Métodos de avaliação da eficácia dos tratamentos para a dor.

Pain is a subjective condition and, thus, difficult to measure. The best tools to assess pain are the pain evaluation questionnaires, which provide either diagnostic, pain evolution or pain intensity information. To provide information which could help differentiate between nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain is one of the most important functions of these questionnaires. The questionnaires can measure pain intensity, quality of life, or sleep quality. Quality of life and sleep are two really important characteristics to assess the pain impact on patients' life. Pain intensity assessing questionnaires combine physical evaluations with questions, providing information either from the patient sensations or clinical assessment of pain manifestations as well as the underlying biological mechanisms (such as hyperalgesia or allodynia). For example, the Pain Detect questionnaire has two parts: the patient form (intuitive, with pictures and easy understandable) and the physician form. Thus, in this questionnaire, subjective information is provided by the patient and the objective one is provided by the physician. Other pain intensity questionnaires are NPSI, DN4, LANSS or StEP. Quality of life questionnaires are versatile (can be used in different pathologies). These questionnaires include functional self-evaluation questions, and other ones associated to physical and mental health. Two of such quality of life questionnaires are SF-36 and NHP. Sleep evaluation questionnaires include quantitative features such as the number of sleep interruptions, sleep latency or sleep duration as well as qualitative characteristics such as rest sensation, mood and dreams. One of the most used sleep evaluation questionnaires is PSQI, which includes patient questions and bed-partner questions, providing information from two points of view. Copyright 2009 Prous Science, S.A.U. or its licensors. All rights reserved.

Grau de dependência de idosos hospitalizados para realização das atividades básicas da vida diária1

This study aimed to identify the level of dependence in elderly inpatients when performing Basic Activities of Daily Living. This quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in the Adult Ward of the Botucatu University Hospital Emergency Unit - UNESP, Brazil. Data was collected by means of interviews, observation, and individual medical chart consultation, to be analyzed via logistic regression using the statistical software package SAS for Windows, version 9.2. The sample consisted of 71 subjects with a mean age of 74.30 years. It was observed that 30.99% of the older individuals showed to be independent in performing the proposed activities; 22.53% were partly dependent; and 46.48% were fully dependent. Gerontology care must aim at maintaining functional conditions, thus promoting independence and preserving these individuals' dignity.

Efeitos do treinamento com pesos nas funções cognitivas de idosos com doença de Alzheimer

Deterioration in cognitive functions is characteristic in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may be associated with decline in daily living activities with consequent reduced quality of life. Objective: To analyze weight training effects on cognitive functions in elderly with AD. Subjects: 34 elderly with AD were allocated into two groups: Training Group (TG) and Social Gathering Group (SGG). Methods: Global cognitive status was determined using the Mini-Mental State Exam. Specific cognitive functions were measured using the Brief Cognitive Battery, Clock Drawing Test and Verbal Fluency Test. The protocols were performed three times a week, one hour per session. The weight training protocol consisted of three sets of 20 repetitions, with two minutes of rest between sets and exercises. The activities proposed for the SGG were not systematized and aimed at promoting social interaction among patients. The statistical analyses were performed with the U Mann Whitney and Wilcoxon tests for group comparisons. All analyses were considered statistically significant at a p-value of 0.05. Results: There were no significant differences associated to the effects of the practice of weight training on cognition in AD patients. Conclusion: In this study, no improvement in cognitive functions was evident in elderly with AD who followed a low intensity resistance exercise protocol. Thus, future studies could evaluate the effect of more intense exercise programs.

