Analysis of neuromuscular responses and balance after application of cryotherapy

• Grant number: 09/11093-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2010
• End date: July 31, 2010
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Rinaldo Roberto de Jesus Guirro
• Grantee: Thiago Batista Muniz
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In literature, the effects of therapeutic resources involving the temperature variation in proprioception have not been established yet, more specifically due to the application site, the static standing and dynamic postures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the neuromuscular and balance responses of the non-dominant lower limb after the application of cryotherapy. A total of 25 female, healthy and sedentary volunteers, with no history of sensitive and/or osteo-mio- articular disease in the lower limbs will be selected. The responses of the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius-lateral portion, rectus femoral, femoral biceps , and gluteus medium muscles will be collected by the EMG-1000 ( Lynx®) data acquisition system and the ground reaction force (GRF) by a platform of force (AMTI OR 6-7-1000) in static standing and dynamic postures. Ice will be applied for 30 minutes, with a minimum 48 hour interval, placed under the foot sole or ankle or calf. Cross-over design will be employed with the volunteers of each group while being submitted to three interventions. Data collection will be performed in pre, 0, 10, 20 and 30 minute periods after the application. Sensations during intervention will be gathered by the analogical visual scale and the Brazilian adapted version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Firstly, data will be submitted to an exploratory analysis followed by the Friedman test, t test or Wilcoxon for paired data, depending on the distribution. Spearman's correlation will also be applied with a 5% level of significance for all the analyses. Data obtained in this study aimed to support the therapeutic intervention for further applications in cases of neuromuscular disorders involving the static and dynamic postures, which are considered of great importance for the physiotherapist's performance. (AU)