VARIAÇÃO POSTURAL COMO FATOR DE PROMOÇÃO DA SAÚDE E PREVENÇÃO DE LESÕES POR PRESSÃO EM USUÁRIOS DE CADEIRA DE RODAS

A cadeira de rodas deveria promover autonomia e inclusão social às pessoas com mobilidade reduzida. Contudo, a configuração da maioria das cadeiras de rodas favorece o desenvolvimento de lesões por pressão, entre outros problemas que prejudicam a saúde dos usuários. O objetivo geral deste estudo foi observar a influência da variação postural para a saúde e prevenção de lesões por pressão em usuários de cadeira de rodas. A pesquisa é teórico-aplicada, descritiva e quantitativa. A amostra foi constituída por 64 sujeitos, divididos em: Grupo Cadeirantes, composto por 31 usuários de cadeira de rodas, da Associação de Lesados Medulares do Rio Grande do Sul (RS); e Grupo Controle, composto por 33 sujeitos selecionados na Universidade Feevale. Ambos os locais situam-se em Novo Hamburgo, RS. Os dados quantitativos foram analisados através de tratamentos estatísticos no software SPSS-22.0, com significância de 0,05. Os resultados mostram aumento da pressão absoluta sobre o encosto e diminuição sobre o assento, em ambos os grupos e em todas as condições. Os picos de pressão sobre o assento foram mais elevados para os Cadeirantes do que no Controle, em todas as condições. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas na redução do pico de pressão, com o aumento dos ângulos de inclinação do encosto e apoio de pés. No entanto, acredita-se que estes podem ser reduzidos através do uso de outros materiais que possam melhorar a distribuição de pressão. A variação postural na posição sentada é importante para o conforto dos usuários de cadeira de rodas. Palavras-chave: Cadeirantes. Lesões por pressão. Postura sentada. Saúde. Variação postural. ABSTRACT The wheelchair should promote autonomy and social inclusion for people with reduced mobility. The configuration of most wheelchairs favors the development of pressure injuries, among other problems that harm the health of users, however. The general objective of this study was to observe the influence of postural variation on health and prevention of pressure injuries in wheelchair users. The research is theoretical-applied, descriptive and quantitative. The sample consisted of 64 subjects, divided into: Wheelchair Users Group, composed of 31 wheelchair users from the Spinal Cord Injury Association in Rio Grande do Sul (RS); and Control Group, composed of 33 subjects selected at Feevale University; both are located in Novo Hamburgo, RS. The quantitative data were analyzed through statistical treatments in SPSS-22.0 software, with significance of 0.05. The results show an increase of the absolute pressure on the backrest and decrease on the seat, in both groups and in all conditions. The pressure peaks on the seat were higher for the Wheelchair Users Group than for the Control, under all conditions. No significant differences were observed in the reduction of the pressure peak, with the increase of the inclination angles of the backrest and feet support. It’s believed that these can be reduced through the use of other materials that can improve the pressure distribution, however. The posture variation in the sitting position is important for the comfort of wheelchair users. Keywords: Wheelchair users. Pressure injuries. Seated posture. Health. Postural variation

Pressure ulcers: representation of life and death for wheelchair users

Pressure ulcers can significantly affect the quality of life and social inclusion of wheelchair users, in addition to delaying the rehabilitation process and compromising the health-disease process. The aim of this study is to analyze the representation of pressure ulcers in the perception of life/death for wheelchair users. The methodological design of this research is applied, descriptive and participatory, with analysis and discussion of data under a qualitative paradigm. Seven collaborators who are wheelchair users of the Association of Spinal Cord Injuries in Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil (LEME) participated in the interviews. Data analysis was performed by using data categorization and triangulation. The results show the negative impact pressure ulcers have on users’ health and social inclusion. The fear of appearance of pressure ulcers and the associated possibility of death, overlaps other situations that may result from the condition of being a wheelchair user. Users are aware that injuries associated with a bacterial infection can lead to death. The need for constant care and dressings, in addition to the body’s own odor, become important limitations in social life. The importance of the prevention of pressure ulcers is emphasized as a way to promote social inclusion and physical and emotional well-being of users

The complete genome sequence of Chromobacterium violaceum reveals remarkable and exploitable bacterial adaptability

Chromobacterium violaceum is one of millions of species of free-living microorganisms that populate the soil and water in the extant areas of tropical biodiversity around the world. Its complete genome sequence reveals (i) extensive alternative pathways for energy generation, (ii) ≈500 ORFs for transport-related proteins, (iii) complex and extensive systems for stress adaptation and motility, and (iv) wide-spread utilization of quorum sensing for control of inducible systems, all of which underpin the versatility and adaptability of the organism. The genome also contains extensive but incomplete arrays of ORFs coding for proteins associated with mammalian pathogenicity, possibly involved in the occasional but often fatal cases of human C. violaceum infection. There is, in addition, a series of previously unknown but important enzymes and secondary metabolites including paraquat-inducible proteins, drug and heavy-metal-resistance proteins, multiple chitinases, and proteins for the detoxification of xenobiotics that may have biotechnological applications

Cerebral palsy: Influence of TheraTogs ® on gait, posture and in functional performance

Abstract Introduction: For children with cerebral palsy, orthoses take an important role in improving posture, gait, functional performance and preventing secondary musculoskeletal disorders. Objective: To evaluate the influence of TheraTogs® on the posture, distribution of plantar pressure during gait and functional performance of a child with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. Methods: A quantitative evaluation was carried out on a case study in which an 11-year-old child diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy underwent postural assessment through the Postural Assessment Software (PAS), plantar pressure distribution assessment during barefoot gait through the Emed-X system, before and after the intervention period of 8 weeks and functional assessment (Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory - PEDI), with and without TheraTogs®. Results: In posture, TheraTogs® had greater influence on hip extension and this change was greater during its use. In the plantar pressure distribution assessment, an increase in posteriorization of plantar pressure occurred in the initial contact, the performance of the push-off phase and initial swing phase improved. In functionality, the child showed improvements in mobility, however, their self-care ability with TheraTogs® was reduced. Conclusion: Although improvements in posture, gait and functionality were verified with the use of TheraTogs®, the excessive heat, difficulties in toileting and self-care were disadvantages in wearing TheraTogs®

Change of Pronation Angle of the Subtalar Joint has Inluence on Plantar Pressure Distribution

Several studies have investigated the relationship between heel pronation with plantar pressure during gait. With a degree of variability and inluence of the footwear, usually excessive pronation is associated with higher mechanical loads. However, larger loads are commonly associated with pronation. his study aims to compare the plantar pressure distribution among individuals with diferent pronation angles of the subtalar joint angle during gait with controlled speed. he maximum angle of the subtalar joint was determined by capturing images in the frontal plane and the pressure plant peaks were acquired by EMED pressure platform. he pronated group showed pressure plant peaks signiicantly higher in the lateral heel area (18%; p=0.031), medial heel (17%, p=0.034), lateral midfoot (30%; p=0.032) and medial midfoot (41%; p=0.018) when compared to the control group. Excessive pronation of the subtalar joint caused changes in plantar pressure distribution, and an increase in pressure plant peaks, especially in the heel and midfoot regions. his demonstrates the need for a speciic care of this population, mainly because the increased pressure plant peaks is related to pain in the feet and onset of injuries