Musculoskeletal Pain, Mood, and Sports Injury in Wheelchair Power Soccer Players.

CONTEXT: Wheelchair Power Soccer (WPS) is the only team sport that allows the participation of people with severe physical disabilities who require the daily use of motorized wheelchairs. These individuals may live with chronic pain due to the characteristics of the disabilities and treatments, interfering with their health and limiting their participation in sports. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and its relationship with mood in WPS players and to analyze the incidence of traumatic injuries during a championship. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal study was carried out on 30 WPS athletes (93.33% male) with a mean (SD) (range) age of 22.37 (9.79) (47) years. Data collection was performed during a South American WPS Championship lasting 3 days, with: investigation of the presence of musculoskeletal pain and mood through a questionnaire; investigation of the occurrence of traumatic injuries through match observation; and confirmation of the occurrence of traumatic injuries through access to medical department records. RESULTS: About 30% (n = 9/30) of the sample presented some pain on the day of evaluation, with an intensity of 5.67 (3.35) (10) points on the visual analog scale. The most common regions of pain were the lower back (13.3%, n = 4/30), thoracic (10%; n = 3/30), and cervical (10%; n = 3/30) areas of the spine. A total of 46.7% (n = 14/30) reported pain in the month before data collection but of less intensity (2.56 [4] [10] points), the most common regions being the lower limbs (20%; n = 6/30) and cervical spine (20%; n = 6/30). Among the between-group comparisons (ie, participants with pain vs without pain), no relationship was observed between mood state and pain. No traumatic injuries were identified during the competition. CONCLUSION: The presence of musculoskeletal pain was common in WPS players, but it was not related to mood. As no traumatic injuries were observed during the championship, this modality seems to be safe for people with physical disabilities in general.

Efficacy of the cognitive functional therapy (CFT) in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain: a study protocol for a randomized sham-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain is a public health problem, and there is strong evidence that it is associated with a complex interaction of biopsychosocial factors. Cognitive functional therapy (CFT) is a promising new intervention that deals with potentially modifiable multidimensional aspects of pain (e.g., provocative cognitive, movement, and lifestyle behaviors). METHODS: To investigate the efficacy of CFT compared with a sham intervention for pain intensity and disability post-intervention (immediately after the last session) in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP). This study is a randomized controlled trial in which 152 (18-60 years old) patients with CLBP will be enrolled. The patients will be randomly allocated to receive (1) CFT intervention or (2) sham intervention. The experimental group will receive individualized CFT in a pragmatic manner (5 to 7 sessions) based on the clinical progression of the participants. The sham group will attend six sessions: consisting of 30 min of photobiomodulation using a detuned device and more than 15 min of talking about neutral topics. Patients from both groups also will receive an educational booklet (for ethical reasons). Participants will be assessed pre and post-intervention, 3 months, and 6 months after randomization. The primary outcomes will be pain intensity and disability post-intervention. The secondary outcomes will be: pain intensity and disability at 3- and 6-month follow-up, as well as self-efficacy, global perceived effect of improvement, and functioning post-intervention, 3-, and 6-month follow-up. The patients and the assessor will be blinded to the treatment administered (active vs. sham). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The between-group differences (effects of treatment), as well as the treatment effect for the primary and secondary outcomes, and their respective 95% confidence intervals will be calculated by constructing linear mixed models. DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge, the current study will be the first to compare CFT vs. sham intervention. Sham-controlled RCTs may help to understand the influence of non-specific factors on treatment outcomes. Considering complex interventions as CFT, it is imperative to understand the impact of contextual factors on outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04518891 . First Posted: August 19, 2020.

