Equilíbrio funcional em indivíduos com doença de Parkinson e sua relação com a qualidade de vida

Introduction: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is characterized by a set of four motor symptoms: tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. These defi cits may predispose individuals to limitations resulting from falls and their secondary consequences. Objective: To evaluate the functional balance and quality of life (QoL) in individuals with PD and determine whether there is correlation between performance on tests of balance with the QoL. Method: The project was referred to the Ethics Committee in Research of Universidade Estadual Paulista “Julio de Mesquita Filho” Campus de Marília and was approved under protocol number 1806/09. Participated in this study with individuals diagnosed with PD between levels one and four in the Hoen and Yahr scale. The subjects were evaluated according to functional balance and QoL, respectively by the instruments: Functional Balance Scale Berg (EEFB), Time Up and Go test (TUG), and Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39). To perform the statistical analysis used the GraphPad Prism 5. To perform the correlation analysis for the variables passed normality by the Shapiro-Wilk. Since the variables were non-parametric test was used Spearman. During the analysis the statistical signifi cance level was considered p ≤ 0, 05. Results: We studied 25 individuals aged between 54 and 85 years (71.20 ± 8.50), time of diagnosis between one and 39 years (6.54 ± 7.71) disease. Moderate correlation was found between the EEFB with QoL (r =- 0.6), and TUG with QoL (r = 0.6836). Among the aspects of QoL balance showed a higher correlation with the domains “mobility” (TUG r = 0, 6768; EEFB r = -0.6155) and “Activities of daily living” (TUG r = 0, 7357, and EEFB r = -0.6521). Conclusion: Patients with Parkinson’s disease show defi cits in balance and QoL. The balance disorders have a high correlation among themselves and show how aspects of QoL.

Avaliação da flexibilidade e dor de idosos fisicamente ativos e sedentários

Introduction: Among others things, ageing results in neuromuscular decrease. The physical activity practice may to influence positively the ageing process. Objective: To evaluate the flexibility and the level of pain on the sedentary and physically active elderly. Method: Forty-two elderly participated of this study, both male and female, (twenty-two physically active and twenty sedentary), over sixty years old and functionally capable to perform the evaluations suggested. They were submitted to tests of decrease in anterior flexion of the trunk, Stibor and Shoeber to evaluate the flexibility and then they signalized the level of pain on the analogic visual scale. The data obtained on the valuations has been analyzed utilizing the non-parametric statistic test Mann-Whitney, considering the level of significance of 5% (p<0,05), in order to compare the performance among the groups. Results: It has not been observed significant di- fferences among the groups referring to the tests Stibor and analogic visual scale. On Shoeber and FAT tests has been observed significant differences (p<0,05) among the groups, with a better performance to the active group. Conclusion: The physical activity practicing interfere on the mobility and on the flexibility of the elderly body segment.

Efeitos do Tai Chi Chuan na qualidade de vida, flexibilidade e equilíbrio de idosos

Introduction: The growth of the aged population in developing countries is fast. Cognitive, motion, metabolic and social injuries are associated to aging, which are potentially able to impair the quality of life of the elder population. A physical activity that provides a mental and physical welfare besides its importance to the good aging, therefore, the Tai Chi Chuan is considered an effi cient and cheap way to improve the quality of life and to reduce the physical alterations unchained by aging. Objective: To verify the effect of the Tai Chi Chuan of the quality of life, fl exibility and balance in elderly. Methods: Nine volunteers, three men (66.33 ± 13.32 years) and six women (68.67 ± 11.34 years) participated in the study. They performed the training of Tai Chi Chuan during 12 weeks, two times per week, with duration of one hour each session. The volunteers were evaluated at the beginning of the study and after the 12 weeks of training by means of the application of the questionnaire of quality of life SF-36, a scale of balance and the test to seat and to reach was applied to evaluate the fl exibility. Results: It was observed in the Tai Chi Chuan training improvement of the balance and fl exibility; however, the quality of life did not present signifi cant difference. Conclusion: These fi ndings allow us to conclude that the Tai Chi Chuan was effi cient in the improvement of the equilibrium and the fl exibility of elder people; however, it did not modify the Quality of Life of the studied population.

