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- Obesity effects on muscular activity during lifting and lowering tasksPublication . Colim, Ana; Arezes, Pedro; Flores, Paulo; Monteiro, Pedro; Mesquita, Inês; Braga, Ana CristinaObesity is an emerging health problem and its incidence has been increasing throughout the workforce. In industrial workstations, vertical handling tasks (VHT), including lifting and lowering, are very common and can cause a significant muscular overload for the involved workers. During these tasks, muscular activity may be considerably affected by workers' body conditions. This study aims to analyze and compare the muscular activity in subjects with different obesity levels, using surface electromyography (EMG), during predefined VHT. Six different VHT (combining 5, 10 and 15 kg loads with two task styles) were performed. EMG data normalization was based on the percentage of Maximum Contraction during each Task (MCT%). The results show that obesity influences MCT%, which in turn increases the muscular effort during VHT. The current investigation demonstrates that obesity is a relevant musculoskeletal risk factor regarding VHT. The engineering analysis and design implications of this work can thus be perceived.
- Virtual reality in the treatment of acrophobiaPublication . Maravalhas, Vanessa; Marques, António; Sousa, Sara; Monteiro, Pedro; Simões De Almeida, RaquelExposure Therapy using Virtual Reality has been indicated as one of the most promising therapeutic approaches in the treatment of Acrophobia, because Virtual Reality generates exposure conditions systematic controlled and customized desensitization of the individual concerning the phobic incitement and the impulsive responses related to it, potentiating the emotional self-regulated competence and the incorporated cognitive restructuration. This quasi-experimental study had the purpose to analyze the impact of an exposure therapy program using Virtual Reality in the reduction of fear of heights on a sample of the Portuguese population. In this study participated 19 people with and without fear of heights, being distributed by the experimental and control groups. The program was composed of 8 sessions distributed biweekly, corresponding to a total program duration of 4 weeks. The impact of the program was analyzed through the administration of anxiety and acrophobia level assessment instruments and operationalization of psychophysiological procedures, focused on the biofeedback principles, before and after the intervention. The results from both self-report and psychophysiological data revealed a significant reduction in fear of heights in the participants exposed to the exposure therapy program, showing a positive impact of this protocol on the treatment of Acrophobia.
- The effect of dental instruments on grip strengthPublication . Silva, Vanessa; Costa, Inês; Fonseca, Patrícia; Monteiro, Pedro; Santos, JoanaDentist work requires comfort and visibility, which sometimes causes an incorrect, maladjusted, and static posture, affecting mostly the upper limbs. It is due to prolonged work that oral health professionals are more susceptible to developing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) of the hand and wrist. The propose of this study was to evaluate and analyze the variation of grip strength in dental students. We also pretend to evaluate the incidence of signs and symptoms of MSDs. A clinical dental procedure was simulated using instruments of different design on phantoms to evaluate the palmar grip. Grip strength was measured with a dynamometer. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was conducted to assess the incidence of symptoms of MSDs. The most prevalent symptoms in this population were neck, lower back, and shoulder pain. During the procedure, 43 participants found the ergonomic curette more comfortable. After scraping with the metallic curette, a lower palmar grip strength was observed. Women have a higher incidence of MSDs and lower grip strength. Participants should transform and improve clinical habits to promote better working conditions and decrease MSDs. It was concluded that the grip force exerted during root scraping depends on the design of the curette. Instruments with a larger diameter and lower weight are more ergonomic and require less grip force.
- Can lycopene be considered an effective protection against cardiovascular disease?Publication . Costa-Rodrigues, João; Pinho, O.; Monteiro, PedroLycopene is a bioactive component mainly found in tomato. It is characterized by a high antioxidant potential, the highest among carotenoids. Mainly due to this property, lycopene has been suggested to display many beneficial effects, including its potential cardioprotective role. Despite some contradictory observations, which appear to be mainly caused by discrepancies in the different experimental protocols applied in the different studies, growing evidence points to clear benefits of lycopene in the maintenance of cardiovascular function and health. The knowledge about lycopene's preventive effects in atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases, must be translated into changes in food patterns, aiming to increase the consumption of tomato, tomato-containing products, or other foods with high lycopene content, which can have an important impact on cardiovascular disease, particularly in countries where this represents a major public health concern.
- Muscle loading and psychophysical effects of obesity during vertical handling tasksPublication . Colim, Ana; Arezes, Pedro; Flores, Paulo; Monteiro, Pedro; Mesquita, InêsIt has been recognized by many researchers that the prevalence of obesity is a serious public health problem. Several physical problems are associated with obesity, which can negatively affect the individuals’ work performance. In occupational contexts, vertical handling tasks, including lifting and/or lowering loads, are common and produce significant muscle loading. For these reasons, Surface electromyography (EMG) data were collected bilaterally from muscles recruited during these tasks. Additionally, the participants reported physical loading by using the Rated Perceived Exertion scale (RPE). These techniques sought to analyze the physical loading during vertical handling tasks. The obtained results indicate that obesity seem to increase the muscle loading during vertical handling tasks. However, obesity level does not seem to influence the RPE values.
