Abstract Background: Low back pain is particularly problematic among nursing professionals. Education is part of the rehabilitation process for low back pain and has been heavily studied. In parallel, gestural behaviors play an important role during the evaluation of the low back pain, especially while performing the activities of daily living. The aim of the present study was to evaluate gesture behavior and knowledge on LBP among nurses with and without LBP and correlate these factors with pain, physical functioning and quality of life. Methods: An observational, controlled, cross-sectional study was carried out in 120 female nurses: 60 with LBP and 60 without LBP. The two groups were matched for age. The measures used for the evaluation were the Gesture Behavior Test, LBP Knowledge Questionnaire, Numerical Pain Scale for LBP, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) to assess quality of life. Results: Mean age in both groups was 31 years. In the group with LBP, the mean Numerical Pain Scale score was 5.6 cm and the mean score on the Roland Morris questionnaire was 2.7. No statistically differences between groups were found regarding the scores of the LBP Knowledge Questionnaire or Gesture Behavior Test (p = 0.531 and p = 0.292, respectively). Statistically lower scores were found in the group with LBP for the following SF-36 domains: physical functioning (p <0.001),physical role (p = 0.015), pain (p = 0.001), general health perceptions (p = 0.015), vitality (p < 0.001) and mental health (p = 0.001). Conclusions: No differences were found when comparing nurses with or without LBP regarding gesture behavior or knowledge on LBP. Nurses with LBP showed a decrease in some domains of quality of life.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a efetividade de um programa de fortalecimento muscular progressivo com o uso de uma bola suíça em pacientes com espondilite anquilosante (EA). Métodos: Sessenta pacientes com EA foram randomizados em grupo intervenção (GI) ou grupo controle (GC). Os pacientes com EA fizeram oito exercícios com pesos livres em uma bola suíça duas vezes por semana durante 16 semanas. As avaliações foram feitas por um avaliador cego no início do estudo e após quatro, oito, 12 e 16 semanas com os seguintes instrumentos: teste de uma repetição máxima (1 RM), Basmi, Basfi, HAQ-S, SF-36, teste de caminhada de seis minutos, Timed up and go test, Basdai, Asdas, dosagem de VHS e PCR e escala de Likert. Resultados: Houve uma diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos em relação à força (capacidade no teste de 1 RM) nos seguintes exercícios: abdominal, remada, agachamento, tríceps e crucifixo invertido (p < 0,005); teste de caminhada de seis minutos (p < 0,001); Timed up and go test (p = 0,025); e escala de Likert (p < 0,001), todos com melhores resultados no GI. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os grupos em relação à avaliação da capacidade funcional com Basfi, HAQ-S, Basmi, SF-36, TUG, Asdas, VHS e dosagem de PCR. Conclusões: O fortalecimento muscular progressivo com uma bola suíça é efetivo em melhorar a força muscular e o desempenho na caminhada em pacientes com EA.

ABSTRACT Objective: The purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of a progressive muscle strengthening program using a Swiss ball for AS patients. Methods: Sixty patients with AS were randomized into the intervention group (IG) or the control group (CG). Eight exercises were performed by the IG patients with free weights on a Swiss ball two times per week for 16 weeks. The evaluations were performed by a blinded evaluator at baseline and after 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks using the following instruments: the one-repetition maximum test (1 RM), BASMI, BASFI, HAQ-S, SF-36, 6-minute walk test, time up and go test, BASDAI, ASDAS, ESR and CRP dosage and Likert scale. Results: There was a statistical difference between groups for: strength (1 RM capacity) in the following exercises: abdominal, rowing, squat, triceps and reverse fly (p < 0.005); 6-minute walk test (p < 0.001); timed up and go test (p = 0.025) and Likert scale (p < 0.001), all of them with better results for the IG. No differences were observed between the groups with respect to the functional capacity evaluation using the BASFI, HAQ-S, BASMI, SF-36, TUG, ASDAS, ESR and CPR dosage. Conclusions: Progressive muscle strengthening using a Swiss ball is effective for improving muscle strength and walking performance in patients with AS.

A estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea (TENS) é um recurso não-farmacológico já consagrado na modulação de dores agudas e crônicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito da TENS convencional e na modalidade TENS-acupuntura na dor induzida pelo frio. Trinta indivíduos saudáveis com idade entre 18 e 40 anos foram distribuídos ao acaso em três grupos: placebo, TENS convencional e TENS-acupuntura. Foi utilizado um protocolo de indução de dor pelo frio composto por seis ciclos: dois pré-tratamento, dois durante e dois após o tratamento. A TENS foi aplicada por 20 minutos por dois canais, sendo a modalidade convencional, no nível sensorial, na freqüência de 80 Hz e a modalidade acupuntura, no nível motor, a 4 Hz. Foram medidos limiar de dor, tolerância à dor e intensidade da dor. Não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante nos valores medidos durante a após o tratamento quando comparados aos dos ciclos pré-tratamento, em todas as variáveis. Nas duas modalidades estudadas pois, a TENS, nos parâmetros de aplicação utilizados, não modificou a dor induzida por frio, sugerindo-se novos estudos com maior tempo de aplicação da TENS e diferentes modelos de dor experimental.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a non-pharmacological method already established in the modulation of acute and chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of conventional TENS and acupuncture-like TENS on cold-induced pain. Thirty healthy subjects aged 18 to 40 years old were randomized into in three groups: placebo, conventional TENS, and acupuncture-like TENS. A cold-induced pain protocol was used, in six cycles (two pre-treatment, two during, and two after treatment); TENS was applied for 20 minutes through 2 channels, the conventional modality at sensory level at 80 Hz, and the acupuncture modality at motor level at 4 Hz. Variables analysed were pain threshold, tolerance to pain, and pain intensity. No statistically significant differences were found in any variable between post and pre-treatment measures in all groups. Hence neither conventional or acupuncture-like TENS had any effect on cold-induced pain. Further studies are suggested, with different experimental pain models, and with longer time of TENS application.