A Systematic Review of Handgrip Strength Measurement in Clinical and Epidemiological Studies of Kidney Disease: Toward a Standardized Approach.

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), handgrip strength (HGS) is recommended as a surrogate measure of protein-energy status and functional status. However, it is not routinely used because of inconsistencies such as the optimal timing of the HGS measurement and unclear guidance regarding technique. We aimed to determine the extent of variation in the protocols and methods of HGS assessment. We aimed to identify clinical and epidemiological studies conducted on CKD that reported on the use of HGS as an outcome. A systematic literature search identified n = 129 studies with a total participant population of n = 35,192. We identified large variations in all aspects of the methodology including body and arm position, repetitions, rest time, timing, familiarization, and how scores were calculated. The heterogeneous methodologies used reinforce the need to standardize HGS measurement. After reviewing previously employed methodology in the literature, we propose a comprehensive HGS assessment protocol for use in CKD.

Assessing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in hip and knee osteoarthritis using accelerometers: Implications of different patterns and cut-points for health and well-being.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study explored how using age-specific and non-age-specific cut-points to assess moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) measured by GT3X accelerometers affected bouted and total volume MVPA associations with health and well-being. METHODS: MVPA correlations with physical function, BMI, joint pain, quality of life, anxiety and depression were tested. Steiger's z compared the strength of these correlations for each pair of cut-points. RESULTS: A total of 109 adults with hip/knee osteoarthritis [M= 63.8 years (±10.58), 63.3% women] participated. Applying age-specific cut-points resulted in significantly more time classified as MVPA (76/9.5min total volume/bouted) compared to non-age-specific (38.8/7min total volume/bouted). Only total volume MVPA correlations differed significantly as a function of cut-points for self-reported function, quality of life, anxiety and depression (p ≤ .05). For age-specific cut-points, more time spent in MVPA was associated with a worse psychological profile. DISCUSSION: Applying age-specific cut-points for MVPA assessment in older adults with lower limb OA had implications for MVPA associations with health and well-being when total volume, but not bouted, MVPA was considered. Age-specific total volume MVPA needs further understanding regarding patterns and affective responses it comprises. Bouted MVPA is an important pattern for MVPA accrual, but probably not an applicable PA target for many patients.

A Biologically Inspired Movement Recognition System with Spiking Neural Networks for Ambient Assisted Living Applications.

This study presents a novel solution for ambient assisted living (AAL) applications that utilizes spiking neural networks (SNNs) and reconfigurable neuromorphic processors. As demographic shifts result in an increased need for eldercare, due to a large elderly population that favors independence, there is a pressing need for efficient solutions. Traditional deep neural networks (DNNs) are typically energy-intensive and computationally demanding. In contrast, this study turns to SNNs, which are more energy-efficient and mimic biological neural processes, offering a viable alternative to DNNs. We propose asynchronous cellular automaton-based neurons (ACANs), which stand out for their hardware-efficient design and ability to reproduce complex neural behaviors. By utilizing the remote supervised method (ReSuMe), this study improves spike train learning efficiency in SNNs. We apply this to movement recognition in an elderly population, using motion capture data. Our results highlight a high classification accuracy of 83.4%, demonstrating the approach's efficacy in precise movement activity classification. This method's significant advantage lies in its potential for real-time, energy-efficient processing in AAL environments. Our findings not only demonstrate SNNs' superiority over conventional DNNs in computational efficiency but also pave the way for practical neuromorphic computing applications in eldercare.

Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and well-being: experiences of people with knee and hip osteoarthritis.

Living with knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA) means living with pain and difficulty in movement. Given the beneficial effects of physical activity (PA) and reduction of sedentary behaviour (SB), these behaviours need to be understood in the context of individuals' daily lives and sense of well-being. Twelve individuals (age: 43-79 years; 67% female) with knee and/or hip OA purposively selected (e.g., age, OA duration, OA severity) participated in semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis. PA and SB were narrated as multifaceted experiences with two overarching themes, PA negotiations (valuing mobility, the burden of osteoarthritis, keep going, the feel-good factor), SB negotiations (the joy of sitting, a lot is too bad, the osteoarthritis confines), and two overlapping themes (the life context, finding a balance). Physical and psychological aspects of PA and SB experiences were interwoven. Participants valued mobility and were proactively trying to preserve it by keeping active. A constant negotiation among the OA burden, the need to enjoy life and life circumstances was underlying PA behaviour. Prescription and encouragement of a physically active lifestyle in this population should be linked to mobility-related personal values and sense of well-being, while addressing concerns around OA-safety and normalizing PA trade-offs.

Kidney Care during COVID-19 in the UK: Perspectives of Healthcare Professionals on Impacts on Care Quality and Staff Well-Being.

