Introduction: Exercise intolerance and dyspnea are the main symptoms of heart failure (HF). Objective: To evaluate the effects of a program of aerobic exercises and strengthening on cardiorespiratory fitness, maximum torque of knee flexors and extensors, and quality of life of patients with HF. Methods: Prospective, pre-and post-cardiovascular rehabilitation (CVR) study of seven patients, aged 61 ± 6 years, functional class II and III and left ventricular ejection fraction 45.4 ± 2.3%. The CVR program consisted of 24 sessions of 60 minutes with aerobic training in intensity of the anaerobic threshold (AT) and strengthening of the lower limbs using ankle weights of 3 to 5 kg. At the beginning and after CVR, the patients performed stress test, isokinetic dynamometry of the dominant knee and completed the WHOQOL-bref questionnaire. Results: After CVR, exercise time to reach AT was delayed (p=0.04) and there was a significant increase in oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) (p<0.01), heart rate (HR) (p=0.04), pulse of oxygen (VO 2 /HR) (p=0.02) and ventilation (VE) (p=0.01) in the intensity of AT. There was an increase in maximum torque of knee extensor muscles (p=0.02) and significant improvement in the psychological domain (p=0.04) of the quality of life questionnaire. Conclusion: The CVR program was safe and resulted in improved performance of submaximal exercises, knee extensor muscles strength and quality of life of patients with HF.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:There are few studies evaluating the effects of physiotherapy with multidimensional instruments on cancer pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of physiotherapy on pain and functional capacity in hospitalized cancer patients. METHODS: This is a quasi-experimental study including 40 participants with a mean age of 51±18 years assessed before and after physiotherapy interventions, using the verbal numerical rating scale, the McGill Pain Questionnaire -Short Form, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Sit-to-Stand test, and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group questionnaire for functional capacity evaluation. The participants were classified according to the number of performed sessions: group 1≤ 5 sessions (n=25) and group 2 ≥ 6 sessions (n=15). RESULTS: There was a reduction in cancer pain measured by sensory (p=0.02) and mixed descriptors (p=0.05) of the McGill questionnaire as well as by the numerical visual scale (p=0.03) in patients who performed at least six physiotherapy sessions. There was a significant correlation (r=0.81; p<0.001) between the reduction in pain measured by the numerical visual scale and the reduction in pain measured by the Total McGill questionnaire.

Introdução: As terapêuticas utilizadas para o controle do câncer de mama envolvem cirurgia, tratamentos sistêmicos e radioterapia, com isso, um aglomerado de complicações pode impactar a funcionalidade do membro superior.Objetivo: Avaliar a força muscular e a amplitude de movimento de mulheres com câncer de mama em tratamento radioterápico e analisar a influência destas variáveis na funcionalidade do membro homolateral a cirurgia. Métodos: Assim, foram incluídas 57 mulheres e realizada avaliação da amplitude de movimento e força muscular comparando membro superior homolateral e contralateral a cirurgia e, após aplicado o questionário de desabilidades do ombro, braço e mão.Resultados: Os resultados mostraram escore satisfatório de funcionalidade do membro superior. A força muscular mostrou-se inalterada, porém houve redução na amplitude de movimento em flexão e abdução. Foi verificada correlação entre amplitude de movimento, força muscular e funcionalidade principalmente em abdução.Conclusão: A força muscular afeta diretamente a funcionalidade do membro superior.