Effects of a therapeutic exercises program associated with pompage technique on pain, balance and strength in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis

<div><p>Abstract Introduction: Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) affects mainly elderly, being characterized by arthralgia, stiffness and strength and balance deficits. Scientific evidence suggests beneficial effects of exercise therapy on these changes, but lacks detailed protocols. In addition, there were published studies on effects of therapeutic exercise associated with pompage that were not located. Objective: To investigate the effects of a therapeutic exercise program associated with pompage on pain, balance and muscle strength in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: A randomized pilot clinical trial that included 22 women (60 - 80 years) diagnosed with knee OA, randomized and allocated by simple raffle into two groups: intervention and control. Intervention group (strengthening and balance exercises and knee pompage) performed two sessions per week for 12 weeks. The control group received educational lectures, they were evaluated before and after 12 weeks: arthralgia- subscale pain of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index questionnaire (WOMAC); postural stability- postural balance protocol by Biodex Balance SD and muscle strength- concentric peak torque of the knee extensor by isokinetic dynamometer. The Independent Student t test was used for intergroup analysis. Results: The intervention group compared with the control showed better results for the outcomes pain, balance and muscle strength after 12 weeks. However, the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05) for levels of antero-posterior oscillation (DM -0.28, 95% CI -0.54 a -0.02; p = 0.035) and global oscillation (DM -0.36, 95% CI -0.68 a -0.04; p = 0.028). Conclusion: The intervention had a positive effect on postural balance in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis.</p></div

Individualized guidance and telephone monitoring in a self-supervised home-based physiotherapeutic program in Parkinson

<div><p>Abstract Introduction: Home therapeutic exercises have been a target of interest in the treatment of the Parkinson's disease (PD). The way that the physical therapist guides and monitors these exercises can impact the success of therapy. Objective: To evaluate the effects of individualized orientation and monitoring by telephone in a self-supervised home therapeutic exercise program on signs and symptoms of PD and quality of life (QoL). Methods: Single-blind randomized clinical trials with 28 people with PD (Hoehn and Yahr 1 to 3). Patients were randomized into two groups: experimental and control. The experimental group had a meeting with individualized guidance about physiotherapy exercises present in a manual, received the manual to guide their activities at home and obtained subsequent weekly monitoring by telephone. The control group received the usual cares by the service. Both were orientated to carry out exercises three times a week during 12 weeks. Was evaluated: (1) activities of daily living (ADL) and motor examination sections of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and QoL by the Parkinson Disease Questionnaire 39 (PDQ-39). The analysis between groups was performed by the Mann-Whitney test and intragroup through the Wilcoxon (p < 0.05). Results: Significant improvement in ADL (p= 0.001) and motor examination (p= 0.0008) of the UPDRS, PDQ-39 total (p = 0.027) and dimensions mobility (p = 0.027), emotional well-being (p= 0.021) and bodily discomfort (p = 0.027) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The individualized guidance and weekly monitoring by telephone in a self-supervised home therapeutic exercises program promoted positive effects on ADL, motor examination and QoL of people in early stages of PD.</p></div