Ultrasound assessment of diaphragm and quadriceps muscles and its relationship with handgrip and respiratory muscle strength in patients with systemic sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Muscle dysfunction may cause disability and reduce the quality of life of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) when compared to healthy individuals. However, the literature on the topic is scarce and uses several criteria for assessing muscle dysfunction in this population.

Objectives: To compare diaphragm and quadriceps muscle thickness, diaphragm mobility, and handgrip strength between patients with SSc and healthy individuals.

The effect of myofascial release of the physiological chains on the pain and health status in patients with fibromyalgia, compared to passive muscle stretching and a control group: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To explore the potential effectiveness of myofascial release compared to passive muscle stretching and to a control group in modulating pain intensity and health status in adults diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM).

Materials And Methods: A preliminary randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted, consisting of eight weekly sessions. The participants were divided into three groups: myofascial release group (RG = 13), a muscle stretching group (SG = 13), and a control group (CG = 12), which received advice from a rheumatologist.

Abdominal and Diaphragmatic Mobility in Adults With Chronic Gastritis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess abdominal and diaphragmatic mobility in adults with chronic gastritis compared with healthy individuals and to analyze the impact of chronic gastritis on musculoskeletal signs and symptoms of the cervical and thoracic spine.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted by the physiotherapy department at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco in Brazil. Fifty-seven individuals participated, 28 with chronic gastritis (gastritis group [GG]) and 29 healthy individuals (control group [CG]).

Home exercises for neck pain: A Delphi survey.

Purpose: The current context of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for home exercise strategies for the relief of neck pain, which, in recent times, has increased. However, there is a gap regarding home exercises that are aimed at reducing neck pain. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop, validate and culturally adapt a home exercise protocol for neck pain.

The accuracy of computerized biophotogrammetry in diagnosing changes in the cervical spine and its reliability for the cervical lordosis angle.

Background: Accuracy studies of biophotogrammetry protocols require standardization similar to radiography.

Objective: To estimate the diagnostic accuracy of a biophotogrammetric assessment protocol for cervical hyperlordosis, compared to radiography, and its intra- and inter-examiner reliability for measuring the cervical lordosis angle.

Methods: A study of diagnostic accuracy in women complaining of cervical pain.

Inter-rater Accuracy and Reliability of a Palpation Protocol of the C7 Spinous Process Comprising a Combination of 3 Traditional Palpation Techniques.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy and intrarater reliability of a palpatory protocol based on a combination of 3 palpatory methods to identify both the C7 spinous process (C7 SP) and the factors that affect the errors and inaccuracy of palpation.

Methods: Twenty-five women between the ages of 18 and 60 years were submitted to a palpation protocol of the C7 SP, and a radiopaque marker was fixed on the skin at the possible location of the vertebrae. A radiograph and a photograph of the cervical spine were obtained in the same posture by a first rater.

Reference values for the cross-sectional area of the lumbar multifidus muscle in children.

Background: The multifidus muscle plays a major role in the growth and postural control of children. Therefore, the reference values of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the lumbar multifidus muscle represent an important tool for assessing muscle development and the early monitoring of musculoskeletal disorders.

Objective: The aim of this study was to provide percentile scores for the CSA of the lumbar multifidus muscle in eutrophic children aged 5 to 10 years.

Effect of Dry Cupping Therapy on Pain and Functional Disability in Persistent Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Cupping therapy is used to treat musculoskeletal conditions, including low back pain.

Objectives: The study assessed the effects of dry cupping on pain and functional disability from persistent nonspecific low back pain.

Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial, where participants were allocated to a cupping therapy (n = 19) or sham (n = 18) group, for five 10-minute sessions of cupping therapy, twice a week, to stimulate the acupoints related to low back pain (GV4, BL23, BL24, BL25, and BL30, BL40 and BL58) and emotional aspects (HT3 and ST36).

Resistance exercises improve physical function in chronic Chikungunya fever patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chikungunya fever is an arboviral disease, caused by an alphavirus, the Chikungunya virus, characterized by fever and joint pain that is generally disabling in the acute phase and may last from months to years, with the potential to evolve into chronic musculoskeletal symptoms, as polyarthralgia and arthritis, which can lead to significant impairment of physical function. The non-pharmacological treatment is very important for these patients, and resistance exercises may be one rehabilitation option.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a resistance exercise protocol on the physical function, pain, and quality of life of patients with chronic Chikungunya fever.

Efficacy of Manual Therapy on Pain, Impact of Disease, and Quality of Life in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review.

Background: Myofascial mobilization has been used as an intervention for patients with fibromyalgia (FM) for acting on ascending nociceptive pathways possibly involved in the central sensitization process, modulating the pain experience. However, there is still a gap in its efficacy compared with another hands-on approach because manual therapy has nonspecific effects, such as placebo.

Objectives: This systematic review aims to review the scientific literature for an overview of the efficacy of manual therapy in pain, disease impact, and quality of life in patients with FM compared with control or other treatments through randomized clinical trials.

Concordance and Reliability of Photogrammetric Protocols for Measuring the Cervical Lordosis Angle: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine and interpret the concordance, accuracy, and reliability of photogrammetric protocols available in the literature for evaluating cervical lordosis in an adult population aged 18 to 59 years.

Methods: A systematic search of 6 electronic databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, LILACS, CINAHL, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science) located studies that assessed the reliability and/or concordance and/or accuracy of photogrammetric protocols for evaluating cervical lordosis, compared with radiography. Articles published through April 2016 were selected.

Recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology for diagnosis and treatment of Chikungunya fever. Part 1 - Diagnosis and special situations.

Chikungunya fever has become a relevant public health problem in countries where epidemics occur. Until 2013, only imported cases occurred in the Americas, but in October of that year, the first cases were reported in Saint Marin island in the Caribbean. The first autochthonous cases were confirmed in Brazil in September 2014; until epidemiological week 37 of 2016, 236,287 probable cases of infection with Chikungunya virus had been registered, 116,523 of which had serological confirmation.

Recommendations of the Brazilian Society of Rheumatology for the diagnosis and treatment of chikungunya fever. Part 2 - Treatment.

Chikungunya fever has become an important public health problem in countries where epidemics occur because half of the cases progress to chronic, persistent and debilitating arthritis. Literature data on specific therapies at the various phases of arthropathy caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection are limited, lacking quality randomized trials assessing the efficacies of different therapies. There are a few studies on the treatment of musculoskeletal manifestations of chikungunya fever, but these studies have important methodological limitations.

Implications of high-heeled shoes on body posture of adolescents.

Objective: To review studies regarding effects of high-heeled shoes on body posture of adolescents.

Data Sources: The research was conducted in the Scopus, SciELO and PubMed databases between 1980 and 2011, searching for articles written in English and Portuguese with the following key-words: "posture", "center of gravity", and "high-heeled shoes". Among 55 retrieved articles, 20 were analyzed regarding posture of the spine and lower limbs, the center of gravity, and the effects of high-heeled shoes in the musculoskeletal system in adolescents.

[Analysis of depression in elderly living in the shelter 'Christ the Redeemer' , applying the Scale of Geriatric Depression (SGD)].

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression in elderly living in the shelter ' Christ the Redeemer' , in Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Pernambuco. A descriptive study was conducted in September and October 2006, with individuals aged 60 years or more. The sample consisted of 55 elderly, who answered the 30 questions of the Scale of Geriatric Depression of Yesavage.