Maria da Luz Rosário de Sousa

Background: This study aimed to assess the influence of expectations on satisfaction and pain perception in individuals with chronic pain or acute pain who received acupuncture.Methods: A secondary analysis of data from 2 randomized studies was performed. Study 1 included 40 patients with temporomandibular disorders and chronic pain who were assigned to either real or nonpenetrating (sham) acupuncture group. Study 2 involved 28 patients with pulpitis and acute pain, also randomized into a real or sham group. Expectations and satisfaction were assessed using the Likert scale, and pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).Results: For acupuncture treatment, expectations did not differ between chronic and acute pain (p = 0.097), but satisfaction was higher in individuals with acute pain [median (min-max): 3 (2-4)] compared with individuals with chronic pain [3 (0-4), p = 0.029]. The initial VAS score was greater in the acute pain [7.3 (5-10) versus chronic pain [5.5 (1-9), p = 0.020], whilst the final VAS score was similar [0.5 (0-10) vs. 1.5 (0-8), p = 0.959]. Pain reduction was larger for acute pain [5.3 (0.6-10)] compared with chronic pain [3 (0-7), p = 0.043]. In the placebo groups, expectations differed (higher expectations were observed in participants with chronic pain compared with acute pain; p = 0.034), but satisfaction did not (p = 0.559).Conclusion: Patient expectations of acupuncture treatment influenced pain outcomes but not satisfaction. Acupuncture reduced pain in both chronic and acute conditions.

Background: Anxiety is the most common psychological disturbance; therefore, safe, and effective therapeutic options are necessary for managing the associated symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the anxiolytic effect of acupuncture, and phytotherapeutic Valerian officinalis in anxious patients.Methods: The trial was a participant- and assessor-blinded, parallel clinical study with 64 anxious patients who were randomized into 4 study groups. All patients, upon attendance at the clinic, were asked to lie down and perform abdominal breathing. In total, the volunteers in Real Acupuncture Group received 5 sessions of acupuncture while those of the Placebo Acupuncture Group received no intervention. In total, the volunteers in Real Phytotherapy Group received 28 capsules of V. officinalis and the Placebo Phytotherapy Group, 28 inert capsules. Anxiety was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Ryodoraku and Bioelectrography were used for energy analysis.Results: After 5 weeks, analysis of the Visual Analogue Scale scores, all groups achieved a statistically significant reduction in levels of anxiety and the Real Acupuncture showed a large effect. All groups showed a reduction in the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score, with the sub-item, “State in Real Acupuncture” being important. Ryodoraku showed the electrical properties values of the skin and with Bioelectrography indicated generally low energy that decreased further following use of the therapies.Conclusion: Acupuncture was effective in reducing patients' anxiety and had a larger effect size than V. officinalis, therefore it could be offered as an alternative treatment for anxiety management.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess clinical-functional vulnerability (CFV) and associated factors in community-dwelling older adults treated in primary care. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with non-institutionalized elderly individuals ≥60 years randomly selected from five Health Units in Jundiaí/SP, Brazil, in 2023. Sociodemographic data, health behaviors, and data on oral health (number of teeth; chewing: good/fair/poor), cognitive function (10-CS), nutritional status (MNA), health literacy (HLS-14), sarcopenia (SARC-F+CC) and frailty (IVCF-20) were collected. Descriptive and bivariate analyses between the outcome (CFV) and the independent variables were performed using the chi-squared test and binary logistic regression models (p < 0.05). Results: A total of 211 older adults participated in this study; 72% were female and the mean age was 70.41 years (±7.45). Regarding CFV, a high risk was identified in 9.5% of the participants (n = 19), a moderate risk in 34.6% (n = 73), and a low risk in 55.9% (n = 118). After adjusting the regression model, the following variables were associated with CFV: lower income (OR = 1.90; 95%CI: 1.02–3.55), poor (OR = 5.18; 95%CI: 2.13–12.63) and fair (OR = 2.36; 95%CI: 1.10–5.05) chewing, risk of malnutrition or malnourished (OR = 2.36; 95%CI: 1.23–5.52), and low literacy (OR = 1.86; 95%CI: 1.09–3.45). Conclusion: Socioeconomic factors, nutritional status (underweight or malnourished), poor or fair chewing, and low health literacy were associated with CFV among older people. Strengthening primary health care through targeted interventions may help prevent frailty or delay its progression. Understanding the predictors of frailty can guide health professionals, managers, and researchers in designing preventive and health promotion strategies, as well as public policies within Primary Health Care.

