The myofascial component of the pain in the painful shoulder of the hemiplegic patient

OBJECTIVES: Poststroke shoulder pain occurs very frequently and compromises function and quality of life. Because treatment depends on a multidisciplinary approach, it is desirable to optimize effectiveness. Myofascial pain syndrome is defined by the presence of trigger points that can also be found in spastic stroke patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of myofascial pain in the shoulder girdle muscles in patients with poststroke shoulder pain and to document the clinical and functional results obtained with specific treatment for this condition. METHODS: Spastic stroke hemiplegic patients undergoing rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Center of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo were evaluated regarding the intensity and characteristics of shoulder pain, previous therapeutic interventions, shoulder goniometry and the presence of trigger points. Patients underwent trigger point blockade by intramuscular infiltration of 1% lidocaine. The evaluation and treatment procedures were repeated in the subsequent 3 weeks as long as the pain intensity was greater than 5 on a visual analog scale (VAS). In the fourth week, the evaluation procedures were repeated. Patients who were in a multiprofessional rehabilitation program were instructed to continue the treatment, and the others received complementary therapeutic advice if necessary to initiate it. The evaluations were performed at 0, 1, and 3 weeks and after 4 months. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (13 men; age=67.8±10.2 years; right hemiparesis: 11) participated in the study, and there was a reduction in pain assessed by VAS from baseline (7.6±2.7) to the first week (5.8±3.6; p<0.05) through the end of the third week (5.2±3.5; p<0.05), but not at the end of four months (6.6±2.9; p=0.11). Good responders had significantly lower pain levels after the third week and presented with a larger range of motion for passive abduction by the end of 4 months. These results demonstrate that the myofascial component of pain should be considered in poststroke shoulder pain and that its treatment may be a pathway for the rapid and long-lasting relief of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Trigger point blockade with lidocaine can reduce pain perception in spastic hemiplegic shoulder in as much as 50% of stroke survivors for four months.

Resultados de um programa de condicionamento físico para indivíduos com hemiplegia após acidente vascular encefálico: comparação de dois métodos de intervenção / Results of a physical fitness training for individuals with hemiplegia after stroke: Comparison of two methods of intervention

Objetivo: Comparar os resultados obtidos na força muscular de membros inferiores e capacidade funcional de pessoas com sequelas neurológicas após Acidente Vascular Encefálico, obtidos por meio de dois métodos de intervenção: uso de faixas elásticas e aparelhos de musculação. Métodos: 14 pessoas idades 58,5±9,4 (07 Grupo A; 07 Grupo B) participaram do programa de exercícios (grupo A intervenção com faixas elásticas e grupo B intervenção em aparelhos de musculação). Resultados: Houve aumento da força muscular, melhora do equilíbrio dinâmico e na capacidade funcional em sentar e levantar da cadeira para ambos os grupos. Conclusão: Exercícios físicos realizados com uso de faixas elásticas trazem benefícios para essas pessoas, tanto quanto os realizados em aparelhos de musculação.

Objective: Compare the results in lower limbs muscle strength and functional capacity in people post stroke, obtained with two intervention methods: exercise with elastic band and gym equipment. Methods: 14 individuals 58,5±9,4 age (07 group A; 07 group B), participated in a program exercises (Group A elastic band intrvention and Group B gym equipment intervention). Results: There was a increase in muscle strength, balance and functional capacity in sit and up from the chair in both groups. Conclusion: Exercises with elastic bands area benefits to people post stroke.

