BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There are few studies in the literature especially reporting the effects of LASER associated to neural mobilization for sciatica. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of low-level LASER with wavelength of 830 nm and fluency of 4 J/cm 2 , of neural mobilization and of their association to decrease pain. METHODS:Sample was made up of 28 Wistar female rats, separated in four groups: G1 (placebo); G2 (neural mobilization); G3 (LASER); G4 (neural mobilization and LASER), being that all groups were submitted to sciatic nerve compression. Treatment was performed in the 3 rd , 5 th , 7 th , 10 th , 12 th and in the 14 th postoperative days. To evaluate nociception an analgesimeter was applied both to injury site and the plantar region of right hind paw. Evaluation moments were AV1 (pre-injury); AV2 (3 rd postoperative day before treatment); AV3 (4 th postoperative day); AV4 (7 th postoperative day), AV5 (10 th postoperative day) and AV6 (14 th postoperative day) before treatment; and AV7 (15 th postoperative day). RESULTS: At evaluation sites, there has been no statistically significant difference among groups, but in comparing evaluations there has been significant difference where AV1 values were higher as compared to remaining evaluations. CONCLUSION: Low-level LASER with wavelength of 830nm and fluency of 4J/cm 2 , neural mobilization and the association of both techniques were not effective to increase nociceptive threshold to pressure of female rats submitted to experimental sciatica.

Both modalities showed antinociceptive effects.

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-Aims: Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) is a new and promising technique for tissue repair, however, there is still a gap about its action on peripheral nerve injury, as well as its association with physical exercise. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the PRF associated with physical exercise in a model of median nerve compression. Methods: 42 rats, divided into: Control, non-injured limb, and other six groups with nerve lesion (Control lesion; Treated with PRF; Treadmill walking; Free swimming; PRF and treadmill; PRF and swimming). The lesion model was performed with median nerve compression. To obtain the PRF, 1.5 mL of blood was centrifuged and the fibrin clot positioned directly over the compression region. The exercise protocols were performed during 2 weeks. The evaluations performed were grip strength tests and histologic analysis. Results: both, grip strength and histomorphometric evaluations (fiber numbers and axon density) did not present significant differences between the treated and lesion groups, however, in the morphological evaluation it was possible to distinguish characteristics of the repair process for the treated groups. Conclusion: a slight qualitative improvement was observed for the treated groups, especially when it was associated PRF with free swimming.

Background: The physical therapy resources, as Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and neural mobilization are usually used with regenerative purpose and for the relief of symptoms for peripheral nerve injury. However, there is a lack of consensus on its effects as well as its association. Objective: Evaluate the influence of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) associated with neural mobilization (NM) on nerve regeneration of female Wistar rats subjected to sciatic compression. Methods: Twenty four Wistar rats were divided into: G1 (Placebo), G2 (NM), G3 (LLLT) and G4 (NM+LLLT), all animals were subject to compression of the right sciatic nerve. The treatment occurred on the 3 rd , 5 th , 7 th , 10 th , 12 th and 14 th postoperative day (PO). On the 17 th PO the animals were euthanized. Histological and morphometric analysis of the right (compression) and the left (control) sciatic nerve were performed. Results: In the morphometric analysis no significant differences between groups, but differences among sides were found. Histological analysis revealed the presence of inflammatory infiltrate and disruption of nerve fibers in the right sciatic nerves. Conclusion: Both techniques used (LLLT and neural mobilization), isolated and associated, on the parameters proposed, were not effective to accelerate the process of nerve regeneration.

ResumoA compressão do nervo isquiático pode gerar a denominada ciatalgia, caracterizada por dor em membros inferiores, distúrbios sensoriais, disfunção da marcha, paresias, parestesias e deficiência de reflexo. Uma das formas de tratamento é a mobilização neural, contudo, esta técnica apresenta algumas lacunas com relação ao seu uso. Assim, este estudo teve como objetivo analisar os efeitos da mobilização neural -MN sobre a função e trofismo muscular de ratos submetidos à compressão do nervo isquiático. Foram utilizados 30 ratos, separados em: Controle (C); Lesão (L); MN membro pélvico direito (MNPD); MN membro pélvico esquerdo (MNPE); MN no membro escapular direito (MNED). Todos os animais foram submetidos à lesão do nervo isquiático direito, utilizando pinça hemostática, o nervo foi comprimido durante 30 s. O tratamento por MN foi realizado de acordo com o grupo, no 3º, 5º, 7º, 10º, 12º e no 14º pós-operatórios (POs). Foi avaliado o Índice Funcional do Isquiático (IFC), área (µm 2 ) e menor diâmetro (µm) dos tibiais anteriores. Para o IFC não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos, contudo, dentro dos grupos ocorreram diferenças indicando ligeiros e melhores resultados para MNPD. Em relação à área e menor diâmetro C apresentou valores mais elevados e MNPD foi maior do L, MNPE e MNED. Conclui-se que a MN, quando realizada no membro da compressão nervosa, promoveu efeitos benéficos, contudo, sem produzir restauração completa. . Outra forma de tratamento, para esta disfunção é a mobilização neural, técnica que por meio de movimentos rítmicos e ocilatórios direcionados aos nervos periféricos e medula espinal, e estes movimentos buscam auxiliar na recuperação das funções do sistema nervoso e estruturas musculoesqueléticas 7 , contudo, esta técnica apresenta algumas controvérsias 8,9 . Palavras

| Ligaments adapt according to the intensity of physical activity and mechanical load to which they are subjected. In the last decade there have been methods and protocols in the field of infant neurofunctional physiotherapy, which have the term "suit" in common, to characterize the existence of suits with adjustable elastic bands and the possibility of applying load on the human skeleton. Since the mechanical load can produce fibrocartilaginous changes on the ligaments and also that no studies evaluating the effect of suit therapy on ligaments of the spine were found, research with experimental methods of load are justified. The aim of this study was to analyze thickness and morphology of longitudinal ligaments of the spine of Wistar rats when subjected to mechanical load by vertebral compression. Thirty animals were separated into five groups (G1 -control; G2 -simulation of the use of suit; G3, G4, and G5 -maintenance of the suit). The suit experimental model, in G4 and G5, were adapted weights or elastic bands arranged in "X" for 50% of spinal overload of the weight of the animal, who remained with the suit for 40 hours over four weeks of experiment, five days a week.There were no significant differences for thickness, and morphological changes of longitudinal ligaments were also not observed. We concluded that there were no changes in longitudinal ligaments of the spine in animals subjected to the experimental model of suit therapy. RESUMEN | Pueden adaptarse los ligamentos a la intensidad de la actividad física y a la carga mecánica sometida a ellos. En la última década, han surgido métodos y protocolos en el área de fisioterapia neurofuncional infantil que tienen en común el término "suit" para caracterizar la existencia de ropas con bandas elásticas ajustables y la posibilidad de aplicación de cargas en el esqueleto humano. Debido a que la carga mecánica puede producir alteraciones fibrocartilaginosas en los ligamentos y que no han sido encontrados estudios que evaluaron el efecto de la terapia suit en los ligamentos de la columna vertebral, las investigaciones con métodos experimentales de carga son necesarias. Este estudio tiene el propósito de evaluar las espesuras y la morfología de los ligamentos longitudinales de la columna vertebral de ratas Wistar cuando sometida a carga mecánica por compresión vertebral. Se dividieron treinta ratas en cinco grupos (G1 -grupo control; G2 -simulación de la utilización del suit; G3, G4, G5 -mantenimiento de la ropa).Desde el modelo experimental del suit, en el G4 y G5 se adaptaron pesos o elásticos puestos en "X" para la sobrecarga vertebral de 50% del peso de los animales, los cuales permanecieron con la ropa durante cuarenta horas, al largo de cuatro semanas de experimento, en cinco días semanales. No fueron observadas diferencias significativas para la espesura, tampoco cambios morfológicos en los ligamentos longitudinales. Se concluye que no se observaron alteraciones en los ligamentos longitudinales de la columna vertebral de los animales sometidos al ...