Effects of a foot-ankle muscle strengthening program on pain and function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Foot-ankle exercises could improve pain and function of individuals with KOA and need to be tested.

Objective: To investigate whether an 8-week foot-ankle muscle strengthening program is effective for individuals with KOA to reduce pain and improve function.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, individuals diagnosed with clinical and radiographic KOA were randomized into the intervention (supervised foot-ankle strengthening exercise program three times a week for 8 weeks) or control (usual care and recommendations of the healthcare team) group.

Effect of compression by elastic bandages on pain and function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: protocol of a randomised controlled clinical trial.

Introduction: Although compression is used to control pain in knee osteoarthritis (KOA), its clinical application is poorly supported, and there is a lack of scientific evidence to support its clinical use. As a low-cost and accessible protocol, compression using elastic bands could be a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce pain and improve physical function in individuals with KOA. This study aims to evaluate the effects of compression on pain and function in individuals with KOA.

Clinical-Like Cryotherapy in Acute Knee Arthritis Protects Neuromuscular Junctions of Quadriceps and Reduces Joint Inflammation in Mice.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that affects synovial joint tissues and skeletal muscle. Clinical-like cryotherapy benefits signs of joint inflammation in knee osteoarthritis after 60 days of anterior cruciate ligament transection surgery. However, it is unknown whether it also benefits acute knee arthritis (e.

Clinical-like cryotherapy in acute knee arthritis of the knee improves inflammation signs, pain, joint swelling, and motor performance in mice.

To assess the effects of clinical-like cryotherapy on inflammatory signs (in vivo neutrophil migration, cytokines, and joint inflammation), pain, joint swelling, balance, and motor coordination in mice with knee arthritis. Young C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups (8 to 10 mice per group): Control group: mice with no intervention; antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) group: mice sensitized and immunized with intra-articular (i.a.

Moderate Treadmill Training Induces Limited Effects on Quadriceps Muscle Hypertrophy in Mice Exposed to Cigarette Smoke Involving Metalloproteinase 2.

Background: Long-term cigarette smoke (CS) induces substantive extrapulmonary effects, including musculoskeletal system disorders. Exercise training seems to protect long-term smokers against fiber atrophy in the locomotor muscles. Nevertheless, the extracellular matrix (ECM) changes in response to aerobic training remain largely unknown.

Effects of a foot-ankle strengthening programme on clinical aspects and gait biomechanics in people with knee osteoarthritis: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Studies have indicated that hip and knee muscle strengthening are effective in reducing pain, improving self-reported function and increasing lower limb strength, without, however, decreasing knee joint overload during gait in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Recent research has shown that strengthening the foot-ankle muscles improved function in diabetic patients and reduced patellofemoral pain. The aim of this paper is to investigate whether an 8-week therapeutic foot-ankle exercise programme improves pain, functionality, foot strength, foot kinematics and knee joint overload during gait, and decreases medication intake in individuals with KOA.

Photobiomodulation therapy associated with supervised therapeutic exercises for people with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Background: Physical exercise, a cornerstone of the conservative management of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), is exhaustively recommended by important clinical guidelines. A strength therapeutic exercise program (STEP) relieves pain, improves physical function and ultimately ameliorates quality of life (QoL). Furthermore, photobiomodulation (PBM) has been used as an adjunct treatment for people with KOA; however, there are still controversial recommendations regarding its use on this population.

Thirty days after anterior cruciate ligament transection is sufficient to induce signs of knee osteoarthritis in rats: pain, functional impairment, and synovial inflammation.

Objective: To compare the unilateral signs of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) 30 and 60 days after anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). Pain, gait function, synovial fluid inflammation, and histopathological changes in the synovial membrane were analyzed, as well as the interaction between the variables.

Materials And Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 32; 219.

Clinical-like cryotherapy improves footprint patterns and reduces synovial inflammation in a rat model of post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis.

Cryotherapy is a non-pharmacological treatment commonly used to control inflammation and improve function after acute traumas. However, there are no definitive findings about its effects on chronic joint diseases such as knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of clinical-like cryotherapy on functional impairment and synovial inflammation in a rat model of KOA generated by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT).

Effectiveness of early rehabilitation on range of motion, muscle strength and arm function after breast cancer surgery: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of early rehabilitation on arm range of motion (ROM), strength and function after breast cancer surgery (BCS). Data sources: PubMed, MEDLINE, Bireme, Embase, LILACS and CINAHL databases were searched.

Methods: Two independent reviewers selected randomized controlled trials evaluating women who underwent early rehabilitation to restore arm ROM, strength or function after BCS.

Knee osteoarthritis induces atrophy and neuromuscular junction remodeling in the quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscles of rats.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is associated with muscle weakness, but it is unclear which structures are involved in the muscle changes. This study assessed morphological alterations and the expression of genes and proteins linked to muscular atrophy and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in KOA, induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) in rats. Two groups of rats were assessed: control (without intervention) and KOA (ACLT surgery in the right knee).

The effects of cryotherapy on pain and function in individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of cryotherapy on pain and physical function in knee osteoarthritis.

Data Sources: An electronic search was performed up to February 2019 on PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Lilacs, Cochrane, Web of Science, Ibecs, and Scielo databases with keywords knee osteoarthritis and cryotherapy.

Methods: Two authors independently performed the study selection.

