Safety profiling of technical lignins originating from various bioresources and conversion processes.

In this work, a set of eight technical lignin samples from various botanical origins and production processes were characterized for their chemical composition, higher heating value, size distribution, dust explosion sensitivity and severity, thermal hazard characteristics and biodegradability, in further support of their sustainable use. More specifically, safety-focused parameters have been assessed in terms of consistency with relating physico-chemical properties determined for the whole set of technical lignins. The results emphasized the heterogeneity and variability of technical lignins and the subsequent need for a comprehensive characterization of new lignin feedstocks arising from novel biorefineries. Indeed, significant differences were revealed between the samples in terms of hazards sensitivity. This first comparative physico-chemical safety profiling of technical lignins could be useful for the hazard analysis and the safe design of the facilities associated with large scale valorisation of biomass residues such as lignins, targeting "zero waste" sustainable conversion of bioresources.

Patient perceptions of ICU physiotherapy: 'Your body needs to go somewhere to be recharged '.

Background: Patient satisfaction is an essential concept to consider for the improvement of quality care in healthcare centres and hospitals and has been linked to increased patient compliance with treatment plans, better patient safety and improved clinical outcomes. Objectives: As part of a before-and-after clinical trial aimed to investigate the implementation of an evidence-based and -validated physiotherapy protocol within a surgical intensive care unit (ICU), we decided to include the patient perception of physiotherapy received in the intervention unit. Methods: A nested, exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study design was adopted. Purposively selected adult patients discharged from ICU during the implementation phase of the trial were interviewed. Results: Eighteen patients (10 male) with a median age of 44 years and median ICU length of stay (LOS) of six days were included. Three themes and nine categories emerged: (i) linking therapy to clinical outcome (patient expectations and understanding; physiotherapy activities and the implication of mobilisation; physiotherapy benefits and progression); (ii) the importance of developing a trusting relationship (physiotherapy value; safety; continuity of care); and (iii) communication (satisfaction; interactions and patient perception and experience of physiotherapy). Conclusion: While confirming barriers to early mobility, patients perceived participation in mobility activities as a marked jolt in their journey to recovery following a critical incident. Effective communication and preservation of trust between physiotherapist and patient are essential for understanding expectations and can facilitate improved outcomes. Clinicians can use the information when managing critically ill patients. Including patient-reported outcomes to measure physiotherapy interventions used in the ICU is feasible and can inform the development of such outcomes. Contribution of the study: The study highlights the feasibility and importance of the use of patient-reported outcomes to measure physiotherapy interventions and informs the development of patient reported outcomes and the importance of patient centred physiotherapy care in the ICU setting.

Multicentre randomized clinical trial of inspiratory muscle training versus usual care before surgery for oesophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Up to 40 per cent of patients undergoing oesophagectomy develop pneumonia. The aim of this study was to assess whether preoperative inspiratory muscle training (IMT) reduces the rate of pneumonia after oesophagectomy. METHODS: Patients with oesophageal cancer were randomized to a home-based IMT programme before surgery or usual care. IMT included the use of a flow-resistive inspiratory loading device, and patients were instructed to train twice a day at high intensity (more than 60 per cent of maximum inspiratory muscle strength) for 2 weeks or longer until surgery. The primary outcome was postoperative pneumonia; secondary outcomes were inspiratory muscle function, lung function, postoperative complications, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay and physical functioning. RESULTS: Postoperative pneumonia was diagnosed in 47 (39·2 per cent) of 120 patients in the IMT group and in 43 (35·5 per cent) of 121 patients in the control group (relative risk 1·10, 95 per cent c.i. 0·79 to 1·53; P = 0·561). There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative outcomes between the groups. Mean(s.d.) maximal inspiratory muscle strength increased from 76·2(26·4) to 89·0(29·4) cmH2 O (P < 0·001) in the intervention group and from 74·0(30·2) to 80·0(30·1) cmH2 O in the control group (P < 0·001). Preoperative inspiratory muscle endurance increased from 4 min 14 s to 7 min 17 s in the intervention group (P < 0·001) and from 4 min 20 s to 5 min 5 s in the control group (P = 0·007). The increases were highest in the intervention group (P < 0·050). CONCLUSION: Despite an increase in preoperative inspiratory muscle function, home-based preoperative IMT did not lead to a decreased rate of pneumonia after oesophagectomy. Registration number: NCT01893008 (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Surviving critical illness: what is next? An expert consensus statement on physical rehabilitation after hospital discharge.