Resultados de um programa de exercícios físicos para indivíduos com hemiplegia pós acidente vascular encefálico / Effects physical training program for individuals with hemiplegia after stroke

Dentre as várias sequelas causadas pelo acidente vascular encefálico (AVE), destaca-se o comprometimento motor como a hemiplegia e a hemiparesia. A recuperação das sequelas neurológicas pode ocorrer de maneira espontânea, porém parte da recuperação depende de estímulo motor. Isto posto, o exercício físico é um método importante para a reabilitação e promoção da saúde em indivíduos que sofreram AVE. Objetivo: Verificar os resultados obtidos na força muscular global e em equilíbrio dinâmico, em indivíduos com hemiplegia pós AVE, que participaram de um programa de exercícios físicos. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 29 indivíduos, com média de idade de 57 anos. Foram analisados, retrospectivamente, dados dos prontuários de pacientes com diagnóstico de hemiplegia após AVE do Instituto de Medicina Física e Reabilitação do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo ­ IMREA HCFMUSP, unidade Lapa, que participaram de programa de exercícios no serviço de Condicionamento Físico da instituição no período de setembro de 2011 a julho de 2013. Resultados: Observou-se aumento significativo em força muscular (p<0,05) em todas as musculaturas envolvidas no teste de 10 RM. O maior ganho de força foi no grupo dos isquiotibiais (65,85%) e a musculatura com menor ganho de força foi tríceps braquial, com 31,34%. A média total de ganho de força foi de 45,20%. O tempo de realização dos testes Timed Up and Go (TUG) e Teste de Sentar e Levantar (TSL) foi menor ao término do programa, o que significa que os pacientes melhoraram a capacidade de realizar as mesmas funções avaliadas inicialmente. Conclusão: Este estudo mostrou que o treinamento resistido é muito importante para as pessoas com sequelas de hemiplegia pós AVE, por melhorar a capacidade funcional como o equilíbrio dinâmico, além de contribuir em suas atividades cotidianas com o aumento da força muscular global.

Among all impairment caused after stroke, the main commitment is the motor skills like hemiplegia and hemiparesis. The recovery of neurological sequel depends on motor stimulation. Physical exercise is an important method to promote health and rehabilitate stroke survivors. Objective: The aim of this study was to check results obtained in muscle strength and balance in stroke survivors who participated in a physical exercise program. Method: Was included 29 subjects with a mean age of 57 years. The data was analyzed retrospectively from the records of the patients diagnosed with hemiplegia after stroke in the Instituto de Medicina Física e Reabilitação do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo ­ IMREA HCFMUSP who participated in a physical fitness program of the institution from September 2011 to July 2013. Result: There was a significant increase in muscle strength (p <0.05) in all the muscles. The time to perform the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and 5 repetitions sit to stand (TSL) was lower at the end of the study. Conclusion: This study showed that resistance training is very important for people with hemiplegia post stroke to improve the functional capacity as the dynamic balance and contribute in their daily activities.

Cross-cultural adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese of the Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire-Revised: WFQ-R-Brazil / Adaptação transcultural para o português brasileiro do Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire-Revised: WFQ-R-Brasil

ABSTRACT Post-stroke hemiparesis causes compensated postures, which can modify the footedness established before the impairment. Recently, a paresis severity-modulated dominance hypothesis stated that measures to detect footedness become crucial to float new ideas for neurorehabilitation strategies. The Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire-Revised (WFQ-R) represents the most acceptable measure but it had not yet been cross-culturally adapted for Portuguese spoken in Brazil. Our aim was to cross-culturally adapt the WFQ-R to Brazilian Portuguese, verifying its reliability. We completed the essential steps to cross-culturally adapt one version, tested in 12 patients with post-stroke hemiparesis and 12 able-bodied individuals, sampled by convenience, to verify reliability. Measurements were taken by two independent raters during the test and by one of them at the one-week retest. No great semantic, linguistic or cultural differences were found, and acceptable reliability was recorded. The WFQ-R-Brazil is reliable and ready for use in the Brazilian able-bodied and post-stroke hemiparesis population.

