Introdução: Baseado nos achados sobre o efeito analgésico do laser e no fato de que a reabilitação motora é sugerida para o tratamento de desordens de dor musculoesquelética, nossa hipótese foi que a laserterapia (LLLT) combinada com exercícios motores orofaciais potencializaria a reabilitação da desordem temporomandibular (DTM) e poderia promover maior redução dos sinais e sintomas e melhor reabilitação das funções motoras orofaciais do que a LLLT exclusiva ou o protocolo de terapia miofuncional orofacial (TMO) para DTM, previamente descrito. Objetivo: Analisar os efeitos da LLLT combinada com exercícios motores orofaciais (EMO) no tratamento de DTM. Verificar se esse programa de tratamento (LLLT + EMO) apresenta vantagens ou desvantagens em relação às seguintes modalidades: protocolo de TMO completo para DTM; LLLT exclusiva; e LLLT inativa (placebo) combinada com EMO. Verificar se as referidas modalidades de tratamento permitem a recuperação da normalidade no que diz respeito às variáveis envolvidas nesse estudo. Método: Participaram 104 pacientes com DTM, examinados segundo o Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders RDC/DTM e classificados de acordo com o tipo de DTM seguindo o Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (DC/TMD). Participaram ainda 20 sujeitos sem DTM, equilibrados por gênero e idade com os grupos experimentais. Os pacientes com DTM foram divididos aleatoriamente em quatro grupos de tratamento com 26 participantes cada: Grupo II, no qual a TMO foi realizada de acordo com protocolo previamente publicado (Felício, 2009; Felício et al., 2010; Felício e Machado, 2012), composto por técnicas de alivio da dor e exercícios motores orofaciais e recuperação das funções; Grupo III que recebeu LLLT combinada com EMO, sendo a sessão iniciada com aplicação do laser de Arseneto de Gálio e Alumínio (AsGaAl) com uma dose de 60 J/cm², na região da ATM e sobre os locais doloridos na musculatura seguida dos EMO; Grupo IV que recebeu LLLT placebo associada a EMO, sendo os mesmos procedimentos do GIII, porém a aplicação do laser foi realizada com a ponta inativa; e Grupo V que recebeu laser de baixa intensidade exclusiva. As medidas de resultados foram: dor à palpação, limiar de dor à pressão, percepção da severidade dos sinais e sintomas de DTM, condição miofuncional orofacial e atividade eletromiográfica. Os grupos de tratamento foram comparados ao grupo controle em cada fase (FD, FF e FS) por meio do teste Kruskal-Wallis Anova by ranks. Também foram comparadas as fases do estudo somente entre os grupos tratados por meio do teste de Friedman. O post hoc teste foi aplicado para diferenças significantes (p < 0,01). Também foi realizada análise intragrupo para os grupos com DTM por meio do teste de Friedman (p < 0,05) e para as diferenças significantes foi calculado o índice Effect size (ES) para medir a magnitude do efeito do tratamento. Resultados: As modalidades com alguma estratégia de alívio da dor (LLLT ou relaxamento e massagens) e EMO combinados (GII e GIII) foram mais efetivas para a redução de sintomas de DTM, sensibilidade à palpação e dificuldade para mastigar, bem como para o aumento do limiar de dor à pressão e a recuperação das funções orofaciais. O GIII apresentou maior equilíbrio entre os músculos temporais e masseteres refletidos pelo índice ATTIV. Entre os outros dois grupos, o GIV (LLLT placebo+EMO) resultou em melhores condições miofuncionais orofaciais e maior redução de dificuldade para mastigar, enquanto o GV (LLLT) produziu maior decréscimo dos sintomas de DTM. A magnitude do efeito do tratamento para sensibilidade à palpação e limiar de dor à pressão foi similar entre estes dois grupos. Conclusão: As modalidades que incluíram estratégias de alívio da dor (LLLT ou relaxamento e massagens) combinadas aos EMO foram mais eficazes. Assim sendo, a combinação de estratégias para o controle da dor e treinamento motor orofacial mostrou-se promissora como uma opção na reabilitação das DTMs crônicas / Introduction: Based on previous findings about the analgesic effect of lasertherapy (LLLT) and on fact that, motor rehabilitation is a potential approaches to treat musculoskeletal pain disorders, because altered motor performance may be a factor for the maintenance of pain, we raised the hypotheses that LLLT combined with orofacial motor exercises (OME) may potentiate temporomandibular disorder (TMD) rehabilitation better than either LLLT alone or OME associated with relaxation techniques and massage of the OMT protocol previously described. Objective: To analyze the effects of LLLT combined with OME for the treatment of TMD. To verify if this treatment program (LLLT + OME) has advantages and disadvantages regarding to the others modalities: complete protocol of orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) for DTM, only LLLT and inactive LLLT combined with OME. To verify if these treatment modalities allow the recovery of normality regarding to the variables involved in this study. Method: 104 patients with TMD were examined according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders RDC/TMD and classified according to the type of TMD following the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorder (DC/TMD). Also, 20 subjects without TMD participated, balanced by gender and age with the experimental groups. The TMD patients were randomly