The Prevalence of Gingival Recession According to the Cairo Classification in a Population from the North of Portugal.

Gingival recession (GR) has a multifactorial etiology, resulting from the interaction of various factors. It affects aesthetics and comfort, and has negative consequences for quality of life. The main objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of gingival recession in a sample of the population in northern Portugal, according to the classification system proposed by Cairo.

Development of a brief core set for knee dysfunction based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: assessing construct validity and measurement potential.

Background: The comprehensive core set for knee dysfunction was developed to classify the functioning of people with any knee dysfunction. To be used as a clinical instrument to measure the functioning of people with knee dysfunction, the construct validity of the core set still needs to be assessed. The purpose of this study was to analyze the construct validity of the comprehensive core set for knee dysfunction as an instrument to measure functioning.

Hip biomechanics in patients with low back pain, what do we know? A systematic review.

Background: Biomechanical alterations in patients with low back pain (LBP), as reduced range of motion or strength, do not appear to be exclusively related to the trunk. Thus, studies have investigated biomechanical changes in the hip, due to the proximity of this joint to the low back region. However, the relationship between hip biomechanical changes in patients with LBP is still controversial and needs to be summarized.

Reconciling diagnostic traits in living and fossil taxa: The taxonomy and evolution of the genus Microceratina (Crustacea, Ostracoda, Cytheruridae).

The original diagnosis of the genus Microceratina Swanson is re-examined with the aim of elucidating the evolutionary history of this living and fossil genus. The different systematic placements of this genus in one of three alternative suprageneric taxa, family Bythocytheridae Sars, family Cytheruridae G.W.

Analysis of Salivary Levels of IL-1β, IL17A, OPG and RANK-L in Periodontitis Using the 2017 Classification of Periodontal Diseases-An Exploratory Observational Study.

Periodontitis is a chronic disease with a high overall prevalence. It involves a complex interplay between the immune-inflammatory pathways and biofilm changes, leading to periodontal attachment loss. The aims of this study were (i) to assess whether the salivary IL-1β, IL-17A, RANK-L and OPG levels have the potential to discriminate between the mild and severe periodontitis conditions; and (ii) to enable diagnostic/prognostic actions to differentiate between distinct levels of the disease.

Do patients with fibromyalgia have body image and tactile acuity distortion?

Background: The aims of this study were twofold: (1) to compare the body image and tactile acuity of patients with fibromyalgia and asymptomatic participants, and (2) to investigate the effects of an 8-week exercise-based intervention (aerobic or Pilates exercises) on the body image, tactile acuity, and pain intensity in patients with fibromyalgia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study and a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial were carried out, which assessed the following outcomes in 24 patients with fibromyalgia and 24 asymptomatic participants: subjective body image (Drawing Test), tactile acuity (Two-Point Discrimination Test), limb circumference (Cirtometry), and pain (Pain Numerical Rating Scale). After the assessment, the 24 patients with fibromyalgia were randomly allocated to one of the intervention groups: aerobic or Pilates.

Discriminative and Predictive Analysis of the Brazilian Version of the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (ÖMPSQ) Short-Form in Patients With Low Back Pain.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the discriminative and predictive validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire Short-Form (ÖMPSQ-Short).

Methods: In this prospective longitudinal cohort study, the ÖMPSQ-Short was administered to 150 patients with acute, subacute, and chronic nonspecific low back pain. A 6-month follow-up was also completed to assess the predictive ability of the questionnaire for risk of pain, disability, and absence from work.

Author Response to "The Therapeutic Alliance May Yet Prove Effective".

Author response to the Letter to the Editor-in-Chief "The Therapeutic Alliance May Yet Prove Effective" .

Interpretation of trial-based economic evaluations of musculoskeletal physical therapy interventions.

Background: As resources for healthcare are scarce, decision-makers increasingly rely on economic evaluations when making reimbursement decisions about new health technologies, such as drugs, procedures, devices, and equipment. Economic evaluations compare the costs and effects of two or more interventions. Musculoskeletal disorders have a high prevalence and result in high levels of disability and high costs worldwide.

Education With Therapeutic Alliance Did Not Improve Symptoms in Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain and Low Risk of Poor Prognosis Compared to Education Without Therapeutic Alliance: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of an education intervention with or without the addition of the therapeutic alliance to no education intervention in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (LBP) and low risk of poor prognosis.

Design: Randomized controlled trial. Randomization was performed using randomly generated numbers.

Comparison between different health state utility instruments in patients with fibromyalgia.

Background: Cost-utility analysis uses utility indexes to assess treatment effects. Some discrepancies between different utility indexes instruments are suggested and need to be identified in health conditions not yet investigated.

Objective: To compare different utility indexes instruments in Brazilian patients with fibromyalgia and identify variables associated with these instruments.

Economic evaluations of educational, physical, and psychological treatments for fibromyalgia: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Nonpharmacological interventions are recommended for the treatment of fibromyalgia, but there is a lack of knowledge about the cost-effectiveness of these interventions. The aim of this study was to systematically review economic evaluations of educational, physical, and psychological interventions for the treatment of fibromyalgia. The search was performed in PUBMED, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, PsycINFO, EconLit, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database, and Health Technology Assessment.