RESUMO Hemiparesia pós-doença cerebrovascular causa posturas compensadas que podem modificar predominância de uso do pé adotada antes da deficiência. Recentemente, hipótese de predominância modulada pela gravidade da paresia declara que medidas para detectar predominância tornaram-se cruciais para sugerir ideias em busca de estratégias de neurorreabilitação. A Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire-Revised (WFQ-R) representa a medida mais aceita e não foi ainda adaptada transculturalmente para o Português brasileiro. Nosso objetivo foi então adaptar o WFQ-R, verificando sua confiabilidade. Nós completamos os passos essenciais para adaptar uma versão testada em 12 pessoas com hemiparesia e 12 fisicamente aptas amostradas por conveniência para procedimentos de verificação da confiabilidade. Medidas foram tomadas por dois examinadores independentes durante o teste e por um deles no reteste após uma semana. Nenhuma diferença semântica, linguística ou cultural foi encontrada, e confiabilidade aceitável foi registrada. WFQ-R-Brasil é confiável e está pronto para uso na população de brasileiros fisicamente aptos e com hemiparesia.

Avaliação funcional de pacientes com hemiplegia pós acidente vascular encefálico: Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder And Hand - DASH / Functional evaluation of hemiplegic patients post-stroke using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder And Hand - DASH questionnaire

A hemiplegia pós Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE) resulta em limitações na movimentação do MMSS e MMII, prejudicando as capacidades funcionais do indivíduo para o desempenho de suas atividades cotidianas. Objetivo: Verificar se o questionário Disability of the Arm, Sholder and Hand (DASH) é um instrumento apropriado para avaliar pacientes com hemiplegia por AVE. Métodos: Foram entrevistados 100 pacientes com hemiplegia por AVE atendidos pelo serviço de Terapia Ocupacional IMREA HC FMUSP utilizando o instrumento DASH. Resultados: O DASH mostrou-se um questionário válido e reprodutível porque avalia as dificuldades para o desempenho de atividades básicas e instrumentais da vida diária em relação as limitações motoras dos pacientes hemiplégico. Conclusão: Oferece informações do paciente sobre sua opinião e satisfação pessoal em relação sua própria condição física e grau de independência para atividades cotidianas

Hemiplegia after a stroke results in movement limitations of the upper and lower limbs, hindering the functional capacity of the individual to perform daily activities. Objective: To verify whether the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH) is an appropriate instrument to evaluate patients with hemiplegia due to a stroke. Methods: One hundred patients with hemiplegia due to stroke in treatment at the Occupational Therapy service of IMREA HC FMUSP were interviewed using the DASH instrument. Results: The DASH showed to be a valid and reproducible questionnaire because it evaluates the difficulties in performing the basic and instrumental activities of daily living regarding the motor limitations of hemiplegic patients. Conclusion: The questionnaire provided patient information on their opinion and personal satisfaction regarding their own physical condition and degree of independence for daily activities

Post-activation depression of the lower extremities in stroke patients with spasticity and spastic equinovarus deformity / Depressão pós-ativação das extremidades inferiores de pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral que apresentam espasticidade e deformidade equinovarus por espasticidade

This study aimed to investigate changes of post-activation depression in two groups of patients with or without spastic equinovarus deformity (SED). Paired and independent t-tests were used to compare post-activation depression within and between the groups, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between diminished post-activation depression and spasticity severity. The soleus and tibialis anterior (TA) post-activation depression values were significantly decreased on the affected sides of patients with SED compared to those without. In patients without SED, the soleus post-activation depression was significantly decreased on the affected side; however, TA post-activation depression was higher on the affected side. Both the soleus and TA become active, but the onset time may be different. The imbalanced muscle tone between the soleus and TA in the early stage after stroke may be related to equinus deformity.

O principal objetivo deste estudo é a investigação da depressão pós-ativação em pacientes com deformidade equinovarus espástica (DEE). Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos. Student-t testes pareados e independentes foram utilizados para comparar a depressão pós-ativação intra- e inter-grupos, respectivamente. Houve uma correlação positiva significativa entre a diminuição da depressão pós-ativação e a gravidade da espasticidade. A depressão pós-ativação dos músculos sóleo e tibial anterior (TA) estavam significativamente diminuídas no lado afetado dos pacientes com SEE em relação aos membros sem SEE. Em pacientes sem SEE, a depressão pós-ativação do músculo sóleo encontrava-se significativamente diminuída do lado afetado. No entanto, a depressão pós-ativação do músculo TA era maior no lado afetado que no lado não afetado. Tanto o sóleo quanto o TA serão ativados, mas o tempo para isso pode ser diferente. O desequilíbrio entre o tônus dos músculos sóleo e TA nos estágios iniciais pode estar relacionado à deformidade equina.