divided into four treatment groups with 26 participants in each one: Group II received the OMT performed according to previously published protocol (Felício, 2009; Felício et al., 2010; Felicio and Machado, 2012), consisting of pain relief techniques, OME and recovery functions; Group III was treated with LLLT combined with OME: the session was started with the laser application of gallium arsenide and aluminum (GaAlAs) at a dose of 60 J/cm², in the TMJ region and in painful muscles followed by the OME; Group IV that received LLLT placebo associated with OME and the procedures were the same as GIII, however, the laser application was performed with the inactive tip and; and Group V that received only laser therapy. The outcome measures were pain on palpation, pressure pain threshold, perception of severity of signs and symptoms of TMD, orofacial myofunctional condition and electromyographic activity. The treatment groups were compared to the control group in the phases FD, FF and FS, using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA by ranks test. Also, the phases of the study were compared only between the treated groups by Friedman test. The post hoc test was applied for significant differences (p <0.01). Intra-group analysis was performed for the TMD groups using the Friedman test (p <0.05) and for significant differences was calculated the Effect size index (ES) to measure the magnitude of effect of treatment. Results: The therapeutic modalities involving some pain-relieving strategy (LLLT or relaxation and massage) and OME combined (GII and GIII) were more effective in reducing symptoms of TMD, tenderness on palpation and difficulty in chewing, as well as, the increase the pressure pain threshold and recovery of functions. The GIII group showed higher balance between temporal and masseter muscles represented by ATTIV index. Between the other two groups, the GIV (LLLT placebo + OME) resulted in better orofacial myofunctional conditions and reduction of difficulty chewing, while the GV (LLLT) produced a greater decrease in symptoms of TMD. The magnitude of the effect of treatment for tenderness on palpation and pressure pain threshold was similar between these two groups. Conclusion: The modalities of treatment that included pain relief strategies (LLLT or relaxation and massage) combined with OME were more effective. Therefore, the combination of strategies for the control pain and orofacial motor training proved to be promising as an option in the chronic TMD rehabilitation

Introdução: A desordens temporomandibulares (DTMs) abrangem uma série de problemas clínicos que envolvem a musculatura mastigatória, a própria articulação e estruturas associadas, ou ambas. Os efeitos da laserterapia em casos de DTM veem sendo estudados como modalidade única de tratamento ou associada à outras modalidades da área fisioterápica e/ou odontológica como a placa de oclusão, contudo não há qualquer estudo sobre a associação da laserterapia à terapia miofuncional orofacial (TMO), realizada pelo fonoaudiólogo. Objetivo: analisar os efeitos da TMO, modificada pela exclusão das estratégias de alívio da dor e relaxamento, associada à laserterapia em casos de DTM. Método: Participaram 55 pacientes com DTM, diagnosticados de acordo com o Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) e divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos de tratamento. Um grupo (grupo T) realizou TMO, de acordo com protocolo previamente testado (FELÍCIO, 2009; FELÍCIO; MELCHIOR; RODRIGUES DA SILVA, 2010); os outros dois grupos receberam laserterapia e TMO, modificada pela exclusão das técnicas de alívio da dor, sendo que para um deles o laser era, de fato, ativo (Tm-L) e para o outro inativo, funcionando como placebo (Tm-LP). Tanto os pacientes como o profissional desconheciam qual era a modalidade de laser (duplo-cego). As medidas antes e depois do período de tratamento foram: Índices Anamnésico e de Disfunção Clínica de Helkimo, limiar de dor a palpação (algometria), percepção de severidade dos sinais e sintomas de DTM e avaliação miofuncional orofacial. As comparações incluíram os dados dos três grupos nas fases diagnóstica (FD), final de tratamento (FF), seguimento depois de um mês (FS1) e depois de três meses da conclusão do tratamento (FS3), por meio de múltipla análise de variância, com efeitos fixos (three-way Anova). O pós-teste Tukey foi aplicado para diferenças significantes. O nível de significância estabelecido foi de 5% (P < 0,05). Resultados: Ao final do tratamento, os grupos T, Tm-L e Tm-LP apresentaram melhora de todos os parâmetros avaliados. Houve diferença entre os grupos apenas para os movimentos excursivos da mandíbula, onde o pós teste indicou diferença entre os grupos Tm-L e T, devido maior média geral no grupo T. Além disso, houve diferença entre as fases para a sensibilidade dolorosa à palpação, limiar de dor à pressão, severidade dos sinais e sintomas de DTM e condição miofuncional orofacial, sendo a Fase D significantemente diferente das fases FF, FS1 e FS3. Conclusão: A combinação de estratégias para o controle da dor e para a melhora das condições miofuncionais orofaciais e a recuperação das funções estomatognáticas parece ser promissora como uma opção no tratamento conservador das DTMs. / Introduction: The temporomandibular disorders (TMD) comprise a number of clinical problems that involve the masticatory musculature, temporomandibular joints and associated structures, or both. The effects of laser therapy in cases of TMD have been studied as single modality of treatment or in combination with other modalities of physical therapy and/or dental area as oclusal splint, however there is no study about the association of orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) with laser therapy realized by the speech therapist. Objective: to analyze the effects of OMT, modified by the exclusion of the techniques of pain relief and relaxation, associated with laser therapy in cases with TMD. Methods: Fifty five patients with TMD, diagnosed according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD), were randomly assigned in three treatment groups. One group (Group T) perfomed OMT according to a protocol previously tested (FELÍCIO, 2009; FELÍCIO; MELCHIOR; RODRIGUES DA SILVA, 2010). The other two groups received laser therapy and OMT modified by the exclusion of the techniques of pain relief and relaxation, and for one the laser was, in fact, active (Tm-L) and the other inactive, consisting as placebo treatment (Tm-LP). Both patients and professional were unaware of what was the type of laser (double-blind). The outcome measures were performed before and after the treatment: Anamnestic (Ai) and Clinical Dysfunction (Di) Indexes of Helkimo, pressure pain threshold (algometry), self-judgment of the severity of signs and symptoms of TMD (ProDTMmulti), orofacial myofunctional evaluation. Data were analyzed through multiple analysis of variance with fixed effects (three way-ANOVA) for the three groups in diagnostic phase (FD), end of treatment (FF), follow up after one month (FS1) and after three months of ending of treatment (FS3). The pos-test Tukey was applied for significant differences. The significance level was set at 5% (p< 0,05). Results: in the end of treatment, the groups T, Tm-L and Tm-LP showed improvement of all parameters evaluated. There was a difference between groups only for excursive mandibular movements, that the post test indicated differences between groups T and Tm-L because of higher overall mean in group T. In addition, there were differences between phases for tenderness in the palpation, pressure pain threshold, severity of signs and symptoms and condition orofacial myofunctional, and the phase D differed significantly from FF, FS1 and FS3. Conclusion: The combination of strategies for control pain and improvement of the orofacial myofunctional conditions and recovery of the stomatognathic functions seems to be promising as an option in the conservative treatment of TMD

Orientador: Renata Cunha Matheus Rodrigues Garcia / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T11:36:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vilanova_LarissaSoaresReis_D.pdf: 8785126 bytes, checksum: 61a40f7b2a2d6cfcf4b66db5fb9b6d01 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Disfunções temporomandibulares (DTM) são condições orofaciais patológicas comuns caracterizadas por dor na articulação temporomandibular e/ou nos músculos da mastigação. A DTM é uma condição comum de dor, especialmente em mulheres durante a fase reprodutiva. Desta maneira os objetivos dessa tese foram (1) avaliar se as flutuações hormonais ocorridas durante o ciclo menstrual alteram a sensibilidade dolorosa (SD), força máxima de mordida (FMM) e performance mastigatória (PM) de voluntárias com DTM, (2) avaliar se os movimentos mandibulares e a qualidade do sono alterariam com o tratamento com placas oclusais estabilizadoras e (3) comparar o diagnóstico baseado no Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) avaliando a confiabilidade e calibração entre o treinamento formal em relação a autoinstrução com documentos e filme. Para tanto, cinquenta voluntárias foram selecionadas e divididas em dois grupos de 25 participantes: (1) voluntárias com DTM e ciclos menstruais regulares e (2) voluntárias com DTM e utilizando contraceptivos orais. Foram analisados a sensibilidade dolorosa (SD) por meio da escala visual analógica, força máxima de mordida (FMM) por meio de sensores e performance mastigatória (PM) por meio do peneiramento. Essas variáveis foram avaliadas durante o período de quatro fases de um ciclo menstrual completo. As mesmas 50 voluntárias diagnosticados com SD participaram do segundo estudo, que foram analisadas a intensidade da dor (escala visual analógica), qualidade do sono (Escala de Sonolência Epworth (ESS) e Índice de Qualidade de Sono de Pittsburgh (PSQI), e movimentos mandibulares ¿ amplitude de movimento e movimentos mastigatórios (cinesiografia) antes e depois de dois meses do tratamento com placa estabilizadora. Medidas repetidas GLIMMIX foram utilizados para a análise de dados seguido pelo teste de Tukey (P ? 0,05). Para o terceiro estudo foi utilizada uma amostra diferente, um total de 32 indivíduos (27 pacientes com DTM e 9 assintomáticos) foram examinados por meio do DC/TMD. Seis examinadores foram divididos em dois grupos com diferentes tipos de treinamento, (1) treinamento formal e de calibração em um centro de treinamento para o DC/TMD e (2) autoinstrução com o uso de documentos e vídeo. Após a primeira avaliação o segundo grupo passou pelo treinamento formal, sendo considerado o grupo (3) Autoinstrução + curso. A avaliação da confiabilidade foi realizada ao longo de um dia inteiro compreendendo em um exame clínico em 16 pacientes para cada um dos três grupos. O coeficiente kappa foi utilizado para calcular a confiabilidade dos diagnósticos do DC/TMD. Em relação aos resultados, foram encontradas diferenças na SD entre a fase lútea (quarta avaliação) e ovulatória (terceira avaliação) (p = 0,01), de ambos os grupos. Não foram encontradas diferenças em FMM (P = 0,34) ou PM (P = 0,43), entre os grupos experimental e controle. Sensibilidade à dor foi reduzido após o tratamento (P = 0,0001). O tratamento melhorou a amplitude de movimento, aumentando a abertura bucal (P = 0,0001) e movimento ântero-posterior (P = 0,01), bem como a velocidade de abertura máxima (P = 0,0001) e de fechamento (P = 0,04) durante a mastigação, após o tratamento. Houve diferenças nos índices de qualidade de sono para PSQI (P = 0,0001) e ESS (P = 0,04) após o tratamento da dor miofacial. No terceiro estudo, a confiabilidade foi boa em todos os três grupos de examinadores para todos os diagnósticos, exceto para a mialgia local e dor miofascial com referência no grupo Autoinstrução + curso. O curso melhorou a confiabilidade para a mialgia e artralgia quando comparado com a auto-instrução. Desta maneira, flutuações de estrogênio pode influenciar a sensibilidade à dor de pacientes com DTM, mas não afeta a função mastigatória. O tratamento de indivíduos com dor miofascial com placas estabilizadoras foi eficaz reduzindo a dor, e esta opção de tratamento melhora a qualidade do sono e movimentação mandibular. A confiabilidade da calibração do DC/TMD por meio do treinamento formal e da auto-instrução são semelhantes, exceto para os subgrupos de Mialgia. A auto-instrução seguida de treinamento formal melhora a confiabilidade da calibração do DC/TMD / Abstract: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common chronic orofacial pathology conditions characterized by pain in the temporomandibular joint and/or muscles of mastication. The TMD is a common pain condition, especially in women during their reproductive phase. Thus the objectives of this thesis were (1) to evaluate whether the hormonal fluctuations that occur during the menstrual cycle alter pain sensitivity (PS), maximum bite force (MBF) and masticatory performance (MP) to volunteers with TMD, (2) evaluate if jaw movements and sleep quality would change with treatment with stabilizing occlusal splint and (3) compare the diagnosis based on the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC / TMD) to evaluate the reliability and calibration between formal training in relation to self-instruction with documents and film. For this purpose, fifty volunteers were selected and divided into two groups of 25 participants: (1) volunteers with regular menstrual cycles and TMD, and (2) voluntary with TMD and using oral contraceptives. Pain sensitivity (PS) by using a visual analog scale, maximum bite force (MBF) using sensors and masticatory performance (MP) through screening were analyzed. These variables were measured for a period of four phases of a complete menstrual cycle. The same 50 volunteers diagnosed with PS participated in the second study, pain intensity (visual analogue scale), quality of sleep (Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS) and Index of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality (PSQI) were analyzed, and mandibular movements - range of motion and chewing movements (kinesiography) before and after two months of treatment with stabilizing splints. Repeated measures GLIMMIX were used for data analysis followed by Tukey¿s test (P ? .05). For the third study a different sample was used, a total of 32 patients (27 patients with TMD and 9 asymptomatic) were examined using DC/TMD. Six examiners were divided into two groups with different training, (1) formal training and calibration at a DC/TMD training center and (2) self-instruction with the use of documents and video. After the first evaluation, the second group went through the formal training, considered the group (3) self-instruction + course. The reliability assessment was performed over a full day comprising in a clinical examination of 16 patients for each of the three groups. The Cohen's kappa coefficient was used to calculate the reliability of the DC/TMD diagnoses. Regarding the results, differences between the PS in luteal phase (Fourth evaluation) and ovulatory phase (third evaluation) were found (p = 0.01) in both groups. No differences in MBF (P = 0.34) or MP (P = 0.43) were found between the experimental and control groups. Sensitivity to pain was reduced after treatment (P = 0.0001). The treatment improved range of motion, increasing mouth opening (P = 0.0001) and anterior-posterior movement (P = 0.01) and the maximum opening speed (P = 0.0001) and closing (P = 0.04) during mastication after treatment. There were differences in the sleep quality scores for PSQI (P = 0.0001) and ESS (P = 0.04) after the treatment of myofascial pain. On the third study, the reliability was good in all three groups of examiners for all diagnoses, except for Myofascial pain with referral in the Self + course group. The course group improved reliability for myalgia and arthralgia compared to self-instruction. Thus, estrogen fluctuations may influence the pain sensitivity of TMD patients, but does not affect masticatory function. Treatment of MFP subjects with stabilized splints was effective reducing pain, and this treatment option improves sleep quality and jaw motion. The reliability of the calibration of DC / TMD through formal training and self-education are similar, except for subgroups of Myalgia. The self-instruction followed by formal training improves the reliability of the calibration of DC / TMD / Doutorado / Protese Dental / Doutora em Clínica Odontológica

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-04-12T11:42:16Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) TESE DIGITAL COM FICHA SEM ASSINAT.pdf: 7130468 bytes, checksum: 91f192851345cb3030b04950f2f04c1e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-12T11:42:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) TESE DIGITAL COM FICHA SEM ASSINAT.pdf: 7130468 bytes, checksum: 91f192851345cb3030b04950f2f04c1e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-03 / INTRODUÇÃO: A avaliação dos limiares dolorosos em pacientes com neuropatias compressivas é de grande utilidade quando se tenta explicar a presença de sintomas generalizados. Sabe-se que no processo de sensibilização periférica a liberação de prostaglandina e bradicinina altera receptores específicos TRPV1 levando a redução do limiar de disparo da fibra nervosa. Essa repetição leva a uma ampliação no campo receptivo cerebral com consequente sensibilização central. A síndrome do túnel do carpo (STC) é a mononeuropatia mais frequentemente diagnosticada, porém os estudos de limiares dolorosos são escassos e não avaliam segundo o grau de comprometimento do nervo. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 160 mulheres divididas em Grupo A) Controle (n=40) e grupo B) pacientes com quadro clínico de síndrome do túnel do carpo (n=120) subdivididas de acordo com o grau de comprometimento neurofisiológico do nervo mediano no punho seguindo a classificação de Pádua em Grupo I (n=20): pacientes com sintomas sugestivos, porém sem confirmação da neuropatia do nervo mediano no punho (NNMP); Grupo II (n=20): NNMP discreta; Grupo III (n=20): NNMP leve; Grupo IV (n= 20): NNMP moderada; Grupo V (n=20): NNMP acentuada; Grupo VI (n=20): NNMP extrema. Realizaram-se algometria de pressão, estudo de condução nervosa, sensibilidade discriminatória entre dois pontos e foi aplicado o questionário de gravidade de sintomas de Boston. A algometria foi realizada em território inervado pelo nervo mediano após a passagem através do túnel do carpo, na região inervada pelo nervo cutâneo palmar, em território inervado pelo nervo ulnar e em áreas proximais ao túnel do carpo. Os valores algométricos em um mesmo grupo seguiram padrão de normalidade (Kolmogorov-Smirnov p <0.05). As comparações entre os grupos foram não-paramétricos (Shapiro- Wilk p= 0.1955) e, portanto, o teste de Kruskal-Wallis foi utilizado e o poshoc de Dunn quando houve diferença significativa. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença extremamente significativa entre o grupo controle e os grupos com NNMP discreta, NNMP leve, NNMP moderada e NNMP acentuada (p<0,0001). Porém, não houve diferença significativa em alguns pontos tanto na presença dos sintomas sem NNMP como na NNMP extrema. Portanto, os limiares reduzem à medida que a patologia se inicia e progride até certo ponto. Quando já não são mais obtidos potenciais sensitivos ou motores nos estudos de condução nervosa, os limiares dolorosos retornam aos valores próximos da normalidade. Sugere-se esse resultado à provável destruição de fibras finas, na qual já pode haver hipoestesia em substituição da hiperalgesia. Quanto à sensibilidade discriminatória entre dois pontos foi observado que quanto mais acentuada a NNMP maiores os valores da sensibilidade discriminatória, havendo diferença significativa entre o controle e os grupos III, IV, V e VI (p<0,0001). Quanto à escala de gravidade de sintomas, as queixas relacionadas à dor e dormência ou formigamento foram mais evidentes nos grupos I, III, IV e V. Enquanto a incapacidade de realizar atividades cotidianas predominou nos grupos III, IV e V. CONCLUSÃO: O limiar para sensação dolorosa é menor em pacientes com síndrome do túnel do carpo, tanto em território inervado pelo nervo mediano como em outras áreas. / INTRODUCTION: Pain threshold evaluation in compressive neuropathy is very useful for explain generalized symptoms. About peripheral sensitization process in the release of bradykinin and prostaglandin alters specific TRPV1 receptors leading to reduction of nerve fiber firing threshold. This repetition leads to a brain receptive field expansion with consequent central sensitization. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most frequently diagnosed mononeuropathy, but painful thresholds studies are scarce and not evaluate according to nerve impairment degree. METHODS: We have evaluated 160 female divided into Group A) Control (n = 40), B) patients with symptoms suggestive of CTS (n = 120) subdivided according to the neurophysiologic impairment of median nerve at the wrist according to Padua classification into Group I (n = 20): patients with symptoms suggestive, but without confirmated wrist median nerve neuropathy (WMNN); Group II (n = 20): Discrete MNNW; Group III (n = 20): Light MNNW; Group IV (n = 20): Moderate MNNW; Group V (n = 20): Severe MNNW; Group VI (n = 20): Extreme MNNW. METHODS: Pressure algometry was held in 320 hands, as well as nerve conduction study and discriminatory sensitivity between two points. The Boston symptom severity questionnaire were applied to the patients. The algometry was held on areas innervated by the median nerve after crossing through the carpal tunnel, palmar cutaneous territory, ulnar cutaneous territory and proximal areas to the carpal tunnel. RESULTS: The algometry values within the same group were normal (Kolmogorov-Smirnov p <0.05). Comparisons between groups were non-parametric (Shapiro-Wilk p = 0.1955) and thus, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used and when there the significant difference pairwise comparisons were performed whit the Dunn test (poshoc). RESULTS: The comparison of algometry data showed extremely significant differences between control group and groups with discrete MNNW, light MNNW, moderate MNNW and severe MNNW (p <0.0001). However, there was no significant difference at some points both in the presence of symptoms without MNNW as in MNNW extreme. Therefore, pain thresholds showed direct relation to MNNW severity to a certain point. When sensory or motor potential were no longer obtained, painful thresholds returned close to normal values. We suggest this result could be due to small fibers destruction, when hyperalgesia would be replaced by hypoesthesia. As for discriminatory sensitivity between two points has been observed higher values were obtained as most affected by MNNW with a significant difference between control group and III, IV, V and VI groups (p <0.0001). As for the scale of severity of symptoms, the complaints with pain and numbness or tingling were more evident in I, III, IV and V groups. About the inability to perform daily activities predominated in III, IV and V groups. CONCLUSION: Pain threshold is lower in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, either the median nerve innervated area or another areas.

Bakgrund: Prehospitala smärtbedömningar är en utmaning för ambulanssjuksköterskan. Korrekt smärtbedömning är viktig då akut smärta som inte lindras kan ge allvarliga konsekvenser för patienten. Smärta definieras som en obehaglig sensorisk och emotionell upplevelse som kan vara förknippad med vävnadsskada eller en upplevelse som liknas vid detta. Smärtbedömning prehospitalt består av flera olika metoder och tillvägagångssätt vilka sjuksköterskan anpassar efter patientens tillstånd och situation samt sin egna erfarenhet, förmåga och kompetens. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att belysa sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av smärtbedömning inom ambulanssjukvård. Metod: Genom kvalitativ intervju av 10 deltagare inhämtades datamaterial som analyserades induktivt genom manifest kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultat: Efter innehållsanalysen delades resultatet upp i 3 huvudkategorier: smärtans subjektiva karaktär, värdera patienters smärta och smärtskattning. Sjuksköterskans tidigare erfarenheter av att möta patienter med olika smärtbeteende och smärtuttryck påverkar förmågan att värdera och relatera till patientens smärtupplevelse. I smärtbedömningen vägs en värdering av patientens smärtskattning in och i de fall sjuksköterskans och patientens bild av situationen inte överensstämmer riskeras patienten att inte bli trodd. Förutfattade meningar beskrivs kunna påverka en smärtbedömning och vissa grupper riskeras att stigmatiseras. Kommunikationen påverkar vårdrelationen och i de fall patienten har en oförmåga att kommunicera verbalt finns risk för bristande smärtbedömning. Slutsats: Smärtans subjektivitet har stor inverkan vid prehospital smärtbedömning, vilket ställer krav på ambulanssjuksköterskan att skapa en professionell vårdrelation. Att kunna relatera till patientens smärttillstånd underlättar vid smärtbedömning, motsatt kan sjuksköterskans svårighet att relatera till patientens smärta öka risken för vårdlidande genom misstroende. / Background: Prehospital pain assessments is challenging for theambulance nurse. Correct pain assessment is important as unalleviatedacute pain can have serious consequences for patients. Pain is definedas an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that may be associatedwith tissue damage or an experience similar to such damage. Prehospitalpain assessment consists of several different methods and approacheswhich the nurse adapts to the patient's condition and situation as wellas their own experience, ability and competence. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to highlight nurses' experiencesof pain assessment in prehospital healthcare. Method: Through a qualitative interview of 10 participants, datamaterial was obtained and analyzed inductively through manifestqualitative content analysis. Results: After the content analysis, 3 main categories emerged: The subjective nature of the pain, Evaluate patients' pain, and Pain Assessment. The nurse's previous experiences of meeting patients withdifferent pain behaviours and pain expressions affect the ability tovalue and relate to patients' pain experience. In the pain assessment, avaluation of patients' self-assessment is weighed in, and in cases wherethe nurse's and the patient's view of the situation do not match, thepatient risks not being trusted. Preconceived notions are described asbeing able to influence a pain assessment and certain groups are at riskof being stigmatized. Communication affects the care relationship and incases where patients have an inability to communicate verbally there isa risk of insufficient pain assessment. Conclusion: The subjectivity of pain has a major impact on prehospitalpain assessment, which places demands on the ambulance nurse to create aprofessional care relationship. Being able to relate to the patient'spain condition facilitates pain assessment. Conversely, the nurse'sdifficulty in relating to patients' pain can increase the risk of caresuffering through mistrust.

