Effects of physical rehabilitation interventions in COVID-19 patients following discharge from hospital: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized patients recovering from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may experience disability and suffer from significant physical and mental impairment requiring physical rehabilitation following their discharge. However, to date, no attempt has been made to collate and synthesize literature in this area. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review examines the outcomes of different physical rehabilitation interventions tested in COVID-19 patients who were discharged from hospital. SEARCH STRATEGY: A systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and medRxiv was conducted to identify articles published up to March 2022. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This systematic review included studies of outpatient rehabilitation programs for people recovering from COVID-19 who received physical activity, exercise, or breathing training to enhance or restore functional capacity, pulmonary function, quality of life, and mental health or function. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS: Selection of included articles, data extraction, and methodological quality assessments were conducted by two review authors respectively, and consensus was reached through discussion and consultation with a third reviewer. Finally, we review the outcomes of studies based on four categories including: (1) functional capacity, (2) pulmonary function, (3) quality of life, and (4) mental health status. RESULTS: A total of 7534 titles and abstracts were screened; 10 cohort studies, 4 randomized controlled trials and 13 other prospective studies involving 1583 patients were included in our review. Early physical rehabilitation interventions applied in COVID-19 patients who were discharged from the hospital improved multiple parameters related to functional capacity, pulmonary function, quality of life and mental health status. CONCLUSION: Physical rehabilitation interventions may be safe, feasible and effective in COVID-19 patients discharged from the hospital, and can improve a variety of clinically relevant outcomes. Further studies are warranted to determine the underlying mechanisms. Please cite this article as: Rahmati M, Molanouri Shamsi M, Woo W, Koyanagi A, Won Lee SW, Keon Yon DK, Shin JI, Smith L. Effects of physical rehabilitation interventions in COVID-19 patients following discharge from hospital: A systematic review. J Integr Med. 2022; 21(2): 149-158.

Serum and gene expression profile of cytokines following combination of yoga training and vitamin D supplementation in breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the effect of the combination of yoga training with high vitamin D dose supplementation on the expression and systemic levels of inflammatory cytokines and psychophysical status of breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Thirty volunteered breast cancer survivors (48 ± 8 years) were randomly allocated to a high dose (4000 IU) of vitamin D supplementation (HD) group (n = 10), yoga with a high dose of vitamin D (YHD) group (n = 10), and yoga with a low dose (2000 IU) of vitamin D (YLD) group (n = 10). Participants performed the Hatha yoga style for 12 weeks, twice a week. Blood samples, quality of life (QoL) questionnaire, and physical performance tests were taken before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Body fat percentage (ηp2 = 0.36), handgrip strength (ηp2 = 0.41) and QoL indicators include global health (ηp2 = 0.54), functional scales (ηp2 = 0.49), and symptoms scales (ηp2 = 0.50) were significantly improved in the both YHD and YLD groups compared to the HD group (p < 0.05). Also, interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels were markedly increased in the Y-HVD group compared to the Y-LVD and HVD groups. Moreover, there were significant decreases in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 levels in the Y-HVD group after the intervention. The anti-inflammatory index (IL-10/TNF-α) was significantly increased in both the yoga groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Yoga promotes physical and psychological fitness and, in combination with a high dose of vitamin D, improves the cytokine profile, which can effectively manage the side effects associated with cancer. Trial registration IRCT20210726051993N2. Registration date: 2022/02/27. URL: https://www.irct.ir/trial/62079.

Combined Effects of Exercise Training and Nutritional Supplementation in Cancer Patients in the Context of the COVID-19: A Perspective Study.