Using the six minute walk test to evaluate walking capacity in patients with stroke / Uso do teste de caminhada de seis minutos para avaliar a capacidade de deambulação em pacientes com acidentevascular cerebral

O teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (TC6) mede a distância máxima que uma pessoa podecaminhar em 6 minutos. O teste está ganhando popularidade porque avalia a capacidade doestado funcional dos pacientes com diferentes patologias e é considerando simples, seguro,válido, barato e não invasivo. Objetivo: O objetivo desta revisão foi investigar a aplicabilidade doteste de caminhada de seis minutos em sobreviventes de AVC. Método: A pesquisa bibliográficafoi realizada na base de dados MedLine (PubMed) de 1 de Janeiro de 2000 a Abril, 16 2013Os termos de pesquisa utilizados foram AVC (acidente vascular cerebral e/ou hemiplegia) ecaminhada (limitação da mobilidade). O primeiro autor revisou os títulos e/ou resumos deartigos encontrados e determinou relevância para a revisão. Cópias de texto completo de artigosrelevantes foram obtidas. Após a leitura foram selecionados os artigos mais relevantes. Apenasartigos escritos em Inglês foram incluídos nesta revisão. Resultados: Os 31 estudos incluídosforam divididos em 9 estudos de ensaio clinico randomizado, 2 estudos caso-controle, 5 estudosprospectivos e 15 estudos transversais e envolveu 1.824 pacientes sobreviventes de AVC, 146controles saudáveis e 38 pacientes com Esclerose Múltipla. Conclusão: O TC6 é útil para avaliar acapacidade de funcional em pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral, no entanto deve ser usadoem conjunto outras ferramentas de avaliação para determinar o perfil geral desses pacientes. Maisestudos são necessários para verificar os fatores que influenciam o resultado do teste e a formade complementá-lo.

The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) measures the maximum distance that a person can walk in 6minutes. The test is gaining popularity because it assesses the functional capacity of differentpatients and is considered a simple, safe, valid, inexpensive, and noninvasive cardiopulmonarytest. Objective: The aim of this review was to investigate the applicability of the six-minute walktest in stroke survivors. Method: A literature search of MedLine (PubMed) databases datingfrom January 1, 2000 to April 16, 2013 was performed. The search terms used were stroke (orcerebrovascular accident or hemiplegia) and walking (mobility limitation). Author number onereviewed the titles and/or abstracts of displayed articles and determined their relevance to thisreview. Full text copies of relevant articles were obtained. Reference lists were screened foridentification of other relevant articles. Only articles written in English were included in this review.Results: The 31 included studies were divided into 9 randomized controlled trials, 2 case-controlstudies, 5 prospective studies, and 15 cross-sectional studies and involved 1,824 surviving strokepatients, 146 healthy controls, and 38 Multiple Sclerosis patients. Conclusion: The 6MWT is usefulin evaluating de functional capacity of patients with stroke, however, it should be used alongwith other assessment tools to determine the general profile of these patients. More studies arenecessary to verify the factors that influence the test results and as a way to supplement them.

