Mygalin, an Acanthoscurria gomesiana spider-derived synthetic, modulates haloperidol-induced cataleptic state in mice.

BACKGROUND: Haloperidol (HAL) is an antipsychotic used in the treatment of schizophrenia. However, adverse effects are observed in the extrapyramidal tracts due to its systemic action. Natural compounds are among the treatment alternatives widely available in Brazilian biodiversity. Mygalin (MY), a polyamine that was synthesized from a natural molecule present in the hemolymph of the Acanthoscurria gomesian spider, may present an interesting approach. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of MY in mice subjected to HAL-induced catalepsy. METHODS: Male Swiss mice were used. Catalepsy was induced by intraperitoneal administration of HAL (0.5 mg/kg - 1 mL/Kg) diluted in physiological saline. To assess the MY effects on catalepsy, mice were assigned to 4 groups: (1) physiological saline (NaCl 0.9 %); (2) MY at 0.002 mg/Kg; (3) MY at 0.02 mg/Kg; (4) MY at 0.2 mg/Kg. MY or saline was administered intraperitoneally (IP) 10 min b HAL before saline. Catalepsy was evaluated using the bar test at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after the IP administration of HAL. RESULTS: The latency time in the bar test 15, 30, 60, and 90 min increased (p < 0.05) after IP administration of HAL compared to the control group. Catalepsy was attenuated 15, 30, 90, and 120 min (p < 0.05) after the IP-administration of MY at 0.2 mg/Kg; while MY at 0.02 mg/Kg attenuated catalepsy 15 min after the HAL treatment. Our findings showed that MY attenuates the HAL-induced cataleptic state in mice.

Mygalin, an Acanthoscurria gomesiana spider‐derived synthetic, modulates haloperidol-induced cataleptic state in mice

Background: Haloperidol (HAL) is an antipsychotic used in the treatment of schizophrenia. However, adverse effects are observed in the extrapyramidal tracts due to its systemic action. Natural compounds are among the treatment alternatives widely available in Brazilian biodiversity. Mygalin (MY), a polyamine that was synthesized from a natural molecule present in the hemolymph of the Acanthoscurria gomesian spider, may present an interesting approach. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of MY in mice subjected to HAL-induced catalepsy. Methods: Male Swiss mice were used. Catalepsy was induced by intraperitoneal administration of HAL (0.5 mg/kg − 1 mL/Kg) diluted in physiological saline. To assess the MY effects on catalepsy, mice were assigned to 4 groups: (1) physiological saline (NaCl 0.9 %); (2) MY at 0.002 mg/Kg; (3) MY at 0.02 mg/Kg; (4) MY at 0.2 mg/Kg. MY or saline was administered intraperitoneally (IP) 10 min b HAL before saline. Catalepsy was evaluated using the bar test at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after the IP administration of HAL. Results: The latency time in the bar test 15, 30, 60, and 90 min increased (p < 0.05) after IP administration of HAL compared to the control group. Catalepsy was attenuated 15, 30, 90, and 120 min (p < 0.05) after the IP-administration of MY at 0.2 mg/Kg; while MY at 0.02 mg/Kg attenuated catalepsy 15 min after the HAL treatment. Our findings showed that MY attenuates the HAL-induced cataleptic state in mice.

Effect of lower limb resistance training on ICF components in chronic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.

BACKGROUND: Resistance training (RT) effectively promotes functional independence after stroke. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of lower limb RT on body structure and function (muscle strength, postural balance), activity (mobility, gait) and participation (quality of life, impact of stroke on self-perceived health) outcomes in individuals with chronic stroke. METHODS: Six databases were searched from inception until September 2022 for randomized controlled trials comparing lower limb RT to a control intervention. The random-effects model was used in the meta-analyses. Effect sizes were reported as standardized mean differences (SMD). Quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included. Significant improvements were found in body structure and function after lower limb RT: knee extensors (paretic side - SMD: 1.27; very low evidence), knee flexors (paretic side - SMD: 0.51; very low evidence; non-paretic side - SMD: 0.52; low evidence), leg press (paretic side - SMD: 0.83; very low evidence) and global lower limb muscle strength (SMD: -1.47; low evidence). No improvement was found for knee extensors (p = 0.05) or leg press (p = 0.58) on the non-paretic side. No improvements were found in the activity domain after lower limb RT: mobility (p = 0.16) and gait (walking speed-usual: p = 0.17; walking speed-fast: p = 0.74). No improvements were found in the participation domain after lower limb RT: quality of life (p > 0.05), except the bodily pain dimension (SMD: 1.02; low evidence) or the impact of stroke on self-perceived health (p = 0.38). CONCLUSION: Lower limb RT led to significant improvements in the body structure and function domain (knee extensors and flexors, leg press, global lower limb muscle strength) in individuals with chronic stroke. No improvements were found in the activity (mobility, gait [walking speed]) or participation (quality of life, impact of stroke on self-perceived health) domains. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021272645.

