Effects of Tai-Chi on Quality of Life in People With Neurodegenerative Diseases. A systematic Review of Randomised Clinical Trials.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of people with neurodegenerative diseases. DATA SOURCE: This review followed the guidelines of the updated PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020. A systematic search in five electronic databases (Medline via PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PEDro, and OTseeker) was performed. STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized control trials (RCTs) examining Tai Chi interventions to improve HRQoL in patients with neurodegenerative diseases published through March 2023 were included. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted from each study by two independent researchers into a data extraction form based on the Cochrane recommendations. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed. DATA SYNTHESIS: A meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software. RESULTS: Of the 439 records that were screened, eight RCTs met the eligibility criteria. They assessed cognitive decline (n = 2) or Parkinson's disease (n = 6). RCT comparison groups included active interventions or usual care. The duration of Tai Chi therapy ranged from 8 to 24 weeks. A sensitivity analysis using a fixed effect model indicated that Tai Chi therapy significantly increased HRQoL [P < 001, SMD (95% CI) = .41 [.21, .60], I2 = 4%]. CONCLUSION: Tai Chi can effectively improve the HRQoL of people with neurodegenerative diseases, but the heterogeneity across intervention was relatively high. Further studies are needed as research into the benefits of Tai Chi in neurodegenerative disease rehabilitation is still limited.

Effects of an active intervention based on myofascial release and neurodynamics in patients with chronic neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: While neck pain can be severely disabling and costly, treatment options have shown moderate evidence of effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the effects of a 4-week active program based on myofascial release and neurodynamics on trigger point (TrP) examination, pain, and functionality in patients with chronic neck pain. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial. A total of 40 patients with chronic neck pain were randomly allocated to an experimental or a control group (n = 20). The primary outcome measure was TrP examination. Secondary outcomes were pain, assessed with the Brief Pain Inventory and a visual analogue scale, and functionality, evaluated with the Neck Outcome Score. RESULTS: A between-group analysis showed significant differences (p < .05) in the percentage of active TrPs in the following muscles: suboccipital (50 vs. 92.4% in the right muscle and 37.5 vs. 89.6% in the left muscle), left scalene and levator scapulae. Significant differences (p < .05) were also found in pain severity, average pain, and functionality (i.e. symptoms, sleep, and participation). CONCLUSIONS: A 4-week self-administered program for patients with chronic neck pain was effective in reducing the presence of active TrPs. Pain severity, average pain, and some aspects of functionality also improved significantly after the intervention.

A Feasibility and Efficacy Randomized Controlled Trial of Two Exercise Programs in Severe AECOPD Patients with Resting Hypoxemia.

Resting hypoxemia is the most severe stage of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Due to their impairments during the exacerbation, these patients are limited to traditional exercise rehabilitation and are excluded from the majority of the studies. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and the efficacy of two exercise programs in Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) patients with resting hypoxemia. In this randomized clinical trial, patients hospitalized due to an acute exacerbation of COPD with hypoxemia at rest were included. Patients were randomly assigned into three groups. A Control Group (pharmacological treatment), a Global Exercise Group (GEG), and a Functional Electrostimulation Group (FEG). Patients were treated during the hospitalization period. The main outcomes were lower limb strength (assessed by a dynamometer), balance (assessed by the one leg standing balance test), health related quality of life (assessed by the EQ-5D), adverse events and adherence. At the end of the intervention, there were significant differences in all the variables in favour of the experimental groups (p < 0.05). We concluded that conducting an exercise program is feasible and improves lower limb strength, balance, and health related quality of life in AECOPD patients with resting hypoxemia.

