Abstract
Abstract Introduction: The impairment of muscle strength and fatigue in leprosy remains a problem that requires careful attention to avoid or minimize its progression, as well as prevention of disabilities and deformities. Objective: To investigate the maximum voluntary contraction and time to muscle fatigue in leprosy patients. Method: A total of 21 leprosy patients and 21 healthy subjects completed the sample. The method used to determine the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the handgrip followed the recommendation of the American Society of Hand Therapists with the use of a hydraulic hand grip dynamometer. The test was performed three times with each hand, with a time interval of 60 seconds between successive trials. The subject was instructed to perform a maximal isometric force against the dynamometer for 5 seconds. The peaks were recorded and used for the fatigue test. For the fatigue test, we recorded the electromyogram of the forearm muscles to offline determine the onset time for the muscle contraction (14 bits, Miograph 2 USB®, Miotec, Brazil). Results: Leprosy patients had lower MVC compared with healthy subjects (p > 0.05), both in the dominant and the non-dominant hands. The time to fatigue in the leprosy and control groups was similar (p < 0.05). We observed that leprosy patients had more contractions than the healthy subjects (22.6 ± 11.8 contractions for the leprosy group vs. 12.3 ± 6.9 contractions for the control group, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Multibacillary leprosy patients lost muscle force without modifying the resistance to fatigue.
Highlights
The impairment of muscle strength and fatigue in leprosy remains a problem that requires careful attention to avoid or minimize its progression, as well as prevention of disabilities and deformities
Leprosy patients had lower maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) compared with healthy subjects (p < 0.05), both in the dominant and the non-dominant hands
Leprosy patients had a lower MVC compared with healthy subjects (p < 0.05), both in the dominant and the non-dominant hand (Figure 2)
Summary
The impairment of muscle strength and fatigue in leprosy remains a problem that requires careful attention to avoid or minimize its progression, as well as prevention of disabilities and deformities. We recorded the electromyogram of the forearm muscles to offline determine the onset time for the muscle contraction (14 bits, Miograph 2 USB®, Miotec, Brazil). It is an endemic disease that impairs the quality of life of those infected [2, 3] This disease brings a substantial financial burden every year for health systems to diagnose it, treat it, and rehabilitate the patients [4]. This infectious disease is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which can damage the peripheral nerves and skin, resulting in physical disability and deficit in daily living activities [3, 5, 6]. Delay in the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy can lead to significant physical disabilities of patients [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
