Cryotherapy associated with tailored land-based exercises for knee osteoarthritis: a protocol for a double-blind sham-controlled randomised trial.

Introduction: There is an unmet need to develop tailored therapeutic exercise protocols applying different treatment parameters and modalities for individuals with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Cryotherapy is widely used in rehabilitation as an adjunct treatment due to its effects on pain and the inflammatory process. However, disagreement between KOA guidelines remains with respect to its recommendation status.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Motion of the shoulder complex in individuals with isolated acromioclavicular osteoarthritis and associated with rotator cuff dysfunction: part 2 - muscle activity.

This study aimed to compare muscle activity in individuals with isolated acromioclavicular osteoarthritis (ACO), ACO associated with rotator cuff disease (ACO+RCD), and controls. Seventy-four participants (23 isolated ACO, 25 ACO+RCD, 26 controls) took part in this study. Disability was assessed with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire.

Three-dimensional scapular motion during arm elevation is altered in women with fibromyalgia.

Background: The core feature of fibromyalgia is pain, which may play a role in various mechanisms that might lead to alterations in shoulder kinematics. Alterations in muscle activity and presence of tender points in the shoulder girdle have already been described in this population; however there is lack of evidence on three-dimensional scapular motion in women with fibromyalgia.

Methods: Forty women with fibromyalgia and 25 healthy women (control group) matched in terms of age, weight and height, took part in this study.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation induces beneficial adaptations in the extracellular matrix of quadriceps muscle after anterior cruciate ligament transection of rats.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the extracellular matrix remodeling of the quadriceps muscle after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transection in rats. The hypothesis of this study was that ACL transection would induce maladaptive modifications in the extracellular matrix through the increase in connective tissue (CT) accumulation and net degradation of type IV collagen of the quadriceps muscle. In addition, clinical-like NMES, applied to the quadriceps muscle immediately after the ACL transection, would reduce the accumulation of the CT content and net degradation of type IV collagen.

Motion of the shoulder complex in individuals with isolated acromioclavicular osteoarthritis and associated with rotator cuff dysfunction: part 1 - Three-dimensional shoulder kinematics.

This study described the three-dimensional shoulder motion during the arm elevation in individuals with isolated acromioclavicular osteoarthritis (ACO) and ACO associated with rotator cuff disease (RCD), as compared to controls. Seventy-four participants (ACO=23, ACO+RCD=25, Controls=26) took part of this study. Disability was assessed with the DASH, three-dimensional kinematics were collected during arm elevation in the sagittal and scapular planes, and pain was assessed with the 11-point numeric pain rating scale.

Comparison between the effects of 4 different electrical stimulation current waveforms on isometric knee extension torque and perceived discomfort in healthy women.

Introduction: We studied the effects of different neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) currents, 2 kHz-frequency alternating currents (KACs, Russian and Aussie) and 2 pulsed currents (PCs), on isometric knee extension torque and discomfort level, both in isolation and combined, with maximum voluntary contraction (MVC).

Methods: Twenty-one women (age 21.6 ± 2.

Bilateral impairments of shoulder abduction in chronic hemiparesis: electromyographic patterns and isokinetic muscle performance.

Objective: To analyze electromyographic (EMG) patterns and isokinetic muscle performance of shoulder abduction movement in individuals who sustained a cerebrovascular accident (CVA).

Design: Twenty-two individuals who sustained a CVA and 22 healthy subjects volunteered for EMG activity and isokinetic shoulder abduction assessments. EMG onset time, root mean square (RMS) for upper trapezius and deltoid muscles, as well as the isokinetic variables of peak torque, total work, average power and acceleration time were compared between limbs and groups.

Joint inflammation alters gene and protein expression and leads to atrophy in the tibialis anterior muscle in rats.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tibiotarsal joint inflammation in rat tibialis anterior muscle through muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) and gene expression (atrogin-1, muscle ring finger-1 [MuRF1], myogenic differentiation-1 [MyoD], p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase [p38MAPK], nuclear factor kappa B-dependent [NFκB], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]).

Design: Wistar rats were randomly divided into three periods (2, 7, and 15 days) and assigned into four groups within each experimental period: control, sham, inflammation, and immobilization. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and muscle fiber CSA analyses were performed.

Effects of 660 and 780 nm low-level laser therapy on neuromuscular recovery after crush injury in rat sciatic nerve.

Background And Objective: Post-traumatic nerve repair is still a challenge for rehabilitation. It is particularly important to develop clinical protocols to enhance nerve regeneration. The present study investigated the effects of 660 and 780 nm low-level laser therapy (LLLT) using different energy densities (10, 60, and 120 J/cm²) on neuromuscular and functional recovery as well as on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity after crush injury in rat sciatic nerve.

Electrical stimulation impairs early functional recovery and accentuates skeletal muscle atrophy after sciatic nerve crush injury in rats.

Neuromuscular recovery after peripheral nerve lesion depends on the regeneration of severed axons that re-establish their functional connection with the denervated muscle. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) on the neuromuscular recovery after nerve crush injury in rats. Electrical stimulation was carried out on the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle after sciatic nerve crush injury in a rat model.

Muscle performance during isokinetic concentric and eccentric abduction in subjects with subacromial impingement syndrome.

Peak torque (PT), total work (TW) and acceleration time (AT) were measured during isokinetic concentric and eccentric abduction of the shoulder in subjects with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) and healthy subjects. The SIS group consisted of 27 subjects (33.48 +/- 9.

Active stretching improves flexibility, joint torque, and functional mobility in older women.

Objective: To investigate the effect of an active stretching program on the knee flexors with regards to flexibility, torque, and functional mobility of older women. The hypothesis of this study was that a program of active knee-flexor stretching increases flexibility and muscle torque and improves functional mobility.

Design: Twelve active older women aged 68.

Shoulder abduction torque steadiness is preserved in subacromial impingement syndrome.

This study compared peak torque and torque steadiness during isometric abduction in subjects with subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) and those with no upper limb disorders. The SIS group consisted of 27 subjects (33.48 +/- 9.