Browsing by Author "Torres, Rui"
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- Alterações imediatas induzidas pela electroestimulação neuromuscular de baixa e média frequência no torque e na área de secção transversal do músculo reto femoral, em adultos saudáveisPublication . Lopes, Alexandre; Silva, Diogo C. F.; Torres, Rui; Carvalho, PauloA electroestimulação neuromuscular (NMES) é um recurso terapêutico amplamente utilizado pela maioria dos fisioterapeutas com o objetivo de favorecer o fortalecimento muscular, a prevenção ou a recuperação, no entanto, ainda sem consenso científico.
- Cold-Water Immersion Has No Effect on Muscle Stiffness After Exercise-Induced Muscle DamagePublication . Pinto, João; Rocha, Pedro; Torres, RuiObjective: To analyze the effect of cryotherapy on muscle stiffness after exercise-induced muscle damage. Design: A leg-to-leg comparison model. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: Thirty (30) untrained men (21.1 ± 1.6 years, 177.6 ± 6.4 cm, 75.9 ± 10.0 kg, and 15.9 ± 2.9% fat mass) with no history of lower-limb injury and no experience in resistance training. Intervention: All participants underwent a plyometric exercise program to induce muscle damage; however, randomly, one leg was assigned to a treatment condition and subjected twice to cold-water immersion of the lower limb at 10°C (±1°C) for 10 minutes, while the other leg was assigned to control. Main Outcomes Measures: Longitudinal stiffness and passive transverse stiffness were evaluated on the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles at 4 moments: pre-exercise, immediately after exercise, 24 hours, and 72 hours after the damage protocol. Furthermore, pressure pain threshold (PPT) and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) were also assessed in the same periods. Results: No significant differences between control and cryotherapy were observed in regard to MVIC (P = 0.529), passive longitudinal stiffness (P = 0.315), and passive transverse stiffness (P = 0.218). Only a significant decrease was observed in PPT on the soleus muscle in the cryotherapy compared with the control leg immediately after exercise (P = 0.040). Conclusions: The results show that cryotherapy had no influence on muscle stiffness. However, cryotherapy had a positive effect on PPT immediately after exercise.
- Community-based pulmonary rehabilitation programs in individuals with COPDPublication . Barbosa, Marisela; Andrade, Renato; Melo, Cristina; Torres, RuiCommunity-based pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs can be offered to patients with COPD, but the literature on its effects is still not well summarized. Our purpose was to investigate the health-, physical-, and respiratory-related effects of community-based PR in individuals with COPD as compared to control groups. The PubMed and Embase databases were searched up to May 17, 2021. We included randomized control trials that compared the effects of community-based PR as compared to control groups in individuals with COPD. The risk of bias was judged using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB2). Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to estimate the standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% CI of the mean changes from baseline between groups. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation was used to interpret certainty of results. We included 10 randomized control studies comprising a total of 9,350 participants with weighted mean age of 62.3 ± 2.38 y. The community-based interventions were based on exercise programs (resistance and/or endurance). All studies were judged as high risk and/or some concerns in one or more domains the risk of bias. All meta-analyses displayed very low certainty of evidence. The community-based PR interventions were significantly superior to control interventions in improving the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire Activity subscore (−0.40 [95% CI −0.72 to −0.08]; k = 5, n = 382) and total score (−0.73 [95% CI −1.29 to −0.18]; k = 4, n = 268) and the Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire dyspnea subscore (0.36 [95% CI 0.03–0.69]; k = 6, n = 550). The mean changes from baseline were not different between the groups for all other outcomes. Community-based PR tended to result in superior health-related quality of life and symptoms than control interventions, but the findings were inconsistent across outcomes and with very low certainty of evidence. Further studies are warranted for stronger conclusions.
- Could socks play an active role in ankle sprain prevention? A preliminary investigationPublication . Torres, Rui; Mesquita, InêsAnkle sprain represents about 10% to 30% of all recorded musculoskeletal injuries, and is one of the most prevalent injuries in sports. Thus, any type of intervention based on prevention is extremely important to reduce its incidence. Aim of Study. To compare the immediate effect of three different types of socks, namely standard, compression, and Prevent Sprain Technology (PST) socks, on the dynamic unipodal balance and ankle joint position sense in healthy participants. Forty-two healthy adults, aged 20.34 ± 1.69 years old, volunteered to participate in the study. Participants were randomly assessed using three different sock models. The main measured outcomes selected for this study were the dynamic balance using the Biodex Balance System®, and the active ankle joint repositioning movement through the Biodex System Pro 4®. We used the Friedman test to compare the variables under study among the three conditions, with Dunn’s post-hoc analysis and a significance level of 0.05. In the Biodex Balance System® the participants had a lower Global Instability Index value with the PST socks compared to compression socks (p = 0.031), and standard socks (p = 0.005), but only lower anteroposterior (p = 0.042) and mediolateral (p = 0.026) instability indices when compared to standard socks. Regarding the ankle joint position sense, subjects with PST socks revealed lower absolute errors compared to standard socks (p = 0.007), smaller minimum errors compared to compression socks (p = 0.049), and smaller maximum errors compared to compression socks (p = 0.049) and standard socks (p = 0.008). Analysis of relative errors revealed a significant miss regarding the target joint position at higher inversion angles only with standard socks (which is potentially more dangerous) when compared to PST socks (p = 0.031), which error tends to be at lower inversion angles (which is potentially less dangerous). The PST socks seem to have a global positive influence on the mechanisms underlying the dynamic unipodal balance and active joint position sense, which could be an important tool for ankle sprain prevention.
- Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the european portuguese version of the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI)Publication . Torres, Rui; Faria, Sara Isabel; Cavalheiro, Luís Manuel; Ferreira, Pedro Lopes; Gonçalves, Rui SolesThe Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) is a self-administered questionnaire specifically used to determine the impact of shoulder instability on quality of life. The aim of this study was to translate the WOSI into European Portuguese and analyze its validity and reliability in a population with shoulder instability. The WOSI was translated and culturally adapted from its original version into European Portuguese (WOSIPT). Internal consistency and test-retest analyses were conducted to determine the level of reliability of the scale. WOSI-PT, QuickDASH, and SF-12 questionnaires were applied to 81 patients with symptomatic shoulder instability to assess validity, and reliability was tested by randomly selecting 50 patients within 72 hours using a test-retest design. The reliability of the WOSI-PT was very high, with Cronbach´s alpha equal to 0.97 and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.98. Regarding the construct validity, the correlation between the WOSI-PT and QuickDASH was high and negative (-0.79). The correlations between WOSI-PT and SF-12 were positive, respectively, moderate with physical (0.66) and low with mental (0.34) health. WOSI-PT is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the functional impact of shoulder joint instability on quality of life.
- Effect of Kinesio® taping on static and dynamic balance after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A randomized controlled trialPublication . Sousa, João; Ribeiro, Fernando; Lopes, Mário; Gonçalves, Rui Soles; Torres, RuiAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is one of the most common knee injuries among athletes (Evans and Nielson, 2022). ACL reconstruction is, in general, the solution for the rupture of ACL; the torn ligament is replaced with a tissue graft from another surrounding functional structure of the knee (Rochmania et al., 2012). The functional changes that occur after ACL reconstruction comprise deficits of muscle power, functional performance, joint proprioception, and balance (Ageberg, 2002). Evidence shows that even several months after a successful ACL reconstruction subjects still present motor control changes, influencing knee functionality (Furlanetto et al., 2016). Kinesio Taping (KT), which consists of the application of elastic adhesive bands to the skin (Oliveira et al., 2016), is frequently used in orthopedics, sports medicine, and neurological rehabilitation (Choi et al., 2016). It is used in several areas of physiotherapy to relieve pain (Nadali et al., 2014; Pamuk and Yucesoy, 2015), promote postural correction, stimulate muscle function (Cortesi et al., 2011; Lee et al., 2016; Scarborough et al., 1999), enhance gait (Choi et al., 2016; Lee et al., 2016, Yang et al., 2015), and improve balance (Bernardelli et al., 2019, Khalili et al., 2022). Despite being a technique commonly used during sports practice and in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal and sport injuries, KT has little and insufficient evidence supporting its use to improve balance and postural control, particularly after a major musculoskeletal injury/surgery such as ACL reconstruction (Gholami et al., 2020). Moreover, only a few studies assessed the effect of KT in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction (Balki et al., 2016, Boguszewski et al., 2013; Laborie et al., 2015). Collectively, they evaluated the effects of the KT on the range of knee motion, oedema (Balki et al., 2016; Boguszewski et al., 2013), muscle strength (Balki et al., 2016), and pain (Balki et al., 2016; Boguszewski et al., 2013; Laborie et al., 2015). It is accepted that KT stimulates proprioception through cutaneous receptors by altering somatosensory information (Tamburella et al., 2014), which consequently increases the cortical excitability of the cortical motor areas of cerebral cortex (Oliveira et al., 2016). However, it is not known whether it influences balance and postural control after ACL reconstruction. We will test the application of KT for 24 h, to determine whether KT could be used to maximize balance and postural control during the rehabilitation process or when resuming sport practice to decrease the risk of re-injury. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of KT on balance and postural control among young adults with ACL reconstruction.