Background: Qigong is an ancient Chinese health practice integrating slow, mindful movements, regulated breathing, and meditative awareness to promote the circulation of vital energy, and enhance overall well-being.Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, exploratory study was carried out to investigate the effects of Qigong on the overall quality of life following a three-month online Qigong course (n = 21). Data were collected using The World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version questionnaire, and supplemented with self-reported measures of pain, anxiety, and sleep quality.Results: A 10.86% improvement in the overall quality of life (from 68.44 to 75.87; p < 0.001) was observed. Physical (p = 0.003), psychological (p = 0.004), social (p = 0.046), and environmental (p = 0.001) domains also demonstrated meaningful gains, with notable increases in energy levels, daily functioning, self-esteem, and sleep quality. Over half of the participants reported marked reductions in pain severity, and anxiety, and 54.7% experienced improvements in sleep quality (ranging from 70% to 100% of baseline values). Course adherence was high, with most participants expressing satisfaction, willingness to recommend the program, and interest in continuing Qigong practice.Conclusion: Qigong may boost physical and mental health, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve sleep quality. To corroborate these findings, large-scale, multicenter, randomized, controlled trials are necessary.

Resumo Objetivos: analisar os fatores associados à ocorrência de sífilis em gestantes atendidas na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Métodos: estudo de caso-controle conduzido com mulheres que realizaram o pré-natal na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Foram selecionados três controles para cada caso (48 casos e 144 controles) a partir do resultado de testes sorológicos para sífilis. Realizou-se análise bivariada e, em seguida, regressão logística condicional ordenada por pares a partir do menor valor de p. Resultados: nos grupos controle e caso houve predomínio de, respectivamente: mulheres de 20 a 34 anos (52,1%; 21,4%), solteiras (48,4%; 21,4%), pretas ou pardas (46,9%; 16,1%), com nove ou mais anos de estudo (47,4%; 12,5%). Os fatores associados foram o histórico de consumo de substâncias ilícitas (OR = 3,42 IC95%= 1,18 – 9,90) e o diagnóstico anterior de Infecção Sexualmente Transmissível (OR = 6,63 IC95%= 2,18 – 20,16). Conclusão: o consumo de substâncias ilícitas e a presença de Infecção Sexualmente Transmissível anterior foram fatores associados à sífilis na gestação. Os achados reforçam a importância do planejamento e reorganização de ações, durante o pré-natal, direcionadas à identificação e ao manejo de fatores subjetivos, para que os serviços de saúde possam adotar medidas eficazes no acompanhamento e prevenção de novos casos de sífilis em gestantes.

Objectives: to analyze the factors associated with the occurrence of syphilis in pregnant women attending in Primary Health Care. Methods: case-control study conducted with women who underwent prenatal care in Primary Health Care. Three controls were selected for each case (48 cases and 144 controls) based on the results of serological tests for syphilis. Bivariate analysis was carried out, followed by conditional logistic regression ordered by pairs from the lowest p value. Results: in the control and case groups there was a predominance of, respectively: women aged 20 to 34 (52.1%; 21.4%), single (48.4%; 21.4%), black or brown (46.9%; 16.1%), with nine or more years of schooling (47.4%; 12.5%). The associated factors were a history of illicit drug use (OR = 3.42; 95%CI= 1.18 - 9.90) and a previous diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Infection (OR = 6.63; 95%CI=2.18 - 20.16). Conclusion: the consumption of illicit substances and the presence of previous Sexually Transmitted Infection were factors associated with syphilis during pregnancy. The findings reinforce the importance of planning and reorganizing actions during prenatal care aimed at identifying and managing subjective factors, so that health services can adopt effective measures to monitor and prevent new cases of syphilis in pregnant women.