Acute hemiplegia as a rare presentation of infantile Guillain-Barre syndrome

Guillain-Barre syndrome [GBS] usually presents in a symmetrical ascending fashion of weakness. We present a 6-month-old male infant who presented to our emergency room with acute left-sided limb weakness and head lag 3 days after a febrile upper respiratory tract infection. A diagnosis of GBS was established by confirming high cerebrospinal fluid protein, motor nerve reduced amplitude, and prolonged conductions, and MRI T2 high signal intensity affecting the ventral roots of the spinal cord. He showed remarkable clinical and neurophysiological improvement after intravenous immunoglobulin and intensive physiotherapy. The occurrence of infantile acute hemiplegia as a presentation of GBS is rare. This report highlights the importance of considering GBS in the differential diagnosis so that early effective treatment may be started

Comportamiento de los pacientes con enfermedad cerebrovascular en el Servicio de Rehabilitación del Hospital Militar de Matanzas / Behavior of the patients with cerebrovascular disease at the Rehabilitation Service of the Military Hospital of Matanzas

Las enfermedades cerebrovasculares constituyen la tercera causa de muerte en el mundo y una de las principales causas de discapacidad. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo en el Servicio de Rehabilitación del Hospital Militar de Matanzas, con el objetivo de describir el comportamiento de los pacientes con enfermedad cerebrovascular atendidos desde enero 2011 hasta junio de 2012. Se emplearon las variables: sexo, edad, tipo de accidente vascular encefálico, antecedentes patológicos personales, complicaciones en la rehabilitación, modalidades de tratamiento rehabilitador utilizado, tiempo de evolución, grado de incapacidad para realizar las actividades de la vida diaria (Índice de Barthel). La enfermedad cerebrovascular predominó en el sexo femenino, la edad media fue de 68,6 años. Se comprobó mayor incidencia de los accidentes vasculares encefálicos isquémicos. Se identificaron como complicaciones más frecuentes el hombro doloroso y la espasticidad. Las modalidades de tratamiento rehabilitador más utilizadas fueron la kinesioterapia y la ambulación. La ganancia en el Índice de Barthel fue mayor en los pacientes con menos de tres menos de evolución.

The cerebrovascular disease is the third cause of death in the world and one of the main disability causes. A descriptive study was conducted in the Rehabilitation Service of the Military Hospital of Matanzas, with the objective of describing the behaviour of the patients with cerebrovascular diseases assisted there from January 2011 to June of 2012. The variables used were: sex, age, type of encephalic vascular accident, personal pathological history, complications in the rehabilitation, modalities of the rehabilitative treatment, time of evolution, grade of disability to carry out the daily life activities (Barthel Index). The cerebrovascular disease was predominant in the female sex; the average age was 68,6 years. A higher incidence of the ischemic encephalic vascular accidents was proved. The painful shoulder and spasticity were identified as the most frequent complications. The most used modalities of treatment were the kinesiotherapy and ambulation. The gain in the Barthel Index was bigger in patients with less than three months of evolution.

Acidente vascular encefálico agudo: reabilitação / Acute encephalic vascular accident: rehabilitation

Este estudo revisou artigos nas bases de dados do MEDLINE (Pub-Med) e demais fontes de pesquisa, sem limite de tempo. Para tanto, adotou-se a estratégia de busca baseada em perguntas estruturadas na forma (P.I.C.O.) das iniciais: "Paciente"; "Intervenção"; "Controle" e "Outcome". Como descritores utilizaram-se: (cerebrovascular disorders OR Stroke) AND acute AND (movement OR physical therapy modalities OR exercise movement techniques); (cerebrovascular disorders OR stroke) AND (Postural Balance OR Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena) AND Rehabilitation AND trunk; (cerebrovascular disorders OR Stroke)AND (virtual reality OR user-computer interface OR video games); cerebrovascular disorders AND (home care services, hospital-based); cerebrovascular disorders AND (contractures OR splint OR orthotic devices); cerebrovascular disorders AND acute AND (rehabilitation OR physical therapy disorders or task performance); cerebrovascular disorders AND (physical therapy modalities OR rehabilitation OR exercise therapy) AND (Home Care Services OR self care); (cerebrovascular disorders OR stroke) AND (electric stimulation OR electric stimulation therapy) AND (muscle tonus OR muscle hypotonia OR muscle hypertonia); cerebrovascular disorders AND (restraint physical OR constraint induced movement therapy OR constraint); (cerebrovascular disordersOR stroke) AND (body weight support OR supported treadmill training OR partial weight bearing); (cerebrovascular disorders OR stroke) AND transcranial magnetic stimulation; (cerebrovascular disorders OR stroke) AND bandages. Com esses descritores efetivaram-se cruzamentos de acordo com o tema proposto em cada tópico das perguntas (P.I.C.O.). Analisado esse material, foram selecionados os artigos relativos às perguntas e, por meio do estudo dos mesmos, estabeleceram-se as evidências que fundamentaram às diretrizes do presente documento.

