ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Handgrip strength is currently considered a predictor of overall muscle strength and functional capacity. Therefore, it is important to find reliable and affordable instruments for this analysis, such as the modified sphygmomanometer test (MST). OBJECTIVES: To assess the concurrent criterion validity of the MST, to compare the MST with the Jamar dynamometer, and to analyze the reproducibility (i.e. reliability and agreement) of the MST in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHOD: The authors recruited 50 subjects, 24 with PD (65.5±6.2 years of age) and 26 healthy elderly subjects (63.4±7.2 years of age). The handgrip strength was measured using the Jamar dynamometer and modified sphygmomanometer. The concurrent criterion validity was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and a simple linear regression test. The reproducibility of the MST was evaluated with the coefficient of intra-class correlation (ICC2,1), the standard error of measurement (SEM), the minimal detectable change (MDC), and the Bland-Altman plot. For all of the analyses, α≤0.05 was considered a risk. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation of moderate magnitude (r≥0.45) between the MST and the Jamar dynamometer. The MST had excellent reliability (ICC2,1≥0.7). The SEM and the MDC were adequate; however, the Bland-Altman plot indicated an unsatisfactory interrater agreement. CONCLUSIONS: The MST exhibited adequate validity and excellent reliability and is, therefore, suitable for monitoring the handgrip strength in PD. However, if the goal is to compare the measurements between examiners, the authors recommend that the data be interpreted with caution. .
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Parkinson Disease/physiopathology , Hand Strength , Sphygmomanometers , Reproducibility of Results , Equipment DesignABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Macrophages play a major role among the inflammatory cells that invade muscle tissue following an injury. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has long been used in clinical practice to accelerate the muscle repair process. However, little is known regarding its effect on macrophages. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of LLLT on the mitochondrial activity (MA) of macrophages. METHOD: J774 macrophages were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon - gamma (IFN-γ) (activation) for 24 h to simulate an inflammatory process, then irradiated with LLLT using two sets of parameters (780 nm; 70 mW; 3 J/cm2 and 660 nm; 15 mW; 7.5 J/cm2). Non-activated/non-irradiated cells composed the control group. MA was evaluated by the cell mitochondrial activity (MTT) assay (after 1, 3 and 5 days) in three independent experiments. The data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: After 1 day of culture, activated and 780 nm irradiated macrophages showed lower MA than activated macrophages, but activated and 660 nm irradiated macrophages showed MA similar to activated cells. After 3 days, activated and irradiated (660 nm and 780 nm) macrophages showed greater MA than activated macrophages, and after 5 days, the activated and irradiated (660 nm and 780 nm) macrophages showed similar MA to the activated macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that 660 nm and 780 nm LLLT can modulate the cellular activation status of macrophages in inflammation, highlighting the importance of this resource and of the correct determination of its parameters in the repair process of skeletal muscle. .
CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: O macrófago tem papel de destaque dentre as células inflamatórias que invadem o músculo após as lesões. Por outro lado, o laser em baixa intensidade (LBI) tem sido muito utilizado na clínica para acelerar o reparo muscular, e pouco se conhece sobre seu efeito nos macrófagos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do LBI sobre a atividade mitocondrial (AM) de macrófagos ativados para simular um processo inflamatório. MÉTODO: Macrófagos J774 foram tratados com lipopolissacarídeo (LPS) e IFN-gamma (ativação) por 24 horas para simular um processo inflamatório e então foram irradiados com LBI (780 nm; 70 mW; 3 J/cm(2) e 660 nm; 15mW; 7,5 J/cm(2)). A AM foi avaliada pela técnica MTT após um, três e cinco dias das irradiações. Foram realizados três experimentos independentes, e os dados, submetidos à análise estatística. RESULTADOS: Após um dia de cultivo, os macrófagos ativados e irradiados com o laser de 780 nm mostraram AM menor que os somente ativados, já os macrófagos ativados e irradiados com o laser de 660 mostraram AM semelhante aos somente ativados. Após três dias, os macrófagos ativados e irradiados (660 e 780 nm) mostraram AM maior que os macrófagos ativados; já após cinco dias, os grupos ativados e irradiados (660 e 780 nm) mostraram AM semelhante aos macrófagos somente ativados. CONCLUSÕES: Esses resultados mostram que tanto o LBI de 660 nm como o de 780 nm são capazes de modular a ativação celular de macrófagos em situação de inflamação, ressaltando a importância desse recurso e da determinação de seus parâmetros dosimétricos no processo de reparo do músculo esquelético. .