Acute outcomes of acupuncture and dry needling over peripheral acute fatigue in untrained healthy volunteers: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Peripheral acute fatigue (PAF) is defined as when the skeletal muscle is incapable of generating power. We aimed to investigate the acute effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) and dry needling (DN) over PAF induced on the biceps brachii of untrained healthy volunteers. We conducted a randomized, single-blind controlled clinical trial. All volunteers (n = 45) underwent fatigue induction protocols repeated before and after treatment with TCA (TCA group; TCAg; n = 15), DN (DN group; DNg; n = 15), and rest (control group; Cg; n = 15). Assessments of PAF, skin temperature, and exercise time occur before and after each event: 1st fatigue induction (FI), treatment, and 2nd FI. We used repeated measures ANOVA adjusted with Bonferroni post hoc test to determine any change in tested variables (PAF-VAS, PAF-EMG, and skin temperature) at different time points compared to the baseline. Paired Samples t-test was used for the variable exercise times. All statistical tests considered' the significance level at p ≤ 0,05. There was no difference between groups in acute fatigue recovery (p = 0.19). All intragroup analyses were significant (p ≤ 0.05) and all volunteers show a reduction in fatigue perception after treatment (p ≤ 0,05), however, exercise time did not ameliorate after TCA or DN (p > 0.77). A single session of TCA and, DN can equally reduce fatigue, temperature, and exercise time over PAF induced on biceps brachii of untrained healthy volunteers.

Influence of Mechanical Ventilation Modes on the Efficacy of Nebulized Bronchodilators in the Treatment of Intubated Adult Patients with Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

BACKGROUND: Little has been reported in terms of clinical outcomes to confirm the benefits of nebulized bronchodilators during mechanical ventilation (MV). Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) could be a valuable method to elucidate this gap. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of nebulized bronchodilators during invasive MV with EIT by comparing three ventilation modes on the overall and regional lung ventilation and aeration in critically ill patients with obstructive pulmonary disease. METHOD: A blind clinical trial in which eligible patients underwent nebulization with salbutamol sulfate (5 mg/1 mL) and ipratropium bromide (0.5 mg/2 mL) in the ventilation mode they were receiving. EIT evaluation was performed before and after the intervention. A joint and stratified analysis into ventilation mode groups was performed, with p < 0.05. RESULTS: Five of nineteen procedures occurred in controlled MV mode, seven in assisted mode and seven in spontaneous mode. In the intra-group analysis, the nebulization increased total ventilation in controlled (p = 0.04 and ⅆ = 2) and spontaneous (p = 0.01 and ⅆ = 1.5) MV modes. There was an increase in the dependent pulmonary region in assisted mode (p = 0.01 and ⅆ = 0.3) and in spontaneous mode (p = 0.02 and ⅆ = 1.6). There was no difference in the intergroup analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Nebulized bronchodilators reduce the aeration of non-dependent pulmonary regions and increase overall lung ventilation but there was no difference between the ventilation modes. As a limitation, it is important to note that the muscular effort in PSV and A/C PCV modes influences the impedance variation, and consequently the aeration and ventilation values. Thus, future studies are needed to evaluate this effort as well as the time on ventilator, time in UCI and other variables.

Surface electromyography signal processing and evaluation on respiratory muscles of critically ill patients: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Surface Electromyography (sEMG) has been used to monitor respiratory muscle function and contractility in several clinical situations, however there is the lack of standardization for the analysis and processing of the signals. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the respiratory muscles most assessed by sEMG in the critical care setting and the assessment procedure details employed on those muscles regarding electrode placement, signal acquisition, and data analysis. METHODS: A systematic review of observational studies was registered on PROSPERO (number CRD42022354469). The databases included PubMed; SCOPUS; CINAHL, Web of Science and ScienceDirect. Two independent reviewers ran the quality assessment of the studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Downs & Black checklists. RESULTS: A total of 311 participants were involved across the 16 studies, from which 62.5% (10) assessed the diaphragm muscle and 50% (8) assessed the parasternal muscle with similar electrode placement in both of them. We did not identify common patterns for the location of the electrodes in the sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene muscles. 12/16 reported sample rate, 10/16 reported band-pass and 9/16 reported one method of cardiac-interference filtering technique. 15/16 reported Root Mean Square (RMS) or derivatives as sEMG-obtained variables. The main applicabilities were the description of muscle activation in different settings (6/16), testing of reliability and correlation to other respiratory muscles assessment techniques (7/16), and assessment of therapy response (3/16). They found sEMG feasible and useful for prognosis purposes (2/16), treatment guidance (6/16), reliable monitoring under stable conditions (3/16), and as a surrogate measure (5/16) in mechanically ventilated patients in elective or emergency invasive procedures (5/16) or in acute health conditions (11/16). CONCLUSIONS: The diaphragm and parasternal muscles were the main muscles studied in the critical care setting, and with similar electrodes placement. However, several different methods were observed for other muscles electrodes placement, sEMG signals acquisition and data analysis.

Mapping peripheral and abdominal sarcopenia acquired in the acute phase of COVID-19 during 7 days of mechanical ventilation.

Our aim was to map acquired peripheral and abdominal sarcopenia in mechanically ventilated adults with COVID-19 through ultrasound measurements. On Days 1, 3, 5 and 7 after admission to critical care, the muscle thickness and cross-sectional area of the quadriceps, rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, tibialis anterior, medial and lateral gastrocnemius, deltoid, biceps brachii, rectus abdominis, internal and external oblique, and transversus abdominis were measured using bedside ultrasound. A total of 5460 ultrasound images were analyzed from 30 patients (age: 59.8 ± 15.6 years; 70% men). Muscle thickness loss was found in the bilateral anterior tibial and medial gastrocnemius muscles (range 11.5-14.6%) between Days 1 and 3; in the bilateral quadriceps, rectus femoris, lateral gastrocnemius, deltoid, and biceps brachii (range 16.3-39.1%) between Days 1 and 5; in the internal oblique abdominal (25.9%) between Days 1 and 5; and in the rectus and transversus abdominis (29%) between Days 1 and 7. The cross-sectional area was reduced in the bilateral tibialis anterior and left biceps brachii (range 24.6-25.6%) between Days 1 and 5 and in the bilateral rectus femoris and right biceps brachii (range 22.9-27.7%) between Days 1 and 7. These findings indicate that the peripheral and abdominal muscle loss is progressive during the first week of mechanical ventilation and is significantly higher in the lower limbs, left quadriceps and right rectus femoris muscles in critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Agreement between two methods for assessment of maximal inspiratory pressure in patients weaning from mechanical ventilation.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory muscle strength in patients with an artificial airway is commonly assessed as the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and is measured using analogue or digital manometers. Recently, new electronic loading devices have been proposed to measure respiratory muscle strength. This study evaluates the agreement between the MIPs measured by a digital manometer and those according to an electronic loading device in patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation. METHODS: In this prospective study, the standard MIP was obtained using a protocol adapted from Marini, in which repetitive inspiratory efforts were performed against an occluded airway with a one-way valve and were recorded with a digital manometer for 40 seconds (MIPDM). The MIP measured using the electronic loading device (MIPELD) was obtained from repetitively tapered flow resistive inspirations sustained for at least 2 seconds during a 40-second test. The agreement between the results was verified by a Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: A total of 39 subjects (17 men, 55.4±17.7 years) was enrolled. Although a strong correlation between MIPDM and MIPELD (R=0.73, P<0.001) was observed, the Bland-Altman analysis showed a high bias of -47.4 (standard deviation, 22.3 cm H2O; 95% confidence interval, -54.7 to -40.2 cm H2O). CONCLUSIONS: The protocol of repetitively tapering flow resistive inspirations to measure the MIP with the electronic loading device is not in agreement with the standard protocol using one-way valve inspiratory occlusion when applied in poorly cooperative patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation.

Whole-Body Vibration Associated with Strength Training on the Lower-Limb Blood Flow and Mobility in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Vascular endothelium insults caused by high serum glucose levels affect the oxygen supply to tissues, via the microvascular endothelium, resulting in an increased perfusion heterogeneity. These insults may lead to the underuse of blood capillaries, while other vessels are overused and effectively overload their oxygen supply capacity, which eventually causes damages to distal parts of the peripheral nervous system. Therefore, the proprioceptive and exteroceptive feedback information will be gradually lost and contribute to a mobility reduction. This study aims to assess the efficacy of whole-body vibration (WBV) associated with strength training (ST) on lower-limb blood flow and mobility in older adults with type 2 diabetes (DM2). Methods and analyses: This is a protocol (1st version) for Pa single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial guided by the SPIRIT guidelines. Our sample will consist of 51 older adults with DM2 randomly allocated to three groups: low frequency WBV (16−26 Hz) associated to ST (G1), WBV sham (G2) and nonintervention control (G3). The study protocol is set for a 12-week (three times per week) schedule. Primary outcomes: skin temperature using infrared thermographic imaging (ITI); mean peripheral arterial blood flow velocity (MBF) by a handheld Doppler ultrasound (DU), and functional mobility by Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Secondary outcomes: quasi-static posture using the DX100 BTS Smart optoelectronic system, and plantar pressure and body balance using the MPS stabilometric platform. Data will be collected and analyzed at baseline and post-intervention, considering p-value < 0.05 level of significance. The analyses will also be conducted with an intention-to-treat method and effect size. Dissemination: All results will be published in peer-reviewed journals as well as presented in conferences.

