Knowledge and perceptions about the reproductive system by pregnants: A qualitative study

Background: To know pregnant’s perceptions and a critical basis attributed to the body from the perspective of the reproductive system. Methods: This is a qualitative study. We used a semi-structured questionnaire with socioeconomic and gynecological-obstetric information, an A4 sheet for graphical representation of the reproductive system and pelvic floor and an interview, questioning the meanings of the reproductive system in the pregnancy context. Then, a qualitative analysis of the interviews was produced. Results: Five categories were identified: recognition began in adolescence, health-disease relationship, process of being pregnant, insight into sexuality, and lack of recognition of its importance in pregnancy. Conclusion: This perception had different meanings and roles in adolescence, changing with pregnancy, becoming a cradle of affection through self-care.

HIIT & RT or RT & HIIT: The order of stimulations alters acute hemodynamic response?

Background: The High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) has had space in social networks that disseminate its practice and also among practitioners of physical exercises in a global way. Objective: To verify if the stimuli order (HIIT-RT or RT-HIIT) changes the acute hemodynamic response. Methods: 10 young adult male participants aged between 18 and 30 years (24.7 ± 2.2). For the test protocols the High intensity interval training (HIIT) and the conventional resistance training (RT) were performed in Cross-over using a Spinning Exercise Bike in addition to the apparatus: Bench press; Leg Press; Pull down; Leg curl; Low Rower. The hemodynamic variables were collected at rest, post-training, and 10 ', 20' and 30 'minutes of recovery. Results: A significant difference was found in HR and SBP at the end of the training in the SBP and DBP variables there were significant differences in the 20' and 30' minutes and in the MAP there was a significant difference in all recovery times with RT and HIIT higher post-workout and recovery values. Conclusion: the stimuli order changes the acute hemodynamic response. When the orders were analyzed (HIIT-RT; RT-HIIT), the order that presented the best results was HIIT-RT. It presented changes during exercise as they presented better post-training responses.

Baropodometric profile of patients assisted in a physiotherapy clinic

Background: Computerized baropodometry, a posturographic recording technique used in the diagnosis and assessment of plantar pressure, which records the pressure points exerted by the body on the plantar surface, is an accurate, objective and quantitative examination. Its record is used in the diagnosis and evaluation of plantar pressure, both in static and dynamic positions. Objective: Analyze the baropodometric profile of patients in a physiotherapy clinic. Methods: A cross-sectional study of documentary character of baropodometry exams registered in the database of a physiotherapy clinic in Teresina (PI), carried out from January 2015 to December 2018. Totaling 193 exams, which include the types of feet, peak plantar pressure and correlation between peak plantar pressure with age, weight, height and BMI. The collected data were analyzed statistically by the software Win Track version 12.0, and presented through tables and figures. In this research, all ethical precepts were carried out in accordance with the resolution of the National Health Council and was approved by the ethics committee. Results: There was a higher prevalence of hollow feet (96.89%), showing a greater occurrence of displacement of the center of gravity posteriorly to the right (46.11%), it was found that there was no satisfactory correlation of anthropometric parameters with peak plantar pressure (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was possible to observe that the examinations evaluated showed a higher prevalence of hollow feet and center of gravity posteriorized to the right. In addition, there was no satisfactory correlation between peak plantar pressure with the variables age, weight, height and BMI.

Implications of therapeutic touch and relaxation massage on aging

Background: The social, technological and scientific advances mainly linked to the health area were important for increasing the longevity of the world population, which highlights the need for studies and public policies aimed at the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases associated with aging. The search for complementary therapeutic techniques and practices to improve the quality of life of the elderly has increased in order to decrease the complications of the aging process such as chronic pain, fatigue, changes in sleep quality, stress/anxiety, depression and the risk of polypharmacy. Objective: Discuss the importance of touch in the elderly and the implications of using this therapeutic technique in improving the quality of life of the elderly. Methods: Through bibliographic review, it was selected studies on touch and its implications on the physical, emotional and sentimental aspects of the elderly's life. There are several methodologies that use touch as a trigger for benefits to the body, such as: therapeutic touch, reiki and relaxation massage. However, massage has been strongly considered in the scientific literature, especially as it is a non-invasive and non-medicated technique, based on slips, friction, compression and stretches with different intensities and in certain regions of the body that promote improvement of physical aspects, such as: increased blood flow, with consequent increase in oxygenation and the arrival of nutrients to the tissues. Conclusion: It is possible to suggest that the beneficial influence of massage on physical, emotional and sentimental aspects may provide an improvement in the quality of life of the elderly.