Which psychosocial factors are related to severe pain and functional limitation in patients with low back pain?: Psychosocial factors related to severe low back pain.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a global public health issue. Psychosocial factors are linked to LBP. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the relation of psychosocial factors to clinical outcomes of patients with severe LBP. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between specific psychosocial factors with severe pain and functional limitation of patients with LBP. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 472 participants with LBP was conducted. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires, including psychosocial factors, characteristics of pain, and functional limitations. Two multivariable logistic regression models were performed with severe pain intensity (≥ 7 out of 10) and functional limitation (≥ 7 out of 10) (dependent variables) and 15 psychosocial factors (independent variables). RESULTS: One hundred twenty-five (26.5%) participants had severe LBP. Patients with catastrophising symptoms were 2.21 [95%Confidence Interval (CI): 1.30, 3.77] times more likely to have severe pain and 2.72 (95%CI: 1.75, 4.23) times more likely to have severe functional limitation than patients without catastrophising symptoms. Patients with maladaptive beliefs about rest were 2.75 (95%CI: 1.37, 5.52) times more likely to present with severe pain and 1.72 (95%CI: 1.04, 2.83) times more likely to have severe functional limitation. Patients with kinesiophobia were 3.34 (95%CI: 1.36, 8.24) times more likely to present with severe pain, and patients with social isolation were 1.98 (95%CI: 1.25, 3.14) times more likely to have severe functional limitation. CONCLUSION: Catastrophising, kinesiophobia, maladaptive beliefs about rest, and social isolation are related to unfavourable clinical outcomes of patients with LBP.

Osteopathy and physiotherapy compared to physiotherapy alone on fatigue in long COVID: Study protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled superiority trial.

Objective: Fatigue is among the most common symptoms of the long-term effects of coronavirus (long COVID). This study aims to compare the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) combined with physiotherapy treatment (PT) compared to PT alone on fatigue and functional limitations after two months post randomization in adults with long COVID. Methods: This is a study protocol for a two-arm, assessor-blinded, pragmatic randomized controlled superiority trial. Seventy-six participants will be randomly allocated to OMT + PT or PT. The PT includes usual care interventions including motor and respiratory exercises targeting cardiorespiratory and skeletal muscle functions. The OMT entails direct and indirect musculoskeletal, viceral and cranial techniques. Patients will be evaluated before and after a 2-month intervention program, and at 3-month follow-up session. Primary objectives comprise fatigue and functional limitations at 2-month post randomization as assessed by the fatigue severity scale and the Post-COVID Functional State scale. Secondary objectives comprise fatigue and functional limitations at 3 months, and the perceived change post-treatment as assessed by the Perceived Change Scale (PCS-patient). Registration: This protocol was registered (NCT05012826) and received ethical approval (38342520.7.0000.5235). Participant recruitment began in August 2021 and is expected to conclude in July 2023. Publication of the results is anticipated in 2023.

Are craniocervical flexion test and the pectoralis minor index useful tests for patients with subacromial pain syndrome? / Are craniocervical flexion test and the pectoralis minor index useful tests for patients with subacromial pain syndrome?

Cervical disorders and the shortening of the pectoralis minor are advocated to play an important role in patients with subacromial pain syndrome, despite the absence of evidence. This study aimed to compare the deep cervical flexor muscle function and the shortening of the pectoralis minor between patients with subacromial pain syndrome and controls. Secondarily, this study aimed to analyze the relationship of clinical tests with pain and disability among patients. This is a case-control study with 32 patients with subacromial pain syndrome [mean age: 33 ± 6.9 years; sex: 22 (65.6%) men; right dominance: 31 (96.9%)] and 32 controls matched for age, sex, handedness, and affected side. Participants filled the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index; and performed the clinical tests which were compared between patients and controls. Pectoralis minor length of the patient's group (median = 9.0) was similar to the controls (median = 9.7) (U = 421.5; p = 0.22). The deep neck muscle function presented no statistical difference between patients and controls (χ2 = 4.319; p = 0.504). There was no statistically significant correlation between clinical tests and patient self-reported measures. Therefore, deep cervical flexor muscle and the pectoralis minor muscle were not impaired in patients with subacromial pain syndrome and did not show a relationship with self-reported measures.