Existe correlação entre atividade elétrica muscular e cerebral após treino com terapia de contensão do membro superior e tronco em sujeitos com acidente vascular encefálico? / Is there a correlation between muscle and brain electrical activity after training with upper limb and trunk constraint-induced therapy in subjects with stroke?

Objetivo: Verificar se existe correlação entre excitabilidade central e periférica após o treino com a terapia de restrição induzida do movimento (TRIM) modificada associada a contensão de tronco para o membro superior parético após Acidente Vascular Encefálico (AVE). Métodos: Ensaio clínico controlado onde vinte e dois voluntários foram selecionados e randomizado em dois grupos: Grupo Controle (GC) e Grupo Experimental (GE). Eles foram avaliados por meio do eletroencefalograma (EEG) e da eletromiografia (EMG) de superfície. Os canais EEG analisados foram: Canal Ântero Frontal (AF3/AF4); Canal Frontal região medial (F7/F8); Canal Frontal região lateral (F3/F4); Canal Fronto Central (FC5/FC6); Região temporal (T7/T8); Região occipital (O1/O2). Os músculos analisados com EMG foram bíceps braquial, flexores e extensores de punho. As avaliações foram realizada durante a atividade, por dez minutos. O GE recebeu o treinamento com TRIM modificada uma hora por dia, duas semanas consecutivas. Resultados: O GC (pós-intervenção) apresentou correlação moderada negativa (r= -0,69; p= 0,02) do canal Fa com extensor de punho. O GE apresentou (pré-intervenção) correlação moderada negativa do canal AF (r= -0,68; p= 0,02) e FC (r= -0,71; p= 0,01) com flexor de punho. Na pós intervenção apresentou correlação positiva do canal Fa (r= 0,61; p= 0,04) com o extensor de punho. Conclusão: A TRIM modificada associada à contensão de tronco para o membro superior parético apresentou correlação positiva do canal Fa com o músculo extensor de punho e o grupo não treinado apresentou correlação negativa do canal Fa com extensor de punho.

Objective: Establish the correlation between central and peripheral excitability after training with the modified upper limb constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) associated with trunk constraint for patients with stroke. Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial. Twenty-two volunteers were included and randomized into the Control (CG) and Experimental Groups (EG). They were assessed with electroencephalography (EEG) and surface electromyography (EMG). The EEG channels analyzed were antero-frontal (AF3/AF4), frontal-medial (F7/F8), frontal-lateral (F3/F4), frontal-central (FC5/FC6), temporal (T7/T8), and occipital (O1/O2). The muscles evaluated with EMG were biceps brachii, wrist flexors, and wrist extensors. The evaluations were performed simultaneously with a functional assessment for ten minutes. The EG received the modified CIMT training one hour per day for two consecutive weeks. Results: After the intervention, the CG showed a moderate negative correlation of the Fa channel with the wrist extensor (r= -0.69; p= 0.02), whereas the EG had a moderate negative correlation of the FA channel (r= -0.68; p= 0.02) and FC (r= - 0.71; p= 0.01) with wrist flexor. In the post-intervention, a positive correlation of the FA channel was found with the wrist extensor (r= 0.61; p= 0.04). Conclusion: The modified CIMT associated with the trunk constraint for the paretic upper limb showed a positive correlation between the Fa channel and the wrist extensor muscle, and the control group showed a negative correlation between the Fa channel and the wrist extensor.