Immediate Effects of Prophylactic Therapeutic Massage on Pain Tolerance and Threshold

Introduction: This study is meant to determine the immediate effects of therapeutic massage on pain tolerance and threshold. Methods: Fourteen subjects were recruited from a sample of convenience. Subjects were randomized to have either the massage or no-massage protocol on their initial visit with the remaining protocol on their following visit. All subjects completed two sessions with the pain-eliciting test, one with the massage protocol and one with the no-massage protocol. Results: All 14 subjects achieved a higher pain tolerance during the massage protocol compared to their own no-massage protocol. The pain tolerance difference between protocols was calculated by a paired T-Test (p value 0.0003) to be a significant difference. No significant difference was found for pain threshold between protocols. Discussion: It appears that therapeutic massage does have a likelihood of increasing pain tolerance when subjects are submitted to a painful stimulus immediately post-massage. This study validates the use of therapeutic massage as an adjunct treatment to improve pain tolerance before a potentially painful procedure. Conclusion: Prophylactic massage was shown to allow healthy participants to achieve a higher pain tolerance when subjected to a pain-eliciting test immediately after the massage was received.

Effect of manual therapies on cardiac autonomic control: a systematic review

Background: Evidences suggest that manual therapies, a physiotherapy specialty widely used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, would be complementary or alternative for the treatment of cardiac autonomic dysfunction present in the elderly, patients with cardiovascular diseases, some neuromuscular diseases and in some pain processes. Objective: Evaluate the available scientific evidence regarding the effect of manual therapy techniques on cardiac autonomic control. Methods: The selected articles were indexed in the databases PubMed/MEDLINE, SCIELO and LILACS. Results: In the initial search, 233 articles were identified in the electronic databases. After initial analysis of the titles, 210 articles were excluded because they did not address the research topic, performed other types of intervention or evaluation or because they were review articles. A second step of evaluating the 23 previously selected articles was carried out and consisted of reading the abstracts of the articles. After reading the abstracts, 11 were selected. According to the analysis of the selected articles, it was possible to observe that most manual therapy techniques improved the cardiac autonomic control of their samples: Fornari, Carnevali and Sgoifo (2017), Girsberger et al. (2014), Valenzuela et al. (2018), Curi et al. (2017), Akbaş et al. (2019), Buttagat et al. (2009),Kunikata et al. (2012), Mantovani et al. (2005) and Giles et al. (2011). Guilherme et al. (2010) was the only study that found no change. Conclusion: Manual therapies have improved cardiac autonomy acutely in healthy young and middle-aged populations or with discomfort, hypertension and back pain associated with the presence of myofascial trigger points. It is emphasized the importance of conducting new randomized controlled studies, with high methodological quality, that address the effect of other manual therapies on cardiac autonomic control.

Effects of radiofrequency on muscle tissue regeneration

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) is recommended to treat pathologies with the presence of inflammation, as it induces diathermyand, consequently, promotes better oxygenation, nutrition and local vasodilation. Objective: Evaluate the effect of RF on muscleregeneration in Wistar rats. Methods: It is a controlled and randomized experiment, with a sample composed of 40 Wistar rats,divided equally into four groups: G1 (control group), G2 (lesion, without RF), G3 (RF after 72 hours of lesion) and G4 (RF after 7 daysof lesion), all sacrificed 21 days after the injury. The RF parameters used were: Sine wave; frequency of 0.5MHz; 5 cm² treatmentarea on the region around the lesion; power of 45%; two-minute application; intensity of 15 seconds to heat the head, 1 minute at20% and another minute at 10%. An optical microscope was used for histological analysis and, for the biomechanical properties(maximum elongation and maximum load), the mechanical traction test of the gastrocnemius muscles. For statistical analysis, thetwo-way ANOVA test and the Benferroni test were used, considering 5% of significance. Results: It was observed in G3 that theinflammatory process was optimized by the RF when compared to the other groups, presenting intact muscle fibers with a discreetregeneration process. G4, on the other hand, revealed intense inflammation with significant granulation tissue, as well as fibrosis andhealing. As for the biomechanical characteristics, there were no statistically significant differences in the intergroup comparison.Conclusion: RF was more effective when applied after 72 hours after the injury, in addition to not interfering with musclebiomechanical characteristics.

