Knowledge among physical education professionals about poliomyelitis and post-poliomyelitis syndrome: a cross-sectional study in Brazil
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Data
2013
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Resumo
Post-poliomyelitis syndrome is a clinical condition that can affect poliomyelitis
survivors with the onset of new symptoms several years after the acute disease. These symptoms
include new muscular weakness, fatigue, pain, onset or aggravation of muscle atrophy, muscle
cramps, onset or aggravation of pre-existing difficulties in accomplishing daily life activities, cold
intolerance, sleep disorders, dysphonia or dysphagia, and respiratory deficiency. The treatment of
post-poliomyelitis syndrome requires a multiprofessional health team because the rehabilitation
procedures include lifestyle changes, physiotherapy, avoidance of secondary complications, and
physical exercise. As physical exercise is prescribed by physical education professionals, the
assessment of knowledge about post-poliomyelitis syndrome among these professionals is very
relevant. The aim of this study was to evaluate poliomyelitis and post-poliomyelitis syndrome
knowledge among physical education professionals in Brazil.
Methods: We invited participants with an academic degree in physical education (n = 217)
to participate in this study. A self-administered survey (30 questions) was designed to probe
knowledge about poliomyelitis and post-poliomyelitis syndrome. From the survey, we created
a questionnaire to evaluate the performance of the professionals. The questionnaire was
composed of 20 questions and a score was provided, varying from 0 (totally uninformed) to
20 (well informed).
Results: Approximately 73% of surveyed participants had never heard of post-poliomyelitis
syndrome, and only 19.4% had received information about the disease. Among those surveyed,
61.8% did not know whether restriction of physical activities was warranted for people with
poliomyelitis sequelae, and only 32.3% knew that physical exercise (especially intense exercise)
should be limited for patients with sequelae of paralytic poliomyelitis.
Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate a critical need for improvement of knowl-
edge about post-poliomyelitis syndrome among Brazilian physical education professionals.
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Palavras-chave
Post-poliomyelitis syndrome, Pphysical education, Knowledge, Athletic trainers
Citação
LIRA, Claudio Andre Barbosa de et al. Knowledge among physical education professionals about poliomyelitis and post-poliomyelitis syndrome: a cross-sectional study in Brazil. Degenerative Neurological and Neuromuscular Disease, London, v. 3, p. 41-46, 2013.