Effectiveness of Whole-Body Vibration Combined with Multicomponent Training on the Risk of Falls and Quality of Life in Elderly Women with Osteoporosis: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Osteoporosis and the risk of falls increase the risk of fractures and events of falls. Prescriptions and programs for different forms of exercise have different impacts on the risk of falls, and exercises from multiple categories of whole-body vibration can be effective. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of whole-body vibration (WBV) protocol combined with multicomponent training (MCT) in elderly women with osteoporosis and their history of falls. Our proposal is a protocol for a randomized clinical trial, divided into two stages: First, development of a protocol for WVB combined with MCT for elderly women with osteoporosis and a history of falls, under the Guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine, and following the recommendations of the Standard Protocol Items Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT), and second, a randomized controlled clinical trial following the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT). This trial will have implications for the effectiveness of a vibration protocol combined with multicomponent exercise on the risk of falls and quality of life for older women with osteoporosis. We expect that adding full-body vibration to an exercise protocol will decrease the risk of falls and improve participants' quality of life, as well as their strength, balance, and functional capacity.

Impact of fast-track management on adult cardiac surgery: clinical and hospital outcomes. / Impacto do fast track em cirurgia cardíaca de adultos: desfechos clínicos e hospitalares.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impact of two fast-track strategies regarding the extubation time and removal of invasive mechanical ventilation in adults after cardiac surgery on clinical and hospital outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study with patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients were classified according to the extubation time as the Control Group (extubated 6 hours after admission to the intensive care unit, with a maximum mechanical ventilation time of 18 hours), Group 1 (extubated in the operating room after surgery) and Group 2 (extubated within 6 hours after admission to the intensive care unit). The primary outcomes analyzed were vital capacity on the first postoperative day, length of hospital stay, and length of stay in the intensive care unit. The secondary outcomes were reintubation, hospital-acquired pneumonia, sepsis, and death. RESULTS: For the 223 patients evaluated, the vital capacity was lower in Groups 1 and 2 compared to the Control (p = 0.000 and p = 0.046, respectively). The length of stay in the intensive care unit was significantly lower in Groups 1 and 2 compared to the Control (p = 0.009 and p = 0.000, respectively), whereas the length of hospital stay was lower in Group 1 compared to the Control (p = 0.014). There was an association between extubation in the operating room (Group 1) with reintubation (p = 0.025) and postoperative complications (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing fast-track management with extubation within 6 hours had shorter stays in the intensive care unit without increasing postoperative complications and death. Patients extubated in the operating room had a shorter hospital stay and a shorter stay in the intensive care unit but showed an increase in the frequency of reintubation and postoperative complications.

OBJETIVO: Comparar o impacto de duas estratégias de fast track quanto ao momento de extubação e retirada da ventilação mecânica invasiva de adultos no pós-operatório cardíaco em desfechos clínicos e hospitalares. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo com pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca. Os pacientes foram classificados de acordo com o tempo de extubação em Grupo Controle (extubados após 6 horas de admissão na unidade de terapia intensiva, com tempo máximo de ventilação mecânica de 18 horas), Grupo 1 (extubados em sala de operação após término da cirurgia) e Grupo 2 (extubados em até 6 horas pós-admissão na unidade de terapia intensiva). Os desfechos primários analisados foram: capacidade vital no primeiro dia de pós-operatório, tempo de internamento hospitalar e na unidade de terapia intensiva. Os desfechos secundários foram reintubação, pneumonia adquirida no hospital, sepse e óbito. RESULTADOS: Para os 223 pacientes avaliados, a capacidade vital foi menor nos Grupos 1 e 2 comparados ao Controle (p = 0,000 e p = 0,046, respectivamente). Os dias de internamento em unidade de terapia intensiva foram significativamente menores nos Grupos 1 e 2 quando comparados ao Controle (p = 0,009 e p = 0,000, respectivamente), já os dias de internamento hospitalar foram menores no Grupo 1 quando comparado ao Controle (p = 0,014). Houve associação entre a extubação na sala de operação (Grupo 1) com reintubação (p = 0,025) e complicações pós-cirúrgicas (p=0,038). CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes submetidos ao fast track com extubação em até 6 horas apresentaram menor tempo de internamento em unidade de terapia intensiva sem aumentar complicações pós-cirúrgicas e óbito. Pacientes extubados em sala de operação tiveram menor tempo de internamento hospitalar e em unidade de terapia intensiva, mas apresentaram aumento na frequência de reintubação e complicações pós-cirúrgicas.