Distúrbios cervicais e o encurtamento do músculo peitoral menor são apontados como tendo um papel importante em pacientes com síndrome da dor subacromial, apesar da ausência de evidências. Este estudo teve como objetivo comparar a função dos músculos flexores cervicais profundos e o encurtamento do músculo peitoral menor entre pacientes com síndrome da dor subacromial e controles. Secundariamente, este estudo objetivou analisar a relação dos testes clínicos com a dor e incapacidade entre os pacientes com síndrome da dor subacromial. Trata-se de um estudo caso-controle com 32 pacientes com síndrome da dor subacromial [idade: 33 ± 6,9 anos; sexo: 22 (65,6%) homens; dominância direita: 31 (96,9%)] e 32 controles pareados por idade, sexo, lateralidade e lado afetado. Os participantes preencheram a Numerical Pain Rating Scale, o Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, realizaram os testes clínicos e os resultados dos pacientes e controles foram comparados. O comprimento do músculo peitoral menor no grupo de pacientes (mediana = 9,0) foi semelhante ao grupo controle (mediana = 9,7) (U = 421,5; p = 0,22). A função do músculo flexor cervical profundo não apresentou diferença estatística entre pacientes e controles (χ2 = 4,319; p = 0,504). Não houve correlação estatisticamente significativa entre os testes clínicos e as medidas relatadas pelos pacientes. Portanto, o músculo flexor cervical profundo e o músculo peitoral menor não foram prejudicados em pacientes com síndrome da dor subacromial e não mostraram relação com medidas autorreferidas.

Perceived injustice and pain intensity in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain: cross-sectional study / Injustiça percebida e a intensidade de dor em pacientes com dor musculoesquelética crônica: estudo transversal

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To date, there is no information on the perception of injustice in patients with musculoskeletal pain in Brazil. The present study evaluated the perception of injustice in individuals with chronic musculoskeletal pain and its association with pain intensity. METHODS: Information regarding the participants' identification and experience of injustice was gathered using the Injustice Experience Questionnaire. Pain intensity data was collected through the numerical pain rating scale. The descriptive data analysis was performed. Pearson's correlation test was used to verify the association between pain intensity and perceived injustice. The level of significance adopted was alpha=95%. RESULTS: The study was composed of 110 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain being 94 women with a mean age of 62.9±14.9 years. The mean perceived injustice was 19.45±11.68 out of a total of 48 points. The mean pain intensity was 6.39±2.48. The correlation between pain intensity and perceived injustice was r=0.23 [CI (95%) = 0.04 to 0.40; p=0.008]. The correlation between blame and unfairness and pain intensity was r=0.16 (p=0.08). For the severity and irreparability domain the correlation was r=0.28 (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain presented low levels of perceived injustice. The total score and the severity and irreparability domain of the perceived injustice instrument showed a weak correlation with pain intensity.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Até o presente momento, não existem dados sobre a percepção de injustiça em pessoas com dor musculoesquelética no Brasil. O presente estudo avaliou a percepção de injustiça em pessoas com dor musculoesquelética crônica e a sua associação com a intensidade de dor. MÉTODOS: Foram coletadas informações referentes à identificação e experiência de injustiça utilizando o Questionário de Injustiça Percebida e a intensidade da dor utilizando a escala numérica da dor. Foi realizada a análise descritiva dos dados. O teste de correlação de Pearson foi utilizado para se verificar a correlação entre a intensidade de dor e a injustiça percebida. O nível de significância adotado foi de alfa=95%. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 110 pacientes com dor musculoesquelética crônica, sendo 94 mulheres com média de idade de 62,9±14,9 anos. A média da injustiça percebida foi de 19,45±11,68 de um total de 48 pontos. A intensidade média de dor foi 6,39±2,48. A correlação entre a intensidade de dor e a injustiça percebida foi de r=0,23 [IC (95%) = 0,04 a 0,40; p=0,008]. A correlação entre culpa e injustiça e a intensidade de dor foi de r=0,16 (p=0,08). Para o domínio gravidade e irreparabilidade foi de r=0,28 (p=0,003). CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes com dor musculoesquelética crônica apresentam baixos níveis de injustiça percebida. A pontuação total e o domínio de gravidade e irreparabilidade do instrumento de injustiça percebida apresentaram correlação fraca com a intensidade de dor.

