Lower limb muscle strength in patients with low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically review the published studies that compare lower limb muscle strength in patients with low back pain to matched healthy controls.

Methods: We searched Medline, SciELO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), and Scopus up until December 2017. Studies comparing lower limb muscle strength in people diagnosed with low back pain to healthy control participants were included in the systematic review.

Short-duration transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery.

Background: Respiratory muscle strength has been related to the postoperative outcome of cardiac surgeries. The main documented therapeutic purpose of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is the reduction of pain, which could bring secondary benefits to the respiratory muscles and, consequently, to lung capacities and volumes.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of short-duration transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in the reduction of pain and its possible influence on respiratory muscle strength and lung capacity and volumes of patients in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery.