O estudo foi realizado com pessoas do sexo masculino e que viveram a experiência de sofrer um trauma que acarretou a lesão da medula espinal. Teve como objetivos: - compreender os significados que a pessoa atribui a sua experiência de ser lesado medular; - compreender a maneira como a dimensão atribuída ao significado de ser lesado medular se manifesta nas ações da pessoa; - desenvolver um modelo teórico representativo da experiência da pessoa que sofreu uma lesão traumática na medula espinal. Utilizou-se como referencial teórico o Interacionismo Simbólico e como referencial metodológico, a Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados. A estratégia para a obtenção dos dados foi a entrevista. Dos resultados emergiram dois fenômenos - Sobrevivendo ao Acidente e Vivendo uma Nova Realidade. Destes, identificou-se a categoria central - Re dimensionando limitações e possibilidades. A compreensão da experiência da pessoa que adquire uma lesão da medula espinal possibilitou reconhecer como as vivências, que ocorrem após a constatação da deficiência física, são percebidas por esses indivíduos, e como redimensionam os significados que vão atribuindo às situações diferentes que passam a vivenciar. O modelo teórico mostra que a experiência de ter se tornado um paraplégico ou um tetraplégico, é permeada pela vivência de limitações, e dependências, sentimentos e reações que vão sendo dimensionados e redimensionados à medida que vai re elaborando significados e valores, e desenvolvendo ações que lhe apontam possibilidades, as quais toma posse mediante as escolhas que faz para dar continuidade ou sentido à vida preservada, porém modificada / A study conducted with adult males who had undergone the experience of suffering trauma causing spinal cord injury (SCI). The aim was to: - understand the meaning patients gave to their experience of being an SCI bearer; - understand how the dimensions attributed to being a SCI bearer manifested itself in the person\'s behavior; - develop a theoretical model representative of the experience of the person who suffered SCI. The study used as a theoretical reference Symbolic Interactionism and used the Grounded Theory methodology. Data was collected through interviews. Two phenomena emerged from the findings: \"Surviving the Accident\" and \"Living a New Reality\". Of these the central category was identified as Re defining limits and possibilities. Understanding of the experience of SCI bearers made it possible to recognize how the events that occurred after the diagnosis of the physical deficiency is perceived by the persons and how they redefine the meaning attributed to the different situations they came to experience after suffering the acquired physical deficiency. The theoretical model reveals that the experience of having become a paraplegic or tetraplegic involved a lot of coping with limitations and dependency, emotions and reactions that go on being defined and redefined as the individual restructured values and developed actions that led to possibilities of overcoming, which were adopted through the choices made, so as to give continuity of meaning to the life that remained, although in its modified state

Orientador: Alberto Cliquet Junior / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-10T00:45:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 VasconcelosNeto_Renata_M.pdf: 2310953 bytes, checksum: a4ec42aa2d3d7698d2b27ec3f9f536f9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Resumo: objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as características da cinemática, o pico do momento articular de flexão e extensão das articulações do quadril, joelho e tornozelo e o esforço cardiovascular durante a marcha assitida por estimulação elétrica neuromuscular (EENM) de pacientes paraplégicos. Um grupo foi formado por onze sujeitos saudáveis - grupo controle (GC) e o outro por dez sujeitos com paraplegia (GP) com lesão medular entre T4 e TIO. Os dados da cinemática e da cinética foram coletados por um sistema de seis câmeras ProReflex (Qualisys) e uma plataforma de força AMTI. O GP caminhou com o auxílio de um andador, utilizando uma órtese no tornozelo (ankle foot orthosis - AFO) e com quarto canais de EENM, que estimulou o grupo muscular quadríceps e o nervo fibular. O teste de caminhada de seis minutos foi realizado e mensurado a frequência cardíaca, a pressão arterial sistólica, a pressão arterial diastólica, a distância e a velocidade percorridas. Os resultados mostraram que os picos de flexão e extensão do momento articular das articulações analisadas,' o tamanho da passada, a cadência, a velocidade e a variação angular foram menores no GP, quando comparados ao GC. O teste de caminhada de sei5 minutos demonstrou um alto custo energético do GP durante a marcha. Os resultados sugerem que o treino de marcha com EENM em indivíduos paraplégicos tem um baixo risco de ocasionar lesões nas articulações dos membros inferiores e que este tipo de marcha requer um alto gasto energético podendo ser usado para melhorar o condicionamento cardiovascular destes pacientes / Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate kinematics characteristics, peak moment and the cardiovascular effort during neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) stimulated gait of paraplegic patients. Eleven healthy control subjects (CG) and 10 paraplegic subjects (PG) with lesion levels between T4 and TIO were assessed. The kinematic and kinetic data were collected by a six-camera system ProReflex (Qualisys) and a force plate - AMTI. The PG walked aided by a walker, an ankle foot orthosis and a four channel NMES system, that stimulated the quadriceps muscular group and the fibular nerve. The six min walking test (6MWT) was done and heart rate, blood pressure and distance were measured. The kinetic results showed that in PG moment peaks, stride, cadence, speed and angle range were lower than in CG. The 6MWT demonstrated the high energy cost of PG during gait. Results suggest that NMES gait training for paraplegic individuaIs is of low risk towards causing lower lifub joint lesions and this type of walking also requires a high amount of energy and can be used to improve cardio respiratory conditioning to these patients / Mestrado / Pesquisa Experimental / Mestre em Cirurgia

Orientador: Alberto Cliquet Júnior / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-18T01:34:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Bittar_CintiaKelly_D.pdf: 5246806 bytes, checksum: 9260873ef7fa16dc2ede271dc0571bd7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: A lesão medular causa prejuízos nos aspectos físico, psicológico e social da pessoa. Há predomínio de indivíduos do sexo masculino, jovens e o principal motivo são os acidentes automobilísticos. A lesão neurológica e o desuso dos membros acometidos produzem espasticidades, contraturas, osteoporose e deformidades, principalmente nos pés. Uma estratégia para diminuir estas complicações nos lesados medulares é a estimulação elétrica neuromuscular (EENM). Há poucos estudos na literatura descrevendo o comportamento de pés e tornozelos de lesados medulares submetidos à EENM, bem como sobre avaliação da osteoporose nestes indivíduos utilizando UQC (ultrassonografia quantitativa de calcâneo). Portanto, o objetivo principal deste estudo foi analisar os efeitos da EENM nos pés e tornozelos de lesados medulares e compará-los a grupo de lesados que não realizam EENM e a grupo de indivíduos normais. O objetivo secundário é avaliar a utilidade da ultrassonografia quantitativa de calcâneo no diagnóstico de osteoporose em lesados medulares. No período de janeiro a outubro de 2009, trinta pacientes do ambulatório de lesados medulares no Hospital das Clínicas da Unicamp que realizam EENM (Grupo A) tiveram seus pés e tornozelos submetidos à avaliação clínica e radiográfica e foram comparados a grupo de lesados que não realizam EENM (Grupo B) e a grupo de indivíduos normais (Grupo C). Foi também avaliada a densidade óssea utilizando UQC e densitometria óssea (DEXA) de 15 pacientes que iniciariam EENM no ambulatório de lesados medulares no Hospital das Clínicas da Unicamp (Grupo D), comparando-a com um grupo de pacientes normais (Grupo E). A avaliação clínica dos pés e tornozelos envolveu deformidades, condições de pele e mobilidade articular da talocrural, da talocalcânea e do médio pé. A avaliação radiográfica consistiu na análise dos ângulos hálux valgo, intermetatarsal, ângulo talocalcâneo no sentido dorso plantar e perfil, tálus em relação ao primeiro osso metatarsal, calcâneo-solo e tibiocalcâneo. Para avaliação estatística foram utilizados o teste de Kruskal-Wallis, Mann- Whitney e Wilcoxon Pareado. Quando o valor de p < 0.05 houve diferença significativa. Em relação aos resultados dos grupos A, B e C, a mobilidade da articulação talocalcânea foi de 23,4º no Grupo A; 13,5º no Grupo B e 28,9º no Grupo C. Na comparação da mobilidade da talocalcânea entre os Grupos A e B, B e C foram constatadas diferenças significativas (0.0092 e 0.0034 respectivamente). Na articulação transversa do tarso a média da mobilidade foi de 22,5º no Grupo A; 15,3º no Grupo B e 24,1º no Grupo C. Comparando a mobilidade articulação transversa do tarso entre os Grupos A e B, B e C obteve-se diferenças significativas (respectivamente 0.0184 e 0.0022). A média da mobilidade da articulação do talocrural foi de 41,4º no Grupo A; 34,3º no Grupo B e 63,6º no Grupo C. Esta mobilidade, quando comparada entre os Grupos A e C, B e C apresentou diferenças significativas (0.0009 e 0.0008, respectivamente). A média da mensuração do ângulo do hálux valgo foi 17,5º para o Grupo A; 14,8º para o Grupo B e 15,6º para o Grupo C. A média do intermetatarsal foi 9,1º (Grupo A); 8,1º (Grupo B) e 10,1º (Grupo C). A média para o ângulo talocalcâneo em AP foi 23,5º (Grupo A), 18,9º (Grupo B) e 24º (Grupo C). A média do ângulo calcâneo-solo foi de 25º para o Grupo A; 25,3º para o Grupo B e 26,8º para o Grupo C. O ângulo talocalcâneo no perfil apresentou as seguintes médias: 44,7º para o Grupo A; 36,8º para o Grupo B e 31,1º para o Grupo C. Quando este ângulo foi comparado entre os Grupos A e C, B e C, houve diferenças significativas (0.0184 e 0.0040, respectivamente). A média do ângulo entre o tálus e o primeiro osso metatarsal foi 13,8º (Grupo A), 19,3º (Grupo B) e 4,0º (Grupo C). Este ângulo, quando comparado entre os Grupos A-C e B-C, apresentou diferenças significativas (0.0089 e 0.0075, respectivamente). A média do ângulo tibiocalcâneo no Grupo A foi de 81º, no Grupo B foi de 80,6º e no C de 81,8º. As deformidades encontradas nos pés dos sujeitos do Grupo A incluíram dois pacientes com dedos em garra e um com pés planos bilateral, enquanto no Grupo B foram encontrados um pé com úlcera grau I no maléolo lateral e um pé com úlcera no calcâneo. Em relação aos resultados da densidade óssea dos grupos D e E, os valores do T score no colo femoral com DEXA (0, 0022) e T score de calcâneo com UQC (0, 0005) apresentaram diferença significativa entre os grupos, com médias superiores no grupo dos normais em relação ao grupo de lesados medulares que iniciariam eletro-estimulação (p < 0.05). O grupo de lesados medulares apresentou diferenças significativas entre os T score da UQC e T score da coluna lombar e do colo com DEXA. Este estudo permitiu concluir que a EENM mantém pés e tornozelos de lesados medulares plantígrados e em posição adequada para deambulação. Essa constatação parece confirmar um aspecto favorável no caso de novas tecnologias permitirem que estes pacientes readquiram capacidade autônoma de marcha. Em relação à avaliação da densidade óssea pelo baixo estresse mecânico nos calcâneos de lesados medulares, pode-se concluir que a UQC não apresenta resultados que possam ser correlacionados com a DEXA para diagnóstico de osteoporose. Não é possível afirmar que UQC seja uma boa escolha para diagnóstico e acompanhamento dos lesados medulares / Abstract: Spinal cord injuries harms a person's physical, psychological and social aspects. It predominantly affects young individuals of the male gender, and is mainly caused by automobile accidents. Spasticity, contractures, and osteoporosis appear due to neurological lesions and disuse, increasing the risk for deformities, especially of the feet. A strategy to diminish these spinal cord injury complications is neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Few studies have described how the feet and ankles of patients with spinal cord injuries behave when subjected to NMES, and about the evaluation of osteoporosis in these individuals with the use of QUS (quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus). Therefore the main objective of this study was to analyze the effects of NMES on the feet and ankles of spinal cord injuries patients and compare them with a group of lesion patients who did not undergo NMES, and a group of normal individuals. The secondary objective was to evaluate the use of quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus in the diagnosis of osteoporosis in spinal cord injuries patients. From January to April 2008, 30 patients at the spinal cord injury ambulatory clinic at the Hospital das Clínicas da Unicamp (group A) were submitted to a clinical and radiographic assessment of their feet and ankles and compared with a spinal cord injury group that did not undergo NMES (group B) and with a group of normal individuals (group C). Bone density was also evaluated using QUS and bone densitometry (DEXA) in 15 patients who began undergoing NMES at the spinal cord injuries ambulatory clinic at the "Hospital das Clínicas da Unicamp" (Group D), and comparing them with the group of normal patients (Group E). The feet and ankle clinical assessment involved documentation of deformities, skin conditions, joint mobility of the ankle, subtalar and midfoot. Standard radiographs were used for the radiographic assessment, with dorsoplantar and profile incidences of support. It was measured the hallux-valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, talocalcaneal angle, calcaneal-ground angle, talus in relation to the first metatarsal angle, and the tibiocalcaneal angle. For statistical evaluation the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon Paired tests were used. When the p-valor was > 0.05 there was significant difference. As regards the results of Groups A, B and C, the mobility of the subtalar joint was 23.4º in Group A; 13.5º in Group B and 28.9º in Group C. In the comparison of subtalar mobility between Groups A and B, B and C significant differences were found (0.0092 and 0.0034 respectively). In the midfoot joint the mean mobility was 22.5º in Group A; 15.3º in Group B and 24.1º in Group C. When comparing the midfoot mobility among Groups A and B, B and C significant differences were obtained (0.0184 and 0.0022 respectively). The mean mobility of the ankle joint was 41.4º in Group A; 34.3º in Group B and 63.6º in Group C. When this mobility was compared between Groups A and B, B and C significant differences were presented (0.0009 and 0.0008 respectively). The mean measurement of the hallux valgus angle was 17.5º for Group A; 14.8º for Group B and 15.6º for Group C. The mean of the intermetatarsal angle was 9.1º (Group A); 8.1º (Group B) and 10.1º (Group C). The mean for the talocalcaneus angle in AP was 23.5º (Group A), 18.9º (Group B) and 24º (Group C). The mean of the calcaneal-ground angle was 25º for Group A; 25.3º for Group B and 26.8º for Group C. The talocalcaneal angle in profile presented the following means: 44.7º for Group A; 36.8º for Group B AND 31.1º for Group C. When this angle was compared between Groups A and C, B and C, there were significant differences (0.0184 and 0.0040, respectively). The mean angle between the talus in relation to the first metatarsal and first metatarsal was 13.8º (Group A), 19.3º (Group B) and 4.0º (Group C). When this angle was compared between Groups A-C and B-C, it presented significant differences (0.0089 and 0.0075, respectively). The mean tibiocalcaneal angle in Group A was 81º, in Group B 80.6º and in Group C it was 81.8º. The deformities found in the feet of subjects in Group A included two patients with clawed toes, and one with bilateral flat feet, while in Group B one foot with Grade 1 ulcer on the lateral malleolus and one foot with an ulcer on the calcaneus were found. As regards the bone density results of Groups D and E, the values of the T score in the femoral neck with DEXA (0. 0022) and T score of the calcaneus with QUS of the calcaneus (0. 0005) presented significant difference between the groups, with higher means in the normal group in comparison with the spinal cord injuries group, who began undergoing NMES (p > 0.05). The spinal cord injuries group presented significant differences between the T score of QUS of the calcaneus and the T score of the lumbar spine and the femoral neck with DEXA. It is possible to conclude that the partial-load NMES maintained the feet and ankles of patients with spinal cord injuries in an adequate walking position. This finding indicates a favorable aspect of new technologies that may allow these patients to regain independent walking capacity. As regards the evaluation of bone density due to the low mechanical stress on the heels of spinal cord injuries patients, it could be concluded that QUS did not present results that could be correlated with DEXA for the diagnosis of osteoporosis. It was not possible to affirm that QUS is a good choice for the diagnosis and follow-up of spinal cord injuries patients / Doutorado / Fisiopatologia Cirúrgica / Doutor em Cirurgia

Orientador: Jose Irineu Gorla / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação Fisica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T14:59:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Campana_MateusBetanho_M.pdf: 1252576 bytes, checksum: f61625358452370fd0f7155945f7d694 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: No decorrer desse estudo, o RCR é apresentado de forma que possam ser informadas suas origens - no Mundo e no Brasil, quais as patologias que tornam uma pessoa elegível para a sua prática, as principais regras a serem aprendidas para se dar início à aprendizagem do esporte, as principais patologias para um sujeito praticá-lo, os principais eventos que ocorrem no Brasil e no mundo e as equipes existentes até o momento no país. Também são descritos os Princípios Técnicos que devem ser observados e ensinados para que alguém possa jogar o RCR, assim como os Princípios Táticos de Ataque e Defesa. O objetivo geral desse estudo foi estruturar a modalidade do Rúgbi em Cadeira de Rodas nas suas funções técnicas e táticas e os objetivos específicos que proporcionaram essa análise científica foram: a revisão da literatura sobre a lesão medular; a caracterização das principais táticas e técnicas da modalidade e a descrição dos principais exercícios táticos e técnicos para a modalidade. / Abstract: During this study, the Wheelchair Rugby is shown that they can be informed of their origins - in the world and in Brazil, which the pathologies that make a person eligible for the practice, the main rules to be learned to start the learning sport, the main pathologies for a guy to practice it, the main events that occur in Brazil and the world and the existing teams so far in the country. It also describes the technical principles to be observed and taught so that someone can play the Wheelchair Rugby, as well as the tactical principles of attack and defense. The overall objective of this study was to measure the mode of Rugby Wheelchair in their technical functions and tactics and specific goals that provided the scientific analysis were: a literature review of spinal cord injury, the characterization of the main tactics and techniques of the sport and description of the technical and tactical exercises for the game. / Mestrado / Atividade Fisica, Adaptação e Saude / Mestre em Educação Física

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / LesÃo medular representa grande problema de saÃde pÃblica, que agride fisicamente o corpo, podendo levar à paraplegia ou à tetraplegia, trazendo conseqÃÃncias que alteram a dinÃmica da famÃlia, determinando um novo estilo de vida para os seus membros. Esse contexto leva a famÃlia a organizar-se e redimensionar a sua vida, para melhor compreender o indivÃduo e aprender a conviver com as implicaÃÃes da lesÃo. Objetivou-se, no estudo, compreender o significado do cuidado prestado pelo ente familiar à pessoa com lesÃo medular; conhecer os sentimentos que permeiam a relaÃÃo de cuidado da famÃlia da pessoa com lesÃo medular à luz das consideraÃÃes da teoria de Jean Watson; e analisar as atitudes dos familiares diante do processo de cuidar. O estudo à do tipo descritivo, com abordagem de natureza qualitativa, desenvolvido em uma instituiÃÃo referÃncia em atendimento ao trauma, localizada em Fortaleza-CE. Participaram do estudo sete familiares cuidadores, que estiveram prestando cuidados durante a internaÃÃo. Os dados foram coletados no perÃodo de setembro a outubro de 2007, por meio de entrevista do tipo semi-estruturada. Os depoimentos foram analisados com base no mÃtodo de anÃlise de conteÃdo. Interpretamos e inferimos as informaÃÃes à luz da Teoria do Cuidado Transpessoal de Jean Watson. ConcluÃmos que o significado do cuidar na percepÃÃo do membro familiar à expresso por dificuldades relacionadas ao dÃficit de conhecimento, ao fato de que cuidar à uma atividade cansativa e a resignaÃÃo do novo papel de cuidador. Em relaÃÃo aos sentimentos despertados diante deste tipo de lesÃo neurolÃgica, destacaram-se o afeto, a fÃ, a tristeza, a ansiedade e medo, a preocupaÃÃo e a esperanÃa. Evidenciaram-se, como atitudes diante do processo de cuidar, os aspectos relativos à responsabilidade; resignaÃÃo; nÃo-aceitaÃÃo e ambivalÃncia de atitudes. Com isso, percebemos que à necessÃrio tambÃm enfocar o cuidado de Enfermagem à famÃlia daquele acometido pela lesÃo medular. / Spinal cord injury represents great problem in public health, which affects physically the body, leading to paraplegia or tetraplegia, bringing consequences that modify familyâs dynamics, which determine a new life style to its members. This context takes family to organize itself and to reconfigure its shapes, in search for understanding the individual and learning how to live with the injury implications. We aimed, in this study, to understand the meaning of caring given by the family to a person with spinal cord injury; to find out the feelings that surround the care relationship of the spinal cord injury personâs family based on the considerations of Jean Watsonâs Theory; and to analyze the family attitudes face to caring process. This study is a descriptive type, with a qualitative approach, developed at an institution reference on trauma assistance, settled on Fortaleza-CE. Seven family caregivers participated to this study. The data were collected in September to October 2007, by a semi-structured interview. The speeches were analyzed using the content analysis method. We interpreted and inferred the information supported by Jean Watsonâs Transpersonal Caring Theory. We concluded that the caring meaning for the family memberâs perception is expressed by difficulties related to knowledge deficit, to the fact of caring is supposed to be an exhaustive activity and to the resignation of the new role of caregiver. About the feelings aroused in response to this neurological lesion, highlighted affection, faith, sadness, anxiety and fear, preoccupation and hope. As attitudes patterns face to caring process, we pointed the aspects linked to responsibility, resignation, non-acceptance and attitudes ambivalence. Thus, we realized that it is also necessary to focus Nursing care on the family of those people affected by spinal cord injury.

A lesão medular é uma injúria do sistema nervoso central que resulta em grande déficit funcional. É uma condição relacionada ao desenvolvimento industrial e tecnológico e acomete principalmente adultos jovens em idade produtiva. Apesar de algumas tentativas terapêuticas estarem sob investigação, ainda não há tratamento eficaz que garanta recuperação funcional. A maioria das estratégias utilizadas visa estimular eventos de neuroplasticidade. A cúrcuma é um composto dietético que tem potencial terapêutico por interferir em processos inflamatórios, oxidativos e imunológicos. O presente estudo investigou possíveis efeitos terapêuticos da cúrcuma após hemissecção medular em ratos. O protocolo experimental foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Uso de Animais da Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades. Os animais foram submetidos à hemissecção medular após a medula espinhal ser exposta por laminectomia. Os animais foram divididos em 2 grupos experimentais: i) lesionado com cúrcuma (LC); ii) lesionado sem tratamento (LS). Os testes comportamentais BBB Score, Combined Behavior Score, plano inclinado e Beam Walking foram realizados 24h, 72h e 7 dias depois da lesão para avaliar o reaprendizado medular e a recuperação funcional. Os resultados demonstraram melhora do comportamento sensitivo-motor dos animais, provavelmente envolvendo neuroproteção das vias de tato, dor e pressão. As propriedades anti-inflamatórias e antioxidantes da cúrcuma podem ter levado à melhora funcional. Análises celulares e moleculares são necessárias para entendermos melhor os efeitos no epicentro da lesão depois do tratamento com a cúrcuma. Um dos possíveis efeitos prováveis é sobre a conversão de alguns ácidos graxos envolvidos na inflamação, como o ácido araquidônico, diminuindo sua ação e gerando ganhos funcionais. O uso da cúrcuma na fase aguda da hemissecção medular interferiu positivamente na recuperação sensitivo-motora deflagrando, portanto, eventos de neuroproteção e neuroplasticidade / The spinal cord injury is a condition that results in severe functional deficit. It is related to the industrial and technological development and affects mainly young adults. Despite some therapeutic trials are under investigation, there is no treatment that guarantees functional recovery. Most of those strategies for recovery involve neuroplasticity. Curcumin is a dietetic compound with known therapeutic potential, interfering on inflammatory, oxidative and immunological processes. The present study investigated the effects of the treatment with curcumin on acute phase of spinal cord hemi-section in rats. The protocol has been approved by Ethics Committee of School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities. The animals were submitted to hemi-section after laminectomy and were divided in two groups: i) injured with curcumin (LC); ii) injured without treatment (LS). The following behavioral tests were performed 24h, 72h and 7 days after lesion: BBB Score, Combined Behavior Score, inclined plane and Beam Walking test aiming to evaluate medular relearning and functional recovery. The tests indicated an improvement of the sensitive-motor behavior probably by neuroprotection of tactile, pain and pressure pathways. The anti antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties of curcumin could result in functional improvement. Cellular and molecular analysis are necessary to better understand the effects could be over the conversion of some fatty acids involved on inflammation, such as arachidonic acid, reducing its action and promoting functional gain. The use of curcumin in the acute phase of spinal cord hemi-section seems to interfere positively in sensorial-motor recovery triggering neuroprotection and plasticity

Cerca de 0,005% da população mundial sofre de lesão medular. O processo regenerativo do tecido nervoso apresenta limitada capacidade para repor as células danificadas (JOHANSSON et al., 1999) e produzir inibidores de crescimento dos axônios associados com a mielina para formação de cicatriz glial (OLSON, 2002). Apesar de resultados promissores, ainda existem controversas quanto ao uso de células-tronco. A eliminação da cicatriz glial, os benefícios de sua formação em diferentes fases e a avaliação da liberação de inibidores de crescimento axonal podem ser parâmetros de análise para o tratamento medular. A enzima condroitinase ABC atua nessa lesão. Neste trabalho avaliamos a interrupção do processo de liberação de inibidores axonais da cicatriz da glia em um tempo não agudo de 7 dias da lesão, sem descartar seus benefícios na fase de formação. Nosso objetivo foi utilizar terapia celular e estabelecer um protocolo de tratamento eficaz, criando uma linha de pesquisa nos estudos da lesão medular. Foi utilizado um grupo de coelhos experimental com realização de hemissecção dorsal e instituído o uso da condroitinase ABC, por aplicação, com micro injeção a curto prazo da lesão. Foi aplicada célula-tronco mesenquimal no foco da lesão após o tratamento da cicatriz da glia com a enzima. Avaliamos por imunohistoquimica a liberação de glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) e sulfato de condroitina proteoglicano (SCPg) nos tecidos após o tratamento no qual foi pretendido fechar algumas lacunas e evitar falhas já descritas, e abrir uma nova esperança no tratamento de pacientes com lesão medular. Nossos resultados ainda mostraram um entendimento superficial sobre a enzima e sua ação sobre cicatrização da glia em associação com o implante celular. Foi aberta uma nova linha de questionamento sobre os benefícios causados à regeneração medular previamente a aplicação de células-tronco. / Around 0,005% of global human population is affected by Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). The regenerative process of neural tissue shows a limited capacity to replace damaged cells (JOHANSSON et al., 1999) and to produce growth inhibitors of associated axons with myelin to create glial scar (OLSON, 2002). Plenty of studies are being developed with stem cell and, despite successful results, there still are controversial opinions. The elimination of the glial scar, the benefits of its growth at different stages and the assessment of axonal growth inhibitors\' release can be parameters of analysis for treating spinal cord. The enzyme chondroitinase ABC acts in this lesion. In this paper we evaluated the release interruption of axonal inhibitors of glial scar in a non-acute 7 days term from injury, not disregarding its benefits during growth. Our goal was to use cell therapy and establish an effective treatment protocol, creating a research line for studies of spinal cord injury and its treatment. A group of rabbits was used under experimental model, conducting dorsal hemisection and application of chondroitinase ABC with micro injection in short-term injury. Mesenchymal stem cells were applied in the lesion focus after the glial scar treatment with the enzyme. Immunohistochemically, we evaluated the release of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and sulfate chondroitin proteoglycan (SCPg) in tissues after treatment which was intended to close some gaps and avoid failures described above, and open a new hope in the treatment of patients with spinal cord injury. Our results also showed superficial understanding of the enzyme and its action on glial scarring in association with cell implant. It has opened a new line of questioning about the benefits due to spinal cord regeneration prior to application of stem cells.

Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / A spinal cord injury (SCI) is an acquired injury, by which damage to the spinal cord causes complete or partial neurological impairment. The major causes of premature death after a spinal cord injury have been documented as septicaemia, urinary tract infections and respiratory disorders. However since the development of modern, comprehensive, medical care, persons with spinal cord injuries generally live longer and thus age with their disability. Several researchers have reported on physical activity and people with SCI and the benefits of it. The overall aim of this study is to explore and describe the experiences of community dwelling survivors of spinal cord injuries regarding their involvement in physical activity or exercise in their respective communities. This was a descriptive and exploratory study that utilised a qualitative approach. Participants for this study were mainly recruited from a registry kept by a not-for-profit organization rendering services and support to survivors of spinal cord injuries in the Cape Metropolitan area. Furthermore, the use of the photo-voice technique was deemed appropriate for this study as this would allow the participants to depict their experiences of physical activity/exercises in their respective communities by means of photographs. Five themes were generated from the thematic analysis: Knowledge of the benefits of physical activity or exercise; getting to and from facilities for physical activity or exercise; availability of facilities; influence of weather and future plans regarding involvement in physical activity. The findings of this study was that most of the participants were aware of the importance of physical activity and the majority was involved in some or other form of physical activity or exercise. A number of factors influenced the participants approach towards physical activity, mostly external barriers and facilitators, which was highlighted by emerging themes. Permission and ethics clearance was obtained from Senate Higher Degree and Research Committee of the University of the Quad-Para Association of South Africa. Participation in this study was voluntary and confidentiality and anonymity was assured. Participants were also assured of their right to participate, decline or withdraw at any time without any implications. In case of any complaint, the participant will be referred for appropriate intervention. An informed written consent was completed by every participant who agreed to take part in the study. All participants were treated with dignity and respect and feedback will be given to all relevant bodies.

The wheelchair tennis evidence base has developed considerably in recent years. For those with a spinal cord injury (SCI), or severe physical impairment, tennis participation represents an opportunity for skill and motor development, and potential for disease risk reduction (Abel et al., 2008). However, as a complex series of technical, tactical and physical elements are implicated, participation for novice, developmental or low-skill players can be challenging. Hence, extension of the evidence base to consider the responses of such groups during play is of considerable value. Initial experimental studies in this thesis investigated the validity, reliability and applicability of instrumentation for the assessment of wheelchair tennis court-movement. Comparisons were made between a global positioning system (GPS) and the data logger (DL) device (Study 1). GPS underestimated criterion distance in tennis-specific drills and reported lower match-play values than the DL. In contrast, DL placed on the outside wheel offered an accurate representation of distance. However, underestimations for DL were revealed at speeds > 2.50 m·s-1 during treadmill testing. Consequently, Study 2 extended this work with consideration of DL applicability for wheelchair tennis match-play. Examination of speed profiles revealed that time spent below the threshold for accuracy was trivial, confirming DL applicability for court-movement assessment. Further between-group comparisons for rank [highly-ranked (HIGH), low-ranked (LOW)], sex (male, female) and format (singles, doubles) revealed that LOW were stationary for longer than HIGH and spent more time at low propulsion speeds. Time in higher speed zones was greatest for HIGH and doubles players. Between-group differences (rank) were further scrutinised in Study 3 with attention paid to describing the physiological response of competitive match-play aligned to court-movement. Set outcome (result) was also examined. Independent of result, HIGH covered greater overall, forwards, reverse and forwards-to-reverse distances than LOW. Interestingly, HIGH winners covered greater distances than HIGH losers and had a higher mean average and minimum heart rate (HR) than LOW winners. In contrast, LOW losers had a higher mean average and mean minimum HR than LOW winners. Collectively, these outcomes suggest an enhanced ability for HIGH to respond to ball movement and the physiological and skill challenges of match-play. While this thesis confirmed that the activity duration and playing intensity is sufficient to confer health-related effects (Study 3), differences identified for rank suggested that strategies to 4 enable performance improvements in LOW were merited. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has suggested that all starter players should be able to serve, rally and score from their first lesson (ITF, 2007). The reality however, is that chair propulsion whilst holding a racket is complex, and therefore, tennis play is challenging for novice and developmental players. Hence, the remainder of experimental work focused on interventions to enable increased court-movement and development of wheelchair tennis-specific court-mobility for LOW. The ITF have endorsed the use of a low-compression ball (LCB) for novices. An LCB bounces lower and moves more slowly through the air than a standard-compression ball (SCB). Novel findings from Study 4 revealed that greater total and forwards distances, greater average speeds and less time stationary result from use of the LCB. Increased movement activity occurred without associated increases in physiological cost, but was considered advantageous, with players adopting stronger positions for shot-play. Further examination of the linkage between movement and physiological variables were explored in the final experimental investigation (Study 5). A short period of organised practice enabled higher overall and forwards distances, and peak and average speeds to be achieved during match-play, without associated increases in physiological cost. Changes were desirable and represented enhanced court-mobility and mechanical efficiency (ME). Wheelchair tennis players were also more self-confident in tennis-specific chair-mobility, post-practice. The racket was a constraint, with lower distances and speeds, and a lower peak physiological response, achieved during tennis practice completed with a racket. This thesis advocates the use of an LCB and a short period of pre-match court-mobility practice for the novice wheelchair tennis player. Collectively, these interventions are likely to prompt greater court-movement enabling better court-positioning, develop confidence in court-mobility and shot-play, develop competence in racket handling whilst pushing, and enhancing ME. These characteristics are likely to enable participation with the likely inference being that greater competence, skill and self-confidence promotes greater enjoyment and therefore enhances longer-term compliance. This is of considerable practical significance given that tennis typically attracts new players to the game, but is less successful at retaining them (ITF, 2007).

Background: Spasticity of the ankle can occur in multiple sclerosis and stroke, and can significantly reduce quality of life by impeding walking and other activities of daily living. Robot driven continuous passive motion (CPM) of the ankle may be a beneficial rehabilitation strategy for lower limb spasticity management, but, objective measures of decreased spasticity and improved locomotion remains uncertain. Additionally, the acute and chronic effects of CPM on spinal cord excitability are unknown. Objectives: To evaluate: 1) the acute changes in spinal cord excitability induced by 30 min of CPM at the ankle joint, in neurologically intact individuals and in those with lower limb spasticity; and, 2) chronic training-induced effects of 6 weeks of bilateral CPM training on reflex excitability and locomotion in those with lower limb spasticity. Methods: Spinal cord excitability was assessed using Hoffmann (H-) reflex recruitment curves, collected immediately before and following 30 min of CPM of the right (neurologically intact) or more affected (clinical) ankle. A multiple baseline repeated measures study design was used to assess changes following 18 bilateral CPM training sessions. Spasticity and locomotion were assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale, the 10 m Walk test, and the Timed Up and Go test. Results: Twenty-one neurologically intact (6 female, 15 male, mean age 24.5 ± 1.7y) and 9 participants with spasticity (3 female, 6 male, mean age 58.9 ± 9.7y) due to various neurological conditions including stroke (n=4), MS (n=3), spinal cord injury (n=1), and cerebral palsy (n=1). In the neurologically intact group, CPM produced a bi-directional modulation of H-reflex creating ‘facilitation’ (n=12) (31.4 ± 20.9% increase in H-reflex amplitude) and ‘suppression’ (n=9) (32.9 ± 21.0% decrease in H-reflex amplitude) groups. In the clinical participants, acute CPM before training significantly increased H-reflex recruitment curve variables H@Thres and H@50; but there was no significant effect of acute CPM post-training. Baseline reflex excitability following training was reduced on the MA side for H@Thres, H@50 and H@100 by 96.5 ± 7.7%, 90.9 ± 9.2%, and 62.9 ± 21.1%, respectively. On the less affected side there was a significant decrease in H@Thres and H@50 by 83.4 ± 29.0% and 76.0 ± 28.3%. Time to complete the 10 m Walk Test was not different (5.2 ± 7.9% change, p = 0.06), and time to complete the Timed Up and Go was decreased (9.5 ± 12.3% change, p = 0.05). Spasticity of the ankle plantar flexor muscles, assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale, was reduced in 4 participants with spasticity. Conclusion: Acute and chronic CPM of the ankle can significantly alter spinal cord excitability. CPM training may be a useful strategy to decrease spasticity of the ankle plantar flexors. / Graduate / 2018-09-15