Objective: To compare the performance of elderly people with different levels of severity of dementia using questionnaires on basic activities of daily living (BADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Also, to verify whether there were any association between the IADL questionnaires applied. Method: Ninety elderly people, aged 75.46 ± 7.66 years with a clinical diagnosis of dementia (DSM-IV/APA) who were seen at the Minas Gerais Reference Center for the Elderly, were randomized selected and classified according to the level of severity of their dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating). Their BADLs were assessed using the Katz Index and their IADLs by the Lawton-Brody and Pfeffer indexes. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used in order to investigate the elderly people's performance regarding BADLs, while the Spearman correlation was used to investigate the relationships among the IADL (α< 0.05). Results: Statistically significant differences in performance were found between the elderly people with different levels of severity of dementia, as assessed by the BADL and IADL questionnaires (p< 0.001). The IADL questionnaires presented significant correlation for the total sample (p< 0.0001; r = -0.818) as well as for the groups with mild dementia (p= 0.007; r = -0.530) and severe dementia (p< 0.0001; r = -0.723). Conclusion: The severity of the dementia process interfered with the elderly people's performance of the elderly in BADLs and IADLs. The IADLs were more affected in the early stages of dementia whereas the BADLs were more affected in the more advanced stages. Despite structural particularities, the IADL questionnaires utilized seemed to be measuring a common construct. The variability in the clinical condition of the individuals with moderate dementia may be an explanation for the lack of correlation between the questionnaires in this specific group.

RESUMOObjetivo: Comparar o desempenho motor de crianças com paralisia cerebral (PC) em duas condições: com órtese e sem órtese. Métodos: Vinte crianças PC foram avaliadas utilizando-se o teste Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), a versão modificada da avaliação da marcha Physicians Rating Scale (PRS) e entrevista com os pais para avaliar o uso de órteses na rotina diária. Resultados: O teste ANOVA que foi utilizado para avaliar o efeito do uso órtese na mobilidade das crianças revelou médias significantemente superiores na condição com órtese durante o desempenho motor grosso e na marcha. Entrevistas informaram que o uso de órteses estava inserido na rotina diária e os pais demonstraram percepção positiva com relação ao uso desse dispositivo. Conclusão: As órteses promoveram o desempenho de tarefas motoras da rotina diária de crianças com PC, podendo orientar os processos de avaliação e de intervenção dos profissionais que trabalham com essa clientela.Palavras-chave: paralisia cerebral, órtese, mobilidade. ABSTRACT The Effects of the Use of Orthoses on the Functional Mobility of Children with Cerebral PalsyObjective: To compare the motor performance of children with cerebral palsy (CP) under two conditions: with and without orthoses. Method: Twenty children with CP were evaluated using the Gross Motor Function Measure test (GMFM), a modified version of the Physicians Rating Scale (PRS) locomotion assessment, and an interview with their parents to evaluate the use of orthoses in their daily routine. Results: The ANOVA test was used to evaluate the effect of orthosis use on the children's mobility, and it revealed that, when orthosis was used, the means for gross motor function and gait assessments were significantly higher. The interviews confirmed that the use of orthoses was included in the daily routine, and the parents demonstrated positive perceptions regarding the use of such devices. Conclusion: Orthoses improved the performance of routine daily motor tasks among the children with CP, and this finding may serve to guide the assessment and intervention processes of professionals who work with this clientele.

Objective: To understand physical therapists' representations regarding Repetitive Strain Injury/Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (RSI/WRMSD) and to analyze how these representations interfere with the clinical practice of these professionals. Methods: The study took a qualitative approach, and the methodological tools were semi-structured interviews and non-participatory observation. The theory of social representations and comparative epistemology served as the theoretical foundations for the study. Fourteen physical therapists from the city of Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, took part in this study. Results: The physical therapists' representations about RSI/WRMSD and patients were collectively elaborated on the basis of the therapists daily practice. A reductionistic thinking style with a mechanistic conceptualization of the human organism was perceived among the interviewees. Conclusions: It is insufficient to direct efforts towards restoring the normal functioning of the body if the patient's needs are ignored. Physical therapists' scientific and technical knowledge should be reconciled with patients' subjective expression, in order to seek more effective intervention strategies.

