BackgroundEar Acupuncture (EA) is a form of acupuncture in which needles are applied to the
external ear and has been used in multiple painful conditions. Low back pain (LBP)
is highly prevalent in active individuals and causes high economic burden to
health systems worldwide. LBP affects the person’s ability to keep balance,
especially in challenging conditions.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to examine the effects of a single session of EA on pain
intensity and body sway during postural tasks.MethodEighty adults with LBP and pain intensity equal to or greater than 4 (0-10 scale)
were randomly allocated (1:1) to EA group (EAG) or placebo group (PG). Initially,
the level of pain intensity was assessed. Next, participants stood still on a
force plate either with feet in parallel or in semi-tandem and with eyes open or
closed. Then, the EAG was treated with EA for 20 min and the PG was treated with
detuned ultrasound. After the treatment, pain intensity was assessed again and the
postural test was repeated. Pain intensity was the primary outcome and center of
pressure sway area and speed were the secondary outcomes measured.ResultsResults revealed that pain intensity decreased in both groups after treatment, but
decreased more in the EAG. For postural control, no effect of treatment and no
interaction between treatment and postural condition on body sway were found.ConclusionThose findings indicate that EA is better than placebo to reduce pain, but neither
treatment has any effect on postural control.
Introduction: Stroke individuals have sensorimotor repercussions on their ipsilesional upper limb. Therefore, it is important to use tests that allow an adequate assessment and follow-up of such deficits. Physical and occupational therapists commonly use maximal grip strength tests to assess the functional condition of stroke individuals. However, one could ask whether a single test is able to characterize the hand function in this population. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among outcomes of different tests frequently used to describe the function of the hand in the ipsilesional upper limb of stroke individuals. Methods: Twenty-two stroke individuals performed four hand function tests: maximal handgrip strength (HGSMax), maximal pinch grip strength (PGSMax), Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) and Nine Hole Peg Test (9-HPT). All tests were performed with the ipsilesional hand. Pearson's correlation analyses were performed. Results: the results indicated a moderate and positive relationship between HGSMax and JTHFT (r = 0.50) and between JTHFT and 9-HPT (r = 0.55). Conclusion: We conclude that the existence of only moderate relationships between test outcomes demonstrates the need to use at least two instruments to better describe the ipsilesional hand function of stroke individuals.
Buscamos com o presente estudo investigar o efeito da dominância manual e da visão no uso da informação somatossensorial adicional fornecida pelo toque suave no controle postural. Quinze adultos jovens e destros permaneceram em pé sobre uma plataforma de força com a) olhos abertos ou fechados e b) braços ao lado do corpo ou o dedo indicador direito ou esquerdo tocando a barra fixa. A área do centro de pressão (CP), amplitude e velocidade médias do CP nas direções anteroposterior e médio-lateral foram avaliadas. Os resultados indicaram uma redução nas medidas nas condições de toque e aumento com os olhos fechados, exceto quando o toque foi realizado com dedo indicador direito. A força máxima foi maior para a mão direita, enquanto a sensibilidade cutânea e as forças aplicadas à barra foram similares entre os hemicorpos. Esses resultados sugerem um efeito da dominância manual e visão no uso da informação somatossensorial adicional no controle postural.
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