BackgroundBreast neoplasms are the second most common type of cancer worldwide, and radiation therapy is a key component of their treatment. Acute skin reactions are one of the most common side effects of radiation therapy, and prevention of this adverse event has been investigated in several studies. However, a clinically applicable, preventative treatment remains unavailable. It has been demonstrated that application of a low-power laser can promote tissue repair. Therefore, the aim of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of an indium gallium aluminum phosphorus (InGaAIP) laser operated at 660 nm in preventing radiodermatitis in women undergoing adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer.Methods/DesignThis is a two-arm, randomized controlled trial. A total of 52 patients undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer (stages I to III) will be enrolled. Patients will be randomly assigned to an intervention group to receive laser therapy (n = 26) or a control group to receive a placebo (n = 26). The laser or placebo will be applied five days a week, immediately before each radiotherapy session. Skin reactions will then be graded weekly by a nurse, a radiotherapist, and an oncologist (all of whom will be blinded) using the Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) developed by the National Cancer Institute and the Acute Radiation Morbidity Scoring Criteria developed by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group. Patients will also answer a modified visual analogue scale for pain (a self-evaluation questionnaire). Primary and secondary outcomes will be the prevention of radiodermatitis and pain secondary to radiodermatitis, respectively.DiscussionThe ideal tool for preventing radiodermatitis is an agent that mediates DNA repair or promotes cell proliferation. Application of a low-power laser has been shown to promote tissue repair by reducing inflammation and inducing collagen synthesis. Moreover, this treatment approach has not been associated with adverse events and is cost-effective. Thus, the results of this ongoing trial may establish whether use of a low-power laser represents an ideal treatment option for the prevention of radiodermatitis.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02003599. Registered on 2 December 2013.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-330) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Introduction: Laser acupuncture (LA) is a medically approved treatment for chronic pain, especially fibromyalgia. It is widely known that all pain is related to autonomic modulation, which may influence heart rate variability (HRV). There are robust studies in the literature on the effect of LA with continuous frequency on musculoskeletal pain and autonomic modulation. However, little is known about the effect of pulsed frequency on fibromyalgia. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether an individualized intervention protocol applying pulsed LA would provide benefits related to pain symptoms and cardiac autonomic modulation in patients with fibromyalgia. Methods: In this pilot randomized clinical controlled trial, the sample consisted of women with fibromyalgia between the ages of 40 and 80, randomized into two groups: a control group (CG; n=10) and an experimental group (EG; n=10). EG received the intervention twice per week for 3 weeks. Statistical analysis was conducted by delta (difference between post-intervention and pre-intervention) and the Shapiro-Wilk test (normality). For comparison between the groups, the Mann-Whitney test was used. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in pain intensity as reported via the pain numerical scale (PNS; P=0.00), generalized pain index (GPI; P=0.00), and symptom severity scale (SSS; P=0.00). There was no significant difference in any HRV variable (P>0.05). Conclusion: Pulsed LA, when applied in an individualized protocol, can reduce pain intensity, as reported on the PNS, GPI, and SSS. However, no therapeutic effect was observed for HRV.

Objective. Was to verify the influence of vibration training on the electromyographic signal of the rectofemoral (RF) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles in stroke patients. Method. This is clinical trial, with 43 hemiparetic stroke patients, who were randomized into two groups: control (CG, n=19) and intervention (IG, n=24). The instruments used for evaluation were the Mini Mental State Examination, the Fugl-Meyer Evaluation Scale, and surface electromyography (EMG) in maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the RF and TA muscles bilaterally and simultaneously. Whole-body vibration therapy (WBV) (tri-plane vibration platform, a frequency of 50 Hz and 2 mm of amplitude) was used for treatment. The application of the WBV was performed three times a week for 8 consecutive weeks. The statistical analysis used was the independent t test to compare the baseline characteristics of the CG and IG. The Shapiro–Wilk test was applied to verify the normality of the data and subsequently the Wilcoxon test to compare times and the Mann-Whitney test to compare groups. Results. The results show that EMG RMSn activity did not change intra-group nor inter-group. Conclusion. Vibration training did not influence the EMG signal of the RF and TA muscles in stroke patients.

Introduction. Individuals affected by stroke often lead to loss of autonomy, dependence in activities of daily living, and social disruption, possibly leading to a reduced quality of life. Most survivors present residual sensory-motor deficits that interfere with the performance of functional activities. Reducing complications and improving the functional recovery of these individuals is an important starting point for rehabilitation professionals. Objective. To analyze the effect of the new Yamamoto scalp acupuncture (SA) YNSA on Qi, 5 elements and acupuncture of meridians in chronic stroke patients. Method. This is a quasi-experimental pilot study composed of nine chronic stroke patients. All participants diagnosed with chronic stroke aged from 38 to 79 years underwent energetic electrodiagnosis. Patients received a SA session on the contralateral hemisphere of the damaged side corresponding to the motor and sensory area for 30 minutes. The Shapiro-Wilk test was applied, followed by the paired t-test. Results: There was a significant reduction in the Yin, Fire (Pericarium) and Fire (heart). The following organs and viscera also presented a reduction: lung, right pericardium, left small intestine, and right spleen. Conclusions. It is concluded that AE YNSA can promote Qi balance, reduction in the fire element and reduction in the action of some acupuncture meridians in chronic stroke patients in the analysed sample.