One Session of Spinal Manipulation Improves the Cardiac Autonomic Control in Patients with Musculoskeletal Pain: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

STUDY DESIGN: Three-arm, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled, assessor-blinded trial. OBJECTIVE: To compare the immediate effect of manual therapy at the upper thoracic spine on the cardiovascular autonomic control of patients with musculoskeletal pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Musculoskeletal pain increases the risk of cardiovascular events. Thus, manual therapy applied to the upper thoracic region is likely efficient to improve the cardiac autonomic control. METHODS: The study included 59 patients with musculoskeletal pain enrolled at an outpatient clinic. Participants were randomly assigned to spinal manipulation (n = 19), myofascial manipulation (n = 20), or placebo (n = 20) administered to the upper thoracic region. Resting heart rate variability provided indexes of the cardiac autonomic control, and the blood pressure response to the cold pressor test as a proxy of the sympathetic responsiveness to a stressor stimulus. RESULTS: Groups were similar for baseline variables except for blood pressure. Two-way repeated-measures one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that only spinal manipulation induced immediate increase of the square root of the mean squared differences of successive RR intervals (RMSSD), absolute (ms2), and normalized units (n.u.) of the high-frequency power (HF) as compared with pre-intervention evaluation, indicating an improvement in the parasympathetic activity to the heart. Normalized units of low-frequency power (LF) and the LF/HF ratio reduced after the spinal manipulation solely, suggesting a reduction of the sympathetic activity to the heart. There were no significant differences in the blood pressure responsiveness among the three treatments. There were no adverse events. CONCLUSION: In patients with musculoskeletal pain, spinal manipulation on the upper thoracic spine led to an immediate improvement in the resting cardiac autonomic control without an effect on the blood pressure responsiveness to a sympathoexcitatory stimulus. Myofascial manipulation or placebo did not change cardiovascular autonomic control.Level of Evidence: 2.

Central Sensitization Inventory is a useless instrument for detection of the impairment of the conditioned pain modulation in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to evaluate the concurrent validity and the diagnostic accuracy of the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) in detecting the impairment of the pain modulation in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 267 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain enrolled consecutively in an outpatient department. The CSI (index method) were compared with the cold pressor test, which was the psychophysical test used to assess the conditioned pain modulation (CPM), (reference standard). Spearman's correlations assessed the concurrent validity, and measurements of the diagnostic accuracy were performed. RESULTS: Ninety-three (34.8%) patients had CSI scores≥40. No significant correlation was found between CSI findings and the results of the CPT (dorsal forearm site or tibialis anterior site) was found. The cutoff point of 40 of the CSI showed values of sensitivity (35.1%, 95% CI: 22.6, 49.3) and specificity (65.2%, 95% CI: 58.4, 71.6) below 70%, and an accuracy of 59.1 (95% CI: 53.0, 65.1) when compared to the CPT to detect deficit. The ROC curve analysis yielded an area under the curve of 0.54 (95% CI: 0.45, 0.63, P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The CSI is a useless instrument to detect the deficit in the CPM in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain due to the absence of correlation with the psychophysical test result and the insufficient measurements of diagnostic accuracy.

Comparison of the effect of two virtual reality stimuli on pressure pain sensitivity and autonomic response / Comparação do efeito de dois estímulos de realidade virtual na sensibilidade de dor a pressão e na resposta autonômica

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Virtual reality can have a modulatory action on pain and the autonomic nervous system. This study sought to verify the effect of two different VR stimuli on the pressure pain threshold and heart rate variability. METHODS: Healthy volunteers were randomized into two groups of virtual reality, nature and control. The pressure pain threshold was measured pre and post stimulus and heart rate variability measurements were collected pre, during and after virtual reality stimuli. The exploratory data analysis was performed. The t test was used to compare pressure pain threshold. For the differences in heart rate variability measurements, the linear mixed model was used. The level of significance adopted was 95%. RESULTS: The virtual reality nature group was composed of 19 participants with mean age of 22.7±4.72 years and the control virtual reality group was composed of 22 participants with mean age of 21.13±2.42 years. The virtual reality nature group showed an increase in the pressure pain threshold after virtual reality and the mean difference was -0.41 [CI (95%)= -0.74 to -0.07; p=0.01]. There was no difference in heart rate variability parameters measured during and after virtual reality stimulation. CONCLUSION: The group that was exposed to a virtual reality stimulus with scenes from nature showed an increase in the pressure pain threshold. There was no difference in heart rate variability between groups.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A realidade virtual pode ter ação modulatória sobre a dor e o sistema nervoso autônomo. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito de dois estímulos diferentes de realidade virtual sobre o limiar de dor a pressão e a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca. MÉTODOS: Os voluntários sadios foram randomizados para dois grupos de realidade virtual, natureza e controle. Foram coletadas as medidas do limiar de dor a pressão pré e pós-estímulo e as medidas da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca pré, durante e após o estímulo de realidade virtual. Foi realizada a análise exploratória dos dados. O teste t foi utilizado para comparar o limiar de dor a pressão. Para as diferenças nas medidas da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca utilizou-se o modelo linear misto. O nível de significância adotado foi de 95%. RESULTADOS: O grupo realidade virtual natureza foi composto por 19 participantes com média de idade de 22,7±4,72 anos e o grupo realidade virtual controle foi composto por 22 participantes com média de idade de 21,13±2,42 anos. O grupo realidade virtual natureza apresentou um aumento do limiar de dor a pressão após realidade virtual e a diferença entre as médias foi de -0,41 [IC (95%)=-0,74 a -0,07; p=0,01]. Não houve diferença para os parâmetros da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca mensurados durante e após o estímulo de realidade virtual. CONCLUSÃO: O grupo que foi exposto a um estímulo de realidade virtual com cenas da natureza apresentou um aumento do limiar de dor. Não foram observadas diferenças na variabilidade da frequência cardíaca entre os grupos.

'Believe the positive' aggregation of fall risk assessment methods reduces the detection of risk of falling in older adults.

OBJECTIVES: Screening programs for fall prevention in older adults may include several assessment methods. This study investigated the validity of aggregating fall risk assessment methods for stratifying the risk of falling in older adults. METHODS: This secondary data analysis included 52 community-dwelling residents aged [median (interquartile range)] 74 (69-80) years. Fall occurrences were registered prospectively for six months, with 9 (17%) participants reporting at least one fall during follow-up. The fall risk assessment included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS); polypharmacy (POLY); Falls Risk Assessment Score (FRAS); Fall Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT-up); Falls Efficacy Scale (FES); and posturography with the Wii Balance Board (WBB). Aggregation of methods' results was performed according to the risk classification ('high risk' or 'low risk') assigned by their respective cut-off values under the 'believe the positive' (BP) strategy. RESULTS: Aggregating 1 (POLY), 2 (+BBS), 3 (+FES), 4 (+FRAT-up), 5 (+FRAS), and 6 (+BBS) methods resulted in a monotonic decrease of several validity indices including (index [95% confidence interval]) diagnostic odds ratio (10.82 [2.38-54.28] to 0.59 [0.12-2.09]) and accuracy (0.67 [0.54-0.78] to 0.20 [0.11-0.31]). CONCLUSIONS: Aggregating fall risk assessment methods-BBS, POLY, FRAS, FRAT-up, FES, WBB-under the BP strategy does not increase the validity of stratification of the risk of falling in older adults.

Agreement and predictive power of six fall risk assessment methods in community-dwelling older adults.

A large number of fall risk assessment methods are available with a variety of performances for screening the risk of falling in older adults, but their agreement for assessing the risk of falling remains unknown. This observational prospective cohort study describes the agreement and predictive power of methods to classify the risk of falling in older adults using prospective data and published cut-off values. Fifty-two participants aged 74 years (interquartile range 69-80) were assessed using the Berg Balance Scale, polypharmacy, Falls Risk Assessment Score, Fall Risk Assessment Tool, Fall Efficiency Scale, and Posturography. Nine participants (17 %) reported at least one fall after six months. Cochran's test showed different proportions of participants classified as at high risk of falling among all methods (Q = 69.560, p < 0.001). A slightly better-then-chance agreement was estimated between all FRA methods (Light's κ = 0.074, 95%CI [0.021; 0.142]). We found both global and pairwise agreement levels that question the agreement among fall risk assessment methods for screening community-dwelling older adults.

