Lower Amplitude of the Hoffmann Reflex in Women With Patellofemoral Pain: Thinking Beyond Proximal, Local, and Distal Factors

Autor(es)

Silva, Danilo de Oliveira ^[1] ; Magalhaes, Fernando Henrique ^[2] ; Faria, Nathalie Clara ^[1] ; Pazzinatto, Marcella Ferraz ^[1] ; Ferrari, Deisi ^[3] ; Pappas, Evangelos ^[4] ; de Azevedo, Fabio Micolis ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo State, Sch Sci & Technol, Phys Therapy Dept, Presidente Prudente - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Arts Sci & Humanities, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Engn, Dept Bioengn, Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sydney, Fac Hlth Sci, Discipline Physiotherapy, Sydney, NSW - Australia

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION; v. 97, n. 7, p. 1115-1120, JUL 2016.
• Citações Web of Science: 9

Resumo

Objectives: To investigate whether vastus medialis (VM) Hoffmann reflexes (H-reflexes) differ on the basis of the presence or absence of patellofemoral pain (PFP) and to assess the capability of VM H-reflex measurements in accurately discriminating between women with and without PFP. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Laboratory of biomechanics and motor control. Participants: Women (N=30) aged 18 to 35 years were recruited, consisting of 2 groups: women with PFP (n=15) and asymptomatic controls (n=15). Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Maximum evoked responses were obtained by electrical stimulation applied to the femoral nerve, and peak-to-peak amplitudes of maximal Hoffmann reflex (Hmax) and maximal motor wave (Mmax) ratios were calculated. Independent samples t tests were performed to identify differences between groups, and a receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to assess the discriminatory capability of VM H-reflex measurements. Results: VM Hmax/Mmax ratios were significantly lower in participants with PFP than in pain-free participants (P=.007). In addition, the VM Hmax/Mmax ratios presented large and balanced discriminatory capability values (sensitivity, 73%; specificity, 67%). Conclusions: This study is the first to show that VM H-reflexes are lower in women with PFP than in asymptomatic controls. Therefore, increasing the excitation of the spinal cord in PFP participants may be essential to maintaining the gains acquired during the rehabilitation programs. (C) 2016 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 14/24939-7 - Análise integrada de parâmetros biomecânicos para diagnóstico e classificação de mulheres com síndrome da dor femoropatelar: estudo de reprodutibilidade, precisão, acurácia diagnóstica e associação com dor e função
• Beneficiário: Fábio Mícolis de Azevedo
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 13/10755-9 - Análise comparativa da modulação do reflexo h do vasto medial em mulheres normais e com síndrome da dor femoropatelar
• Beneficiário: Nathalie Clara Souto Faria
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado