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-Aims:The aim of this study was to verify the influence of Pilates on muscle activation of lumbar multifidus (LM) and transversus abdominis/internal oblique muscles (TrA/IO) in individuals with nonspecific low back pain. Methods: Twelve individuals of both sexes with non-specific low back pain were evaluated before and after a twomonth Pilates program in relation to electromyographic activity of LM and TrA/IO, as well as clinical aspects such as pain, flexibility, muscular endurance, quality of life; and Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (in relation to physical and work-related activities. A statistical analysis was performed using a test for independent samples and significance was established at the level of 0.05. Results: After eight weeks of Pilates training, there was an improvement in the clinical parameters of pain, flexibility, muscular endurance and disability. The individuals presented lower LM activation (p=0.025), higher trunk extension strength (p=0.005) and an increase in time from onset to peak muscle activation (p=0.02). Conclusion: Pilates protocol was effective for clinical improvement and motor behavior in patients with nonspecific low back pain and the parameters assessed showed a large effect size despite the small sample.

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Low back pain is one of the most commonly encountered musculoskeletal diseases in modern society, and it is estimated that about 70 to 85% of the population has experienced low back pain. Individuals with low back pain usually modify the pattern of movement during gait to protect themselves, that is, they use different strategies of trunk movement and lower limbs protectively to avoid painful movements. However, in the long term, these repeated and prolonged changes and tensions during gait can cause mechanical dysfunctions, overloading the lumbar vertebral column and consequently causing damage. The objective of this study was to analyze gait kinematics in patients classified in the low back pain subgroups and to identify the possible biomechanical changes of the movement in these individuals. It is a cross-sectional observational study composed of a convenience sample of 17 patients, 24.6 ± 3.0 years old, from the Federal University of Santa Catarina located in the city of Araranguá-SC. Individuals classified in the manipulation subgroup obtained better results in the length of the gait, hip angle in the initial phase of gait and gait speed. The directional preference group obtained a smaller step length and passed. The traction group had the longest running time compared to the other subclassification groups of low back pain. Through the present study, it is possible to affirm that patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain present changes in gait. The individuals classified in the directional preference subgroup were the ones that had the lowest performance in the analyzed variables when compared to the subgroups of traction, manipulation and stabilization.

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I) consists of disorders caused by spontaneous pain or induced by some stimulus. The objective was to verify the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) using 830 nm wavelength light at the affected paw and involved spinal cord segments during the warm or acute phase. Methods: Fifty-six mice were randomized into seven groups. Group (G) 1 was the placebo group; G2 and G3 were treated with PBM on the paw in the warm and acute phase, respectively; G4 and G5 treated with PBM on involved spinal cord segments in the warm and acute phase, respectively; G6 and G7 treated with PBM on paw and involved spinal cord segments in the warm and acute phase, respectively. Edema degree, thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, skin temperature, and functional quality of gait (Sciatic Static Index [SSI] and Sciatic Functional Index [SFI]) were evaluated. Results: Edema was lower in G3 and G7, and these were the only groups to return to baseline values at the end of treatment. For thermal hyperalgesia only G3 and G5 returned to baseline values. Regarding mechanical hyperalgesia, the groups did not show significant differences. Thermography showed increased temperature in all groups on the seventh day. In SSI and SFI assessment, G3 and G7 showed lower values when compared to G1, respectively. Conclusions: PBM irradiation in the acute phase and in the affected paw showed better results in reducing edema, thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia, and in improving gait quality, demonstrating efficacy in treatment of CRPS-I symptoms.