This study revised articles from the MEDLINE (PubMed) databases and other research sources, with no time limit. To do so, the search strategy adopted was based on (P.I.C.O.) structured questions (from the initials "Patient"; "Intervention"; "Control" and "Outcome". As keywords were used: (cerebrovascular disorders OR Stroke) AND acute AND (movement OR physical therapy modalities OR exercise movement techniques); (cerebrovascular disorders OR stroke) AND (Postural Balance OR Musculoskel et al. Physiological Phenomena) AND Rehabilitation AND trunk; (cerebrovascular disorders OR Stroke) AND (virtual reality OR user-computer interface OR video games); cerebrovascular disorders AND (home care services, hospital-based); cerebrovascular disorders AND (contractures OR splint OR orthotic devices); cerebrovascular disorders AND acute AND (rehabilitation OR physical therapy disorders or task performance); cerebrovascular disorders AND (physical therapy modalities OR rehabilitation OR exercise therapy) AND (Home Care Services OR self care); (cerebrovascular disorders OR stroke) AND (electric stimulation OR electric stimulation therapy) AND (muscle tonus OR muscle hypotonia OR muscle hypertonia); cerebrovascular disorders AND (restraint physical OR constraint induced movement therapy OR constraint); (cerebrovascular disorders OR stroke) AND (body weight support OR supported treadmill training OR partial weight bearing); (cerebrovascular disorders OR stroke) AND transcranial magnetic stimulation; (cerebrovascular disorders OR stroke) AND bandages. With the above keywords crossings were performed according to the proposed theme in each topic of the (P.I.C.O.) questions. After analyzing this material, articles regarding the questions were selected and, by studying those, the evidences that fundamented the directives of this document were established.

Motor Activity Log-Brazil: reliability and relationships with motor impairments in individuals with chronic stroke / Motor Activity Log-Brasil: confiabilidade e relações com a função motora em indivíduos com acidente vascular cerebral crônico

The Motor Activity Log (MAL) assesses the spontaneous use of the most affected upper limb with the amount of use (AOU) and quality of movement (QOM) scales during daily activities in real environments in individuals with chronic stroke. Objectives: This study translated the testing manual into Portuguese and assessed the inter-rater and test-retest reliabilities of the MAL, based upon the Brazilian manual version. Methods: The inter-rater reliability was evaluated by comparing the results of two examiners, and the test-retest reliability was tested by comparing the results of two evaluations, repeated one-week apart with 30 individuals with chronic hemiparesis (55.8±15.1 years). Results: The intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the total scores were adequate for both the inter-rater (0.98 for the AOU and 0.91 for QOM) and test-retest reliabilities (0.99 for both scales). Conclusions: The results suggested that the MAL was reliable to evaluate the spontaneous use of the most affected upper limb after stroke.

O Motor Activity Log (MAL) avalia o uso espontâneo do membro superior mais afetado por meio da escala de quantidade (EQT) e qualidade (EQL) de uso nas atividades cotidianas em ambiente real em pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral crônico. Objetivo: Este estudo traduziu para o português o manual de aplicação e testou a confiabilidade interavaliadores e teste-reteste do MAL com base na versão brasileira do manual. Métodos: Participaram 30 indivíduos (55,8±15,1 anos) com hemiparesia crônica. A confiabilidade interavaliadores foi testada comparando o resultado de dois avaliadores, e a confiabilidade teste-reteste, pela comparação dos resultados de duas avaliações de um mesmo avaliador, todas com intervalo de uma semana. Resultados: As confiabilidades interavaliadores (coeficiente de correlação intraclasse - CCI=0,98 para a EQT e 0,91 para a EQL) e teste-reteste (CCI=0,99 para ambas as escalas) para os escores totais foram adequadas. Conclusões: A versão brasileira do MAL demonstrou confiabilidade adequada para avaliar o uso espontâneo do membro superior parético depois de um acidente cerebral vascular.

