Effectiveness of aquatic exercises compared to patient-education on health status in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of aquatic exercises with patient-education in individuals with knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial with blinded assessor and intention-to-treat analysis. SETTING: Aquatic Physiotherapy Centre and Primary Health Care Unit. SUBJECTS: A total of 60 patients, aged 68.3 (SD = 4.8) with clinical symptoms and radiographic grading (Kellgren-Lawrence 1-4) of knee osteoarthritis were included. INTERVENTIONS: An eight-week treatment protocol of aquatic exercise ( n = 31) (16 individual sessions, twice a week) and an educational program (group sessions, once a week) ( n = 29). MAIN MEASURES: Before, after eight-week intervention, and a three-month follow-up with results for the following outcome measures: pain, function, quality of life, functional mobility, and depression. RESULTS: At the end of treatment, the WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index) functional capacity values reduced in favour of the aquatic exercise group for both the total score MD (mean difference) = -14.2; 95% CI (confidence interval) (-18; -10.5), P = 0.04 and the pain domain MD = -3.8 points; 95% CI (-8.71; -1), P = 0.021. The total score also reduced in the follow-up: MD = -12.3 points; 95% CI (-24.7; -6.1), P = 0.017. No differences were found for the outcomes functional mobility or depression. CONCLUSION: Aquatic exercise improved pain and function after eight weeks, and function at the three-month follow-up compared to the patient-education program.

Factors associated with road accidents among Brazilian motorcycle couriers.

The objective of the study was to identify factors associated with reports of road accidents, among motorcycle couriers in two medium-sized municipalities in southern Brazil. A self-administered questionnaire was answered by motorcycle couriers that had worked for at least 12 months in this profession. The outcomes analyzed were reports on accidents and serious accidents over the 12 months prior to the survey. Bivariate and multivariate analyses by means of logistic regression were carried out to investigate factors that were independently associated with the outcomes. Seven hundred and fifty motorcycle couriers, of mean age 29.5 years (standard deviation = 8.1 ), were included in the study. Young age (18 to 24 years compared to ≥ 25 years, odds ratio [OR] = 1.77) speeding (OR = 1.48), and use of cell phones while driving (OR = 1.43) were factors independently associated with reports of accidents. For serious accidents, there was an association with alternation of work shifts (OR = 1.91) and speeding (OR = 1.67). The characteristics associated with accidents-personal (young age), behavioral (use of cell phones while driving and speeding), and professional (speeding and alternation of work shifts)-reveal the need to adopt wide-ranging strategies to reduce these accidents, including better work conditions for these motorcyclists.

[Motorcycle couriers: characteristics of traffic accidents in southern Brazil]. / Motociclistas de entrega: algumas características dos acidentes de trânsito na região sul do Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at understanding characteristics of traffic accidents with motorcycle couriers in the cities of Londrina and Maringá, in the State of Paraná (Brazil). METHODS: A total of 327 couriers who reported, in 2005/2006, motorcycle accident in the previous 12 months took part in the study (147 in Londrina and 180 in Maringá). RESULTS: Of all the interviewed, 39.6% reported more than one traffic accident. The accidents were perceived as serious by 21.4% of them and 56.3% reported knowing a convalescing courier due to a traffic accident. Most injuries (82.9%) occurred during work hours. Significant differences were observed between the cities concerning climatic conditions (p=0.013), time of the day (p=0.002), pre-hospital care (p=0.032) and hospital admission (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The high incidence and the recurrence of traffic accidents highlight the susceptibility of motorcycle couriers to these events and the need for strategies and specific prevention policies.