Development of a Core Set for Knee Dysfunction Based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective: To develop an International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health core set for patients with knee dysfunction.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: The study was conducted at all levels of care (general community, primary care units, rehabilitation clinics/centers, hospital).

Analysis of the measurement properties of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 in patients with fibromyalgia.

Objective: To analyze the measurement properties of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia-11 in patients with fibromyalgia.

Methods: Assessment was made at three time points: baseline (n=130) and 15 days (n=54) and eight weeks after baseline (n=51). Data collected at baseline were used to assess internal consistency, criterion and construct validity, and ceiling and floor effects.

Effects of aerobic exercise in the treatment of older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain: a protocol of a systematic review.

Background: Chronic musculoskeletal pain affects the quality of life of older adults by interfering in their ability to perform activities of daily living. Aerobic exercise programs have been used in the treatment of various health conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders. However, there is still little evidence on the effects of aerobic exercise for the treatment of older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Translation, Cross-cultural Adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese, and Analysis of Measurement Properties of the Consultation and Relational Empathy Measure.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to translate, cross-culturally adapt to Brazilian Portuguese, and analyze the measurement properties of the Consultation and Relational Empathy (CARE) Measure and investigate whether empathy can be a predictor of clinical improvement.

Methods: This psychometric study was divided into 2 stages: the cross-cultural adaptation process included 30 patients, and the evaluation of the measurement properties included 106 patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. After the third therapy session with the same physical therapist, the following questionnaires were applied to assess internal consistency, construct validity, and ceiling and floor effects: Pain Numerical Rating Scale, Brazilian Portuguese version of the CARE Measure (CARE-Br), MedRisk Instrument for Measuring Patient Satisfaction with Physical Therapy Care, and Global Perceived Effect Scale.

Exercise therapy in the treatment of tendinopathies of the lower limbs: a protocol of a systematic review.

Background: Tendinopathies are specific degenerative conditions of the tendon characterized by pain and disability. The most common tendinopathies of the lower limbs are patellar, Achilles, gluteal, and proximal tendinopathy of the hamstring muscles. Exercise therapy has been studied for the treatment of these tendinopathies; however, different types of muscle contraction, exercise, dose, and intensity are found in the literature, which can make choosing the best treatment option difficult.

Different weekly frequencies of Pilates did not accelerate pain improvement in patients with chronic low back pain.

Background: Recent evidence recommends Pilates for the treatment of chronic low back pain. However, it is still unknown if different weekly frequencies of Pilates can accelerate the improvement of symptoms in patients with chronic low back pain verified by a daily pain assessment.

Objective: To analyze whether different weekly frequencies of Pilates can accelerate pain reduction by 30%, 50%, and 100% in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain and the necessary number of weeks to reach these improvements.

Effectiveness of the Pilates method versus aerobic exercises in the treatment of older adults with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial protocol.

Background: Chronic low back pain is potentially disabling for older adults, and exercise is considered the best treatment. The Pilates method and aerobic exercises have been proven to be effective in pain and function improvement in patients with low back pain, but evidence in the treatment of older adults with low back pain is scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the Pilates method compared to aerobic exercises in the treatment of older adults with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the modified Pilates method versus aerobic exercise in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic generalized pain, fatigue, sleep disorders and other symptoms. Physical exercise is recommended as the first choice of non-pharmacological therapy. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of modified Pilates exercises compared to aerobic exercises in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ) into Brazilian Portuguese and clinimetric testing of the PGQ and Roland Morris questionnaire in pregnancy pelvic pain.

Objective: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Pelvic Girdle Questionnaire (PGQ) into Brazilian Portuguese and test the measurement properties of the PGQ and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) in women with pelvic pain during pregnancy.

Methods: Thirty pregnant women were included in the assessment of the pre-test of the final version of the PGQ and 100 were included in the assessment of the measurement properties. In the initial assessment, the PGQ, RMDQ, pain numerical rating scale, and WHOQOL-BREF were applied to test the internal consistency and construct validity.

Does the use of interferential current prior to pilates exercises accelerate improvement of chronic nonspecific low back pain?

Aim: To evaluate whether active interferential current (AIC) before pilates exercises improves pain faster than placebo interferential current (PIC) in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP).

Methods: A total of 142 patients with CNLBP were treated with AIC or PIC before pilates exercises. Pain intensity was measured daily before and after treatment by Pain Numerical Rating Scale.

Sieve-type pore canals in the Timiriaseviinae-A contribution to the comparative morphology and the systematics of the Limnocytheridae (Ostracoda, Crustacea).

Examination of normal pore canals, especially sieve-type pore canals, in living and fossil representatives of ten genera of the family Limnocytheridae, subfamily Timiriaseviinae, has revealed important diversity of structure. These complex pore canals have been studied via high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (the Cartographic Method) and analysed via the application of newly devised indices to assess patterns of consistency and variation in both detailed structure of individual pores and of their distribution on the calcified valve. The timiriaseviine taxa are compared with species of the genera Limnocythere, sub-family Limnocytherinae and Cyprideis (family Cytherideidae).

Can demographic and anthropometric characteristics predict clinical improvement in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain?

Objective: To identify potential prognostic factors that may predict clinical improvement of patients treated with different physical therapy interventions in the short-term.

Methods: This is a prospective cohort study. A total of 616 patients with chronic non-specific low back pain treated with interventions commonly used by physical therapists were included.