Pain sensitization and atrophy of deep cervical muscles in patients with chronic tension-type headache.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the pressure pain threshold and the thickness of the cervical muscles in patients with tension-type headache versus healthy participants. METHODS: An observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Universidad Europea de Madrid between May and June 2022. Adults aged 18-65 years with tension-type headache diagnosed for more than 6 months were compared to healthy controls. B-mode ultrasound imaging was employed to measure the thickness of the neck stabilizing muscles, longus colli, and multifidus at the C5 and C6 levels, respectively. pressure pain threshold measurements were assessed bilaterally in the following regions: upper trapezius, masseter, temporalis, anterior tibialis, and median nerve. RESULTS: A total of 40 participants (90% females; 36.3±12.9 years, BMI 24.2±3.7 kg/m2) participated in the study. Compared with the control group (n=20), participants in the tension-type headache group (n=20) presented statistically significant lower values in all pressure pain threshold measures. Additionally, the tension-type headache group presented statistically significant lower values in the thickness of the following muscles: right multifidus at rest (1.0±0.2 cm versus 1.3±0.2 cm; p<0.001), left multifidus at rest (1.1±0.1 cm versus 1.3±0.1 cm; p<0.001) and during contraction (1.2±0.1 cm versus 1.5±0.2 cm; p<0.001), left longus colli at rest (1.0±0.2 cm versus 1.2±0.1 cm; p=0.01) and during contraction (1.2±0.2 cm versus 1.4±0.1 cm; p<0.001), and right longus colli during contraction (1.2±0.2 cm versus 1.4±0.2 cm; p=0.02). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that patients with tension-type headache showed lower thickness and lower pressure pain threshold of cervical muscles compared to healthy controls.

Pain sensitization and atrophy of deep cervical muscles in patients with chronic tension-type headache

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the pressure pain threshold and the thickness of the cervical muscles in patients with tension-type headache versus healthy participants. METHODS: An observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Universidad Europea de Madrid between May and June 2022. Adults aged 18-65 years with tension-type headache diagnosed for more than 6 months were compared to healthy controls. B-mode ultrasound imaging was employed to measure the thickness of the neck stabilizing muscles, longus colli, and multifidus at the C5 and C6 levels, respectively. pressure pain threshold measurements were assessed bilaterally in the following regions: upper trapezius, masseter, temporalis, anterior tibialis, and median nerve. RESULTS: A total of 40 participants (90% females; 36.3±12.9 years, BMI 24.2±3.7 kg/m2) participated in the study. Compared with the control group (n=20), participants in the tension-type headache group (n=20) presented statistically significant lower values in all pressure pain threshold measures. Additionally, the tension-type headache group presented statistically significant lower values in the thickness of the following muscles: right multifidus at rest (1.0±0.2 cm versus 1.3±0.2 cm; p<0.001), left multifidus at rest (1.1±0.1 cm versus 1.3±0.1 cm; p<0.001) and during contraction (1.2±0.1 cm versus 1.5±0.2 cm; p<0.001), left longus colli at rest (1.0±0.2 cm versus 1.2±0.1 cm; p=0.01) and during contraction (1.2±0.2 cm versus 1.4±0.1 cm; p<0.001), and right longus colli during contraction (1.2±0.2 cm versus 1.4±0.2 cm; p=0.02). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that patients with tension-type headache showed lower thickness and lower pressure pain threshold of cervical muscles compared to healthy controls.

Associations between muscle strength, dyspnea and quality of life in post-COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) develop high muscle weakness. The objective of this study was to analyze the physical fitness of post-COVID-19 patients and its relationship with dyspnea and health-related quality of life (HrQoL). METHODS: This observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted between October and November 2021 in the Universidad Europea de Madrid (Spain), with 32 post-COVID-19 patients aged 63.2 (14.1) years. Muscle strength, aerobic capacity, maximal respiratory mouth pressures, dyspnea, and HrQoL were analyzed 6-12 months after discharge for COVID-19. To analyze the relationship between continuous variables, Spearman's correlation test and Pearson's correlation test were performed. RESULTS: The participants had a mean handgrip strength of 22.1 (9.0) kg and very poor HrQoL. Negative moderate correlations were found between handgrip strength and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay (r=-0.37; p=0.002). In addition, muscle strength was negatively correlated with dyspnea (r=-0.37; p=0.008) and HrQoL, and moderate-large negative correlations were found between dyspnea and HrQoL. CONCLUSION: Higher handgrip strength was associated with lower COVID-19 severity and less sequelae. Therefore, either the patients with severe COVID-19 suffered greater muscle breakdown, or higher muscle strength acted as a mitigating factor for the disease. It is suggested that post-COVID-19 rehabilitation programs should focus on increasing muscle strength. Also, adequate physical fitness could mitigate the physical and mental post-COVID-19 sequelae.