The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, has caused unprecedented global social and economic impacts and many deaths. Many risk factors have been identified in the progression of COVID-19 to severe and critical stages, and it is shown that the coronavirus appears more severely in people with cancer. Pro-inflammatory status and weakened immune system due to cancer-related treatments can be determinants in the immune system's response to the coronavirus in these patients. Higher physical activity levels are associated with lower hospitalization rates and mortality in COVID-19. Also, regular exercise training can improve immune system responses, modulate inflammatory responses, and improve psychological parameters in cancer patients. The interactive effects of nutritional supplements on immune responses and anti-inflammatory status have been shown in some studies. The purpose of this perspective article was to investigate the interaction between dietary supplementation and regular physical exercise in controlling risk factors associated with coronavirus in cancer patients. In addition to appropriate dietary habits, some nutritional supplements, especially vitamin D, have been shown to improve the immune system's response against COVID-19 and cancer. Using lifestyle strategies such as regular physical activity and intake of functional compounds as supplements can be effective in treatment outcomes, quality of life, and overall survival in cancer patients. We proposed that combining dietary supplements and exercise training in cancer patients can boost immune responses against COVID-19 and probably improve vaccine responses. Angiotensin (ANG)-(1-7) Mas receptor axis can probably activate following exercise training and vitamin D combination. And can prevent pulmonary injury, hematological alterations, and hyperinflammatory state in COVID-19.

Home-based exercise training influences gut bacterial levels in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis is associated with gut microbiome alterations. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of home-based exercise on gut bacteria in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). We also examined the association of exercise-induced gut bacterial modulation with circulating levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two people with MS (female/male: 31/11, expanded disability scale status <5) participated in this study and were divided into two groups: 6 months of home-based exercise (5 sessions per week) and controls. Before and after the intervention, the following parameters were assessed: gut microbiota, including faecalibacterium prausnitzii, akkermansia muciniphila, prevotella and bacteroides counts; cytokine levels including interleukin (IL)-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α); and psychosocial factors including anxiety, depression, and fatigue. RESULTS: Home-based exercise significantly increased prevotella counts, and decreased akkermansia muciniphila counts (p < 0.05); however, there were no significant effects on faecalibacterium prausnitzii and bacteroides counts (p > 0.05). There were no significant effects of home-based exercise on circulating cytokine levels (p > 0.05). Moreover, home-based exercise was associated with significant improvements in anxiety and depression (p < 0.05); however, fatigue revealed no significant change (p > 0.05). Akkermansia muciniphila, prevotella and bacteroides count changes in response to the intervention were correlated with changes in IL-10 (r = -0.052, r = 0.67, and r = -0.55, respectively). CONCLUSION: In general, our data revealed the effect of exercise on gut bacteria, especially prevotella, and akkermansia muciniphila counts, which can probably have a beneficial effect on MS disease pathology and course; however, the lack of changes in cytokines following exercise suggests the possible role of mechanisms other than modulation of circulating IL-10 and TNF- α levels.

Effects of exercise training and supplementation with selenium nanoparticle on T-helper 1 and 2 and cytokine levels in tumor tissue of mice bearing the 4 T1 mammary carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Physical exercise decreases the incidence of breast cancer and also improves survival in breast cancer patients. However, the mechanistic basis of these protective effects of exercise is not well known. Changes in tumor cytokines, such as oncostatin-M (OSM), have been associated with modulation of antitumor immune responses in breast cancer. Exercise and antioxidants such as selenium affect both antitumor immune responses as well as tumor cytokine expression. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of aerobic exercise training (AET) and selenium nanoparticle (SeNP) administration on T-helper 1 and 2 and tumor tissue cytokines in mice bearing the 4 T1 mammary carcinoma. METHODS: We examined the effects of 6 wk of AET and SeNP administration (100 µg three times/wk) on tumor size, concentration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-4 and OSM in tumor tissue and INF-γ and IL-4 in splenocytes of 64 mice bearing the 4 T1 mammary carcinoma. RESULTS: AET increased OSM levels in tumor tissue. Moreover, AET increased levels of TNF-α in tumor tissue, whereas SeNP supplementation decreased IL-4 levels tumor tissue. Also, the combination of AET and SeNP administration decreased tumor volume and increased T-helper 1 cytokines in the splenocytes of tumor-bearing mice. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the combination of AET and SeNP supplementation effects antitumor immune responses in splenocytes, whereas AET induced antitumor cytokines, such as OSM and TNF-α in tumor tissue.