ABSTRACT Aim: Our objective was to investigate whether there is an interaction between the COVID-19 pandemic, demographic characteristics and erectile/sexual (E/S) function in individuals from Latin America. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study which included Latin American individuals over 18 years old, recruited through social media and interviewed between July and August 2020 by online surveys (Google Forms) in Portuguese and Spanish languages. The E/S function was evaluated through the following questionnaires: Simplified International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI); while post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed through the Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R). The data was analyzed by T Student, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, with significance determined by the Wald test (p<0.05), using the R software v4.0. Results: Out of the 2016 individuals that responded to the survey, 1986 were included and 743 of them presented E/S dysfunction. PTSD occurrence was greater among people with E/S dysfunction when compared to those without E/S dysfunction, in the total score (males: IES-R=26.54[±19.17] and females: IES-R=35.92[±19.25]) and also in the three domains. It was found that those who do not live with a partner were 74% more likely to have E/S dysfunction, but living with a partner during the pandemic had a greater impact on E/S function. Conclusion: A negative interaction between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and erectile/sexual function of the Latin American population was observed, with greater implications among the individuals who live with their partners.

Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread exponentially worldwide, especially in America. By mid-June, 2020, Brazil is one of the most affected countries with more than one million cases and up to 50,000 deaths. This study aims to assess the fear and peri-traumatic stress during the Covid-19 pandemics in Brazil, to enhance infection control methods, appropriate interventions, and public health policies. A cross-sectional survey has been conducted from April 12th to 18th using the Peri-Traumatic Distress Scale (CPDI) and the Fear Scale (FCV-19S) aiming to measure the peri-traumatic stress and fear as psychological reactions during the Covid-19 pandemic. For that purpose, an online spreadsheet was used to send the questionnaire and scales to a sample of 1844 participants as a collecting information tool. Both scales showed a correlation factor of (r=0,660). Results highlight significant gender differences as in both scales women’s mean scores are higher showing that it is paramount that women’s voices were represented in policy spaces as socially constructed gender roles place them in a strategic position to enhance multi-level interventions (primary and secondary effects of Covid-19), equitable policies, and new approaches to control the pandemic.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito de um programa de treinamento de força muscular progressiva e sensório-motor, no equilíbrio e na redução do risco de quedas em mulheres com osteoporose. MÉTODO: Foram selecionadas 82 mulheres sedentárias com idade entre 60 e 75 anos com osteoporose, randomizadas em dois grupos: grupo intervenção, composto por 41 pacientes submetidas a 18 semanas de treinamento de força muscular progressiva do quadríceps (a 50%, 60%, 70% até 80% de 1-RM - uma repetição máxima), e de propriocepção, associado ao tratamento clínico medicamentoso para osteoporose; e grupo controle, também composto por 41 pacientes que receberam apenas o tratamento clínico medicamentoso. O equilíbrio e o risco de quedas foram avaliados por meio da Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg (BBS) e do cálculo do Índice de Quedas (IQ). O número de quedas foi avaliado seis meses antes do início da pesquisa e nos seis meses seguintes. RESULTADOS: 69 pacientes concluíram a pesquisa. O programa promoveu melhora no equilíbrio funcional (p<0,001) demonstrado pela BBS, redução do risco de quedas calculado pelo escore geral do IQ (p<0,004) e ainda uma redução do número total de quedas, que no grupo experimental foram significativamente menores que no grupo controle (p<0,001). CONCLUSÃO: A associação do treinamento de força progressiva para quadríceps e propriocepção é eficaz na prevenção de quedas e redução de seus fatores de risco, e o modelo para previsão quantitativa do risco de quedas pode ser útil na identificação do risco de quedas em pessoas idosas. Registro ensaio clínico: 082213- ANZCTR.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the effect of progressive muscular strength and proprioception training program on the balance and decrease in the risk of falls in women with osteoporosis. METHOD: 82 sedentary women aged 60-75 years with osteoporosis were selected and randomized in two groups: the intervention group comprised 41 patients submitted to an 18-week progressive muscular strength and proprioception training of quadriceps associated to drug therapy for osteoporosis; and control group, formed by 41 patients submitted to drug therapy only. The balance and fall risk were evaluated using the Balance Berg Scale (BBS) and calculating the Fall Index (FI). The number of fall was assessed six months before the research and the following six months. RESULTS: 69 patients completed the research. The program improved the functional balance (p<0.001) shown by BBS, decreased the risk of falls evidenced by the general score of FI (p<0.004) and also a decrease in the total number of falls. The experimental group showed significant lower number of falls when compared to the control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The association of progressive strength of quadriceps and proprioceptive training is effective to prevent falls and reduce risk factors. The quantitative model to predict risk of falls might be useful to identify the risk of falls in the elderly. Trial registration: 082213-ANZCTR.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO A estimulação elétrica neuromuscular (EENM) tem sido incluída em protocolos de reabilitação de pacientes com fraqueza muscular decorrente da osteoartrite do joelho. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a efetividade de um tratamento de oito semanas de EENM combinado com exercícios na melhora da dor e função em pacientes com osteoartrite do joelho. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL Ensaio clínico randomizado realizado no Ambulatório de Especialidades de Interlagos, São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS Cem pacientes foram randomizados em dois grupos: Grupo EENM (GEENM) e grupo controle (GC). As medidas de avaliação utilizadas foram: escala numérica de dor (END) 0 a 10, teste timed up and go (TUG), índice de Lequesne e escala de atividades de vida diária (EAVD). RESULTADOS Oitenta e dois pacientes completaram a pesquisa. Por meio da análise por intenção de tratar, na comparação entre grupos, o GEENM apresentou melhora estatisticamente significante em comparação ao GC na redução da dor (diferença entre as médias: 1,67 [0,31; 3,02], P = 0,01), no índice de Lequesne (diferença entre as médias: 1,98 [0,15; 3,79] e na EAVD (diferença entre as médias: -11,23 [-19,88; -2,57], P = 0,01). CONCLUSÃO A EENM, quando inserida em um protocolo de reabilitação para pacientes com osteoartrite do joelho, é efetiva na redução da dor, melhora da função e das atividades de vida diária quando comparada a um grupo submetido a programa de orientação. REGISTRO DE ENSAIO CLÍNICO ACTRN012607000357459.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been used in rehabilitation protocols for patients suffering from muscle weakness resulting from knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of an eight-week treatment program of NMES combined with exercises, for improving pain and function among patients with knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN AND SETTING Randomized clinical trial at Interlagos Specialty Ambulatory Clinic, Sao Paulo, Brazil. METHODS One hundred were randomized into two groups: NMES group and control group. The following evaluation measurements were used: numerical pain scale from 0 to 10, timed up and go (TUG) test, Lequesne index and activities of daily living (ADL) scale. RESULTS Eighty-two patients completed the study. From intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis comparing the groups, the NMES group showed a statistically significant improvement in relation to the control group, regarding pain intensity (difference between means: 1.67 [0.31 to 3.02]; P = 0.01), Lequesne index (difference between means: 1.98 [0.15 to 3.79]; P = 0.03) and ADL scale (difference between means: -11.23 [-19.88 to -2.57]; P = 0.01). CONCLUSION NMES, within a rehabilitation protocol for patients with knee osteoarthritis, is effective for improving pain, function and activities of daily living, in comparison with a group that received an orientation program. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ACTRN012607000357459.