Telematics program of breathing exercises and mindfulness for post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is an economic, social, and health challenge. During the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown, a telematics platform for respiratory physiotherapy and mindfulness was created, aiming to reduce dyspnea and anxiety and to increase quality of life in post-coronavirus disease 2019 patient. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was performed on post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients, with breathing exercises and mindfulness with remote supervision by a respiratory physiotherapist. Dyspnea on exertion (Mahler Scale), quality of life (EuroQol-5D score), and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire) were measured before and after the rehabilitation program. RESULTS: A total of 20 subjects completed the program, with a significant decrease in the measures of dyspnea on exertion (p<0.001), state anxiety (p=0.004), and trait anxiety (p=0.001) and a significant increase in quality of life (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Coronavirus disease 2019 should be treated using a multidisciplinary approach that includes respiratory rehabilitation. At present, there are few studies on respiratory rehabilitation and mindfulness in post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients. The results of this study showed that the implementation of breathing exercises and mindfulness with remote supervision was effective in decreasing dyspnea and anxiety and in increasing quality of life in post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients during confinement.

Telematics program of breathing exercises and mindfulness for post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is an economic, social, and health challenge. During the coronavirus disease 2019 lockdown, a telematics platform for respiratory physiotherapy and mindfulness was created, aiming to reduce dyspnea and anxiety and to increase quality of life in post-coronavirus disease 2019 patient. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was performed on post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients, with breathing exercises and mindfulness with remote supervision by a respiratory physiotherapist. Dyspnea on exertion (Mahler Scale), quality of life (EuroQol-5D score), and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire) were measured before and after the rehabilitation program. RESULTS: A total of 20 subjects completed the program, with a significant decrease in the measures of dyspnea on exertion (p<0.001), state anxiety (p=0.004), and trait anxiety (p=0.001) and a significant increase in quality of life (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Coronavirus disease 2019 should be treated using a multidisciplinary approach that includes respiratory rehabilitation. At present, there are few studies on respiratory rehabilitation and mindfulness in post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients. The results of this study showed that the implementation of breathing exercises and mindfulness with remote supervision was effective in decreasing dyspnea and anxiety and in increasing quality of life in post-coronavirus disease 2019 patients during confinement.

Respiratory muscle sequelae in young university students infected by coronavirus disease 2019: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: The infection caused by coronavirus disease 2019 can lead to respiratory sequelae in individuals who have experienced severe or mild symptoms. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was developed, following the STROBE guidelines. Maximal inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures were assessed in 50 healthy young students (26 women, 24 men; age 22.20±2.41 years). The inclusion criteria were as follows: aged between 18 and 35 years; control group: not diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019; and coronavirus disease 2019 group: diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019, at least 6 months ago. The exclusion criteria were as follows: obese/overweight; infected with coronavirus disease 2019 or coronavirus disease 2019 symptoms in the last 6 months; smokers; and asthmatics. RESULTS: When comparing with groups, the coronavirus disease 2019 group presented statistically significant lower maximal inspiratory pressure values compared with the control group (88.32±16.62 vs. 101.01±17.42 cm H2O; p=0.01). Regarding the maximal expiratory pressure, no significant differences were found. Similar results were found when performing a subgroup analysis by sex and group. CONCLUSIONS: Young students who suffered from coronavirus disease 2019 asymptomatically or mildly at least 6 months ago presented a significant decrease in the inspiratory muscle strength as a sequel, so we believe that patients affected by this disease should have a brief postinfection assessment of this musculature to detect the indication for cardiorespiratory rehabilitation.

