Purpose: to study the effect of whole body mechanical vibration (WBMV) exercise alone or combined with auriculotherapy (AT) in the pain and in the range of movement of the knees of participants with knee osteoarthritis. Authors have reported that these interventions can reduce the pain and increase the muscle strength in various clinical situations. Materials and Methods: The level of pain was evaluated by the visual analogue scale and the range of movement of the knees by goniometry. In five weeks protocols, in the AT intervention, ear points (Shenmen, Kidney, corresponding point-Knee) were stimulated by two seeds (Semen vaccariae), approximated diameter of 1 mm that were previously in an adhesive tape and they were changed every week. The control group had no seeds in the ear's lobe adhesive tape. All the participants were instructed to use the fingers to press (manually) the adhesive tapes for 10 min, three times per day (six days) and to remove the tapes (7th day) before returning to the laboratory. In WBMV intervention, the biomechanical parameters of the mechanical vibration were (i) peak-to-peak displacement (D) with 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mm and (ii) frequency ranging from 5 Hz on the first day, increasing by 1 Hz per session, ending with 14 Hz in the last session. The working time was 3 min with 1 min of rest. The evaluations were performed (i) before and after the first session (acute effect) and (ii) before the first (5 Hz) and after the last (14 Hz) session (cumulative effect). Results: A significant (p<0.05) decrease of the level of pain in the participants with knee osteoarthritis treated with WBMV exercise and with the combined intervention (WBMV and AT) was found in the acute and cumulative effects. The pain was importantly reduced due to WBMV exercise alone about 50% and reduced about 16% in the combination with AT, in the acute intervention. In the cumulative intervention, the pain was strongly reduced about 60% due to WBMV exercise alone and about 37% in the combination with AT. Possibility, this decrease in the effect may be related to inhibitory/competitive actions of the two interventions. In the control groups, no alteration on the level of the pain was observed. The range of the movement (knee´s flexion) was not altered in the participants of the all groups. Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that the level of the pain was decreased (acute and cumulative effects), with both interventions, WBMV exercise alone or combined with AT, However, more studies are need to widespread the use of these forms of treatment.

The evidence for exercise performed on a vibrating platform on mobility, strength, spasticity and BMD in CP remains scant and further larger scale investigations with controlled parameters to better understand the effects of WBV exercises in this population is recommended.

Background:Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by a defective gene located on the X-chromosome, responsible for the production of the dystrophin protein. Complications in the musculoskeletal system have been previously described in DMD patients. Whole body vibration exercise (WBVE) is a treatment that improves musculoskeletal function in movement disorders. The aim of this study was to review the effects of WBVE on functional mobility, bone and muscle in DMD patients.Materials and Methods:Four databases were searched. Three eligible studies were found; all three conclude the management of DMD patients with WBV was clinically well tolerated. The studies used a side-alternating WBV system, frequencies 7 - 24 Hz; and amplitudes 2 - 4 mm.Results:A work indicates that a temporary increase in creatine kinase in DMD during the first days of WBV was observed, but other authors did not find changes. No significant changes in bone mass, muscle strength or bone markers. Some patients reported subjective functional improvement during training. Interpretation:Conclusion:It is concluded that WBV seems to be a feasible and well tolerated exercise modality in DMD patients.

Background:Dengue is considered as an important arboviral disease. Safe, low-cost, and effective drugs that possess inhibitory activity against dengue virus (DENV) are mostly needed to try to combat the dengue infection worldwide. Medicinal plants have been considered as an important alternative to manage several diseases, such as dengue. As authors have demonstrated the antiviral effect of medicinal plants against DENV, the aim of this study was to review systematically the published research concerning the use of medicinal plants in the management of dengue using the PubMed database.Materials and Methods:Search and selection of publications were made using the PubMed database following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA statement).Results:Six publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final selection after thorough analysis.Conclusion:It is suggested that medicinal plants’ products could be used as potential anti-DENV agents.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative disease of the knee joint. This study aims to evaluate the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV), auriculotherapy (AT), and the association of these techniques with the functionality of KOA individuals. Individuals (n = 120) were allocated an AT group (GAT), a WBV group (GWBV), an association group (GWBV + AT), and their respective controls (CGAT, CGWBMV, CGWBMV + AT). The WBV intervention was performed with 5–14 Hz in 3 min of working time with 1 min rest. The control group performed the protocol with the vibrating platform (VP) turned off. The AT intervention was performed with adhesive tapes, with seeds placed in the both ears on the Shenmen point, knee joint, and kidney. The control groups had seedless tape placed on both ears. The participants were instructed to press the adhesive tapes with the fingers three times per day (for 6 days) and to remove the adhesive tapes on the seventh day, before returning to the laboratory. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), the short physical performance battery (SPPB), and the anterior trunk flexibility (ATF) tests were applied. Acute and cumulative effects were determined. In first session (acute effect of the first session), significant improvements were observed in the groups GWBV (p = 0.03) and GWBV + AT (p = 0.04), and in the cumulative effect a significant improvement was observed in the groups GWBV (p = 0.02) and GWBV + AT (p = 0.01). Concerning the overall score of the SPPB, significant improvements were observed in the individuals of the GWBV (p = 0.01) and GWBV + AT (p = 0.03) groups (cumulative effect). No changes were found in the score for the IKDC. The WBV alone or associated with AT, besides being a safe and feasible strategy, likely produces physiological responses that improve the functionality of KOA individuals, considering the findings of the ATF and the score of the SPPB.