ConheceDOR: the development of a board game for modern pain education for patients with musculoskeletal pain / ConheceDOR: desenvolvimento de um jogo de tabuleiro para educação moderna em dor para pessoas com dor musculoesquelética

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic pain is one of the main challenges for health systems. Pain education and self-motivated strategies have great potential in the treatment of people with chronic pain, especially by modifying beliefs and behavior. The development of board games for educational purposes can contribute to the learning of pain concepts and behavioral strategies. The objective of this study was to develop a board game (ConheceDor) to be used as an intervention tool for pain education. CONTENTS: The systematic review for the development of the game ConheceDor, considered the following search strategy: "chronic pain", "musculoskeletal pain", "health education", "patient education", "neuroscience education", "pain education", "therapeutic neuroscience education". The primary outcomes considered were pain intensity and disability. Fifteen studies were included, with a total of 1,486 participants. Six studies reported reduction on pain of at least 10%, and two studies reported an improvement of at least 30% on disability. For the development of the game, we elaborated the layout of the board, the rules and other components (dice, cards, and pins). The cards of the game included the contents commonly used in the randomized controlled trials: negative thoughts, pain neurophysiology, stress management, and relaxation, coping and exercises. CONCLUSION: The development of the present board game was based on the critical appraisal of the content of educational strategies present in the literature. The board game can be a potent resource to be applied in clinical practice in people with musculoskeletal pain.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor crônica é um dos principais desafios para os sistemas de saúde. As estratégias comportamentais e a educação em dor apresentam grande potencial no tratamento de pessoas com dor crônica, especialmente pela modificação de crenças e do comportamento. Os jogos de tabuleiro podem ser uma estratégia educativa que contribui para a aprendizagem dos conceitos sobre dor e estratégias comportamentais. O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver um jogo de tabuleiro (ConheceDor) como ferramenta de intervenção para educação em dor. CONTEÚDO: A revisão sistemática para o desenvolvimento do jogo ConheceDor, considerou a estratégia de busca com os descritores "chronic pain", "musculoskeletal pain", "health education", "patient education","neuroscience education", "pain education", "therapeutic neuroscience education". Os desfechos primários considerados foram a intensidade da dor e a incapacidade. Foram incluídos 15 estudos com um total de 1.486 participantes. Seis estudos apresentaram redução da dor de pelo menos 10% e dois estudos atingiram uma melhora de pelo menos 30% na incapacidade. Para o desenvolvimento do jogo foram elaborados o layout do tabuleiro, as regras e os demais componentes (dados, cartas, pinos). As cartas do ConheceDor incluíram os temas mais utilizados nos estudos identificados que foram: pensamentos negativos, neurofisiologia da dor, manuseio do estresse e relaxamento, enfrentamento e exercícios físicos. CONCLUSÃO: A criação de um jogo de tabuleiro considerou uma análise crítica da literatura dos conteúdos das estratégias educativas presentes nos ensaios clínicos. O desenvolvimento dessa intervenção pode ser um recurso para ser aplicado na prática clínica em pessoas com dor musculoesquelética.

A influência da Fisioterapia na redução da intensidade da dor e no efeito global percebido de pacientes com dores musculoesqueléticas / The influence of the Physiotherapy on pain reduction and global perceived effect of patients with musculoskeletal pain

A melhora clí­nica do paciente com dores musculoesqueléticas (DME) deve ser monitorada em conjunto com a percepção do paciente sobre o efeito do tratamento, apesar da falta de informação sobre esse tema. Objetivo: Analisar a influência do tratamento fisioterápico na redução da intensidade da dor e no efeito global percebido de pacientes com DME. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo observacional analí­tico retrospectivo em 61 pacientes com DME que responderam uma questão relacionada í intensidade de dor e outra questão sobre o efeito global percebido do tratamento fisioterápico. A intensidade de dor medida após 10 meses de acompanhamento foi comparada aos valores iniciais. Resultados: Os participantes eram predominantemente mulheres (83,3%) adultas (média de idade de 59,6 anos). A média de intensidade da dor na avaliação inicial foi de 6,4 (± 2,7), com média de tempo de dor de 20,3 meses. A média de intensidade de dor após o contato telefônico foi de 4,37 (± 3,9). A análise do efeito global percebido evidenciou melhora na maioria dos participantes (16,7% completamente recuperados; 39,7% melhoraram muito, 26,7% melhoraram pouco). Conclusão: Pacientes com DME apresentaram redução da intensidade da dor e melhora no efeito global percebido após um programa de Fisioterapia. (AU)