Effect of Foot Reflexology on Muscle Electrical Activity, Pressure, Plantar Distribution, and Body Sway in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effect of foot reflexology on the electrical muscle activity of the lateral and medial gastrocnemius muscle, and to examine the distribution, plantar pressure, and body sway in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This pilot randomized controlled trial enrolled 17 volunteers who were clinically diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The sample was assigned to one of two groups: the control group (CG, n = 7), who received information on foot care and health, and the intervention group (IG, n = 10), who received the application of foot reflexology on specific areas of the feet, for 10 consecutive days. There was blinding of the evaluator and the therapist. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to assess the electrical activity of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius muscles in maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and isotonic contraction (IC); baropodometry and stabilometry were used to analyze unloading, plantar weight distribution, and body sway. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference for the variables of maximum peak electrical activity of the left medial gastrocnemius (p = 0.03; effect size = 0.87 and power = 0.81) and left lateral gastrocnemius muscles (p = 0.04, effect size = 0.70 and power = 0.66) respectively, in the intragroup IC, and median frequency of the left medial gastrocnemius muscle in the intragroup MVIC (p = 0.03; effect size = 0.64 and power = 0.59), and in the variables intergroups of the total area on the right side (p = 0.04; effect size = 1.03 and power = 0.50) and forefoot area on the left side (p = 0.02; effect size = 0.51 and power = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that foot reflexology influenced some variables of the intergroup plantar distribution and intragroup EMG in the sample studied. There is a need for a placebo group, a larger sample and a follow-up to strengthen the findings of these experiments.

Investigation of the Involvement of the Endocannabinoid System in TENS-Induced Antinociception.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) promotes antinociception by activating the descending pain modulation pathway and consequently releasing endogenous analgesic substances. In addition, recent studies have shown that the endocannabinoid system controls pain. Thus, the present study investigated the involvement of the endocannabinoid system in TENS-induced antinociception of cancer pain using a cancer pain model induced by intraplantar (i.pl.) injections of Ehrlich tumor cells in male Swiss mice. Low- and high-frequency TENS was applied for 20 minutes to the mice's paws, and to investigate the involvement of the endocannabinoid system were used the N-(peperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-iodophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pitazole-3-carboixamide (AM251), a cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist and (5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenyl-methylester phosphonofluoridic acid (MAFP), an inhibitor of the endocannabinoid metabolizing enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase, injected by via i.pl., intrathecal (i.t.), and intradorsolateral periaqueductal gray matter (i.dl.PAG). Furthermore, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, western blot, and immunofluorescence assays were used to evaluate the endocannabinoid anandamide levels, cannabinoid CB1 receptor protein levels, and cannabinoid CB1 receptor immunoreactivity, respectively. Low- and high-frequency TENS reduced the mechanical allodynia induced by Ehrlich tumor cells and this effect was reversed by AM251 and potentiated by MAFP at the peripheral and central levels. In addition, TENS increased the endocannabinoid anandamide levels and the cannabinoid CB1 receptor protein levels and immunoreactivity in the paw, spinal cord, and dorsolateral periaqueductal gray matter. These results suggest that low- and high-frequency TENS is effective in controlling cancer pain, and the endocannabinoid system is involved in this effect at both the peripheral and central levels. PERSPECTIVE: TENS is a nonpharmacological strategy that may be used to control cancer pain. Identification of a new mechanism involved in its analgesic effect could lead to the development of clinical studies as well as an increase in its application, lessening the need for pharmacological treatments.

Análise inter e intra-avaliador da abdução do ombro hemiparético pelo PhysioPlay™: software para medir a amplitude de movimento / Inter-and intra-rater analysis of hemiparetic shoulder abduction using PhysioPlay™: software for measuring range of motion