- Characterization of cellular and molecular effects of lycopene on human bone cellsPublication . Costa-Rodrigues, João; Fernandes, Maria Helena; Pinho, Olívia; Monteiro, PedroBone is a dynamic tissue that undergoes continuous remodeling. This process is modulated by numerous factors, among which is oxidative stress. Mainly due to its high antioxidant potential, lycopene has been linked to a decreased risk of some chronic diseases, including osteoporosis, but the characterization of lycopene effects on bone tissue remains to be elucidated.
- Perceções de estudantes da área da saúde póspandemia: estudo observacionalPublication . Cruz, Agostinho; Machado, Alberto; Cabral, Ana Paula; Tavares, Diana; Sousa, Helena; Curado, Henrique; Faria, Isabel; Sousa, Maria; Gonçalves, Maria João; Lopes, Paula; Monteiro, PedroO contexto pandémico vivenciado por toda a comunidade portuguesa nestes últimos meses, constituiu indubitavelmente um ambiente e um conjunto de experiências totalmente novas e singulares para todos os cidadãos, mas sobretudo para os jovens adultos. A pandemia e o confinamento, trouxe restrições no acesso a simulações práticas e especializadas assim como a locais de ensino clínico em contexto real e presencial, fundamental para a aquisição de competências clínicas e integração de realidades organizacionais de serviços cuidados de saúde. Neste contexto ao nível da área da saúde os desafios foram ímpares e alteraram a dinâmica profissional e as interações sociais.
- A importância das comissões de ética nas tecnologias da saúde: a experiência da escola superior de saúde do instituto politécnico do portoPublication . Tavares, Diana; Amorim, Manuela; Cabral, Ana Paula; Cruz, Agostinho; Curado, Henrique; Faria, Isabel; Gonçalves, Maria João; Lopes, Paula; Machado, Alberto; Sousa, Helena; Monteiro, PedroA Escola Superior de Saúde (ESS) do Instituto Politécnico do Porto (P.PORTO) completou recentemente o seu 40º aniversário de existência, enquanto instituição de ensino superior (IES) de referência na área da saúde. A evolução desta IES tem sido notória tanto ao nível da formação graduada, como pós-graduada, atividades de extensão à comunidade, onde se insere a recente Clínica Pedagógica, e criação de dois centros de investigação. A responsabilidade adstrita a todas estas atividades promoveu a criação de um mecanismo de implementação de boas práticas e sua monitorização. Esta perceção levou à criação de uma Comissão de Ética (CE) na IES, que conta já com 10 anos de existência e atividade contínua, tendo sido uma das primeiras a surgir no meio académico nacional. O recente Decreto-Lei n.º 80/2018 (15 /outubro), veio comprovar e validar a pertinência deste organismo nas IES, sobretudo naquelas que realizam investigação clínica.
- Comitês de ética na educação superior: da teoria à açãoPublication . Tavares, Diana; Cruz, Agostinho; Cabral, Ana Paula; Machado, Alberto; Sousa, Helena; Curado, Henrique; Faria, Isabel; Amorim, Manuela; Gonçalves, Maria João; Lopes, Paula; Monteiro, PedroAs Comissões de Ética são órgãos relativamente novos no dia-a-dia dos profissionais e investigadores da área da saúde. O Decreto-Lei n.º 80/2018 (15 / outubro) veio comprovar e validar a pertinência deste órgão nas Instituições de Ensino Superior. A Comissão de Ética da Escola Superior de Saúde tem alargado a sua atividade para além da avaliação de projetos de investigação. Os seus membros, enquanto profissionais e educadores, têm acompanhado a crescente e premente necessidade de humanização da saúde. Esta foi acentuada pela pandemia, devido ao agravamento da despersonalização do profissional e do paciente, mas igualmente enfatizada pelo desenvolvimento tecnológico, exigências burocrático-administrativas, implementação da inteligência artificial, entre outros. A nossa perceção é que a formação curricular em saúde não atende plenamente todas as necessidades, surgindo aqui a possibilidade de cada Comissão assumir um papel mais ativo na comunidade académica e profissional, promovendo uma formação contínua, passando da teoria à prática.
- The relevance of an ethics committee in a higher education institution in the health area: The experience of ESS-P.PORTOPublication . Monteiro, Pedro; Tavares, Diana; Cruz, Agostinho; Cabral, Ana Paula; Machado, Alberto; Curado, Henrique; Sousa, Helena; Faria, Isabel; Gonçalves, Maria João; Sousa, Maria; Marques, António; Lopes, Paula; Prudêncio, CristinaEthics Committees arose as consequence of medical-scientific advances made in an eminent demand to extend morality and ethics to the field of biomedicine, to expand and preserve autonomy and dignity of human beings. The Ethics Committee (EC) of Escola Superior de Saúde (ESS) was born in February 2011. The importance for this unit of P.PORTO in having such a committee, for ethical and not legal imperative, came to be corroborated by law (Decree-Law no. 80/2018).