Background: Cervicobrachialgia is a painful condition commonly treated with medication and physiotherapy. The aim was to evaluate pain following electromagnetic and photontherapy, and examine patient energy profiles.Methods: There were 48 patients experiencing pain [Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score ≥ 4] who were not receiving medication and physiotherapy and were randomized into Test Group (GT); electromagnetism using a Kenkobio device (intensity = 0.055 mT/frequency = 60 Hz) and photon therapy; a photon therapy blanket, and Placebo Group (GP); the Kenkobio device was turned off and the blanket was not used. Pain was assessed using the VAS, before, immediately after treatment, and the following day. Algometry was also carried out before and after the treatment to understand the pain threshold at bilateral acupoints GB20 and GB21. The energy profile was assessed using Ryodoraku measurements before and after the session.Results: The GT achieved a greater reduction in pain the following day than GP. Both groups were equal for left GB20 and right GB21 points considering algometry and, after the intervention, a reduction in pain in the GT was noticed only in the left GB20 (CI [95%]: 0.09-0.99, p = 0.019). The average energy level was low and dropped further following treatment. Furthermore, energy from the Large Intestine Meridian tended towards balance in the GT compared with the GP [CI (95%): 0.58-15.75, p = 0.035]. No adverse effects were reported.Conclusion: The combined use of electromagnetic and photontherapy were effective in reducing pain in patients and promoted energy rebalancing.

Resumo Introdução O nível da literacia em saúde pode ser um fator que influencia os comportamentos e a saúde dos indivíduos. Objetivo Analisar a percepção de adultos e idosos sobre os seus comportamentos e sua condição de saúde bucal segundo o seu nível de literacia em saúde (LS). Método O presente estudo qualitativo foi realizado com adultos e idosos que que participaram da ‘Coorte de Saúde Bucal de Adultos de Piracicaba’, sendo classificados conforme os três perfis de perda dentária seguintes: 1) nunca ter perdido dentes; 2) incidência de perda dentária ≥ 4 dentes; 3) edêntulo total e com nível de literacia em saúde alta e baixa de acordo com a variável LS dicotomizada a partir da mediana. Para a coleta dos dados, foi feita uma nova entrevista domiciliar gravada com uso de roteiro-guia e após a transcrição foi realizada a análise de conteúdo. Resultados Independente do nível de LS, os indivíduos identificaram fatores de risco e proteção determinantes para o processo saúde-doença bucal. No entanto, os entrevistados com baixa LS apresentaram uma maior propensão aos comportamentos de risco. Os fatores individuais foram preponderantes para o entendimento de sua condição bucal, seja pelo sentimento de descuido ou de responsabilidade pela falta de acesso aos serviços odontológicos, seja pelo aspecto socioeconômico ou geográfico. Conclusão Os indivíduos com alta LS apresentaram uma capacidade argumentativa e um entendimento maiores sobre os comportamentos saudáveis, como higiene bucal e uso regular do serviço odontológico, independente do tipo de serviço utilizado.

OBJETIVE: To investigate the relationship between the masticatory function and the frailty of older people. METHODS: Exploratory cross-sectional study using secondary data from the FIBRA Project on the frailty conditions of older people living in urban areas of six Brazilian municipalities, from 2008 to 2009. The population consisted of older adults aged 65 and over with no cognitive impairment. A single session identification questionnaire and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were applied, followed by collecting sociodemographic data and data on the participants’ self-assessment of masticatory function, general health, and oral health. RESULTS: 2,341 older people (164 frail older adults), of whom 63.2% reported not having seen a dentist in the last year, and approximately 26% of them had three or more functional feeding problems. Older participants (OR = 2.88; 95%CI: 2.01–4.13), who are retired (OR = 2.31; 95%CI: 1.18–5.53), those who were depressed (OR = 2.31; 95%CI: 1.58–3.38), and those who self-assessed their general health as worse compared to others of the same age (OR = 3.91; 95%CI: 2.39-–6.40) were at higher risk of frailty. Three or more problems related to the functional aspects of mastication were associated with a greater chance of frailty (OR = 2.06; 95%CI: 1.25–3.41). CONCLUSION: This study found an association between masticatory function and a greater chance of frailty among the studied population.