Effect of Exergaming on Quality of Life, Fatigue, and Strength and Endurance Muscle in Cancer Patients: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Objective: To analyze the influence of exergaming (EXE) quality of life, cancer-related fatigue (CRF), electromyography, and strength and endurance muscle in a randomized crossover trial. Methods: We conducted a single-blinded, randomized, and crossover trial, which included 38 cancer volunteers undergoing chemotherapy (Age = 60.07 ± 12.10 years; body mass index = 26.79 ± 5.33 kg/m2). All volunteers were randomized into two intervention moments: EXE and without intervention (WI) and after 1-month washout period of crossing of the evaluated moments. The intervention was performed on an EXE protocol using Xbox 360 Kinect®, with the game "Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012" two to three times per week for 20 sessions. All volunteers were assessed the CRF and quality-of-life levels through the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) questionnaire, the median frequency (MDF) by surface electromyography, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), and the muscle endurance time at 80% MVIC of the dorsiflexors and plantar flexors using dynamometer. Results: In the comparison between EXE and WI moments, were observed increase in the scores for quality of life (P < 0.001), subscale fatigue (P < 0.001), in the MDF values of right lateral gastrocnemius muscles: P = 0.017, muscle endurance time (left dorsiflexion [LDF]: P < 0.001; right dorsiflexion [RDF]: P < 0.001; left plantar flexion [LPF]: P < 0.001; RPF: P = 0.039), and muscle strength (LDF: P < 0.001; RDF: P < 0.001; LPF: P = 0.002). Conclusion: The crossover study, the EXE protocol promoted improvement in cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and quality of life, increased MVIC, endurance time, and MDF values of the dorsiflexor and plantar flexor muscles of cancer volunteers undergoing chemotherapy.

Evaluation of parasite contamination on toothbrushes in children in Southeastern Brazil / Evaluación de la contaminación parasitaria en cepillos de dientes en niños del sudeste de Brasil

ABSTRACT Introduction : The toothbrush is an important object for the hygiene of the oral cavity and an effective mechanism to remove the oral waste. Objective : To evaluate the perception of care, storage and parasitic contamination of toothbrushes in children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and children without special health care needs (CWSHCN) in Southern of Minas Gerais State. Material and Methods : This is an observational cross-sectional non-randomized study. The population consisted in 54 children, with age between 7 and 14 years. The questionnaire was distributed to patients to evaluate the perception of care and storage of children's toothbrushes. Investigation of toothbrushes contamination was performed by parasitological examination and real-time polymerase chain reactions. Results : Regarding the procedures performed after brushing, 50.0% of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and 56.3% of children without special health care needs (CWSHCN) report washing their brush bristles with water (p <0.001). Both groups did not use an antiseptic solution on toothbrushes. 73.3% of (CSHCN) and 58.7% of (CWSHCN) answered that they use some protection (brush holder and bathroom cabinet) to avoid exposure of brushes to the environment (p <0.001). Conclusion : The children investigated by the study presented good conditions of care and storage of their toothbrushes. No contamination by pathogenic parasites was found during the study period.

RESUMEN Introducción : El cepillo de dientes es un objeto importante para la higiene de la cavidad bucal y un mecanismo eficaz para eliminar los residuos bucales. Objetivo : Evaluar la percepción del cuidado, almacenamiento y contaminación parasitaria de los cepillos dentales en niños con necesidades especiales de salud (CSHCN) y niños sin necesidades especiales de salud (CWSHCN) en el sur del estado de Minas Gerais. Material y Métodos : Se trata de un estudio observacional transversal no aleatorio. La población consistió en 54 niños, con edad entre 7 y 14 años. El cuestionario fue distribuido a los pacientes para evaluar la percepción del cuidado y almacenamiento de los cepillos dentales de los niños. La investigación de la contaminación de los cepillos dentales se realizó mediante un examen parasitológico y reacciones en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real. Resultados : En cuanto a los procedimientos realizados tras el cepillado, el 50,0% de los niños con necesidades especiales de atención sanitaria (NCNEAS) y el 56,3% de los niños sin necesidades especiales de atención sanitaria (NSNEAS) refieren lavar las cerdas del cepillo con agua (p <0,001). Ambos grupos no utilizaron una solución antiséptica en los cepillos de dientes. El 73,3% de los (NCNEAS) y el 58,7% de los (NSNEAS) contestaron que utilizan alguna protección (portacepillos y mueble de baño) para evitar la exposición de los cepillos al medio ambiente (p <0,001). Conclusiones : Los niños investigados por el estudio presentaron buenas condiciones de cuidado y almacenamiento de sus cepillos dentales. No se encontró contaminación por parásitos patógenos durante el período de estudio.