In light of the rapid changes in healthcare delivery due to COVID-19, this study explored kidney healthcare professionals' (HCPs) perspectives on the impact of these changes on care quality and staff well-being. Fifty-nine HCPs from eight NHS Trusts across England completed an online survey and eight took part in complementary semi-structured interviews between August 2020 and January 2021. Free-text survey responses and interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Themes described the rapid adaptations, concerns about care quality, benefits from innovations, high work pressure, anxiety and mental exhaustion in staff and the team as a well-being resource. Long-term retention and integration of changes and innovations can improve healthcare access and efficiency, but specification of conditions for its use is warranted. The impact of prolonged stress on renal HCPs also needs to be accounted for in quality planning. Results are further interpreted into a theoretical socio-technical framework.

Effect of physical activity and dietary restriction interventions on weight loss and the musculoskeletal function of overweight and obese older adults with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and mixed method data synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the clinical recommendation of exercise and diet for people with knee osteoarthritis (OA), there are no systematic reviews synthesising the effectiveness of combining physical activity and dietary restriction interventions on the musculoskeletal function of overweight and obese older adults with knee OA. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of combined physical activity and dietary restriction programmes on body weight, body mass index (BMI) and the musculoskeletal function of overweight and obese older adults with knee OA. INFORMATION SOURCES: A detailed search strategy was applied to key electronic databases (Ovid, Embase, Web of Science andCumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL)) for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published in English prior to 15 January 2017. PARTICIPANTS: Participants with BMI ≥25 kg/m2, aged ≥55 years of age and with radiographic evidence of knee OA. INTERVENTIONS: Physical activity plus dietary restriction programmes with usual care or exercise as the comparators. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were body weight, BMI or musculoskeletal function. Secondary outcome measures were pain and quality of life. RESULTS: One pilot and two definitive trials with n=794 participants were included. Two articles reporting additional data and outcome measures for one of the RCTs were identified. All included RCTs had an unclear risk of bias. Meta-analysis was only possible to evaluate mobility (6 min walk test) at 6 months and the pooled random effect 15.05 (95% CI -11.77 to 41.87) across two trials with n=155 participants did not support the combined intervention programme. Narrative synthesis showed clear differences in favour of a reduced body weight and an increased 6 min walk in the intervention group compared with control groups. CONCLUSION: The quality of evidence of benefit of combining exercise and dietary interventions in older overweight/obese adults with knee OA is unclear. TRAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42015019088 and ISRCTN, ISRCTN12906938.

Barriers and facilitators of physical activity in knee and hip osteoarthritis: a systematic review of qualitative evidence.

Physical activity (PA), including engagement in structured exercise, has a key role in the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, maintaining a physically active lifestyle is a challenge for people with OA. PA determinants in this population need to be understood better so that they can be optimised by public health or healthcare interventions and social policy changes. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the existing qualitative evidence on barriers and facilitators of PA for patients with hip or knee OA. Secondary objective is to explore differences in barriers and facilitators between (1) lifestyle PA and exercise and (2) PA uptake and maintenance. METHODS: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, Grey literature and qualitative journals were searched. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme-Qualitative checklist and Lincoln and Guba's criteria were used for quality appraisal. Thematic synthesis was applied. FINDINGS: Ten studies were included, seven focusing on exercise regimes, three on overall PA. The findings showed a good fit with the biopsychosocial model of health. Aiming at symptom relief and mobility, positive exercise experiences and beliefs, knowledge, a 'keep going' attitude, adjusting and prioritising PA, having healthcare professionals' and social support emerged as PA facilitators. Pain and physical limitations; non-positive PA experiences, beliefs and information; OA-related distress; a resigned attitude; lack of motivation, behavioural regulation, professional support and negative social comparison with coexercisers were PA barriers. All themes were supported by high and medium quality studies. Paucity of data did not allow for the secondary objectives to be explored. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal a complex interplay among physical, personal including psychological and social-environmental factors corresponding to the facilitation and hindrance of PA, particularly exercise, engagement. Further research on the efficacy of individualised patient education, psychological interventions or social policy change to promote exercise engagement and lifestyle PA in individuals with lower limb OA is required. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42016030024.

Barriers and facilitators to physical activity in people with hip or knee osteoarthritis: protocol for a systematic review of qualitative evidence.

INTRODUCTION: This protocol aims to describe the objective and methods to be followed in a systematic review of qualitative studies on barriers and facilitators to physical activity (PA) in people with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PhychINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Scopus and grey literature sources will be electronically searched. Hand search of qualitative research-centred journals, reference screening of relevant reviews and inquiries to researchers active in the field will complement the search. Studies will be selected if they apply qualitative or mixed-methods designs to directly explore factors that correspond to engagement in PA/exercise or, the perceptions regarding PA/exercise in people with hip or knee OA. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist and the evaluative criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability will be applied for the study appraisal. 2 independent reviewers will perform the search, study selection and study appraisal. Thematic synthesis will be used for synthesising the findings of the primary studies and the process and product of the synthesis will be checked by a second researcher. ConQual approach will be used for assessing the confidence in the qualitative findings. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This systematic review will inform our understanding of the PA determinants and how to optimise behaviour change in people living with hip or knee OA. The review findings will be reported in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at national or international conferences. The study raises no ethical issues. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42016030024.