Respiratory muscle sequelae in young university students infected by coronavirus disease 2019: an observational study

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: The infection caused by coronavirus disease 2019 can lead to respiratory sequelae in individuals who have experienced severe or mild symptoms. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was developed, following the STROBE guidelines. Maximal inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures were assessed in 50 healthy young students (26 women, 24 men; age 22.20±2.41 years). The inclusion criteria were as follows: aged between 18 and 35 years; control group: not diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019; and coronavirus disease 2019 group: diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019, at least 6 months ago. The exclusion criteria were as follows: obese/overweight; infected with coronavirus disease 2019 or coronavirus disease 2019 symptoms in the last 6 months; smokers; and asthmatics. RESULTS: When comparing with groups, the coronavirus disease 2019 group presented statistically significant lower maximal inspiratory pressure values compared with the control group (88.32±16.62 vs. 101.01±17.42 cm H2O; p=0.01). Regarding the maximal expiratory pressure, no significant differences were found. Similar results were found when performing a subgroup analysis by sex and group. CONCLUSIONS: Young students who suffered from coronavirus disease 2019 asymptomatically or mildly at least 6 months ago presented a significant decrease in the inspiratory muscle strength as a sequel, so we believe that patients affected by this disease should have a brief postinfection assessment of this musculature to detect the indication for cardiorespiratory rehabilitation.

Associations between muscle strength, dyspnea and quality of life in post-COVID-19 patients

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) develop high muscle weakness. The objective of this study was to analyze the physical fitness of post-COVID-19 patients and its relationship with dyspnea and health-related quality of life (HrQoL). METHODS: This observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted between October and November 2021 in the Universidad Europea de Madrid (Spain), with 32 post-COVID-19 patients aged 63.2 (14.1) years. Muscle strength, aerobic capacity, maximal respiratory mouth pressures, dyspnea, and HrQoL were analyzed 6-12 months after discharge for COVID-19. To analyze the relationship between continuous variables, Spearman's correlation test and Pearson's correlation test were performed. RESULTS: The participants had a mean handgrip strength of 22.1 (9.0) kg and very poor HrQoL. Negative moderate correlations were found between handgrip strength and length of hospital and intensive care unit stay (r=−0.37; p=0.002). In addition, muscle strength was negatively correlated with dyspnea (r=−0.37; p=0.008) and HrQoL, and moderate-large negative correlations were found between dyspnea and HrQoL. CONCLUSION: Higher handgrip strength was associated with lower COVID-19 severity and less sequelae. Therefore, either the patients with severe COVID-19 suffered greater muscle breakdown, or higher muscle strength acted as a mitigating factor for the disease. It is suggested that post-COVID-19 rehabilitation programs should focus on increasing muscle strength. Also, adequate physical fitness could mitigate the physical and mental post-COVID-19 sequelae.

Characteristics of Multicomponent Interventions to Treat Childhood Overweight and Obesity in Extremely Cold Climates: A Systematic Review of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

AIM: To analyze the characteristics of multicomponent interventions to reduce childhood overweight and obesity in territories with an extremely cold climate. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA statement. MEDLINE, PsycNet, SciELO, and grey literature databases were reviewed in the period between 2010 and 2020. RESULTS: 29 articles were included (n = 4434 participants; 9.3 years; 56% women) with an average adherence of 86%, 100% being the highest adherence, for the physical activity and nutrition interventions. The primary variables studied were BMI, BMI Z-score BMI-SDS and, additionally, the secondary variables studied were nutritional status and physical and mental health. In 72% of the interventions presented, positive effects were seen on the reduction of BMI, including in parents and their children. The interventions were carried out mainly by nutritionists in health centers. The duration of the 29 interventions was ≤6 months and ≥12 months, in 59% and 41% of the studies, respectively. 57% of the studies reported post-intervention results. 86% of the interventions included a physical activity component, 80% included a nutrition component, 66% included a behavioral therapy component and 55% included an education component. Concerning the effects of the intervention on the primary outcome, in interventions with a duration equal to or less than six months, the most effective interventions included recreational activities, education, and nutritional programs. In interventions lasting 12 months or more, the most effective interventions included physical activity recommendations, nutritional and physical exercise programs, and cooking classes. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review analyzed the effectiveness of, and characterized, multicomponent interventions lasting for 6 and 12 months, aiming to treat childhood obesity in extremely cold climates. The most frequently used units of measurement were also analyzed and summarized. Evidence derived from RCT. These results can be useful for designing future interventions to treat childhood obesity in territories with an extremely cold climate.