BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular disorder is a generic term for conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint, mastication muscles and/or associated structures. The multifactor etiology of the temporomandibular disorder requires multidisciplinary treatment. As constant pain is one of the main characteristics of this disorder, some patients limit their movements during physical activities as a defense mechanism to protect against pain. The present study aimed to determine whether the participation of individuals with the temporomandibular disorder in dance therapy is related to the fear of practicing physical activities. METHODS: An exploratory, quantitative study was conducted with a sample of 35 patients with chronic pain recruited from a clinic specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorder. The participants were allocated to two groups: active group (n=14) and control group (n=21). The Brazilian version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia was used to measure the fear of movement. RESULTS: Mean age was 46.4 years in the active group and 42.9 years in the control group. The mean kinesiophobia score (on a scale of 17 to 68) was 39 in the active group and 39.8 in the control group. CONCLUSION: The present findings demonstrate no significant difference in terms of the degree of kinesiophobia between individuals who agreed and declined to participate in the proposed activity (dance).

Objective: To describe the alterations observed in electronystagmography (ENG) of patients with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) types 2 and 3. Method: Sixteen patients were studied and the following procedures were carried out: anamnesis, otorhinolaryngological and vestibular evaluations. Results: The clinical findings in the entire group of patients were: gait disturbances (93.75%), dysarthria (43.75%), headache (43.75%), dizziness (37.50%) and dysphagia (37.50%). In the vestibular exam, the rotatory (62.50%) and caloric (75%) tests were among those which presented the largest indexes of abnormalities; the presence of alterations in the exams was 87.50%, with a predominance of central vestibular disorders in 68.75% of the exams. Conclusion: Vestibular exams could be an auxiliary tool to investigate SCAs, besides a precise clinical approach and, particularly, molecular genetic tests. Key words: spinocerebellar ataxias, vestibular dysfunction, electronystagmography.Eletronistagmografia em ataxia espinocerebelar do tipo 3 (SCA3) e do tipo 2 (SCA2) RESUMO Objetivo: Verificar as alterações do exame de eletronistagmografia (ENG) em pacientes com ataxia espinocerebelar (AEC) tipos 2 e 3. Método: 16 pacientes foram estudados, com a utilização dos seguintes procedimentos: anamnese, avaliação otorrinolaringológica e avaliação vestibular. Resultados: As principais queixas encontradas na anamnese foram, desequilíbrio na marcha (93,75%), dificuldades da fala (43,75%), cefaleia (43,75%), tontura (37,50%) e disfagia (37,50%). No exame vestibular, o teste rotatório e o teste calórico apresentaram os maiores índices de anormalidades, respectivamente, 62,50% e 75%, com a predominância de distúrbio vestibular do tipo central em 68,75% dos casos. Conclusão: O exame vestibular pode ser um exame auxiliar na investigação das AECs, junto com a avaliação clínica precisa e, particularmente, com os testes de genética molecular. Palavras-Chave: ataxia espinocerebelar, disfunção vestibular, eletronistagmografia.Correspondence Bianca Simone Zeigelboim Rua Gutemberg 99 / 9º andar 80420-030 Curitiba PR -Brasil

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The goal of the present study was to assess vibration perception thresholds (VPT) for frequencies of 65, 300, and 500 Hz, at the finger pads of the five fingers of the human right hand, while also assessing potential differences between the fingers, and potential effects of the use of two similar psychophysical methods to measure VPT. A novel instrument, the Hand Vibration Threshold Mapper, was used in this study. 13 participants took part on this experiment. Significant differences were found between VPT scores obtained using the two methods. No significant differences were found between VPT scores obtained on the five fingers, when grouped by method. Significant differences were found between VPT scores obtained on the 3 frequencies, grouped by method. Design guideline recommendations aimed at haptic feedback developers were elaborated based on these results.