Efeitos da terapia manual de Maitland em pacientes com lombalgia crônica

Introduction: The low back pain are a problema of health. Objective: to evaluate the effects of the Maitland´s manipulation in pain, fl exibility, functional capacity and quality of life of the patients with chronic low back pain. Method: Sxteen subjects, of both genders, with the age from 23-68 years old (48.69,± 11.61 years old) were evaluated by test sit and reach (TSA), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and answered the questionnaires of the quality of life Medical Outcomes Study 36- Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Roland-Morris Disability functional incapacity (RMDQ). The treatment was carried out twice a week, totaling 10 sessions. Each session lasted 30 minutes and consisted by Maitland´s techniques, applied as the symptoms evaluated at the beginning of each session. After 10 session, the subjects were re-evaluated. The data obtained in the assessments concerning the TSA and VAS were analyzed by Student t test, the data relating to the questionnaire were analyzed using the Wilcoxon non-parametric statistics test. For the interpretation was used signifi cance level of 5% (p≤0,05). Results: A signifi cant improvement was in the intensity of pain, disability, fl exibility and quality of life. Conclusion: The Maitland´s therapy showed effective, which suggests be an appropriate strategy for intervention for patients with chronic low back pain.

Correlação entre equilíbrio, assimetria de passos e descarga de peso em indivíduos hemiparéticos

Introduction: Hemiparesis is the most common sequels after Stroke. One of the side effects of the motor skills evident in hemiparesis is the tendency to remain in asymmetric posture, with lower distribution of weight on the side hemiparetic, which ends up leading to a deficit in balance. This set of changes can cause an asymmetrical type of gait, marked by difference between the lengths of the steps these individuals. Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the balance, the discharge of weight in the lower limbs and asymmetry of steps in hemiparetic individuals and sees if there is correlation between those variables. Method: A group of 12 hemiparetic individuals (55,33 ± 8,92 years), both sex, who suffered from strokes participated. All subjects performed the assessment of bilateral discharge of weight, the length of the steps and balance (Berg Balance Scale). The results for the difference in the discharge of weight of the lower limbs, asymmetry of the step and the performance on the test of balance were analyzed using the Sperman Correlation Coefficient with a significance level of 5% (p ≤ 0.05). Results: We found a significant correlation between balance and asymmetry of the steps (R = -0.72 and p = 0007), however, found no significant correlation between discharge of weight on each leg and the symmetry of the steps (R =- 0.07 and p = 0, 81) and between discharge of weight and balance (R =- 0.08 and p = 0.79) in these hemiparetic individuals. Conclusion: Can be conclude that hemiparetic individuals of these study show deficits in balance, difference in weight between the discharge of the lower limbs and asymmetry of step and correlation between the asymmetry of the step and balance.

Influência da terapia de contensão induzida na funcionalidade do membro superior de indivíduos hemiparéticos

Introduction: The Constraint-induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is a therapeutic program which main goal is the functional recuperation of paretic upper extremity of stroke patients with motor deficits by an intensive treatment, practice of functional repetition and wear of restriction in non-paretic during 90% of the daily hours. Objective: The aim of this study was evaluate the CIMT influence on upper extremity function of hemiparetic individuals. Method: The CIMT was provided for 3 daily hours for 10 consecutive days. Besides, patients were asked to wear a restraint dispositive on the unaffected hand during 90% of their activities daily living hours. Before and after the intervention period, 2 tests were administered to evaluate motor function, the Motor Activity Log (MAL) and the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT). Results: The results of MAL showed significant difference in quantity (p=0,011) and quality (p=0,016) of paretic upper extremity movements. Analysis of WMFT indicated a significant reduction of time that patients performed the tasks (p= 0,042) and a difference for quality of movement (p<0,0001). Conclusion: The present results showed that CIMT improves upper extremity function in hemiparetic individuals.