Eletroestimulação neuromuscular, exercícios contrarresistência, força muscular, dor e função motora em pacientes com osteoartrite primária de joelho

The effects of preoperative neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the postoperative quadriceps muscle strength and functional status in patients with fast-track total knee arthroplasty

This study aimed to investigate the effect of pre- operative neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on postoperative quadriceps muscle strength, functional status, and quality of life in patients with fast-track total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This prospective study was carried out at Orthopedics department from September 2017 to October 2018. A total of 40 patients were randomly divided into NMES (n=20) and control group (n=20). Patients in NMES group were asked to use home NMES device daily for 20 minutes, 5 times a day, for 6 weeks before surgery. The control group was placed on the 6-week waiting list for surgery without any preoperative intervention. Standard home exercise program was applied to both groups after discharge. The patients were evaluated baseline, preoperatively (6-weeks after baseline) and at the 4th and 12th weeks after surgery. Knee range of motion, quadriceps muscle strength, patient-reported (WOMAC and KOOS) and performance-based activity limitation (30-second chair-stand test, 40-meter fast-paced walk test, and stair-climb test) were evaluated at each visit. Preoperative NMES resulted in significant improvement in KOOS-function in daily living and WOMAC total score (p≤0.05) but had a non-significant trend toward to improve quadriceps muscle strength, KOOS-pain and -other symptoms, performance- based activity limitation, and quality of life scores (p>0.05). However, there was no significant difference between groups in the postoperative period (p>0.05). NMES has beneficial effects in terms of patient- reported and performance-based physical functions and quality of life in preoperative period ; however, it does not provide any additional benefit for post- operative outcomes in patients with fast-track TKA.

Effects of the Russian current in the treatment of low back pain in women: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Low back pain (LBP) is a high impact condition that affects the working population, generating social and economic repercussions, the most relevant symptoms being pain and functional disability. Conservative treatment is often based on stabilizing spinal muscles with exercises: the Russian current (RC) is reported as an alternative, because it promotes muscle contraction, providing muscle strengthening and hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of the RC in aiding the treatment of low back pain.

METHODS

This randomized study included 23 women aged 18-30 years, divided into two groups: the control group (CG) and the Russian current group (RCG), for four weeks. Pain (visual analogue scale, VAS; pressure algometer, PA), function (Oswestry Low Back Disability Index), resistance (trunk resistance [TR] test) and thickness changes in the muscle (ultrasound image) were evaluated before and after the RC protocol and at one-month follow-up.

RESULTS

There were significant VAS reductions in both groups, but at follow-up these had only been maintained in the RCG, which presented lower values than the CG in the second evaluation. For PA, Oswestry and TR, there were differences only in the RCG. In a comparison of LBP between the groups, the initial difference disappeared in subsequent evaluations; TR presented higher values in evaluation 2 and 3 in the RCG group. In terms of thickness changes, differences between the groups were reduced after treatment.

CONCLUSION

The proposed treatment was effective in the reduction of LBP, with short-term improvement in resistance and thickness changes of the multifidus.

Effectiveness of Russian current in bone regeneration process in rats

Abstract Introduction: Russian current is an electric current of average frequency that is able to restore the properties of skeletal muscle at a low treatment cost. It is essential to know the effects of Russian current in bone tissue, since electromagnetic energy could be an efficient and low cost method to treat bone disorders. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Russian current in the consolidation of tibia fracture in adult rats. Methods: 24 adult male Albinus Wistar rats wereused. The animals were divided randomly into two groups: control group (CG), composed of 12 animals, and Intervention Group (IG) consisting of 12 animals, both groups were submitted to osteotomy (proximal medial surface of the tibia). The IG underwent an electrical stimulation protocol with Russian current, while the CG did not undergo any kind of intervention. Euthanasia was performed in three animals of each group on the following days: 5, 10, 20, and 30 days of treatment. Results: The results suggested higher primary ossification, intense osteogenic activity, and increased thickness of the periosteum, characterizing more advanced ossification and a greater presence of trabecular bone marrow in rats in the group subjected to the treatment. In this way, we can assign one more beneficial effect to interventions with Russian current, for the treatment of postfracture rehabilitation. Conclusion: In both groups the bone tissue repair process occurred, but in the electrically stimulated group the osteogenesis process was more advanced.

Application of kinesiotherapy and electrothermotherapy in the treatment of elderly with knee osteoarthrosis: a comparative study

Abstract Introduction Among the treatment modalities in this disease , the surgical and conservative means stand out through therapy resources such as electro-thermotherapy and kinetic therapy. The general objective of this study was to evaluate the effects from two protocols of physical therapy in elder women with knee osteoarthritis. Methods An experimental clinical trial type study consisting of pre and post tests was performed, in which 30 female patients were selected, all between 61 and 80 years old, diagnosed with primary knee OA, treated at the Center for Comprehensive Health Care for the Elder (CAISI - Centro de Atenção Integral à Saúde do Idoso). They were divided into 2 groups of 15 persons for each type of treatment: Group I was treated with kinetic therapy, and group II was treated with electro-thermotherapy. Patients from both groups underwent 36 physical therapy sessions during 12 weeks. For data collection, protocol sheets with socio-demographic data, Body Mass Index (BMI) at kg/m2, visual analogue scale (VAS) and measurement of motion range (ADM) were used. For statistics analysis, the Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and Chi-square's non-parametric tests were used. Student's parametric tests were also applied as independent samples. Results The tests performed in both groups contributed to the reduction in the level of pain. There were differences in group I and II on the increase of ADM, except in bending the left knee in group II. Conclusion It was concluded that both treatment modalities showed effective therapeutic responses, but these benefits were even higher in OA treatment by kinetic therapy.