Balance evaluation after Russian current on the femoral rectus of healthy individuals118-122

Introduction. A technique used in physiotherapy, but still underinvestigated, is the use of the Russian current as an aid in the improvement of balance. Aim. To verify the influence of the Russian current applied to the rectus femoris on balance in healthy and sedentary individuals. Material and methods. A cross-sectional clinical trial was performed at the Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná – Unioeste, in the city of Cascavel – PR. The sample consisted of 20 healthy female subjects aged between 18 and 25 years, equally divided into two groups where group 1 was placebo and group 2 treatment. Initially, the proprioceptive evaluation was performed by means of a functional test (the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT)) and stabilometry using a baropodometer. Russian current was then applied to the femoral rectum of both limbs simultaneously for 2 weeks, 5 days a week. Results. No significant differences were found analyzing the variables, but the elevated effect size points to clinical relevance of Russian Current in functional assessment. Conclusion. The use of the Russian current in the rectus femoris did not present significant alteration on balance.