A functional exercise program improves pain and health related quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial.

Background/objective: Fibromyalgia is a non-inflammatory syndrome characterized by generalized muscle pain, with other symptoms. Numerous forms of physical training for this population have been studied through high-quality randomized clinical trials involving strength, flexibility, aerobic conditioning and multicomponent exercise interventions. This research evaluated the effectiveness of a functional exercise program at reducing pain, improving functional capacity, increasing muscle strength as well as improving flexibility, balance and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia.

Daytime Functional Usage Versus Night-Time Wearing: Identifying the Optimal Wearing Regimen for a Custom-Made Orthosis in the Treatment of Trapeziometacarpal Osteoarthritis.

Objective: To compare the functional (daytime) use to the nightly use of an orthosis for patients affected by trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (OA).

Design: Randomized, controlled single-blind trial.

Setting: The rheumatology outpatient clinic of the University.

Effectiveness of functional training versus resistance exercise in patients with psoriatic arthritis: randomized controlled trial.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effect of functional versus resistance exercise training on the functional capacity and quality of life of psoriatic arthritis patients.

Methods: Forty-one psoriatic arthritis patients (18 to 65 years old) were randomized into two groups: functional training group and resistance exercise group. The functional training group underwent functional exercises with elastic band and the functional training group underwent machine resistance exercise twice a week for 12 weeks.

Influence of isostretching on patients with chronic low back pain. A randomized controlled trial.

: This study investigated the influence of isostretching on patients with chronic low back pain. : It was a randomized, controlled trial with concealed allocation, intention-to-treat analysis, and blind assessment. Fifty-four patients with chronic low back pain were randomized to an experimental group and a control group.

Translation to Brazilian Portuguese, cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of 8-item ArthritisSelf-Efficacy Scale (ASES-8).

Background: Self-efficacy refers to one's belief in one's ability to organize, perform actions and face challenges in order to achieve goals and motivation. High self-efficacy improves disease coping and adherence to treatment among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The objective of this study was to translate, culturally adapt and test the reproducibility of the 8-item Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (ASES-8) questionnaire for use in Brazil.

Orthosis for rhizarthrosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: investigating the effectiveness of orthosis for rhizarthrosis by means of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: A systematic review was carried out using eight electronic databases. The randomized controlled trials included were those presenting subjects using orthosis for rhizarthrosis compared with individuals without orthosis or other rehabilitation interventions, as well as studies that compared different types of orthosis.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) for Brazil: validation study.

Context And Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic disease that causes joint damage. A variety of methods have been used to evaluate the general health status of these patients but few have specifically evaluated the hands. The objective of this study was to translate, perform cultural adaptation and assess the validity of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire for Brazil.

Assessment of the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on the hands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.

Assess the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on pain reduction and improvement in function in the hands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A randomized double-blind controlled trial was carried out on 82 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The experimental group was submitted to the application of laser therapy, whereas the control group received a placebo laser.