogrammetry. All images were analyzed in a random and masked manner with CorporisPro® 3.1.3 software. Three evaluations were performed for each angle and then the mean value was calculated. Two years later, when the 4th period students had developed their clinical internships, their body posture was again evaluated. RESULTS: The total sample consisted of 112 students. Comparison of their posture with the normality pattern showed that all the angles presented significant differences (p< 0.00), except for the angle of the Thales triangle. Reassessment of these students evidenced significant differences in the angles of the acromioclavicular joint (p=0.03), knee flexion (p< 0.00) and in the tibiotarsal angle (p< 0.00). CONCLUSION: All the students presented alterations when compared to the normality values. The segments that presented significant differences between before and after practice were the acromioclavicular angle, knee flexion, and tibiotarsal angle; the latter two were in the rolling position. OBJETIVO: Investigar a postura dos estudantes de enfermagem antes e após a prática clínica. MÉTODO: O estudo foi desenvolvido em duas etapas, inicialmente com estudantes (2º, 4°, 6° e 8º períodos) tiveram sua postural corporal avaliada por meio da fotogrametria. Todas as imagens foram analisadas, de maneira aleatória e mascarada, por meio do software CorporisPro® 3.1.3. Foram realizadas três avaliações para cada ângulo e calculada a média. Dois anos depois, quando os estudantes do 4º período desenvolveram os estágios clínicos, foram novamente avaliados quanto à postura corporal. RESULTADOS: A amostra total foi composta por 112 estudantes. Comparando-se os estudantes com o padrão de normalidade, todos os ângulos apresentaram diferença significativa (p< 0,00), com exceção do ângulo triângulo de Tales. Reavaliando os mesmos estudantes, houve diferença significativa nos ângulos da articulação acromioclavicular (p=0,03), da flexão de joelhos (p< 0,00) e no ângulo tibiotársico (p< 0,00). CONCLUSÃO: Todos os estudantes apresentaram alterações, comparadas aos valores de normalidade. Os segmentos com diferença significativa, comparando-se antes e após a prática, foram o ângulo acromioclavicular, flexo de joelho e ângulo tibiotársico, sendo os dois últimos na posição de rolamento.

Effects of prayer on the vital signs of patients with chronic kidney disease: randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of prayer on blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate in patients with chronic kidney disease and learn their perception of the intervention. METHOD: A randomized controlledtrial, double blind with a sample of volunteers, randomized into an intervention group (n=42) and a control group (n=37). Questionnaires addressing socio-demographic, clinical and spiritual characteristics and the Duke University Religious Index were applied. Blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate were measured. The prayer was conducted at three different moments on alternating weeks. The qualitative data were organized and analyzed through Thematic Analysis. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 95 randomized volunteers. In the intra-group analysis, a statistically significant reduction (P<0001) of blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate was observed in all evaluations of the people who were prayed for. The qualitative analysis resulted in the themes Prayer in a "Place of Suffering" and Positive Evaluation and in the sub-themes Relief from Suffering, Hope for Improvement, and Coping with Hemodialysis. CONCLUSIONPrayer reduced blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate in patients who suffer from chronic kidney disease, and the volunteers' evaluation of the intervention was positive.BrazilianClinicalTrials Registry: RBR-2zv39y. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito da prece sobre a pressão arterial, a frequência cardíaca e respiratória em paciente com insuficiência renal crônica e conhecer sua percepção a respeito da intervenção. MÉTODO: Ensaio clínico controlado, randomizado, duplo cego com uma amostra de voluntários, randomizados em grupo intervenção (n=42) e grupo controle (n=37). Foram aplicados, por meio de entrevista, um questionário de características sociodemográficas, clínicas e espirituais e o Índice de Religiosidade da Universidade de Duke, além da mensuração da pressão arterial, frequência cardíaca e respiratória. A prece foi ministrada em três momentos diferentes, durantes semanas alternadas. Os dados qualitativos foram organizados e analisados por meio da Análise Temática. RESULTADOS: A amostra totalizou 95 voluntários randomizados.Na análiseintragruposfoi observada uma redução estatisticamente significativa (P<0001) dos valores de pressão arterial, frequência cardíaca e respiratória em todas as análises das pessoas que receberam a prece. Aanálise qualitativa resultou nos temasA Prece em um "Lugar de Sofrimento" e Avaliação Positiva e nos subtemas Alívio do Sofrimento, Esperança de Superação, Enfrentamento do Tratamento Hemodialítico. CONCLUSÃO: A prece reduziu os valores da pressão arterial, frequência cardíaca e respiratória de pacientes com insuficiência renal crônica e a avaliação dos voluntários em relação à intervenção foi positiva. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos: RBR-2zv39y.

[Effectiveness of prayer in reducing anxiety in cancer patients]. / A efetividade da prece na redução da ansiedade em pacientes com câncer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of prayer on anxiety in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHOD: Quasi-experimental study, with pre and post-intervention. Twenty patients admitted to treatment of continuous intravenous chemotherapy were recruited. The volunteers were evaluated through interviews using a questionnaire of sociodemographic, clinical and spiritual characteristics, the Index of Religiosity Duke University and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Vital signs were measured and collected salivary cortisol. The intervention was applied prayer and data collection occurred in three phases: first collection (baseline), pre and post-intervention. RESULTS: The data found between the pre and post-intervention samples showed different statistically significant for state anxiety (p= <0.00), blood pressure (systolic, p=0.00, diastolic, p=<0.00) and respiratory rate (p=0.04). CONCLUSION: Prayer, therefore, proved to be an effective strategy in reducing the anxiety of the patient undergoing chemotherapy.

[Contributions of auriculotherapy in smoking cessation: a pilot study]. / Contribuições da auriculoterapia na cessação do tabagismo: estudo piloto.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the contribution of auriculotherapy in smoking cessation. METHOD: Double-blind randomized controlled trial, conducted with 30 smokers allocated into two groups: Experimental Group (21 participants received 10 sessions of auriculotherapy at specific points for smoking) and Control Group (nine participants received auriculotherapy in points that have no effect on the focus of research). RESULTS: Auriculotherapy contributed in reducing the number of cigarettes smoked in 61.9% of participants (p=0.002), in reducing the difficult to abstain from smoking in places where it is forbidden by 38% (p=0.050) and in not smoking when ill 23.8% (p=0.025). CONCLUSION: Given the efficacy only in terms of reducing the number of cigarettes smoked and other parameters, we suggest that future studies consider the use of auriculotherapy combined with other treatment methods, in order to achieve better results in cessation/abstinence.

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.

[Religious/spiritual coping in people with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis]. / Coping religioso/espiritual em pessoas com doença renal crônica em tratamento hemodialítico.

The objective of the present study is to investigate the use of religious/spiritual coping mechanisms in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis, by means of interviews using a sociodemographic questionnaire and the religious/spiritual coping scale. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. A total of 123 individuals were interviewed, 79.6% of whom presented a high score for religious/spiritual coping and none of whom presented low or irrelevant scores. The variables that affected the religious/spiritual coping behavior were: gender, age group, treatment time, family income, and religious practice. In conclusion, the participants used religious/spiritual coping mechanisms as a strategy to cope with the disease, particularly women with a higher family income who attend church every week.

Effects of ear acupuncture combined with cupping therapy on severity and threshold of chronic back pain and physical disability: A randomized clinical trial.

Background and aim: Chronic back pain causes physical, functional, and emotional disabilities. Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies have been shown as interventions to treat chronic back pain. The present study aimed to clinically evaluate the effects of ear acupuncture combined with cupping therapy on people with chronic back pain. Experimental procedure: We conducted an open-label, randomized, parallel-group controlled clinical trial. Following the CONSORT statement recommendations, 198 participants were randomized into 'ear acupuncture' and 'ear acupuncture and cupping therapy' groups. Data were collected in three different points; before the first session (initial) with the patient, after the last session (final), and seven days after the end of the treatment (follow-up). The Brief Pain Inventory, a digital algometer, and the Rolland Morris Disability Questionnaire were used for data collection. Generalized Estimation Equation model was used to examine the association between the interventions and the primary outcome pain severity. Results: Pain severity, pressure pain threshold, and physical disability improved over time in both groups. However, for the patients being treated with both ear acupuncture and cupping therapy, significant changes were seen in pain severity, pain relief, and physical disabilities between the initial and final sessions. For the 'ear acupuncture and cupping therapy' group, significant changes were also seen for pain relief and physical disability in the follow-up session. Conclusion: Ear acupuncture combined with cupping therapy was shown to be more effective in the treatment of chronic back pain when compared to treatment using only ear acupuncture.