© Revista Brasileira de FisioterapiaAnalysis of the profile, areas of action and abilities of Brazilian Sports Physical Therapists working with soccer and volleyball Análise do perfil, funções e habilidades do fisioterapeuta com atuação na área esportiva nas modalidades de futebol e voleibol no Brasil Abstract Objective: To analyze the profile of Brazilian physical therapists working with soccer and volleyball professional teams, by verifying their level of education (graduate or undergraduate), as well as their role and insertion within the interdisciplinary team. Methods:Structured questionnaires were administered to forty-nine physical therapists working at soccer, volleyball clubs and Brazilian national teams. These questionnaires provided data on social demographic, characteristics of the work environment and organization of clinical practice and its domains. Results: From the 49 participants in this study only five were female. Mean age of all participants was 32.2 years. The majority of the sports physical therapists had specialization degrees in different areas (78.2%), were hired through referral (78.2%), worked more than 8 hours a day or were exclusively dedicated to their clubs (80.0%) and earned seven to ten Brazilian minimal wages (58.2%). They reported to have participation in the domains of emergency care (87.3%), prevention (92.7%), functional rehabilitation (98.2%) and return to competition (100%). They had interdisciplinary relationships with physical educators during functional rehabilitation programs (70.9%) and with physicians in the decision process of return to activity after rehabilitation (74.5%) and on the veto of an athlete to take part in practices or matches (63.6%). Therapists also complained of threats to their professional autonomy, specially directed by the team's physician. Conclusion: There is still a need to invest in continuing education of sports physical therapists with the objective to improve their educational level and to strengthen their professional autonomy. ResumoObjetivo: Investigar o perfil do fisioterapeuta com atuação na área esportiva nas modalidades de futebol e voleibol no Brasil no que tange à sua formação, atuação e grau de autonomia dentro da equipe interdisciplinar. Métodos: Foram analisados questionários estruturados para levantamento de dados sociodemográficos, dados relativos ao ambiente de trabalho e à prática clínica e os seus domínios, referentes a 49 fisioterapeutas de clubes e seleções de futebol e voleibol. Resultados: Do total de entrevistados, apenas cinco fisioterapeutas eram do sexo feminino, e a idade média do grupo era de 32,2 anos. A maioria dos fisioterapeutas brasileiros que atuam no esporte possuem especialização em diversas áreas (78,2%), foram contratados por indicação (78,2%), trabalham mais de 8 horas/dia ou em regime de dedicação exclusiva (80,0%) e recebem de sete a dez ou mais salários mínimos (58,2%). Além disso, observou-se uma grande participação do fisioterapeuta nos domínios do atendimento emergencial (87,3%), prevenção (92,7%...

Background: urinary incontinence (ui) is a common clinical condition among elderly people and may interfere with quality of life (Qol). For this reason, assessing its repercussions becomes important. objective: to ascertain how elderly women undergoing physical therapy for ui perceived their current Qol. method: this was a qualitative study that investigated Qol from the perspective of twelve elderly women aged 60 years and over, by means of individual semistructured interviews. the sample size was determined by saturation. the interviews were recorded, transcribed and then analyzed using the content analysis technique. Results: Qol was correlated with health, autonomy, personal relationships, financial stability and active life. psychological impairment was associated with concern and disgust regarding urine loss and fear that this might occur in inappropriate places. embarrassment because other people had noticed the smell of urine, and previous experience of similar embarrassing situations, was associated with social impairment. Conclusion: Content analysis on the interviews allowed the conclusion that, even though ui was present in these elderly women's lives and caused psychological and social harm, they had a positive perception of their QOL.

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The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate low-cost technology for cognitive rehabilitation in older individuals with dementia and document changes stemming from a clinical case study using these tools. An activity board, a calendar, a routine organizer and a software program were used and evaluated by specialists (n = 7). A pre-post-case study with an elderly male with dementia was undertaken for four months. All rehabilitation resources were classified as appropriate by the specialists. Post-intervention scores demonstrated improvement in cognitive functioning and daily activities at home. There is a need for further research to assess the therapeutic effects in patients with dementia applying equipment and software to improve cognitive function.

A terapia de movimento induzido por restrição (TMIR) tem mostrado resultados positivos em indivíduos hemiparéticos após acidente vascular cerebral; consiste na contenção do membro superior não-afetado e treinamento intensivo do membro afetado. Este estudo visou documentar longitudinalmente os efeitos da TMIR na funcionalidade do membro superior de um indivíduo com hemiparesia esquerda crônica. Neste estudo de caso único tipo ABA, as fases linha de base (A) duraram duas semanas e a intervenção (B) compreendeu a contenção do membro sadio com um splint e cinco sessões semanais de 3 horas de treino do membro superior afetado, durante duas semanas. As medidas de funcionalidade Action Research Arm (ARA) e de qualidade de movimento e destreza Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) foram coletadas cinco vezes por semana, e a medida de qualidade e freqüência de uso do membro superior, Motor Activity Log (MAL), uma vez por semana por seis semanas. Os dados coletados foram tratados estatisticamente. Os resultados mostram ganhos significativos na qualidade de movimento (WMFT) durante a intervenção (p<0,05), mantidos no follow-up (p>0,05). Quanto à destreza (WMFT) e funcionalidade (ARA), foram detectadas tendências significativas de ganho durante as quatro primeiras semanas; após a intervenção, houve estabilização do desempenho (p<0,05). A análise do MAL acusou efeitos sem relevância clínica. Os resultados mostram que a TMIR propiciou ganhos de desempenho motor do paciente com hemiparesia crônica.