Functional electrical stimulation improves brain perfusion in cranial trauma patients / A terapia com estímulo elétrico funcional pode melhorar a perfusão cerebral no SPECT em pacientes com trauma craniano

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate brain perfusion changes due to neuronal activation after functional electrical stimulation (FES). METHOD: It was studied 14 patients with hemiplegia who were submitted to a program with FES during fourteen weeks. Brain perfusion SPECT was performed before and after FES therapy. These patients were further separated into 2 groups according to the hemiplegia cause: cranial trauma and major vascular insults. All SPECT images were analyzed using SPM. RESULTS: There was a significant statistical difference between the two groups related to patient's ages and extent of hypoperfusion in the SPECT. Patients with cranial trauma had a reduction in the hypoperfused area and patients with major vascular insult had an increase in the hypoperfused area after FES therapy. CONCLUSION: FES therapy can result in brain perfusion improvement in patients with brain lesions due to cranial trauma but probably not in patients with major vascular insults with large infarct area.

OBJETIVO: Demonstrar mudanças na perfusão cerebral devido à ativação neuronal depois de estimulação elétrica funcional (EEF). MÉTODO: Foram estudados 14 pacientes com hemiplegia submetidos a quatorze semanas de um programa com EEF. O SPECT de perfusão cerebral foi realizado antes e depois da terapia com EEF. Estes pacientes foram separados em 2 grupos com relação à causa da hemiplegia: trauma craniano e acidente vascular cerebral (AVC). As imagens de SPECT foram analisadas usando SPM. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos relacionada a idade dos pacientes e extensão da hipoperfusão. Os pacientes com trauma craniano tiveram redução na área de hipoperfusão e pacientes com AVC tiveram aumento na área de hipoperfusão após terapia com EEF. CONCLUSÃO: A terapia com EEF pode levar a melhora na perfusão cerebral em pacientes com lesões cerebrais secundárias a trauma craniano; entretanto, provavelmente não em pacientes com extensas áreas de infarto secundárias a AVC.

The surface electromyography analysis of the non-plegic upper limb of hemiplegic subjects / Análise da eletromiografia de superfície do membro superior não plégico de hemiplégicos

Many authors have studied physical and functional changes in individuals post-stroke, but there are few studies that assess changes in the non-plegic side of hemiplegic subjects. This study aimed to compare the electromyographic activity in the forearm muscles of spastic patients and clinically healthy individuals, to determine if there is difference between the non-plegic side of hemiplegics and the dominant member of normal individuals. 22 hemiplegic subjects and 15 clinically healthy subjects were submitted to electromyography of the flexor and extensor carpi ulnaris muscles during wrist flexion and extension. The flexor muscles activation of stroke group (average 464.6 u.n) was significantly higher than the same muscles in control group (mean: 106.3 u.n.) during the wrist flexion, what shows that the non affected side does not present activation in the standart of normality found in the control group.

Muitos autores estudaram as modificações funcionais e físicas em indivíduos pós-acidente vascular cerebral; porém, poucos estudos avaliam alterações no hemicorpo não plégico de indivíduos hemiplégicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a atividade eletromiográfica nos músculos do antebraço de pacientes espásticos e indivíduos clinicamente saudáveis, para averiguar se há diferença entre o lado não plégico de indivíduos hemiplégicos e o lado dominante de indivíduos clinicamente saudáveis. 22 indivíduos hemiplégicos e 15 clinicamente saudáveis foram submetidos à eletromiografia dos músculos flexor e extensor ulnar do carpo durante a flexão e extensão do punho. A ativação dos músculos flexores dos hemiplégicos (média: 464,6 u.n), foi significantemente maior que nos indivíduos do grupo controle (média: 106,3 u.n) durante o movimento de flexão do punho, o que demonstra que o hemicorpo não acometido dos pacientes estudados não apresenta o comportamento padrão de normalidade encontrado no grupo controle.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus followed by contralateral hemiplegia

