Introduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of auriculotherapy with mustard seeds in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), anxiety, and electromyographic (EMG) activity in university students. Methodology. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) for TMDs (RDC/TMDs), and electromyography were used in this study of 44 college students with high levels of anxiety and TMDs. The subjects were divided into two groups: an auriculotherapy (AA) group (n = 31) and an AA sham group (n = 13). The mustard seeds were applied to the shenmen, rim, sympathetic, brain stem, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) points in the AA group and to sham points in the external ear and wrist in the AA sham group. The treatment protocol was 10 sessions (two treatments per week). Results. Anxiety (p < 0.01) was significantly reduced in the AA group. This group also showed a decrease in tender points in the mandibular posterior region (p = 0.04) and in the right side of the submandibular region (p = 0.02). Complaints of bilateral pain were reduced in the temporal tendon (p ≤ 0.01) and in the left side of the ATM (p < 0.01). In addition, electromyographic (EMG) activity was reduced during temporal muscle contraction (p = 0.03).  Conclusion. Auriculotherapy was effective in the treatment of students with anxiety and TMDs.

Objective: to study anxiety and spirituality and the relationship between them in university students. Method: the State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Pinto and Pais-Ribeiro Spirituality Scales were used for data collection. Results: six hundred and sixty-nine students participated in the study, of whom 91.5% had moderate and high levels of trait anxiety and 92.9% of state anxiety; 93.8% had high spirituality scores. The multiple linear regression test showed a signifi cant relationship between anxiety and the presence of physical discomfort, unusual body movements, and the need for treatment. Furthermore, higher levels of anxiety were associated with the female gender, the lack of leisure activities, and low levels of optimism in the spirituality scale. Conclusion: it is important to develop strategies for coping with anxiety, which in turn can be oriented toward protective factors such as spirituality. Key words: Anxiety; Spirituality; Students Health Occupations. RESUMO Objetivo: investigar a ansiedade e a espiritualidade de estudantes universitários e a relação entre elas. Método: para a coleta de dados, foi utilizado o Inventário de ansiedade traço-estado (IDATE) e a Escala de Espiritualidade de Pinto e Pais-Ribeiro. Resultados: participaram 609 alunos, sendo que 91,5% apresentam níveis moderados e altos de ansiedade-traço; 92,9%, os mesmos níveis de ansiedade-estado e 93,8% alto escore de espiritualidade. O teste de regressão linear múltipla apontou relação signifi cativa entre a ansiedade e a presença de desconfortos físicos, de movimentos pouco comuns e necessidade de tratamento. Os maiores níveis de ansiedade estiveram associados ao sexo feminino, à ausência de atividades de lazer e aos baixos níveis de otimismo da escala de espiritualidade. Conclusão: é importante o desenvolvimento de estratégias de enfrentamento da ansiedade que, por sua vez, podem estar voltadas a fatores protetores, como a espiritualidade. Descritores: Ansiedade; Espiritualidade; Estudantes de Ciências da Saúde. RESUMENObjetivo: identifi car la ansiedad y espiritualidad de los estudiantes universitarios, y investigar la relación entre ellas. Método: para la colección de datos se utilizó el Inventario de Ansiedad Estado-Trazo y la escala de espiritualidad de Pinto y Pais-Ribeiro. Resultados: participaron del estudio 609 estudiantes y 91,5% tienen niveles moderados y altos de ansiedad trazo y estado de ansiedad del 92,9%, y 93,8% tenía una puntuación alta de la espiritualidad. La prueba de regresión lineal múltiple indica una relación signifi cativa entre la ansiedad y la presencia de molestias físicas, movimientos inusuales y de la necesidad de llevar a cabo el tratamiento. Sin embargo, los niveles más altos de ansiedad se asociaron con el sexo femenino, la falta de práctica de láser y los niveles bajos de la escala dimensión optimismo de la espiritualidad. Conclusión: es importante desarrollar estrategias para hacer frente a la ansiedad que a su vez pueden estar orientados hacia los factores de protección, como la espi...

Exergaming demonstrated efficacy in reducing cancer patients' fatigue, including muscle fatigue, and increasing muscle strength in patients' legs.

Whole-body vibration contributed little to improve the functional levels of stroke patients.

Given the efficacy only in terms of reducing the number of cigarettes smoked and other parameters, we suggest that future studies consider the use of auriculotherapy combined with other treatment methods, in order to achieve better results in cessation/abstinence.

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Focusing on its application in reproductive biotechnology, we evaluated the effects of the essential oil of Syzygium aromaticum (EOSA) on bovine epididymal sperm quality variables, including morphology, membrane functional integrity, membrane structural integrity, mitochondrial activity, metabolic activity, motility and oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Bovine spermatozoa from eight males were incubated into the following groups: EOSA0 (without EOSA), EOSA10 (10 μg/ml of EOSA), EOSA15 (15 μg/ml of EOSA) and EOSA20 (20 μg/ml of EOSA); the incubation time with and without the EOSA was 1 or 6 hr. None of the sperm quality variables presented difference among the EOSA concentrations. However, the incubation time had a significant effect on the membrane functional integrity, membrane structural integrity, mitochondrial activity, progressive motility and some kinetic parameters. The effect of interaction among EOSA and incubation time was significant only on ROS levels. Spermatozoa incubated in the presence of 15 μg/ml of the EOSA for 1 hr had significantly reduced ROS levels compared with all other groups in the same time. In conclusion, the EOSA at a concentration of 15 µg/ml has antioxidant effects and protects bovine epididymal spermatozoa; hence, the EOSA may potentially be used in the field of reproductive biotechnology.

Introdução. A Terapia baseada na Realidade Virtual (RV) tem sido uma modalidade terapêutica utilizada para a reabilitação de pacientes com sequelas de Acidente Vascular Cerebral (AVC). Esta terapia é re­alizada através de programas de exercícios baseados em jogos virtuais, que contribuem de maneira lúdica para a facilitação do movimento normal e treinamento funcional. Objetivo. Avaliar os efeitos da RV na função motora do membro superior parético após AVC. Método. Ensaio clínico randomizado. Amostra composta por 27 indivíduos divididos em dois grupos: controle (n=10), que recebiam terapia con­vencional e experimental (n=17). Para avaliação e reavaliação foram utilizadas as escalas de Desempenho Físico de Fugl-Meyer (FM) e o Inventário de Atividade da Extremidade Superior (MAL - Motor Log Activity). O protocolo de tratamento constituiu-se de exercícios com o Nintendo Wii em 10 sessões consecutivas, com duração de 1 hora e 15 minutos para cada indivíduo. Resultados. A reavaliação foi melhor na comparação intragupos tanto para escala FM (p=0,0001) e quan­to para escala MAL (p=0,0001), entretanto não houve diferença na comparação intergrupos. Conclusão. A RV foi efetiva na melhora da função motora do membro superior parético após o tratamento sendo uma opção terapêutica com resultados semelhante ao convencional.