Abstract
Introduction:
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a change in the venous system that can be caused by dysfunction in the triceps surae muscles.
Objective:
To evaluate the acute effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and kinesio-therapy on ankle joint flexibility, infrared radiation and triceps surae strength in individuals with CVI.
Methods:
We conducted a comparative study, in which ankle flexibility, dorsiflexion and plantar flexion strength and thermal variations of the calf were evaluated. An electrical stimulation session (1 kHz Aussie current with burst = 2 ms) was performed on the right lower limb (EG - electrostimulation group) and kinesio-therapy on the lower limb left (KG - kinesiotherapy group), with stretching and metabolic exercises involving the ankle.
Results:
Nineteen female patients were evaluated. Analysis of ankle flexibility did not demonstrate significant changes. In the assessment of muscle strength, there was no difference between groups, and in the intragroup assessment, only KG showed an increase for dorsiflexion (before treatment: 11.6 ± 3.5; 24 h after: 13.5 ± 3.0; p = 0.02), and for plantar flexion (before: 11.8 ± 6.3; 24 h later: 14.4 ± 5.06; p = 0.04). Regarding thermography, there was no intragroup difference, while in the intergroup assessment, KG showed an increase in temperature immediately and 24 h later (0.44 ± 0.68, p = 0.01 and 0.25 ± 0.83, p = 0.07, respectively). When analyzing the correlation between dorsiflexion and plantar flexion strength of both lower limbs with total range of motion of the right and left ankle, a positive correlation was observed only between the plantar flexion strength immediately after and 24 h later with range of motion and ankle in KG (r = 0.49, p = 0.03 and r = 0.51, p = 0.03, respectively).
Conclusion:
There were no significant differences between kinesiotherapy and electrotherapy when analyzing joint flexibility and muscle strength, but kinesiotherapy was superior in increasing calf temperature before and after 24 h of intervention.
Keywords:
Exercise; Physical therapy; Thermography; Venous insufficiency; Women