ABSTRACT
The most disabling aspect of human peripheral nerve injuries, the majority of which affect the upper limbs, is the loss of skilled hand movements. Activity-induced morphological and electrophysiological remodeling of the neuromuscular junction has been shown to influence nerve repair and functional recovery. In the current study, we determined the effects of two different treatments on the functional and morphological recovery after median and ulnar nerve injury. Adult Wistar male rats weighing 280 to 330 g at the time of surgery (N = 8-10 animals/group) were submitted to nerve crush and 1 week later began a 3-week course of motor rehabilitation involving either "skilled" (reaching for small food pellets) or "unskilled" (walking on a motorized treadmill) training. During this period, functional recovery was monitored weekly using staircase and cylinder tests. Histological and morphometric nerve analyses were used to assess nerve regeneration at the end of treatment. The functional evaluation demonstrated benefits of both tasks, but found no difference between them (P > 0.05). The unskilled training, however, induced a greater degree of nerve regeneration as evidenced by histological measurement (P < 0.05). These data provide evidence that both of the forelimb training tasks used in this study can accelerate functional recovery following brachial plexus injury.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Rats , Nerve Regeneration/physiology , Peripheral Nerve Injuries/rehabilitation , Physical Conditioning, Animal/methods , Recovery of Function/physiology , Sciatic Nerve/injuries , Ulnar Nerve/injuries , Peripheral Nerve Injuries/physiopathology , Physical Conditioning, Animal/physiology , Rats, Wistar , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
INTRODUÇÃO: O Test d'Évaluation des Membres Supérieurs de Personnes Âgées (TEMPA) é composto por tarefas padronizadas, representando atividades da vida diária e avalia a função do membro superior (MS) de pessoas com alteração motora. Além da medida do tempo e da graduação funcional, o instrumento propõe uma análise das tarefas executadas. OBJETIVO: Os objetivos do estudo foram: traduzir e adaptar para a língua portuguesa o formulário e o manual de administração do TEMPA; avaliar a confiabilidade teste reteste e interobservadores e a validade para pacientes com hemiparesia. MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo 23 pacientes (61±13 anos) com hemiparesia (30±29 meses) e 23 controles (60±12 anos). A confiabilidade interobservadores foi testada comparando o resultado de dois observadores, em avaliações realizadas no mesmo dia. A confiabilidade teste reteste foi testada comparando o resultado das avaliações, repetidas no intervalo de uma semana. A validade para hemiparéticos foi avaliada por meio da correlação com a escala de Fugl-Meyer (EFM). RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostram adequada confiabilidade interobservadores (coeficiente de correlação intraclasse - CCI=0,93) e teste reteste (CCI=0,99) para os escores totais. Nos pacientes com comprometimento motor moderado a grave (EFM<50), todos os itens mostraram adequada confiabilidade teste reteste e interobservadores (CCI entre 0,70 e 1,00). Nos pacientes com comprometimento motor leve (EFM>50), a confiabilidade para a velocidade na execução assim como para o escore funcional total (interobservadores, ICC=0,79 e teste-reteste, ICC=0,78), foi adequada. A correlação do TEMPA com a EFM foi de r=-0,85 (p=0,001). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados sugerem adequada confiabilidade para a versão brasileira do TEMPA e validade para pacientes com hemiparesia.
INTRODUCTION: The Test d'Évaluation des Membres Supérieurs de Personnes Âgées (TEMPA) is composed of standardized tasks that represent activities of daily living. This test evaluates upper limb function in individuals with motor deficits. In addition to measuring time and functional level, this instrument also provides analysis of the tasks performed. OBJECTIVE: The aims were: to translate and to adapt the TEMPA form and administration manual to the Portuguese language; and to assess interrater and test-retest reliability and the validity of TEMPA for patients with hemiparesis. METHODS: Twenty-three patients (61±13 years) with hemiparesis (30±29 months) and 23 controls (60±12 years) participated in this study. The interrater reliability was tested by comparing the results from two examiners, in evaluations on the same day. The test-retest reliability was tested by comparing the results from evaluations repeated within a one-week interval. The validity of TEMPA for hemiparetics was assessed by correlation with the Fugl-Meyer scale (FMS). RESULTS: The results showed adequate interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient - ICC=0.93) and test-retest reliability (ICC=0.99) for the total scores. In patients with moderate to severe motor deficits (FMS<50), all the items showed adequate test-retest and interrater reliability (ICC between 0.70 and 1.00). In patients with mild motor deficits (FMS>50), the reliability regarding speed of execution and total functional score (interrater, ICC=0.79 and test-retest, ICC=0.78) was adequate. The correlation of TEMPA with FMS was r=-0.85 (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the Brazilian version of TEMPA is reliable and that it is valid for patients with hemiparesis.