BACKGROUND: The study objective was to obtain consensus on physical therapy (PT) in the rehabilitation of critical illness survivors after hospital discharge. Research questions were: what are PT goals, what are recommended measurement tools, and what constitutes an optimal PT intervention for survivors of critical illness? METHODS: A Delphi consensus study was conducted. Panelists were included based on relevant fields of expertise, years of clinical experience, and publication record. A literature review determined five themes, forming the basis for Delphi round one, which was aimed at generating ideas. Statements were drafted and ranked on a 5-point Likert scale in two additional rounds with the objective to reach consensus. Results were expressed as median and semi-interquartile range, with the consensus threshold set at ≤0.5. RESULTS: Ten internationally established researchers and clinicians participated in this Delphi panel, with a response rate of 80 %, 100 %, and 100 % across three rounds. Consensus was reached on 88.5 % of the statements, resulting in a framework for PT after hospital discharge. Essential handover information should include information on 15 parameters. A core set of outcomes should test exercise capacity, skeletal muscle strength, function in activities of daily living, mobility, quality of life, and pain. PT interventions should include functional exercises, circuit and endurance training, strengthening exercises for limb and respiratory muscles, education on recovery, and a nutritional component. Screening tools to identify impairments in other health domains and referral to specialists are proposed. CONCLUSIONS: A consensus-based framework for optimal PT after hospital discharge is proposed. Future research should focus on feasibility testing of this framework, developing risk stratification tools and validating core outcome measures for ICU survivors.

Measurement validity of an electronic inspiratory loading device during a loaded breathing task in patients with COPD.

We studied the validity of a recently introduced, handheld, electronic loading device in providing automatically processed information on external inspiratory work, power and breathing pattern during loaded breathing tasks in patients with COPD. Thirty-five patients with moderate to severe COPD performed an endurance breathing task against a fixed resistive inspiratory load that corresponded to 55 ± 13% of their maximal inspiratory pressure. Flow and pressure signals during this task were sampled and processed at 500 Hz by the handheld loading device and at 100 Hz with an external, laboratory system that provided the "gold standard" reference data. Intra Class Correlations between methods were 0.97 for average mean inspiratory power, 0.98 for average mean pressure, 0.98 for average duty cycle, and 0.99 for total work (all p < 0.0001). We conclude that the handheld device provides automatically processed and valid estimates of physical units of energy during loaded breathing tasks. This enables health care providers to quantify the load on inspiratory muscles during these tests in daily clinical practice.

Increased mechanical cost of walking in children with diplegia: the role of the passenger unit cannot be neglected.

Gait efficiency in children with cerebral palsy is decreased. To date, most research did not include the upper body as a separate functional unit when exploring these changes in gait efficiency. Since children with spastic diplegia often experience problems with trunk control, they could benefit from separate evaluation of the so-called 'passenger unit'. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to improve insights in the role of the passenger unit in decreased gait efficiency in children with diplegia. Mechanical cost of walking was investigated by calculating work by the integrated joint power approach in 18 children with diplegia and 25 age-related typical developing controls. The total mechanical work in children with diplegia was 1.5 times higher than in typical children. In children with diplegia work at the lower limbs was increased by 37% compared to typical children. Substantially higher increases, up to 222%, were noted at the passenger unit. Trunk and head were the main contributors to the increased work of the passenger unit, but the role of the arms cannot be neglected. Due to these disproportional increases in locomotor and passenger unit, the demands of the passenger unit in pathological gait can no longer be considered minor, as in typical gait. Therefore, the role of the passenger unit must be recognized in the decrease of gait efficiency in children with spastic diplegia and should be part of the evaluation of gait efficiency in clinical practice.

Exercise training after lung transplantation improves participation in daily activity: a randomized controlled trial.

The effects of exercise training after lung transplantation have not been studied in a randomized controlled trial so far. We investigated whether 3 months of supervised training, initiated immediately after hospital discharge, improve functional recovery and cardiovascular morbidity of patients up to 1 year after lung transplantation. Patients older than 40 years, who experienced an uncomplicated postoperative period, were eligible for this single blind, parallel group study. Sealed envelopes were used to randomly allocate patients to 3 months of exercise training (n = 21) or a control intervention (n = 19). Minutes of daily walking time (primary outcome), physical fitness, quality of life and cardiovascular morbidity were compared between groups adjusting for baseline assessments in a mixed models analysis. After 1 year daily walking time in the treated patients (n = 18) was 85 ± 27 min and in the control group (n = 16) 54 ± 30 min (adjusted difference 26 min [95%CI 8-45 min, p = 0.006]). Quadriceps force (p = 0.001), 6-minute walking distance (p = 0.002) and self-reported physical functioning (p = 0.039) were significantly higher in the intervention group. Average 24 h ambulatory blood pressures were significantly lower in the treated patients (p ≤ 0.01). Based on these results patients should be strongly encouraged to participate in an exercise training intervention after lung transplantation.

Determinants of physical activity in daily life in candidates for lung transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Participation in daily physical activity (PA) has never been objectively assessed in candidates for lung transplantation (LTx). The main research questions were: 1) How active are LTx-candidates in daily life? 2) What are determinants of activity behavior before LTX? METHODS: Ninety-six candidates for LTx (diagnosis of COPD or interstitial lung disease; mean age 55 ± 7 years) underwent measurements of PA, pulmonary function, 6-min walking distance (6MWD), muscle force and health-status (SF-36 scale). RESULTS: Patients were markedly inactive (5% of waking hours walking, 26% standing and 69% sedentary). Backward multiple regression identified 6MWD (expressed as % of predicted value; ß = 73.0 steps, partial r(2) = 0.36, p = 0.00), a higher score on the energy/fatigue scale of the SF-36 (ß = 28.6 steps, partial r(2) = 0.09, p = 0.00) and a higher expiratory muscle force (expressed as % of predicted value; ß = 11.8 steps, partial r(2) = 0.05, p = 0.02) as determinants of daily steps. Minutes of mild to moderate (≥2 METs) activity were determined by 6MWD (expressed as % of predicted value; ß = 2.14 min, partial r(2) = 0.30, p = 0.00), inspiratory muscle force (expressed as % of predicted value; ß = 0.33 min, partial r(2) = 0.04, p = 0.05) and seasonal influences (spring/summer vs. autumn/winter: ß = 18.95 min, partial r(2) = 0.04, p = 0.05). The overall fit of the models was r(2) = 0.50 and r(2) = 0.38, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The 6MWD was the main determinant of an inactive lifestyle in these patients. Respiratory muscle force, energy and fatigue and seasonal variations explained some additional variability in activity behavior. Patients should be encouraged to participate in interventions aimed at improving physical fitness and participation in daily physical activity before LTx.

Mechanical energy estimation during walking: validity and sensitivity in typical gait and in children with cerebral palsy.

Gait efficiency in children with cerebral palsy is usually quantified by metabolic energy expenditure. Mechanical energy estimations, however, can be a valuable supplement as they can be assessed during gait analysis and plotted over the gait cycle, thus revealing information on timing and sources of increases in energy expenditure. Unfortunately, little information on validity and sensitivity exists. Three mechanical estimation approaches: (1) centre of mass (CoM) approach, (2) sum of segmental energies (SSE) approach and (3) integrated joint power approach, were validated against oxygen consumption and each other. Sensitivity was assessed in typical gait and in children with diplegia. CoM approach underestimated total energy expenditure and showed poor sensitivity. SSE approach overestimated energy expenditure and showed acceptable sensitivity. Validity and sensitivity were best in the integrated joint power approach. This method is therefore preferred for mechanical energy estimation in children with diplegia. However, mechanical energy should supplement, not replace metabolic energy, as total energy expended is not captured in any mechanical approach.

Rehabilitation and acute exacerbations.

Recent evidence indicates that acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease aggravate the extrapulmonary consequences of the disease. Skeletal muscle dysfunction, a sustained decrease in exercise tolerance, enhanced symptoms of depression and fatigue are reported. Avoidance of physical activities is likely to be a key underlying mechanism and increases the risk of new exacerbations. Pulmonary rehabilitation is an intervention targeting these systemic consequences. Exercise strategies need to be adapted to the increased feelings of dyspnoea and fatigue. This review aims to describe the systemic consequences of acute exacerbations and compiles evidence for the feasibility and effectiveness of different rehabilitation strategies to counteract these consequences during and/or immediately after the acute phase of the exacerbation. Resistance training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation have been applied safely in frail, hospitalised patients and have the potential to prevent muscle atrophy. Comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation, including general exercise training, can be implemented immediately after the exacerbation, leading to a reduction in hospital admissions and an increase in exercise tolerance and quality of life. Self-management strategies play a crucial role in changing disease-related health behaviour and preventing hospital admissions.

Impact of inspiratory muscle training in patients with COPD: what is the evidence?

A meta-analysis including 32 randomised controlled trials on the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients was performed. Overall and subgroup analyses with respect to training modality (strength or endurance training, added to general exercise training) and patient characteristics were performed. Significant improvements were found in maximal inspiratory muscle strength (P(I,max); +13 cmH2O), endurance time (+261 s), 6- or 12-min walking distance (+32 and +85 m respectively) and quality of life (+3.8 units). Dyspnoea was significantly reduced (Borg score -0.9 point; Transitional Dyspnoea Index +2.8 units). Endurance exercise capacity tended to improve, while no effects on maximal exercise capacity were found. Respiratory muscle endurance training revealed no significant effect on P(I,max), functional exercise capacity and dyspnoea. IMT added to a general exercise programme improved P(I,max) significantly, while functional exercise capacity tended to increase in patients with inspiratory muscle weakness (P(I,max) <60 cmH2O). IMT improves inspiratory muscle strength and endurance, functional exercise capacity, dyspnoea and quality of life. Inspiratory muscle endurance training was shown to be less effective than respiratory muscle strength training. In patients with inspiratory muscle weakness, the addition of IMT to a general exercise training program improved P(I,max) and tended to improve exercise performance.

Short- and long-term recovery of upper limb function after axillary lymph node dissection.

All breast cancer patients, suspected with lymph node invasion, need an axillary lymph node dissection. This study investigated the short- and long-term effects of the treatment for breast cancer on shoulder mobility, development of lymphoedema, pain and activities of daily living. Patients who had a modified radical mastectomy (33%) or a breast-conserving procedure (67%) in combination with axillary lymph node dissection were included. Shoulder mobility, lymphoedema, pain and activities of daily living were evaluated at 3 months and at 3.4 years after surgery. At long term, 31% of the patients experienced impaired shoulder mobility, 18% developed lymphoedema, 79% had pain and 51% mentioned impaired daily activities. Between 3 months and 3.4 years after surgery, impaired shoulder mobility decreased from 57% to 31%. The incidence of lymphoedema increased from 4% to 18%. Patients experienced an equal amount of pain but fewer problems with daily activities. At 3.4 years, no significant differences between mastectomy and breast-conserving procedure were found. In conclusion, at long term, significant number of breast cancer survivors still had impaired shoulder mobility, developed lymphoedema, had pain and experienced difficulties during daily activities. Shoulder mobility, pain and daily activities evolved positively, while the incidence of lymphoedema increased.

Exercise training and pulmonary rehabilitation: new insights and remaining challenges.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is now regarded as an evidence-based treatment for symptomatic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It has been shown to enhance exercise tolerance, improve symptoms and health-related quality of life, and reduce exacerbations in patients with recurrent exacerbations. In this article we review the mechanisms through which exercise training results in beneficial effects. We also review three challenges that currently remain: 1) the fine tuning of exercise training and multidisciplinary programmes; 2) the timing of rehabilitation; and 3) efforts to enhance the accessibility and adherence to pulmonary rehabilitation programmes. Further research is needed in order to apply the now well-established principles of pulmonary rehabilitation to unusual patient populations, or patient populations that are unlikely to participate in conventional outpatient programmes.

Age-related changes in mechanical and metabolic energy during typical gait.

The purpose of the study was to investigate and report age-related changes in walking energy expenditure using different methods of energy estimation. For 81 children and 16 adults (3-35 years) energy expenditure was investigated by using the following methods: analysis of energy changes of the centre of body mass (external and internal mechanical work), sum of segmental energies, sum of net joint work and gross and net metabolic cost, as well as net non-dimensional oxygen cost. Different methods of energy estimation not only show different outcome results but also different age-related changes. Significant changes were found for negative net joint work, external mechanical work and recovery as well as sum of segmental energies, until 9, 11 and 19 years respectively. Positive net joint work showed no differences between age groups and the differences for internal work did not suggest development. Metabolic energy showed significant changes until adult age. Gross cost decreases with increasing age in children and, although more gradually, still in adolescents. Net and net non-dimensional cost shows a more constant decrease with increasing age until adulthood. Therefore, the choice of estimation method and the use of age-related reference data when evaluating young patients should be carefully considered. For interpretation of oxygen consumption in children the use of net is superior to gross cost, but even after net non-dimensional normalization, age-related reference data should be used.

Guia para prática clínica: fisioterapia em pacientes com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC): [review] / Clinical practice guideline for physical therapy in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): portuguese version: [review]

INTRODUÇÃO: No contexto da colaboração internacional para desenvolvimento de guias práticos (ou guidelines), a Sociedade Real Holandesa de Fisioterapia (Koninklijk Nederlands Genootschap voor Fysiotherapie, KNGF) se propôs a desenvolver um guia para esclarecimento sobre a prática clínica de Fisioterapia em pacientes com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC), assim como também optou por estimular a sua tradução para outras línguas, a fim de torná-lo acessível para públicos internacionais. OBJETIVOS: O presente guia é a versão em língua portuguesa do Guia para Prática Clínica de Fisioterapia em pacientes com DPOC desenvolvido pela KNGF, que teve como objetivo descrever a Fisioterapia baseada em evidências para pacientes com DPOC que apresentam limitação da função pulmonar, da função muscular respiratória e periférica, da capacidade de exercício, da depuração mucociliar e da qualidade de vida, além de limitações em relação à atividade física na vida diária pela dispneia e/ou intolerância ao exercício. CONCLUSÃO: O guia propõe-se principalmente a prover recomendações terapêuticas práticas que auxiliem o fisioterapeuta a oferecer o melhor tratamento possível para pacientes com DPOC, consideradas as evidências científicas disponíveis na atualidade.

INTRODUCTION: In the context of international collaboration for the development of practice guidelines, the Royal Dutch Society for Physical Therapy (Koninklijk Nederlands Genootschap voor Fysiotherapie, KNGF) has developed guidelines for the clinical practice of physical therapy in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It has also stimulated its translation into other languages to make it accessible to international audiences. OBJECTIVES: The present document brings the Portuguese version of the KNGF Clinical Practice Guidelines for physical therapy in COPD patients. Its purpose was to describe evidence-based physical therapy for COPD patients with impairments in pulmonary function, peripheral and respiratory muscle function, exercise capacity, mucus clearance and quality of life, in addition to limitations in physical activity in daily life due to dyspnea and/or exercise intolerance. CONCLUSION: The guideline provides practical and therapeutic recommendations based on currently available scientific evidence to help the physical therapist provide the best possible treatment to COPD patients.

A clinical practice guideline for physiotherapists treating patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on a systematic review of available evidence.

PURPOSE: Update of a clinical practice guideline for the physiotherapy management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease supporting the clinical decision-making process. METHODS: A systematic computerized literature search was performed on different modalities for improving physical exercise capacity, reducing exertional dyspnoea, improving airway clearance and encouraging changes in physical activity behaviour. Methodological quality was scored with the PEDro Scale. Scientific conclusions were graded according to the criteria of the; Dutch Evidence Based Guideline Development Platform'. These, together with practical considerations, were used to formulate recommendations for clinical practice. RESULTS: A total of 103 studies were included in the systematic review, consisting of five meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials, 84 randomized controlled trials and 14 uncontrolled studies. Twenty scientific conclusions supported six recommendations on physical exercise training. Nineteen scientific conclusions supported eight recommendations on interventions for reducing dyspnoea. Five scientific conclusions supported seven recommendations concerning treatment modalities to improve mucus clearance, and two scientific conclusions supported two recommendations on strategies for encouraging permanent changes in physical activity behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Strong recommendations support the use of physical exercise training to improve health-related quality of life and functional exercise capacity. Future research should investigate whether additional interventions for reducing exertional dyspnoea have a place as adjuncts to physical exercise training in selected patients. In addition, treatment of impaired mucus clearance, especially during acute exacerbations, requires further research. With the advance of new technologies for objective measurements of physical activities in daily life more research is needed concerning interventions to initiate and maintain physical activity behaviour change during and after supervised physical exercise training programmes.

Skeletal muscle weakness, exercise tolerance and physical activity in adults with cystic fibrosis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of muscle weakness and the importance of physical inactivity in cystic fibrosis (CF), and its relationship to exercise tolerance and muscle strength. Exercise tolerance, skeletal and respiratory muscle strength were studied in a group of 64 adults with CF (age 26+/-8 yrs, FEV(1 % predicted) 65+/-19) and in 20 age-matched controls. Physical activity (PA) was assessed in 20 patients and all controls. Quadriceps muscle weakness was present in 56% of the patients. Peak oxygen uptake and 6-min walking distance were below normal in 89 and 75% of patients, respectively. Respiratory muscle strength was normal. The differences remained after correcting for PA. Quadriceps force was correlated to the 6-min walking distance but not to peak oxygen uptake. "Mild" PA (>3 metabolic equivalents (METS)) and the number of steps overlapped with controls, but CF patients had less moderate PA (>4.8 METS). Moderate PA was related to peak oxygen uptake and quadriceps force. Skeletal muscle weakness and exercise intolerance are prevalent in cystic fibrosis. Physical inactivity is a factor significantly contributing to exercise tolerance and skeletal muscle force in adults with cystic fibrosis, but these impairments are in excess to that expected from physical inactivity only.

Skeletal muscle force and functional exercise tolerance before and after lung transplantation: a cohort study.

We investigated the impact of lung transplantation and outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation after lung transplantation on skeletal muscle function and exercise tolerance. Skeletal muscle force (Quadriceps force, QF), exercise tolerance (six minute walking distance, 6MWD) and lung function were assessed in 36 patients before and after lung transplantation. Seventeen male and 19 female patients (age 57 +/- 4) showed skeletal muscle weakness before the transplantation. A further 32 +/- 21% reduction was seen 1.2 (interquartile range 0.9 to 2.0) months after LTX. The number of days on the intensive care unit was significantly related to the observed deterioration in muscle force after LTX. At this time point 6MWD was comparable to pre-LTX. Rehabilitation started 37 (IQR 29 to 61) days after LTX. 6MWD and QF improved significantly (140 +/- 91 m, and 35 +/- 48%, respectively; p < 0.05) with rehabilitation. QF remained below pre-LTX values. The evolution of the 6MWD with the transplantation and the subsequent rehabilitation was less in female compared to male subjects. We conclude that muscle strength deteriorates after lung transplantation, particularly in patients with long ICU stay. Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation is feasible after lung transplantation and leads to recovery of skeletal muscle function. In female patients this recovery is significantly less compared to male recipients.