Eficacia de la electroestimulación combinada en pacientes con exacerbación aguda de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica: ensayo clínico aleatorizado / Efficacy of combined electrostimulation in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD: randomised clinical trial

Introducción y objetivo: La disfunción muscular es una afectación muy frecuente en los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC), que produce un aumento en la disnea y una incapacidad para la actividad. A pesar de realizarse intervenciones hospitalarias aún no está claro qué tipo de intervención provocará un mejor efecto sobre estos pacientes. Por tanto, el objetivo de este estudio es comparar la eficacia con ejercicios calisténicos de 2 intervenciones de electroestimulación combinada en pacientes hospitalizados por exacerbación de la EPOC (AEEPOC). Pacientes y métodos: Para ello se llevó a cabo un estudio experimental con 39 pacientes aleatorizados en 3 grupos. Un grupo control que recibió un tratamiento médico estándar (oxigenoterapia y farmacoterapia) y 2 grupos que recibieron una intervención de fisioterapia con electroestimulación funcional y con ejercicios calisténicos respectivamente. Las variables principales fueron la capacidad de ejercicio mediante el Five times sit to stand test así como la funcionalidad asociada a la sintomatología, medida con el London Activity of Daily Living Scale. Resultados: Tras comparar los resultados se observó una mejora significativa de la disnea al alta con respecto al ingreso en los 3 grupos. Además, se encontraron diferencias significativas en cuanto a la funcionalidad, la capacidad de ejercicio y la fatiga en los grupos de intervención al alta con respecto al ingreso, siendo estas 2 últimas mejores en el grupo de electroestimulación con ejercicios calisténicos. Conclusión: Un programa de electroestimulación genera mejoras significativas en la capacidad de ejercicio, la funcionalidad y la fatiga en pacientes hospitalizados con AEEPOC

Introduction and objective: Muscle dysfunction is very common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Muscular strength depletion is a result of numerous hospitalisations and this causes an increase in the symptomatology. Numerous interventions have been used in these patients, but there is no consensus on the best. The main objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two physiotherapy interventions during hospitalisation in COPD patients. Patients and methods: In this clinical trial, we included 39 patients who were randomised into three groups. A control group received standard medical treatment (oxygen therapy and pharmacotherapy), and two groups received, in addition to standard medical treatment, a physiotherapy intervention, one with functional electrostimulation and one with calisthenic exercises. The main variables were the ability to exercise using the Five-time sit-to-stand test as well as the functionality associated with symptomatology, as measured by the London Chest Activity of Daily Living Scale. Results: After comparing the results, there was a significant improvement in dyspnea on discharge versus admission in all three groups. In addition, we found significant differences in functionality, exercise capacity, and fatigue in both intervention groups, being better in the electrostimulation with calisthenic exercises group than in the functional group. Conclusion: An electrostimulation treatment improves the exercise capacity, functionality and fatigue in hospitalised AECOPD patients

Efficacy of combined electrostimulation in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD: randomised clinical trial. / Eficacia de la electroestimulación combinada en pacientes con exacerbación aguda de enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica: ensayo clínico aleatorizado.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Muscle dysfunction is very common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Muscular strength depletion is a result of numerous hospitalisations and this causes an increase in the symptomatology. Numerous interventions have been used in these patients, but there is no consensus on the best. The main objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of two physiotherapy interventions during hospitalisation in COPD patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this clinical trial, we included 39 patients who were randomised into three groups. A control group received standard medical treatment (oxygen therapy and pharmacotherapy), and two groups received, in addition to standard medical treatment, a physiotherapy intervention, one with functional electrostimulation and one with calisthenic exercises. The main variables were the ability to exercise using the Five-time sit-to-stand test as well as the functionality associated with symptomatology, as measured by the London Chest Activity of Daily Living Scale. RESULTS: After comparing the results, there was a significant improvement in dyspnea on discharge versus admission in all three groups. In addition, we found significant differences in functionality, exercise capacity, and fatigue in both intervention groups, being better in the electrostimulation with calisthenic exercises group than in the functional group. CONCLUSION: An electrostimulation treatment improves the exercise capacity, functionality and fatigue in hospitalised AECOPD patients.