Effects Of A Rehabilitation Protocol On Muscle Strength, Muscle Fatigue And Postural Control In Post-Dengue And Chikungunya Patients

NCT07600879 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 7.646.502
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 54
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Introduction: Dengue and Chikungunya arboviral diseases are considered major public health challenges in tropical regions due to high infection rates and the occurrence of musculoskeletal sequelae that impair strength, balance, and functionality. After the acute phase, symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, muscle weakness, and postural instability are common, reducing quality of life and hindering social and occupational reintegration.Objective: To analyze the effects of a rehabilitation protocol on muscle fatigue, muscle strength, and postural control in post-Dengue and Chikungunya patients.Methods: This is a non-randomized clinical trial conducted at the Integrated Laboratory for Research and Care in Infectious and Sequelae Diseases (LabDIS/UEPA). Individuals of both sexes, aged over 18 years, with a confirmed diagnosis of Dengue and/or Chikungunya within the last five years will be included. Data collection will include a clinical interview, surface electromyography of the flexor carpi radialis, tibialis anterior, lateral and medial gastrocnemius muscles, hydraulic and electronic dynamometry, manovacuometry, and baropodometry. The rehabilitation protocol will consist of twenty supervised sessions of aerobic, anaerobic, and respiratory exercises.Expected Results: Improvements in muscle strength, muscle fatigue, and postural control are expected following the intervention.Conclusion: The findings may support physiotherapeutic strategies aimed at improving strength, fatigue, and balance, expanding knowledge on the neuromuscular and respiratory consequences of arboviral diseases, and contributing to the development of evidence-based rehabilitation protocols, with potential positive impacts on healthcare delivery and public health policies.

Conditions

Dengue; Chikungunya

Keywords

dengue; Chikungunya Virus; Muscle Strength; Electromyography; Rehabilitation; Posture; Muscle Fatigue

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Muscle fatigue assessed by surface electromyography

  Surface electromyography (EMG) will be used to evaluate muscle activity and fatigue of the flexor carpi radialis, tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, and lateral gastrocnemius muscles using the New Miotool Wireless® system. Muscle fatigue will be analyzed through Mean Frequency (MNF) slope during sustained isometric contraction

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention protocol

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Handgrip strength assessed by hydraulic dynamometry

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention protocol

• Peripheral muscle strength assessed by electronic dynamometry

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention protocol

• Postural control assessed by baropodometry

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention protocol

• Respiratory muscle strength assessed by manovacuometry

  Baseline and immediately after completion of the intervention protocol

Study Arms (1)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Post-Dengue And Chikungunya Patients

Other: Exercise

Interventions

Exercise OTHER

The rehabilitation protocol will include 20 sessions, twice weekly. Anaerobic training will involve vertical chest press, lat pulldown, leg extension, and 180° leg press, with a prior 1RM test. Sessions 1-5 and 11-15: 3 sets of 12 reps at 55% 1RM; sessions 6-10 and 16-20: 3 sets of 15 reps at 55% 1RM. Aerobic training will be performed on a treadmill or cycle ergometer, progressing from 41-50% HRR (sessions 1-5), 51-60% (6-10), 61-70% (11-15), and 71-80% (16-20). Respiratory training will use the PowerBreathe® device: sessions 1-10 at 30% MIP with 10 repetitions, and sessions 11-20 at 40% MIP with 10 repetitions.

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 years or older Individuals of both sexes Residents of the 1st, 4th, or 11th Health Regions of the state of Pará Confirmed diagnosis of Dengue (DENV) and/or Chikungunya (CHIKV) infection by serological testing (ELISA or IgG/IgM) Diagnosis confirmed within the last 5 years Ability to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Hemodynamic instability Musculoskeletal instability, including fractures or acute muscle injuries Cognitive deficits impairing the understanding of commands or study procedures History of balance disorders prior to Dengue or Chikungunya infection Obesity Blindness or low vision Hearing impairment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidade do Estado do Pará: lead

Study Sites (1)

Universidade Do Estado Do Pará

Belém, Pará, 66.087-670, Brazil

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dengue; Chikungunya Fever

Interventions

Exercise

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mosquito-Borne Diseases; Vector Borne Diseases; Infections; Arbovirus Infections; Virus Diseases; Flavivirus Infections; Flaviviridae Infections; RNA Virus Infections; Hemorrhagic Fevers, Viral; Alphavirus Infections; Togaviridae Infections

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Motor Activity; Movement; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Musculoskeletal and Neural Physiological Phenomena

Central Study Contacts

Maria Cláudia V Almeida, Principal Investigator

CONTACT

+55 (91) 99102-9191; maria.cv.almeid@aluno.uepa.br

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SEQUENTIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Physiotherapist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 7, 2026
• First Posted: May 22, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 30, 2027
• Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

BR (1)