Three-dimensional scapular kinematics, shoulder outcome measures and quality of life following treatment for breast cancer - A case control study.

Background: There are no conclusive results concerning changes in scapular kinematics associated with upper limb dysfunctions after breast cancer surgery.

Objective: To compare the three-dimensional (3-D) scapular kinematics during elevation of the arm between women after breast cancer surgery and controls. Shoulder range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, pain intensity, upper limb function, and quality of life were also assessed.

Regulation of extracellular matrix elements and sarcomerogenesis in response to different periods of passive stretching in the soleus muscle of rats.

Stretching is a common method used to prevent muscle shortening and improve limited mobility. However, the effect of different time periods on stretching-induced adaptation of the extracellular matrix and its regulatory elements have yet to be investigated. We aimed to evaluate the expression of fibrillar collagens, sarcomerogenesis, metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and gene expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulators in the soleus (SOL) muscle of rats submitted to different stretching periods.

Exercise Prevents Diaphragm Wasting Induced by Cigarette Smoke through Modulation of Antioxidant Genes and Metalloproteinases.

Background: The present study aimed to analyze the effects of physical training on an antioxidant canonical pathway and metalloproteinases activity in diaphragm muscle in a model of cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Male mice were randomized into control, smoke, exercise, and exercise + smoke groups, which were maintained in trial period of 24 weeks. Gene expression of kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1; nuclear factor erythroid-2 like 2; and heme-oxygenase1 by polymerase chain reaction was performed.

Midfemoral Bone Volume of Walking Subjects with Chronic Hemiparesis Post Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Muscle and bone form a functional unit. Residual physical poststroke impairments such as muscle weakness, spasticity, and decrease in function can promote metabolic bone changes. Moreover, muscle strength can influence this process.

Spotlight on topographical pressure pain sensitivity maps: a review.

Mechanical hyperalgesia defined as decreased pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) is commonly associated with pain. In this narrative review, we report the current state of the art within topographical pressure sensitivity maps. Such maps are based on multiple PPT assessments.

Effects of a 16-week hydrotherapy program on three-dimensional scapular motion and pain of women with fibromyalgia: A single-arm study.

Background: Although hydrotherapy is widely used to treat women with fibromyalgia, no studies have investigated the effects of this intervention on scapular kinematics in this population. This study verified the effectiveness of a hydrotherapy program on scapular kinematics, pain and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia.

Methods: Twenty women completed the study and performed three evaluations before treatment (to establish a baseline), and two other evaluations (after 8 and 16weeks of hydrotherapy) at the end of treatment.

Bilateral changes in 3-D scapular kinematics in individuals with chronic stroke.

Background: Stroke can lead to altered scapular motion that may limit the ability to perform activities of daily living. The aims were to evaluate scapular kinematics of individuals with chronic stroke and the correlation with paretic arm function.

Methods: Scapular kinematics was assessed in thirty-four individuals (Chronic stroke=17; controls=17) during arm elevation and lowering in scapular and self-selected planes, and during hair combing.

The effect of peripheral neuropathy on lower limb muscle strength in diabetic individuals.

Background: Skeletal muscle strength is poorly described and understood in diabetic participants with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This study aimed to investigate the extensor and flexor torque of the knee and ankle during concentric, eccentric, and isometric contractions in men with diabetes mellitus type 2 with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Methods: Three groups of adult men (n=92), similar in age, body mass index, and testosterone levels, were analyzed: 33 non-diabetic controls, 31 with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 28 with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Presence of Latent Myofascial Trigger Points and Determination of Pressure Pain Thresholds of the Shoulder Girdle in Healthy Children and Young Adults: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to compare the number of myofascial trigger points (MTPs) and the pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in the shoulder girdle, on the dominant and nondominant sides, between healthy children and adults. The secondary aim was to assess the correlations between the number of MTPs and the PPTs in these populations.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed.

Immediate Effects of Mobilization With Movement vs Sham Technique on Range of Motion, Strength, and Function in Patients With Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of mobilization with movement (MWM) with sham technique on range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, and function in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.

Methods: A randomized clinical study was performed. Participants (mean age ± standard deviation, 31 ± 8 years; 56% women) were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n = 14), which received the MWM technique in the first 4 sessions and the sham technique in the last 4 sessions; and group 2 (n = 13), which was treated with the opposite order of treatment conditions described for group 1.

Socio-Cultural Factors and Experience of Chronic Low Back Pain: a Spanish and Brazilian Patients' Perspective. A Qualitative Study.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) could be influenced by socio-cultural factors. Pain narratives are important to understand the influence of environment on patients with chronic LBP. There are few studies that have explored the experience of patients with chronic LBP in different socio-cultural environments.

Pressure pain threshold is higher in hypertensive compared with normotensive older adults: A case-control study.

Aim: To establish whether there are differences in pain sensitivity between hypertensive and normotensive older adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional case control study was carried out. A total of 72 older adults, 36 normotensive and 36 hypertensive, participated in the study.

Effects of Stretching and Strengthening Exercises, With and Without Manual Therapy, on Scapular Kinematics, Function, and Pain in Individuals With Shoulder Impingement: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of an exercise protocol, with and without manual therapy, on scapular kinematics, function, pain, and mechanical sensitivity in individuals with shoulder impingement syndrome.

Background: Stretching and strengthening exercises have been shown to effectively decrease pain and disability in individuals with shoulder impingement syndrome.