Effect of Ear Acupuncture plus Dry Cupping on Activities and Quality of Life in the Adults with Chronic Back Pain: a Randomized Trial.

Background: Chronic pain is a complex phenomenon that brings physical and emotional impairments negatively impacting people's quality of life. The adoption of interventions such as ear acupuncture and dry cupping can represent a treatment option for people with chronic back pain. Objectives: To investigate the effects of ear acupuncture combined with dry cupping therapy on the interference of pain with the daily activities and quality of life of adults with chronic back pain. Methods: An open-label, randomized, parallel-group controlled clinical trial. One hundred and ninety-eight adults were randomized into control (CG - ear acupuncture) or experimental (EG - ear acupuncture combined with dry cupping) groups. Interventions were performed in five sessions, once a week, lasting five weeks. Evaluations were performed before the first session, after the last session, and seven days after the second evaluation, using the Brief Pain Inventory to assess the impact of pain on daily activities and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) to assess the quality of life. Results: Between the initial and final sessions, there were significant changes in daily activities , activity, work, mood, relationships, sleep, and in the physical, psychological and social relationships domains for both the control and experimental groups. Improved perception of quality of life and satisfaction with health were observed for the participants in the experimental group. Conclusion: Ear acupuncture combined with dry cupping showed better results in terms of perception of quality of life and satisfaction with health when compared to ear acupuncture by itself.

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.

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.

The effect of operative groups on diabetic foot self-care education: a randomized clinical trial. / Efeito do grupo operativo no ensino do autocuidado com os pés de diabéticos: ensaio clínico randomizado.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of operative groups on teaching self-care for diabetic foot prevention. METHOD: Controlled, blinded clinical trial with volunteers presenting type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, randomized into treatment (55 subjects) and control (54 subjects) groups. The treatment group received the educational intervention "Teaching foot self-care", whereas the control group was simply evaluated. Feet evaluation was conducted before and after the intervention, as well as 15 days later in a follow-up. The intervention was conducted through an operative group and developed with orientation via writing, explained through dialogue and role-playing. The following tests were used: Shapiro-Wilk, Chi-squared, t-test, Mann-Whitney, McNemar, and paired Wilcoxon. RESULTS: One-hundred and nine volunteers took part in this study. Their sociodemographic variables were homogeneous. In an analysis between groups, an improvement was observed after the educational intervention regarding most variables related to skin annexes, blood flow, foot sensitivity, and foot pressure. Improved scores for risk of diabetic foot in the treatment group were observed. CONCLUSION: The educational intervention through operative group was efficient, for it encouraged self-care and reduced potential risk of diabetic foot. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos): RBR- 753 Kcg.

Religious/spiritual coping and spiritual distress in people with cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between the presence of spiritual distress and use of RSC and sociodemographic, clinical and religious/spiritual variables in people with cancer. METHOD: Cross-sectional study conducted in an association for support to people with cancer. The data obtained with the tools were analyzed using the Spearman's correlation coefficient and the Mann-Whitney Test. RESULTS: 129 volunteers participated in the study, of which 57% showed moderate spiritual distress, 96% used medium and high positive religious/spiritual coping. Spiritual distress showed positive correlation with negative religious/spiritual coping (P<0.001) and inverse correlation with age (p 0.002). The use of positive religious coping was statistically significant in people who have religious practices (p 0.001). CONCLUSÃO: Spiritual distress is a phenomenon that is present in the lives of people with cancer and has significant relation with the use, in a negative manner, of religion/spirituality as a way of coping with the disease.

Auricular acupuncture for chronic back pain in adults: a systematic review and metanalysis. / Acupuntura auricular para dor crônica nas costas em adultos: revisão sistemática e metanálise.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate randomized clinical trials on the action of auricular acupuncture for chronic back pain in adults, and to identify the most commonly used outcomes for assessing this condition, the protocol used for applying the intervention, and the efficacy of the therapy on pain intensity. METHOD: A systematic review and a metanalysis were carried out between June 2017 and May 2018, based on the PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, Embase, Scopus, and the Virtual Health Library databases. Reference lists of systematic reviews were also explored. RESULTS: 427 studies were located, 15 included in the qualitative analysis, and seven in the quantitative analysis. Auricular acupuncture led to positive results in 80% of the studies. The most commonly used outcomes were pain intensity and quality, medication consumption, physical disability, and quality of life. There is a lack of protocol standardization for auricular acupuncture for chronic back pain. The metanalysis results showed that auricular acupuncture was effective in reducing pain intensity scores (p=0.038). CONCLUSION: Auricular acupuncture is a promising practice for the treatment of chronic back pain in adults.

Auriculotherapy to control chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in patients with cancer: protocol of a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Due to the worldwide rise in cancer incidence, and therefore the rise in the need for antineoplastic chemotherapy, it is important for both healthcare professionals and patients alike that the side effects of chemotherapy, such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), are treated and prevented. Auriculotherapy is a type of acupuncture and may be a low-cost and safe antiemetic measure to control the side effects of chemotherapy. The goal of this systematic review is to synthesize the available evidence in the literature regarding the auriculotherapy effects to treat CINV in people with cancer. METHODS: The review will only include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare the clinical effects of the auriculotherapy intervention (used alone or as an add-on), with sham auriculotherapy, routine treatment with antiemetic drugs, or other non-pharmacological interventions in patients with cancer with CINV who are undergoing chemotherapy. The outcomes to be evaluated are nausea and vomiting: in acute, delayed, or anticipated stages, when induced by chemotherapy. A comprehensive search for studies will be carried out in these databases: MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ICTRP, LILACS, CUMED, IBECS, BVS MTCI Americas, Web of Science, Scopus, PEDro, CNKI, and CBMdisc up until December 31, 2018. Only articles in English, Portuguese, and Spanish will be selected. Two independent reviewers will evaluate full texts, extract data, and assess the risk of bias of eligible articles. The quality of evidence will be assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). A meta-analysis will be undertaken to assess the interventions and outcomes' homogeneity, assessing statistical heterogeneity using the Cochran's Q test and quantified using Higgins' inconsistency index. If there is insufficient data for a meta-analysis, a narrative synthesis will be presented. This protocol has been prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. DISCUSSION: The results of this systematic review will summarize the strength of evidence for the use of auriculotherapy in the control of CINV of patients with cancer and will be used to identify evidence gaps. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42018117513.

Action of ear acupuncture in people with chronic pain in the spinal column: a randomized clinical trial1.

OBJECTIVES: to assess the action of ear acupuncture on disability and tissue temperature in people with chronic pain in the spinal column. METHOD: a clinical trial with a sample of 110 people, randomized into three groups: Treatment, Placebo and Control. The assessment instruments were the Rolland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and a thermographic camera, administered before the first treatment session, one week after and 15 days after (follow-up) the fifth session of ear acupuncture. In the analysis of the data, the Kruskal Wallis, Student-Newman Keuls and Wilcoxon tests were applied. RESULTS: there was a significant reduction in disability in the Treatment and Placebo groups between the initial and final assessments (p<0.05) and between the initial assessments and follow-up (p<0.05). In the final assessment, the Treatment group presented improvement of disability when compared with the Placebo and Control groups (p<0.05). There was an increase in mean tissue temperature of the dorsal region between the initial and follow-up assessments in Treatment and Control groups (p<0.05), and between the final assessments and follow-up in the Treatment and Placebo groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: ear acupuncture was efficacious in reducing disability and increasing tissue temperature in people with chronic pain in the spinal column. Brazilian Register of Clinical Trials (RBR-5X69X2).

Cupping therapy and chronic back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: to evaluate the evidence from the literature regarding the effects of cupping therapy on chronic back pain in adults, the most used outcomes to evaluate this condition, the protocol used to apply the intervention and to investigate the effectiveness of cupping therapy on the intensity of chronic back pain. METHOD: systematic review and meta-analysis carried out by two independent researchers in national and international databases. Reference lists of systematic reviews were also explored. The quality of evidence was assessed according to the Jadad scale. RESULTS: 611 studies were identified, of which 16 were included in the qualitative analysis and 10 in the quantitative analysis. Cupping therapy has shown positive results on chronic back pain. There is no standardization in the treatment protocol. The main assessed outcomes were pain intensity, physical incapacity, quality of life and nociceptive threshold before the mechanical stimulus. There was a significant reduction in the pain intensity score through the use of cupping therapy (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: cupping therapy is a promising method for the treatment of chronic back pain in adults. There is the need to establish standardized application protocols for this intervention.