Multimodal exercise intervention improves frontal cognitive functions and gait in Alzheimer's disease: A controlled trial

Aim: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of a multimodal exercise intervention on frontal cognitive functions and kinematic gait parameters in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Methods: A sample of elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease (n=27) were assigned to a training group (n=14; aged 78.0±7.3years) and a control group (n=13; aged 77.1±7.4years). Multimodal exercise intervention includes motor activities and cognitive tasks simultaneously. The participants attended a 1-h session three times a week for 16weeks, and the control participants maintained their regular daily activities during the same period. The frontal cognitive functions were evaluated using the Frontal Assessment Battery, the Clock Drawing Test and the Symbol Search Subtest. The kinematic parameters of gait-cadence, stride length and stride speed were analyzed under two conditions: (i) free gait (single task); and (ii) gait with frontal cognitive task (walking and counting down from 20 - dual task). Results and discussion: The patients in the intervention group significantly increased the scores in frontal cognitive variables, Frontal Assessment Battery (P<0.001) and Symbol Search Subtest (P<0.001) after the 16-week period. The control group decreased the scores in the Clock Drawing Test (P=0.001) and increased the number of counting errors during the dual task (P=0.008) after the same period. Conclusion: The multimodal exercise intervention improved the frontal cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer's disease. © 2012 Japan Geriatrics Society.

Perfil de idosos em acompanhamento ambulatorial e preditores de quedas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Fisioterapia Aquática na Transferência do Sentado para Ortostatismo no Paciente com AVC: Relato de Caso

Introduction. Studies show that 70% of body weight in patients with stroke during the transfer from sitting to standing position is transferred to the uninvolved limb. Significantly interfering with activities of daily living. Objective. The influence of aquatic therapy on eight in the affected hemisphere during the transition from sitting to standing. Method. Participated in this study a patient with right hemiparesis, the protocol lasted eight sessions in a liquid medium. The data of activation of the gluteus muscle were collected from surface electromyography and data as the weight transfer was examined by baropodometry platform. Results. Initial electromyography (151.1uv right gluteus maximus and left gluteus maximus 229.1uv) and Final electromyography (113.6 uv right gluteus maximus and left gluteus maximus113.3uv). Evolution was 19% in weight transferin paretic hemibody compared the pre and post intervention. Conclusion. The results showed that treatment was favorable to the patient, because at the end of application of the observed activation of the gluteus maximus and improved weight-bearing, and consequently these factors interfered positively in the security and independe in transferring from sitting to standing position.

Effects of square-stepping exercise on cognitive functions of older people

Aim: Cognitive functions can decline with age, and interventions focusing on stimulating them may have positive results. Previous studies have shown that square-stepping exercise (SSE) has a good influence on balance, but this exercise also seems to promote cognitive stimulation. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to analyse the effect of 16 weeks of SSE on cognitive functions in non-demented community-dwelling older people. Methods: This was a longitudinal, non-randomized study. Forty-one older adults (60 years and older) were recruited, and 21 participated in the SSE group (practised only SSE sequences) and 20 were in the control group (continued with their activities of daily living). Both groups were evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Digit Span test, the Toulouse-Pierón Attention Test and the Modified Card Sorting Test. Results: The SSE group showed a significant improvement in global cognitive status, concentrated attention and mental flexibility after 16 weeks of the SSE intervention. Conclusion: Evidence shows that SSE is a physical activity that positively influences cognitive functions in non-demented older people. © 2013 Japanese Psychogeriatric Society.

Caracterização do perfil de atividade física na vida diária de pacientes portadores de DPOC do Brasil e comparação com pacientes da Áustria

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Respiração freno labial em indivíduos com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica: revisão da literatura e influência sobre a modulação autonômica cardíaca

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeitos da atividade física nas atividades da vida diária em indivíduos com doença de Parkinson

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos de um programa de intervenção motora nos distúrbios neuropsiquiátricos e nas atividades funcionais de pacientes com demência de Alzheimer e em seus cuidadores

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Equilíbrio dinâmico em idosos com doença de Parkinson

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Exercício, funcionalidade e distúrbios do sono em pacientes com doença de Parkinson

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeitos do treinamento físico sobre o nível de atividade física, capacidade funcional e comprometimento motor na doença de parkinson

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Condição socioeconômica, perfil nutricional e desempenho funcional em idosas praticantes e não praticantes regulares de exercício físico, residentes na zona norte de São José do Rio Preto

Pós-graduação em Alimentos e Nutrição - FCFAR