An Anatomical Basis for the Myofascial Trigger Points of the Abductor Hallucis Muscle.

Myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by pain and a limited range of joint motion caused by muscle contracture related to motor-end-plate dysfunction and the presence of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). It is the most frequent cause of musculoskeletal pain, with a worldwide prevalence varying between 13.7% and 47%.

Effects of aerobic training combined with respiratory muscle stretching on the functional exercise capacity and thoracoabdominal kinematics in patients with COPD: a randomized and controlled trial.

Background: Patients with COPD present a major recruitment of the inspiratory muscles, predisposing to chest incoordination, increasing the degree of dyspnea and impairing their exercise capacity. Stretching techniques could decrease the respiratory muscle activity and improve their contractile capacity; however, the systemic effects of stretching remain unknown.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic training combined with respiratory muscle stretching on functional exercise capacity and thoracoabdominal kinematics in patients with COPD.

Anxiety and depression are related to dyspnea and clinical control but not with thoracoabdominal mechanics in patients with COPD.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the presence of symptoms of anxiety or depression with breathing pattern and thoracoabdominal mechanics at rest and during exercise in COPD.

Methods: Cross-sectional study enrolled 54 patients with COPD ranked according to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) score and compared to dyspnea, clinical control, hypercapnia, breathing pattern and thoracoabdominal mechanics at rest and during exercise.

Results: Seventeen patients with COPD had no symptoms, 12 had anxiety symptoms, 13 had depressive symptoms and 12 had both symptoms.