OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of secondhand cigarette smoke exposure on longitudinal growth of the tibia of growing rats and some parameters of bone quality. METHODS: Forty female rats were randomly divided into four groups: control: rats were sham exposed; 30 days: rats were exposed to tobacco smoke for 30 days; 45 days: rats were exposed to tobacco smoke for 45 days; and 60 days: rats were exposed to tobacco smoke for 60 days. Blood samples were collected to evaluate the levels of cotinine and alkaline phosphatase. Both tibias were dissected and weighed; the lengths were measured, and the bones were then stored in a freezer for analysis of bone mineral content and mechanical resistance (maximal load and stiffness). RESULTS: Exposure of rats to tobacco smoke significantly compromised bone health, suggesting that the harmful effects may be time dependent. Harmful effects on bone growth were detected and were more pronounced at 60-day follow-ups with a 41.8% reduction in alkaline phosphatase levels (p<0.01) and a decrease of 11.25% in tibia length (p<0.001). Furthermore, a 41.5% decrease in bone mineral density was observed (p<0.001), leading to a 42.8% reduction in maximum strength (p<0.001) and a 56.7% reduction in stiffness (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Second hand cigarette smoke exposure in rats affected bones that were weaker, deforming them and making them osteopenic. Additionally, the long bone was shorter, suggesting interference with growth. Such events seem to be related to time of exposure.

INTRODUÇÃO: Para analisar a efetividade do tratamento fisioterapêutico no paciente com dor crônica cervical, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar antes e após o tratamento fisioterapêutico: a qualidade de vida com o instrumento WHOQOL-100 e a melhora na amplitude de movimento usando um goniômetro. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo 15 pacientes (10 mulheres e 5 homens). O nível de significância adotado foi de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Foi verificada melhora significativa após o tratamento fisioterapêutico no domínio I - físico (p = 0,0117); domínio II - psicológico (p = 0,004); domínio III - nível de independência (p = 0,0006); domínio IV - relações sociais (p < 0,0001); e no domínio V - ambiente (p = 0,0019); e também na amplitude articular dos movimentos de flexão cervical (p < 0,0001), extensão cervical (p = 0,0004), inclinação lateral á direita (p < 0,0001) inclinação lateral à esquerda (p < 0,0001), rotação lateral à direita (p < 0,0001) e rotação lateral à esquerda (p < 0,0001). DISCUSSÃO: Andersen et al. (17) relataram que exercícios de alongamento melhoram de forma significativa a amplitude de movimento articular em mulheres com cervicalgia crônica. Chiu et al. (20) observaram melhora na dor crônica cervical e na limitação articular após seis semanas de tratamento com TENS e exercícios. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo conclui que a intervenção fisioterapêutica composta de exercícios de alongamento, técnicas de relaxamento, massagens e eletroterapia foram benéficos para melhorar a qualidade de vida e a flexibilidade nos pacientes com cervicalgia crônica.

INTRODUCTION: In order to analyze the effectiveness of the physiotherapeutic treatment in patients with chronic neck pain, this work had as a goal to evaluate the period before and after the physiotherapeutic treatment: quality of life as a WHOQOL-100 tool and the improvement of the range of motion (ROM), using a goniometer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 15 patients were members of this study (10 women and 5 men). RESULTS: Level of significance adopted was p < 0.05. It was observed significant improvement after physical therapy in the domain I - physical (p = 0.0117), in domain II - psychological (p = 0.004), the domain III - level of independence (p = 0.0006), domain IV - social relationships (p < 0.0001) and domain V - environment (p = 0.0019) and also in joint range of motion of cervical flexion (p< 0.0001), cervical extension (p = 0.0004), right head tilt (p < 0.0001), left head tilt (p < 0.0001) right lateral rotation (p < 0.0001) and left lateral rotation (p < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: Andersen et al. (17) reported that stretching exercises significantly improve the range of motion in women with chronic neck pain. Chiu et al. (20) observed improvement in chronic cervical pain and joint limitation after six weeks of treatment with TENS and exercise. CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that the physioterapeutic intervention composed by stretching exercises, relaxation techniques, massage and electrotherapy were of positive effects for improving the quality of life and flexibility in patients with chronic neck pain.