Influence of an Exergaming Training Program on Reducing the Expression of IL-10 and TGF-ß in Cancer Patients.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of exergaming in the plasma levels of adipokines (interleukin [IL]-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]), Th1 (IL-2, IL-12, and interferon gamma [IFN-γ]), Th2 (IL-4 and IL-33), Th17 (IL-17 and IL-23), and regulatory T (Treg) (IL-10 and transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-ß]) in cancer patients undergoing treatment. Materials and Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental control clinical trial using exergaming in all groups through the Xbox 360 Kinect™. The game used in this study was called Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012. The volunteer participants played the game two to three times per week, for a total of 20 sessions. Forty-five volunteer participants were divided into 3 groups: cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy group CRG; n = 15); cancer patients who finished chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment (cancer accompaniment group CAG; n = 15); and the control group (volunteers without a cancer diagnosis CG; n = 15). In the pre- and post-training period, all volunteers submitted to blood collection procedures using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This test was used to obtain the levels of adipokines expression (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) and the cytokine profiles Th1 (IL-2, IL-12, and IFN-γ), Th2 (IL-4 and IL-33), Th17 (IL-17 and IL-23), and Treg (IL-10 and TGF-ß). Results: After exergaming, the CRG showed significant reductions in proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6: P < 0.05; IL-10: P = 0.038; TGF-ß: P = 0.049) and for CAG (IL-10: P = 0.034), as well as a reduction in the expression of cytokines related to the action of T lymphocytes. Conclusion: Exergaming promoted changes in the expression of cytokine profiles IL-6, IL-10, and TGF-ß, which correlated with the action profiles of CD4+ T lymphocytes.

Correlation Between the Trajectory of the Center of Pressure and Thermography of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to correlate potential the stabilometric parameters of baropodometry with the superficial temperature of the legs of cancer patients during and after treatment. METHODS: This study included 30 volunteers of both sexes, divided into the following groups: chemotherapy-radiotherapy group (n = 15; age = 57.13 ± 16.74 years) and cancer group without current treatment (n = 15; age = 63.29 ± 7.34 years). They were assessed for superficial temperature of the legs using infrared thermography with anterior and posterior views. Assessment of postural balance was conducted using a baropodometer, in 2 conditions-participants' open and closed eyes-to obtain the center of pressure (COP) of anteroposterior displacement, center of pressure of mediolateral displacement (COP-ML), and center of pressure of displacement area. RESULTS: When their eyes were open, the chemotherapy-radiotherapy group presented a high correlation between the displacement of the ML and the surface anterior temperature of both legs (right: r = 0.578; P = .030; left: r = 0.619; P = .018) and posterior region of the right leg (r = 0.571; P = .033), and they presented a high correlation between COP with anterior surface temperature of both legs (right: r = 0.585; P = .028; left: r = 0.540; P = .046). When patients' eyes were closed, no correlation was found between the thermography and the stabilometric parameters evaluated. CONCLUSION: During the chemotherapy-radiotherapy, cancer patients present ML and COP displacement that correlates with infrared thermography evaluation when their eyes are open.

Correlation Between the Trajectory of the Center of Pressure and Thermography of Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate the potential of the stabilometric parameters of baropodometry with the superficial temperature of the legs of cancer patients during and after treatment. METHOD: This study included 30 volunteers of both sexes, divided into the following groups: chemotherapy-radiotherapy group (CRG) (n = 15; age = 57.13 ± 16.74 years) and cancer group without current treatment (n = 15; age = 63.29 ± 7.34 years). They were assessed for superficial temperature of the legs using infrared thermography with anterior and posterior views. Assessment of postural balance was conducted using a baropodometer in 2 conditions-participants' open eyes and closed eyes-to obtain the center of pressure (COP) of anteroposterior displacement, COP of mediolateral displacement, and COP of displacement area. RESULTS: When their eyes were open, the CRG participants presented a high correlation between the displacement of the ML and the surface anterior temperature of both legs (right: r = 0.578, P = .030; left: r = 0.619, P = .018) and posterior region of the right leg (r = 0.571; P = .033), and they presented a high correlation between COP with anterior surface temperature of both legs (right: r = 0.585, P = .028; left: r = 0.540, P = .046). When patients' eyes were closed, no correlation was found between the thermography and the stabilometric parameters evaluated. CONCLUSION: During the chemotherapy-radiotherapy, cancer patients present ML and COP displacement that correlates with infrared thermography evaluation when their eyes are open.

Influence of Exergaming on the Perception of Cancer-Related Fatigue.

OBJECTIVE: Exercise is recommended for cancer patients to reduce fatigue and improve quality of life. This study's aim is to evaluate the influence of an exergaming protocol on cancer-related fatigue, muscle fatigue, and muscle strength in cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a quasi-experimental control study using exergaming in all groups through an Xbox360 Kinect™ console, two to three times per week, for 20 sessions. Three groups were created: cancer patients in chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy group (CRG; n:15), cancer patients after chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (CAG; n:15), and a control group (CG; n:15). They were assessed for cancer-related fatigue using the fatigue subscale of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) questionnaire. To assess dorsiflexor and plantar flexor muscle functioning, we used median frequency (MDF) of the surface electromyography and muscle strength using a dynamometer. The assessments were performed preintervention (EV0), after 10 sessions (EV1), and after 20 sessions (EV2). RESULTS: With an exergaming protocol, CRG and CAG showed a reduction in related fatigue compared with CG (P < 0.01). The CRG group saw an increase in maximal voluntary isometric contraction in right plantar flexor muscles and dorsiflexor muscles, as well as an increase in the MDF of both medial gastrocnemius muscles and the left tibialis anterior muscle of the CAG. For other analyses done, the differences were observed during exergaming. CONCLUSIONS: Exergaming demonstrated efficacy in reducing cancer patients' fatigue, including muscle fatigue, and increasing muscle strength in patients' legs.