Validação de face, conteúdo e semântica da escala de avaliação do risco de quedas em pessoas idosas que vivem na comunidade / Face, content and semantic validation of the scale for assessing the risk of falls in community-dwelling elderly people / Validación facial, de contenido y semántica de la escala de evaluación del riesgo de caídas en ancianos residentes en la comunidad

Introdução: quedas em pessoas idosas constituem um sério problema de saúde e geram muitas preocupações para estudiosos e clínicos da geriatria e gerontologia. Objetivo: avaliar a validade de face e de conteúdo e a validade semântica de uma escala de avaliação do risco de quedas em idosos que vivem na comunidade. Método: trata-se de um estudo do tipo metodológico, com realização das seguintes etapas: validade de face e de conteúdo e análise semântica. Na análise de validade de face e de conteúdo, foram convidados sete juízes especialistas na área de saúde da pessoa idosa e do método em questão. Concernente à análise semântica, a referida escala foi aplicada em 20 idosos selecionadas por conveniência. Resultados: dos sete juízes contatados, cinco retornaram com os instrumentos. Na análise de aparência, cinco itens receberam concordância inferior a 80%. Na análise semântica, apenas dois itens foram identificados como de difícil compreensão pelas pessoas idosas. A segunda versão da escala apresentava 43 itens e, após avaliação dos juízes, passou a compor 44 itens. Conclusão: a escala apresenta validade de face, de conteúdo e semântica para o contexto atual e para a população-alvo estudada, sendo importante sua revisão e adequação em momentos pósteros a fim de acompanhar os avanços científicos da geriatria e gerontologia.

Introduction: falls in elderly people constitute a serious health problem and generate many concerns for scholars and clinicians in geriatrics and gerontology. Objective: to evaluate the face and content validity and semantic validity of a scale to assess the risk of falls in community-dwelling elderly people. Method: this is a methodological study, with the following stages: face and content validity and semantic analysis. For the face and content validity analysis, seven judges, experts in the area of elderly health and the method in question, were invited. Regarding the semantic analysis, the scale was applied to 20 elderly people selected by convenience. Results: of the seven judges contacted, five returned with the instruments. In the appearance analysis, five items received less than 80% agreement. In the semantic analysis, only two items were identified as difficult to understand by the elderly. The second version of the scale had 43 items and, after the judges' evaluation, it became 44 items. Conclusion: the scale presents face, content and semantic validity for the current context and for the target population studied, being important its revision and adequacy in later moments in order to follow the scientific advances in geriatrics and gerontology.

Introducción: las caídas en ancianos constituyen un grave problema de salud y generan muchas preocupaciones a los estudiosos y clínicos en geriatría y gerontología. Objetivo: evaluar la validez facial y de contenido y la validez semántica de una escala para evaluar el riesgo de caídas en ancianos residentes en la comunidad. Método: se trata de un estudio metodológico, con las siguientes etapas: validez facial y de contenido y análisis semántico. Para el análisis de la validez facial y de contenido se invitó a siete jueces, expertos en el ámbito de la salud de las personas mayores y en el método en cuestión. En cuanto al análisis semántico, la escala se aplicó a 20 ancianos seleccionados por conveniencia. Resultados: de los siete jueces contactados, cinco devolvieron los instrumentos. En el análisis de apariencia, cinco ítems recibieron menos del 80% de acuerdo. En el análisis semántico, sólo dos ítems fueron identificados como difíciles de entender por las personas mayores. La segunda versión de la escala tenía 43 ítems y, tras la evaluación de los jueces, pasó a tener 44 ítems. Conclusión: la escala presenta validez facial, de contenido y semántica para el contexto actual y para la población objetivo estudiada, siendo importante su revisión y adecuación en momentos posteriores para acompañar los avances científicos en geriatría y gerontología.