Despite adequate antiviral treatment an immuno-competent 57-year-old Asian male developed hemiplegia two months after an attack of herpes zoster ophthalmicus. He survived with significant residual neurologic sequelae. Several mechanisms have been postulated for the pathogenesis of this rare condition. There is no agreement on the best treatment; antivirals and steroids have been used with inconclusive results

Hypereosinophilic syndrome causing acute hemiplegia in childhood

Hypereosinophilic syndrome [HES] is a rare heterogeneous group of disorders, characterized by marked peripheral blood and tissue eosinophilia resulting in end organ damage. This case describes a six-year-old girl child who presented with sudden weakness of right half of body and fever. Computed tomogram of brain showed infarction of left internal capsule and basal ganglia. She had peripheral and bone marrow eosinophilia. No other cause was found for infarction

Prolonged hemiplegic migraine

Hemiplegic migraine is a rare form of migraine variant. It is characterized by recurrent attacks of headache associated with temporary neurological deficit, usually unilateral hemiparesis or hemiplegia. It can be difficult to distinguish from migrainous stroke clinically, and a full neurological work-up and careful review of medical history and symptoms are necessary for the diagnosis. Two forms of hemiplegic migraine are known: familial and sporadic, phenotypically similar, differentiated by the absence of family history of similar attacks in the sporadic form. We report a case of sporadic hemiplegic migraine with unusually prolonged deficit and progression to quadriplegia with complete return to baseline 7 days after onset. Diffusion weighted images helped in excluding infarction

Knowledge of stroke among a brazilian urban population

Knowledge of the population in regards to stroke has clinical and epidemiological importance. Prompt identification of the symptoms means efficient medical attendance within the window of therapeutic opportunities reducing significantly the morbi-mortality. Our aim was to evaluate the level of knowledge of the population of Teresina (PI) concerning factors of risk, symptoms and treatment of stroke. The door-to-door study was carried out by means of a standardized application of questionnaire on risk factors, symptoms and attitude when faced with a stroke victim. 991 forms were selected. Factors of risk more cited were hypertension identified by 416 [42.0 percent] and hyperlipidemia 284 [28.7 percent]. The most remembered symptoms were headache 277 [28.0 percent] and hemiplegia 219 [22.1 percent]. 375 (37.8 percent) respondents were unable to identify any risk factors and and 410 (41.4 percent) any symptom. The lack of knowledge of the population of Teresina in relation to stroke reflects the need for intervention through public and professional educational campaigns.

O conhecimento da população sobre doenças cerebrovasculares (DCV) possui importância clínica e epidemiológica. A rápida identificação dos sintomas significará atendimento médico eficiente dentro das janelas de oportunidades terapêuticas reduzindo significativamente a morbimortalidade. Objetivou-se avaliar o nível de conhecimento da população de Teresina (PI) acerca dos fatores de risco, sintomas e tratamento das DCV. O estudo populacional, porta-a-porta, foi conduzido mediante aplicação padronizada de um questionário sobre fatores de risco, sintomas e atitude diante de um caso de DCV. Foram eleitos 991 formulários preenchidos. Os fatores de risco mais citados foram hipertensão arterial identificada por 416 [42,0 por cento] e hiperlipidemia 284 [28,7 por cento]. Os sintomas mais lembrados foram cefaléia 277 [28,0 por cento] e hemiplegia 219 [22,1 por cento]. Não identificaram nenhum fator de risco 375 (37,8 por cento) respondedores e 410 (41,4 por cento), nenhum sintoma. O reduzido conhecimento da população de Teresina com relação às DCV reflete a necessidade de intervenção com campanhas educativas públicas e profissionais nesta população.