Impacto do fast track em cirurgia cardíaca de adultos: desfechos clínicos e hospitalares / Impact of fast-track management on adult cardiac surgery: clinical and hospital outcomes

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar o impacto de duas estratégias de fast track quanto ao momento de extubação e retirada da ventilação mecânica invasiva de adultos no pós-operatório cardíaco em desfechos clínicos e hospitalares. Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo com pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca. Os pacientes foram classificados de acordo com o tempo de extubação em Grupo Controle (extubados após 6 horas de admissão na unidade de terapia intensiva, com tempo máximo de ventilação mecânica de 18 horas), Grupo 1 (extubados em sala de operação após término da cirurgia) e Grupo 2 (extubados em até 6 horas pós-admissão na unidade de terapia intensiva). Os desfechos primários analisados foram: capacidade vital no primeiro dia de pós-operatório, tempo de internamento hospitalar e na unidade de terapia intensiva. Os desfechos secundários foram reintubação, pneumonia adquirida no hospital, sepse e óbito. Resultados: Para os 223 pacientes avaliados, a capacidade vital foi menor nos Grupos 1 e 2 comparados ao Controle (p = 0,000 e p = 0,046, respectivamente). Os dias de internamento em unidade de terapia intensiva foram significativamente menores nos Grupos 1 e 2 quando comparados ao Controle (p = 0,009 e p = 0,000, respectivamente), já os dias de internamento hospitalar foram menores no Grupo 1 quando comparado ao Controle (p = 0,014). Houve associação entre a extubação na sala de operação (Grupo 1) com reintubação (p = 0,025) e complicações pós-cirúrgicas (p=0,038). Conclusão: Pacientes submetidos ao fast track com extubação em até 6 horas apresentaram menor tempo de internamento em unidade de terapia intensiva sem aumentar complicações pós-cirúrgicas e óbito. Pacientes extubados em sala de operação tiveram menor tempo de internamento hospitalar e em unidade de terapia intensiva, mas apresentaram aumento na frequência de reintubação e complicações pós-cirúrgicas.

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the impact of two fast-track strategies regarding the extubation time and removal of invasive mechanical ventilation in adults after cardiac surgery on clinical and hospital outcomes. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study with patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Patients were classified according to the extubation time as the Control Group (extubated 6 hours after admission to the intensive care unit, with a maximum mechanical ventilation time of 18 hours), Group 1 (extubated in the operating room after surgery) and Group 2 (extubated within 6 hours after admission to the intensive care unit). The primary outcomes analyzed were vital capacity on the first postoperative day, length of hospital stay, and length of stay in the intensive care unit. The secondary outcomes were reintubation, hospital-acquired pneumonia, sepsis, and death. Results: For the 223 patients evaluated, the vital capacity was lower in Groups 1 and 2 compared to the Control (p = 0.000 and p = 0.046, respectively). The length of stay in the intensive care unit was significantly lower in Groups 1 and 2 compared to the Control (p = 0.009 and p = 0.000, respectively), whereas the length of hospital stay was lower in Group 1 compared to the Control (p = 0.014). There was an association between extubation in the operating room (Group 1) with reintubation (p = 0.025) and postoperative complications (p = 0.038). Conclusion: Patients undergoing fast-track management with extubation within 6 hours had shorter stays in the intensive care unit without increasing postoperative complications and death. Patients extubated in the operating room had a shorter hospital stay and a shorter stay in the intensive care unit but showed an increase in the frequency of reintubation and postoperative complications.