The clinical improvement of the patient with musculoskeletal pain (MP) should be monitored together with the perception of the patient about the treatment effect, despite the lack of information on this subject. Objective: To analyze the influence of physiotherapeutic treatment on the pain reduction and global perceived effect in patients with MP. Methods: A retrospective observational analytic study was performed in 61 patients with MP that answered a question about their pain intensity and another question about the global perceived effect of the physical therapy treatment. The pain intensity measured after 10 months of follow-up was compared to the initial values. Results: Participants were predominantly female (83.3%) adults (mean age 59.6 years old). The mean pain intensity at the initial evaluation was 6.4 (± 2.7), with a mean of pain time of 20.3 months. The mean pain intensity after telephone contact was 4.37 (± 3.9). The analysis of the global perceived effect evidenced improvement in most of the participants (16.7% completely recovered, 39.7% much improved, 26.7% slightly improved). Conclusion: Patients with MP showed pain reduction and improvement on the global perceived effect after a Physiotherapy treatment. (AU)

The Variation of Cross-Sectional Area of the Sciatic Nerve in Flexion-Distraction Technique: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the cross-sectional area of the sciatic nerve in different positions of spinal manipulation using flexion-distraction technique. METHODS: Thirty healthy participants were assessed in 6 different flexion-distraction technique positions of varying lumbar, knee, and ankle positions. Participants stood in the following 3 positions with the lumbar in the neutral position: (A) with knee extended, (B) with knee flexed, and (C) with the knee extended and ankle dorsiflexion. Participants then stood in the following 3 positions with the lumbar flexed: (D) with the knee extended, (E) with the knee flexed, and (F) with knee extended and ankle dorsiflexion. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the sciatic nerve was measured with ultrasound imaging in transverse sections in the posterior medial region of the left thigh. The CSA values measured at each position were compared. RESULTS: We analyzed 180 ultrasound images. The cross-sectional area of the sciatic nerve (in mm2) in position B (mean; standard deviation) (59.71-17.41) presented a higher mean cross-sectional area value compared with position D (51.18-13.81; P =.005), position F (48.71-15.16; P = .004), and position C (48.37-16.35; P = .009). CONCLUSION: The combination of knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion reduced the CSA of the sciatic nerve, and flexing the knee and keeping the ankle in the neutral position increased it.

Invalidez por dor nas costas entre os contribuintes da previdência social, Brasil, 2007 / back pain disability retirement in brazilian social security contributors

O presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar a magnitude e a distribuição das aposentadorias por invalidez por dor nas costas no Brasil em 2007. Trata-se de estudo descritivo utilizando registros do Sistema Único de Informações de Benefícios e dos Anuários Estatísticos da Previdência Social de 2007. Foram concedidos 10.839 benefícios de aposentadoria por invalidez referentes a dor nas costas. As variáveis idade, sexo, estados e grandes regiões foram utilizadas para o cálculo das taxas de incidência de dor nas costas em aposentadorias por invalidez enquanto as variáveis faixa salarial, ramo de atividade, clientela e tipo de filiação, foram utilizadas para o cálculo das proporções. Para o cálculo das dez primeiras causas de aposentadoria por invalidez foram utilizados os dados de todas as causas deste benefício. Foram analisados ainda, os dias de trabalho perdidos por invalidez por atividade profissional. A dor nas costas idiopática foi a primeira causa de invalidez em 2007. A maioria dos beneficiários residia em área urbana, era composta por comerciários e recebia até três salários mínimos. A taxa de incidência de dor nas costas em aposentadorias por invalidez foi de 29,96 por 100.000 contribuintes. Este valor foi mais elevado no sexo masculino e apresentou crescimento à medida que se eleva a faixa etária. A taxa de Rondônia, estado com a maior proporção de trabalhadores rurais foi mais de quatro vezes o esperado (RT=4,05) enquanto a segunda maior taxa foi aproximadamente duas vezes o esperado (RT=2,07). A dor nas costas foi uma importante causa de invalidez em 2007. As diferenças observadas entre as incidências por estado apontam para a necessidade de melhor compreender os fatores associados a este importante problema de morbidade para a população trabalhadora brasileira.