Många studier visar att det finns en skillnad mellan sjuksköterskans bedömning och patientens upplevelse av smärta och smärtbehandling. Syftet med litteraturstudien är att jämföra dessa uppfattningar. Eftersom god smärtlindring är en förutsättning för patientens psykiska såväl som fysiska välmående är det av stor vikt att sjuksköterskans bedömningar är så korrekta som möjligt. Förutom olika smärtskattningsmetoder, ex. VAS skalan är det nödvändigt att sjuksköterskor medvetandegörs om sina egna attityder, då dessa kan påverka kvalitén på omvårdnaden. Genom att undersöka sjuksköterskors attityder och värderingar kring begreppet smärta samt deras kliniska bedömning av patienternas smärta och jämföra denna med patienters upplevelse av smärtbehandlingen de erhållit vid sjukhusvistelse. Litteraturstudien bygger på nio kvantitativa artiklar. Resultatet visade att det var vanligt förekommande att sjuksköterskorna underskattade patienternas smärta, särskilt när den var hög. Endast i två studier gjordes relativt korrekta bedömningar. / Many studies indicate that there is a difference between the nurses measurement of pain intensity and the patients experinece it. This aime of this litteratur review was to examine these differences. Since good pain relief is an essential component for the patients physical as well as psychological well being it is of great importance that the attending nurse makes a fairly accurate judgment regarding the level of pain. Apart from different pain measurement tools, like the VAS scale it is important that the nurses are made aware of their own attitudes towards their patients since these can influence the quality of the care given. By examining nurse’s attitudes and values regarding the pain phenomena and in addition to comparing their clinical judgment of the patient’s pain to how the patients say they experienced the pain treatment they received during hospitalization. The literature review is based on nine quantitative studies. The result shows that it was common in the clinical settings that the nurses underestimated their patients pain, especially when it was high. Only in two studies were the estimations judged as fairly accurate.

Smärta är något subjektivt och det är bara patienten som kan säga hur ont han har. Smärtskattning ger sjuksköterskan en uppfattning om patientens upplevda smärta. Sjuksköterskor kommer ofta i kontakt med patienter med smärta, därav vikten av att kunna skatta smärta hos en patient på ett adekvat sätt. Olika smärtskattningsinstrument har tagits fram och är ett hjälpmedel till sjuksköterskan vid smärtskattning. Syftet med denna studie är att få en ökad kunskap och insikt i smärtskattningen ur en sjuksköterskas perspektiv. Vidare frågeställningar är vilka metoder som används vid smärtskattning, hur instrumenten fungerar i den kliniska vardagen samt sjuksköterskornas attityder gentemot smärtskattning. Metoden för datainsamlingen var att intervjua 9 sjuksköterskor på två ortopedavdelningar. Analysen skedde enligt en modifierad manifest innehållsanalys där fyra huvudkategorier arbetades fram. Det är individuellt hur sjuksköterskor smärtskattar en patient. Är patienten orienterad till tid och rum används visuell analog skala (VAS). Är det en patient med kognitiv nedsättning tittar sjuksköterskan på rörel-semönster eller frågar om smärta. VAS är det instrument som är mest känt. Fördelen med VAS är att det är lättdokumenterat. Nackdelen är att vissa patienter lär sig vad som ska sägas för att få smärtstillande. / Pain is something subjective and it is only the patient who knows how much pain he has. Pain measurement gives the nurse a perception of the patients’ experience of pain. Nurses often come in contact with patients with pain and that is why it is important to assess the patients’ pain adequately. Different instruments for pain assessment have been developed and are a complement to the nurse in pain measurement. The aim of this study is to get better knowledge and insight into pain measurement from a nurse’s perspective. The study also examines which methods are used in pain measurement, how assessments function in every day medical practise and nurses’ attitudes towards pain measurement. The method of data collection was to interview 9 nurses at two orthopaedic wards. The analysis was done by modified manifest content analysis where four main categories were compiled. Nurse’s pain measurement is individual. If the patient is oriented to time and room the nurse uses visual analoge scale (VAS). If the patient suffers from cognitively dysfunction the nurse looks at the movement pattern or asks about pain. VAS is the tool that is most common. The advantage by using VAS is easy to document. The disadvantage is that some patients learn what to say to get painrelieving.

