Anice Campos Pássaro

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of combining trunk stretching with lumbar segmental stabilization versus exclusively performing lumbar segmental stabilization exercises for treating chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP). Thirty-four CNLBP subjects were randomized into two groups: active trunk stretching + lumbar segmental stabilization (AS+LSS, n=17) and placebo stretching + lumbar segmental stabilization (PS+LSS, n=17). One-hour sessions were performed twice a week for six weeks. Pain intensity, pain quality, functional disability, global impression of recovery, emotional state, symptoms, and adverse effects were assessed at baseline, after 6 weeks, and at 12 and 24 weeks follow-up. Both groups experienced significant reductions in pain intensity and functional disability after the intervention. Depression and anxiety showed significant improvements during the intervention but did not persist at follow-up. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups for the studied variables. The study concluded that both protocols are beneficial for CNLBP patients, suggesting that lumbar segmental stabilization exercises alone are sufficient for reducing pain and functional disability.

Introduction: Understanding the function of pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) is important to ensure comprehensive healthcare for women with urogenital and anorectal disorders. Objective: To systematically synthesize the measurement variables used in studies that objectively evaluate female PFMs. Methods: An integrative review was conducted on studies published in Portuguese, Spanish, and English between 2000 and 2020. The databases searched were MEDLINE, EMBASE, Lilacs, Scopus, Web of Science, PEDro, and the Cochrane Library. Results: A total of 54 studies were included. Of these, 13 (24.07%) used multiple instruments to analyze PFMs, and 22 (40.74%) combined manual assessment with other measurement methods. The Oxford Scale was the most frequently used tool (13 studies). Regarding the assessment instruments and variables used to measure PFMs, manometry was the most commonly employed (30 studies, 55.55%), analyzing four variables, with peak pressure being the most frequently assessed (27 studies). Electromyography (EMG) was performed in 21 studies (38.88%), with nine analysis variables and peak contraction being mostly measured (17 studies). Dynamometry was used in nine studies (16.66%) to assess eight variables, with maximal strength being mostly reported (eight studies). Ultrasonography was also used in nine studies (16.66%), with the levator hiatus area at rest being the most frequently evaluated (eight studies). Conclusion: There was no clear standardization of the measurement variables used, with considerable variability in assessment instruments, data collection protocols, and data analysis methods. Advancements in comprehensive healthcare for women with PFMs dysfunction may arise from the development of standardized protocols for data collection and analysis related to the most widely used and established instruments in academic and clinical settings.

O grau de conhecimento, conforto, motivação e envolvimento de professores do ensino fundamental na promoção da educação sexual (ES) na escola deve ser avaliado considerando a sua idade, formação acadêmica inicial em ES e crenças religiosas. Realizou-se um estudo transversal com 396 professores no Brasil, sendo a maioria mulheres (77.53%) e católicas (47.73%). Os dados revelaram conhecimento moderado, alto conforto, alta motivação e envolvimento insuficiente na prática pedagógica mas suficiente como função pedagógica. Não foi observada relação entre idade e formação acadêmica inicial dos professores para as variáveis ​​analisadas, mas as crenças religiosas impactaram todas as variáveis, com exceção do conforto. Os professores apresentaram conhecimento moderado em relação à legislação e diretrizes ministeriais sobre ES e alto conforto e motivação na abordagem do tema. Houve um envolvimento prático moderado em ações específicas de ES e os professores concordaram que é sua responsabilidade o envolvimento nessas ações. As crenças religiosas tiveram um impacto importante nas variáveis ​​estudadas. Este estudo se destaca na área da saúde por ampliar a temática da ES para além dos aspectos puramente biológicos e preventivos. Para a educação, pode contribuir gerando dados atitudinais e comportamentais, além dos exclusivamente qualitativos, auxiliando ações entre saúde e educação.

Chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP) is the most common musculoskeletal condition, which can be influenced by nociceptive, psychosocial, cognitive, and affective aspects, causing vulnerabilities and impairing the individual's ability to manage pain. The association of continuous shortwave diathermy (CSWD) with Pilates-based exercises may contribute to reduce pain, depression, and anxiety in patients with CNLBP. A single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed in which 36 patients with CNLBP were divided into a control group that received placebo CSWD and an intervention group that received active CSWD. Both groups received 12 sessions of Pilates-based exercises. Pain, depression, and anxiety variables were evaluated using the McGill questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Visual Analog Anxiety Scale. Assessments were performed at baseline, after three and six weeks of treatment, and at the three-month follow-up. The Shapiro-Wilk test, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-squared test, and repeated measures ANOVA, with α=0.05, were used to compare the outcomes, and indicated that active CSWD did not present additional improvement in the assessed variables in CNLBP patients compared to the placebo group. Both groups improved pain and depression at follow-up and reduced anxiety only during Pilates-based exercises. Therefore, only Pilates-based exercises seemed sufficient to manage patients with CNLBP.

To investigate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and associated factors in the older adult Amazonia Brazilian community, a cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate 700 participants that were ≥60 years old. Pain intensity and functional disability were assessed using the Numerical Pain Scale and the Roland Morris Questionnaire, respectively, and their sociodemographic, clinical, and behavior variables were collected, i.e., age, sex, education level, socioeconomic level, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, health perception, and emotional state. The punctual prevalence rates of LBP were 42.4% (95% CI: 38.2–46.6%), and for the last 365 days, these prevalence rates were 93.7% (95% CI: 91.3–95.6%), the mean pain and functional disability scores were 6.17 ± 2.13 and 11.30 ± 6.07, and the moderate-to-severe disability was 39.7%. Pain and functional disability were associated with sex, chronic diseases, body mass index (BMI), physical activity level, health perception, and emotional level. In conclusion, the prevalence of LBP was high (for both punctual and the last 365 days), but the variables associated with being female, fewer years of schooling, sedentary behavior, diseases related to diet and the cardiovascular system, and impaired emotional levels had a higher level LBP, even though they considered themselves in good health. These findings can aid with coordinated efforts from government and health professionals to help manage and promote the prevention of LBP by considering the older adult population’s needs in the state of Amazonas.

Sexuality is embedded in a social and cultural origin and its approach must go beyond biological aspects. Questionnaire on Sex Education in Schools (QUSES) assesses the knowledge, comfort, motivation and involvement of teachers in relation to sex education. This article aims to culturally adapt and verify the reliability of QUSES. The Experts Committee realized the Cultural adaptation and content validation. The Cronbach’s alpha and its stratification were tested for reliability. It was applied to 100 teachers with an average of 44.45 (9.62) years of age. Words and phrases were modified, maintaining the equivalences of the original version. Question of knowledge was the most modified due to regulatory differences between countries. Reliability data was similar to the original instruments and were considered good. The lowest values were α = 0.741 for subscale of efficacy of results, α = 0.812 and α = 0.849 for subscale of involvement (cognitive). QUSES was culturally adapted for Brazilian elementary schools teachers presenting good reliability. It is relevant, because it evaluates sex education fully and may support in implementation and monitoring public policies related to health promotion in schools.