Effects of the Pilates method isolated and associated with manual therapy in women with urinary incontinence

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is clinically defined by the International Continence Society as involuntary urine loss. Currently, UI isconsidered a public health issue worldwide, considering that the prevalence in women is quite high, requiring attention from healthprofessionals. Objective: To evaluate the effects of the Pilates method associated with Manual Therapy in women with UI. Methods: It wasperformed a randomized, controlled, longitudinal clinical trial with a quantitative approach of the data. 14 female participants were evaluated,aged 20 to 55 years and who had presented episodes of urinary loss in the last months. The following evaluations were carried out: anamnesis,evaluation of urogynecological history, application of the King’s Health Questionnaire and PERFECT test. After all the evaluations, half of thevolunteers received treatment for urinary incontinence through a physical therapy approach that includes the Pilates method associated withManual Therapies (GPT), and the other half received treatment using only the Pilates method (GP). Results: Both groups showed increasedPFM strength, being GPT (p = 0.04) and GP (p = 0.00); increased resistance, being GPT (p = 0.02) and GP (p = 0.01); and the contraction offibers, being GPT (p = 0.04) and GP (p = 0.02). In the GPT there was a decrease in the severity measures (p = 0.01); disappearance ofnocturia (p = 0.04); decreased symptoms of SUI (p = 0.02); and bladder pain (p = 0.04). In the GP, there was a significant improvement in theperception of health (p = 0.00); decreased UI impact on the participant's life (p = 0.02); the influence of UI on emotions (p = 0.00); symptomsof overactive bladder (p = 0.01); and the SUI (p = 0.00). Conclusion: Both treatment protocols decrease episodes of leakage of urine whenthere is an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, increase the PFM strength, endurance and number of fast contractions, and the quality oflife of women with UI. However, only the group that received only the Pilates protocol showed an increase in repetitions of slow contraction.

Effects of manual therapy and TENSI massage technique on facial aging

Background: Skin aging can be delayed through therapeutic resources. In manual therapy, myofascial stretching has been used tomobilize the structures of the skin, fasciae and muscles in order to reorganize the collagen, improving the appearance of the skin.Objective: Investigate the effects of TENSI massage technique, associated or not with firming cream, on skin aging. Methods: Thesample consisted of 27 volunteers, over the age of 40, who had static and/or dynamic wrinkles caused by facial skin aging. Th eevaluation was performed using the facial evaluation protocol (FEP), photos, morphological analysis of the face by the Dolphin ImagingSoftware and questionnaires. The volunteers were divided into two subgroups: G1 - Manual therapy with 12 volunteers and G2 - Manualtherapy and cosmetics with 15 volunteers. The treatment was carried out in three cycles. Each cycle corresponded to 5 weeks, with twotreatment sessions per week for the first 3 weeks and one session per week for the 4th and 5th weeks. The protocol start ed with facecleaning, followed by cutaneous myostretching. Only the G2 used the firming cream together with the therapy. Results: The softwareanalysis showed changes in both groups, with improvement in the paralateronasal line, in the mandibular projection and in the nasolabialangle, however, these were better perceived in the volunteers of the G2. No adverse reactions were reported and few volunteersobserved hyperemia at the skin. The firmness of the skin was reported as “Much firmer” in the vast majority of volunteers, as well as theclassification in “Excellent treatment”. Conclusion: The myofascial stretch caused by the TENSI Method proved to be effective inimproving skin aging, however, its results are even more satisfactory when adding firming cosmetics

Effects of manual therapy and TENSI massage technique on facial aging

Background: Skin aging can be delayed through therapeutic resources. In manual therapy, myofascial stretching has been used tomobilize the structures of the skin, fasciae and muscles in order to reorganize the collagen, improving the appearance of the skin.Objective: Investigate the effects of TENSI massage technique, associated or not with firming cream, on skin aging. Methods: Thesample consisted of 27 volunteers, over the age of 40, who had static and/or dynamic wrinkles caused by facial skin aging. Th eevaluation was performed using the facial evaluation protocol (FEP), photos, morphological analysis of the face by the Dolphin ImagingSoftware and questionnaires. The volunteers were divided into two subgroups: G1 - Manual therapy with 12 volunteers and G2 - Manualtherapy and cosmetics with 15 volunteers. The treatment was carried out in three cycles. Each cycle corresponded to 5 weeks, with twotreatment sessions per week for the first 3 weeks and one session per week for the 4th and 5th weeks. The protocol start ed with facecleaning, followed by cutaneous myostretching. Only the G2 used the firming cream together with the therapy. Results: The softwareanalysis showed changes in both groups, with improvement in the paralateronasal line, in the mandibular projection and in the nasolabialangle, however, these were better perceived in the volunteers of the G2. No adverse reactions were reported and few volunteersobserved hyperemia at the skin. The firmness of the skin was reported as “Much firmer” in the vast majority of volunteers, as well as theclassification in “Excellent treatment”. Conclusion: The myofascial stretch caused by the TENSI Method proved to be effective inimproving skin aging, however, its results are even more satisfactory when adding firming cosmetics