The need for nurses to become culturally competent is well documented in transcultural nursing literature. The subjective multidimensional nature of pain makes it imperative for nurses to use assessment methods that are culturally congruent. This study set out to explore the differences and similarities in conceptualization, experience, expression and management of pain between nurses and clients in the United Arab Emirates. The purpose of the study was to develop guidelines in the cultural pain assessment in the UAE context. The findings confirmed that nurses rely on biomedical approaches in assessment and relief of pain; clients were found to rely on the family for emotional support and on nurses for pharmacological interventions. Clients used sensory descriptors, and analogy when describing pain, nurses relied on the technical background and experience. Religious factors had a significant impact on clients' pain behavior. This study offers nurses new insights into cultural assessment of pain. / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / Headaches are one of the most common clinical conditions in medicine, and 80% of these are tension-type headaches (TTH). TTH has a greater socioeconomic impact than any other type of headache due to its prevalence. Within the TTH category, episodic TTH are more prevalent than chronic TTH. The mainstay in the treatment of TTH are simple analgesics and NSAIDs. Unless contraindicated, NSAIDs are often the most effective treatment for ETTH. However patients suffering with TTH tend to relate their headaches to increased muscle stiffness in the neck and shoulders and thus the non-pharmacological treatment of ETTH could be directed at the associated musculoskeletal components of ETTH. It is therefore proposed that the Kinesio Taping® Method may have an effect in the treatment of the muscular component of ETTH. Method: This study was a prospective randomised clinical trial with two intervention groups (n=16) aimed at determining the relative effectiveness of a NSAID and the Kinesio Taping® Method in the treatment of ETTHs. The patients were treated at 5 consultations over a 3 week period. Feedback was obtained using the: NRS – 101, the CMCC Neck Disability Index and a Headache Diary. Results: The Headache Diary showed a reduction in the presence and number, mean duration and pain intensity of ETTH in both groups. These treatment effects were sustained after the cessation of treatment with the exception of mean pain intensity in the Kinesio Taping® Method group. The mean NRS score decreased in both groups but at a slightly faster rate in the Kinesio Taping® Method group. The CMCC showed an improvement in the functional ability of the patients in both groups. Conclusion: There seems to be no significant difference in the relative effectiveness of the treatment modalities. We can thus state that the overall short-term reduction in symptomatology supports the use of NSAIDs or Kinesio Taping® Method in the treatment of ETTH.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / The 1 year overall prevalence of Episodic Tension-Type Headache (ETTH) is 38.3%; with lifetime prevalence at 46% for TTH. Little literature exists to support the effectiveness of spinal manipulation in the treatment of ETTH. Therefore aim of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of cervical spine manipulation and a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (Ibuprofen®) in the treatment of ETTH. Method: This study was a prospective randomised clinical trial with two intervention groups (N=32, n1=16 and n2=16). The allocation of participants to the two groups was completed by means of simple randomization. Group one were treated using cervical spine manipulation. Group two were treated using Ibuprofen. Subjective measurements included the Numerical Rating Scale 101 Questionnaire (NRS-101), Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), CMCC Neck Disability Index (CMCC) and Headache Diary. A p value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The subjective measurements of the NRS-101, SF-MPQ and CMCC showed a significant time effect in both treatment groups. Several of the subjective Headaches Diary outcomes followed this trend with significant time effect in both groups. There was a significant treatment effect for the NRS-101. Several subject outcomes from the Headache Diary showed a significant treatment effect in favour of manipulation, namely frequency and duration of headaches. Conclusion: The findings in this study have shown that cervical spine manipulation is more effective than Ibuprofen® for the treatment of ETTH in terms of several subjective outcomes namely: pain intensity (NRS-101), and the frequency and the duration of headache per day.