Concurrent validity of the pressure biofeedback unit and surface electromyography in measuring transversus abdominis muscle activity in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain Validade concorrente da unidade de biofeedback pressórico e eletromiografia de superfície na mensuração da atividade muscular do transverso abdominal em pacientes com dor lombar crônica inespecífica

Objectives: To investigate the occurrence of delayed neuropsychological and motor development in a community assisted through the Family Health Program and to evaluate its association with possible biological, environmental and socioeconomic risk factors. Methods:The sample consisted of 31 five-year-old children who were evaluated using the Neurological Development Test, following guidelines proposed by Coelho (1999)*. The study was carried out at the Family Health Program (FHP) center in the Brasilit area of Recife, PE, Brazil. Data were collected using a questionnaire that sought information on the child, its mother/guardian, the family's socioeconomic status and residence. Fisher's exact test was used for the statistical analysis of the results, with a significance level of 5%. Results: Appendicular coordination was the parameter with the highest frequency of deficits (90%) and static balance was the item least compromised (12.9%). The frequency of static balance deficits was higher among children who did not attend day care centers (p=0.0163) and among those who spent less time with their mother (p=0.0278). Motor persistence deficits were statistically associated with age of entry into day care (p=0.0415) and father-child time (p=0.0436). Conclusions: The FHP was not only a valuable setting for developing studies of this nature but also an appropriate setting for child development follow-up.Key words: child development; risk factors; Family Health Program; motor activity. * Coelho MS. Avaliação infantil nas ações primárias de saúde. São Paulo: Atheneu; 1999. ResumoObjetivos: Este estudo teve por objetivos investigar a ocorrência de atraso no desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor em uma comunidade assistida pelo Programa de Saúde da Família (PSF) e verificar a sua associação com possíveis fatores de risco biológicos, ambientais e socioeconômicos. Métodos: A amostra constou de 31 crianças, com 5 anos de idade, que foram avaliadas por meio do exame neurológico evolutivo (ENE) segundo roteiro proposto por Coelho (1999)*. O local do estudo foi o PSF do bairro de Brasilit, na Cidade de Recife, PE, Brasil, e os dados foram coletados mediante questionário contendo informações sobre a criança, sua mãe ou responsável, a situação socioeconômica da família e o domicílio. Para análise estatística dos resultados, utilizou-se o Qui-quadrado de associação de Fisher, com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: A coordenação apendicular foi o parâmetro que apresentou a maior frequência de déficit (90%), e o equilíbrio estático foi o item menos comprometido (12,9%). A frequência de déficit no equilíbrio estático foi mais elevada nas crianças que não participaram de creche (p=0,0163) e naquelas que passavam menor tempo com a mãe (p=0,0278). O déficit na persistência motora esteve estatisticamente associado à idade de início na creche (p=0,0415) e ao tempo paifilho (p=0,0436). Conclusões: O PSF, além de se constituir num espaço valioso para o desenvolvimento de trabalhos desta natureza, demonstrou ser local adequado para o a...

Background:Central and peripheral mechanisms may be involved in migraine and tension-type headache pathogenesis, however the role of muscle disorders in their pathophysiological mechanisms remains unclear. Objectives:To assess the association between the presence of migraine or tension-type headache and changes in longus colli muscle dimensions and sternocleidomastoid muscle activity. Method:An observational study with 48 women comparing the following groups: migraine (n=21), tension-type headache (n=16), and control (n=11). The cross-sectional area, lateral and anteroposterior dimensions, and shape ratio of the longus colli muscle were measured using ultrasound. The activation of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was assessed by signal amplitude and the decline in median frequency using surface electromyographic analysis. Results:The dimensions of the longus colli muscle did not differ between groups (p>0.05). Post-test analysis showed lower sternocleidomastoid muscle activation on both sides, at the onset of contraction, in the group with tension-type headache when compared to the control group {right sternocleidomastoid [tension-type headache: 0.39 (0.30-0.49); control: 0.58 (0.42-0.76); p=0.026] and left sternocleidomastoid [tension-type headache: 0.39 (0.31-0.48); control: 0.60 (0.42-0.79); p=0.039], Tukey's post hoc test}. There was no difference between the three groups in sternocleidomastoid muscle activation, on both sides, at the end of contraction (p>0.05). Intergroup analysis showed no difference in the rate of decline in median frequency (p>0.05). Conclusion:The group with tension-type headache exhibited less activation at the onset of sternocleidomastoid muscle contraction. No association was observed between the presence of headache and alterations in longus colli muscle dimensions, median frequency, and sternocleidomastoid muscle activation at the end of contraction.

Objective To assess the effect of pelvic patterns of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF‐concept) on pelvic floor muscles (PFM) recruitment, as well as the electromyographic activity of muscles synergic to the pelvic floor in healthy women. Methods Observational study conducted with 31 women aged between 18 and 35 years, with mean age of 23.3 ± 3.2 (22.1–24.4). PFM activity was monitored by surface electromyography during the combination of isotonics technique of four pelvic patterns of PNF‐concept (i.e., anterior elevation, posterior depression, anterior depression, and posterior elevation). The electromyographic signal was analyzed using root mean square amplitude. Two‐way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to analyze differences in PFM activity between types of contraction (i.e., concentric, isometric, and eccentric) and the four pelvic patterns. Results PFM activity did not differ among the four pelvic pattens. However, PFM activity was significantly different between the combination of isotonics technique and baseline, F(1.6, 48.2) = 71.5; p < 0.000, with a large effect size (partial ƞ² = 0.705). Concentric (22.4 µV ± 1.1), isometric (17.3 µV ± 0.6), and eccentric (15 µV ± 0.5) contractions of combination of isotonics technique increased PFM activity compared with baseline (10.8 µV ± 0.4) in all pelvic patterns. By analyzing the electromyographic activity of the muscles synergistic to the pelvic floor, there is effect of the interaction of the type of contraction, the pelvic pattern of the PNF concept, and the synergistic muscles on the myoelectric activity of the external anal sphincter, F(3.2, 96.5) = 5.6; p < 0.000, with a large magnitude of effect (partial ƞ² = 0.15). In the anterior elevation pattern, the muscles synergistic to the pelvic floor present synergy in phase with the PFM, and in the posterior patterns there was a decrease in the activity level of all synergistic muscles, without changing the activity level of the PFM. Conclusion PFM activity did not differ among the four pelvic patterns of PNF‐concept. Nonetheless, the combination of isotonics technique showed a significant effect on PFM compared with baseline, with greater PFM activity during concentric contraction. Pelvic patterns of PNF‐concept may be used to increase PFM recruitment in young healthy women.