Alterações no equilíbrio são observadas em hemiparéticos após um acidente vascular encefálico (AVE), gerando impactos físicos, sociais e econômicos significativos; assim, uma avaliação foi desenvolvida para facilitar os planos de tratamento para os pacientes. A goniometria é atualmente usada como ferramenta de avaliação da amplitude de movimento (ADM); no entanto, o desenvolvimento de exergames trouxe uma nova perspectiva para a avaliação, que utiliza um mecanismo dinâmico e tem pouca subjetividade. Objetivo: Este estudo avaliou a confiabilidade inter e intraexaminadores da medida da ADM da abdução do ombro em pacientes pós-AVE usando o exergame PhysioPlay™. Método: Treze voluntários com AVE crônico, com idade de 58,23 ± 9,96 anos (homens e mulheres), participaram deste estudo. Dois fisioterapeutas avaliaram a abdução do ombro usando goniometria e o exergame PhysioPlay™. Um reteste foi realizado uma semana depois. Resultados: Os resultados das análises utilizando o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (CCI) mostraram excelente nível de confiabilidade inter e intraexaminadores (r> 0,90; p <0,05). A correlação de Pearson entre as medidas máximas obtidas na goniometria e o software PhysioPlay™ apresentou alta correlação (r> 0,90, p = 0,001). Conclusão: O Kinect associado ao exergame PhysioPlay™ apresentou excelente confiabilidade na captura da medida da ADM em comparação à goniometria.

Changes in balance are observed in some hemiparetics following a stroke, generating significant physical, social, and economic impacts; thus, an assessment was developed to facilitate treatment plans for patients. Goniometry is currently used as an evaluation tool for range of motion (ROM); however, the development of exergames has brought a new perspective to the assessment, which uses a dynamic mechanism and has little subjectivity. Objective: This study evaluates the inter-and intra-rater reliability of ROM measurement of the shoulder abduction in post-stroke patients using the exergame PhysioPlay™. Method: Thirteen volunteer chronic stroke survivors, aged 58.23 ± 9.96 years (men and women), participated in this study. Two physiotherapists evaluated the abduction of the shoulder using goniometry and the exergame PhysioPlay™. A retest was performed one week later. Clinical trial registry number ­ RBR-55smwr. Results: The results of the analyses using intraclass correlation coeficient (ICC) showed an excellent inter- and intra-rater reliability level (r > 0.90; p < .05). The Pearson correlation between the maximum measures obtained in the goniometry and the software PhysioPlay™ showed a high correlation (r > 0.90, p= .001). Conclusion: The Kinect associated with the exergame PhysioPlay™ presented excellent reliability in capturing the ROM measure compared to the conventional goniometry.

Efeito da terapia por realidade virtual no equilíbrio de indivíduos acometidos pela doença de Parkinson / Effect of virtual reality therapy on balance of patients with Parkinson disease

Introdução: A doença de Parkinson é definida como doença degenerativa e progressiva do sistema nervoso central, clinicamente caracterizada por alterações motoras que geram comprometimento do desempenho funcional e independência. A Realidade Virtual é um recurso interativo que vem sendo amplamente utilizado como ferramenta na reabilitação motora de diversas patologias. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da terapia por Realidade Virtual no equilíbrio postural de indivíduos acometidos pela doença de Parkinson. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo clínico, quase experimental realizado com nove pacientes, de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 60 e 78 anos, com diagnóstico de doença de Parkinson. Os mesmos foram submetidos a 20 sessões de terapia com uso dos jogos do Nintendo Wii Fit plus®, tendo cada sessão a duração de 50 minutos, realizadas duas vezes por semana, durante 10 semanas. A Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg foi utilizada para avaliar o equilíbrio dos pacientes em condições de pré e pós-intervenção. Resultados: Foram observadas melhoras significativas em relação às dimensões de provas estacionárias e transferência da Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg. Conclusão: A terapia por Realidade Virtual foi efetiva na melhora do equilíbrio dos pacientes envolvidos no estudo.(AU)

Introduction: Parkinson's disease is defined as a progressive, degenerative disease of the central nervous system, characterized clinically by motor impairment in generating performance and functional independence. Virtual Reality is an interactive feature that has been widely used as a tool for motor rehabilitation of various pathologies. Objective: To evaluate the effect of therapy for Virtual Reality in postural balance of individuals affected by Parkinson's disease. Methods: This is a clinical study, almost experimental conducted with nine patients of both sexes, aged 60 to 78 years, diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. They performed 20 therapy sessions with use of games Nintendo Wii Fit Plus®, each session lasting 50 minutes, twice a week for 10 weeks. The Berg Balance Scale was used to assess the balance of patients in pre and post-intervention conditions. Results: Significant improvements were observed in relation to the dimensions of stationary tests and transfer of Berg Balance Scale. Conclusion: The therapy Virtual Reality was effective in improving the balance of the patients involved in the study.(AU)