- Impact of Patellar Tendinopathy on Knee ProprioceptionPublication . Torres, Rui; Ferreira, João; Silva, Diogo C. F.; Rodrigues, Elisa; Bessa, Isabel M.; Ribeiro, FernandoObjective: To determine whether high-level athletes with patellar tendinopathy have diminished knee proprioceptive acuity. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University research laboratory (institutional). Participants: Twenty-one basketball and volleyball players with patellar tendinopathy (13 men and 8 women; mean age 24.5 6 3.6; body mass index = 22.5 6 2.0 kg/m2) and an equal number of athletes without symptoms of patellar tendinopathy injury were included in this study. Assessments: Participants underwent knee proprioception assessments on a single day. Furthermore, age, sex, height, weight, VISAP (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment) questionnaire sports participation, medical history, knee injuries, previous treatment, and medication were obtained. Main Outcome Measures: Knee proprioception was evaluated by assessing sense of resistance, using a weight discrimination protocol, and joint position sense (JPS). Results: No significant differences were observed in JPS at 30 and 60 degrees of knee flexion between groups (P = 0.165 and 0.481, respectively). In regard to the ability to discriminate weight, significant differences between the 2 groups were found with the tendinopathy group showing a higher percentage of error (P = 0.009), namely when the set of incremental weights varied by 10% from the standard weight. Conclusions: Athletes with patellar tendinopathy have a diminished perception of force signals required for weight discrimination, whereas JPS remains unaffected in these athletes.
- Kinesiology tape increases muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity: Effects of the direction of tape applicationPublication . Lopes, Mário; Torres, Rui; Romão, Dalila; Dias, Maria; Valerio, Sara; Espejo-Antúnez, Luís; Costa, Rui; Ribeiro, FernandoThe claim that the effects of kinesiology tape are different depending on the direction of tape application needs to be clearly ascertained. This study aimed to determine the immediate effects of two forearm kinesiology tape applications on muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity of young individuals. Thirty-nine participants (15 men and 24 women) were randomized (1:1:1) to: the facilitatory group, receiving kinesiology tape applied from origin to insertion; the inhibitory group, receiving kinesiology tape applied from insertion to origin; or, a control group, without any intervention. The mechanical properties – tone, elasticity, and stiffness – of the forearm muscles were measured with a handheld mechanical impulse-based myotonometric device before and 30 min after the kinesiology tape application. Only the application of kinesiology tape from origin to insertion significantly increased muscle tone [16.6 (2.5) to 17.4 (3.5) Hz, p = 0.036], stiffness [318.3 (52) to 355.0 (87) N/m, p = 0.004], and elasticity [0.98 (0.1) to 1.10 (0.1), p = 0.023]. No changes were observed in both inhibitory kinesiology tape and the control group. In conclusion, kinesiology tape application has different effects depending on the direction of the taping application. The facilitatory tapping increased muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness.
- Manual but not instrument-assisted cervical manipulation reduces pain and disability in subjects with nonspecific neck pain: double-blinded, randomized clinical trialPublication . Nogueira, Nuno; Oliveira-Campelo, Natália; Torres, Rui; Sousa, Andreia S. P.; Ribeiro, FernandoThere is limited evidence comparing the effects of manual and instrumented-assisted manipulations among adults with neck pain. Our purpose was to determine the effects of a multisession regime of manual and instrument-assisted cervical manipulation on pain, disability, perception of change, and muscle properties in subjects with nonspecific neck pain. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in 32 subjects with nonspecific neck pain. Two groups received three sessions of cervical (C3/C4) manipulation, one group manual and the other instrument-assisted, a third group received three sessions of sham manipulation, and a fourth group served as a control. Self-reported pain, pressure pain thresholds, neck disability, patient perception of change, and properties (tonus, stiffness, and elasticity) of the upper trapezius and biceps brachii were assessed at baseline, immediately after the first session and 15 days after the end of the intervention. After the end of the intervention, the percentage of changes in the visual analogue scale score, Neck Disability Index, and Patient Global Perception of Change score were significantly higher in the manual group in comparison with the other groups (p < 0.05). No between-group differences were observed in the percentage of changes in tonus, stiffness, and elasticity of the four muscles at the end of the intervention. We concluded that three sessions of C3/C4 manual manipulation improved pain and disability in subjects with nonspecific neck pain.
- Neuromuscular taping does not change fibularis longus latency time and postural swayPublication . Correia, Christophe; Lopes, Susana; Gonçalves, Rafael; Torres, Rui; Gonçalves, Pedro; Rodrigues, Mário; Costa, Rui; Lopes, Mário; Ribeiro, FernandoAnkle sprains are a common injury and fibularis longus plays an important role improving functional stability. Neuromuscular tape seems to improve muscle force, although little is known regarding its effect on latency time.