INTRODUÇÃO: A fraqueza muscular, especialmente do quadríceps, é uma das principais repercussões osteomusculares da osteoartrite de joelho, e os exercícios são considerados uma das principais intervenções no tratamento conservador da doença. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do fortalecimento do quadríceps femural na capacidade funcional e nos sintomas relacionados à osteoartrite de joelho utilizando o teste Timed Up and Go (TUG), o questionário Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) e o Índice de Lequesne. MÉTODOS: Foram randomizados 100 pacientes, divididos em dois grupos: 1) Grupo Exercício (n = 50), o qual incluiu bicicleta estacionária, alongamento dos músculos isquiotibiais e fortalecimento do músculo quadríceps, e 2) Grupo Orientação (n = 50), que recebeu um manual de orientações a fim de descrever a osteoartrite de joelho e instruir os pacientes a como ajustar o dia a dia de acordo com os sintomas. Os pacientes foram informados sobre os sinais e sintomas da doença e os cuidados durante as atividades de vida diária. O manual não incluiu orientação de exercícios. RESULTADOS: O Grupo Exercício apresentou melhora estatisticamente significante no teste TUG, nos aspectos dor, função e rigidez do questionário WOMAC e no índice Lequesne, quando comparado ao Grupo Orientação. CONCLUSÃO: Exercícios para fortalecimento do quadríceps com duração de oito semanas são efetivos na melhora de dor, função e rigidez em pacientes com osteoartrite de joelho.

BACKGROUND: Muscle weakness, especially of the quadriceps muscle, is one of the major musculoskeletal effects of knee osteoarthritis. Exercises are considered one of the main interventions in the conservative treatment of those patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of quadriceps strengthening exercises on functional capacity and symptoms related of knee osteoarthritis by use of the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Lequesne Index. METHODS: One hundred patients were randomized into two groups: 1) Exercise Group (n = 50), which included stationary bicycle, hamstrings stretching, and quadriceps strengthening; 2) Instruction Group (n = 50), which received a manual with information about knee osteoarthritis and instructions on how to deal with knee symptoms in daily activities. The manual did not include exercise instructions. RESULTS: The Exercise Group showed statistically significant improvement regarding the TUG test, the WOMAC aspects of pain, function, and stiffness, and the Lequesne Index, as compared with the Instruction Group. CONCLUSION: Quadriceps strengthening exercises for eight weeks are effective to improve pain, function, and stiffness in patients with knee osteoarthritis.