Using interoperable nursing care data to improve outcomes for multiple traumas patients with Impaired Physical Mobility.

AIM(S): To demonstrate how interoperable nursing care data can be used by nurses to create a more holistic understanding of the healthcare needs of multiple traumas patients with Impaired Physical Mobility. By proposing and validating linkages for the nursing diagnosis of Impaired Physical Mobility in multiple trauma patients by mapping to the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) and Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) equivalent terms using free-text nursing documentation. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional design, combining quantitative analysis of interoperable data sets and the Kappa's coefficient score with qualitative insights from cross-mapping methodology and nursing professionals' consensus. METHODS: Cross-mapping methodology was conducted in a Brazilian Level 1 Trauma Center using de-identified records of adult patients with a confirmed medical diagnosis of multiple traumas and Impaired Physical Mobility (a nursing diagnosis). The hospital nursing free-text records were mapped to NANDA-I, NIC, NOC and NNN linkages were identified. The data records were retrieved for admissions from September to October 2020 and involved medical and nursing records. Three expert nurses evaluated the cross-mapping and linkage results using a 4-point Likert-type scale and Kappa's coefficient. RESULTS: The de-identified records of 44 patients were evaluated and then were mapped to three NOCs related to nurses care planning: (0001) Endurance; (0204) Immobility Consequences: Physiological, and (0208) Mobility and 13 interventions and 32 interrelated activities: (6486) Environmental Management: Safety; (0840) Positioning; (3200) Aspiration Precautions; (1400) Pain Management; (0940) Traction/Immobilization Care; (3540) Pressure Ulcer Prevention; (3584) Skincare: Topical Treatment; (1100) Nutrition Management; (3660) Wound Care; (1804) Self-Care Assistance: Toileting; (1801) Self-Care Assistance: Bathing/Hygiene; (4130) Fluid Monitoring; and (4200) Intravenous Therapy. The final version of the constructed NNN Linkages identified 37 NOCs and 41 NICs. CONCLUSION: These valid NNN linkages for patients with multiple traumas can serve as a valuable resource that enables nurses, who face multiple time constraints, to make informed decisions efficiently. This approach of using evidence-based linkages like the one developed in this research holds high potential for improving patient's safety and outcomes. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: In this study, there was no direct involvement of patients, service users, caregivers or public members in the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of data or preparation of the manuscript. The study focused solely on analysing existing de-identified medical and nursing records to propose and validate linkages for nursing diagnoses.

Hybrid maneuver for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in individuals with limited neck mobility: Case series.

INTRODUCTION: Mobility limitation of the cervical spine compromises the adequate execution of the canalith repositioning maneuver (CRM) in cases of posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PSC-BPPV-GEO). Thus, novel therapeutic options are required for such individuals. OBJECTIVES: This study describes the effects of a change in the biomechanical position for the execution of the CRM on symptoms of dizziness and mobility limitation regarding flexion-extension of the cervical spine in older people with unilateral PSC-BPPV-GEO. METHODS: A quasi-experimental viability study was conducted with 15 older adults (11 women; mean age: 72.2 ± 8.1 years). Treatment consisted of a hybrid CRM. The participants were evaluated before and after the intervention using the modified Dix & Hallpike test, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and a visual analog scale (VAS) for vertigo. RESULTS: The modified Dix & Hallpike test was negative in all cases after the execution of the hybrid CRM. A significant reduction was found for dizziness measured using the DHI (mean difference: -39.3 ± 9.4, p < 0.001) and VAS (mean difference: -2.9 ± 0.8, p = 0.04) after the intervention. CONCLUSION: The hybrid CRM proved executable and satisfactory for resolving symptoms of dizziness in older adults with PSC-BPPV. The present findings are promising and randomized controlled clinical trials should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the hybrid CRM in this population.

Changes in older adults' life space during lung cancer treatment: A mixed methods cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Maintenance of function during cancer treatment is important to older adults. Characteristics associated with pretreatment life-space mobility and changes during non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment remain unknown. METHODS: This mixed methods cohort study recruited adults age ≥65 with advanced NSCLC starting palliative chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and/or targeted therapy from a Comprehensive Cancer Center, Veterans Affairs, and safety-net clinic. Patients completed geriatric assessments including Life-Space Assessment (LSA) pretreatment and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months after treatment initiation. LSA scores range from 0 to 120 (greater mobility); LSA <60 is considered restricted. We used mixed-effects models to examine pretreatment LSA, change from 0 to 1 month, and change from 1 to 6 months. A subgroup participated in semistructured interviews pretreatment and at 2 and 6 months to understand the patient experience of life-space change. For each interview participant, we created joint displays of longitudinal LSA scores juxtaposed with illustrative quotes. RESULTS: Among 93 patients, median age was 73 (range 65-94). Mean pretreatment LSA score was 67.1. On average, LSA declined 10.1 points from pretreatment to 1 month and remained stable at 6 months. Pretreatment LSA score was associated with several demographic, clinical, geriatric assessment, and symptom characteristics. LSA decline at 1 month was greater among patients with high anxiety (slope = -12.6 vs. -2.3, p = 0.048). Pretreatment body mass index <21 kg/m2 was associated with LSA improvement from 1 to 6 months (slope = 4.1 vs. -0.04, p = 0.003). Joint displays illustrated the impact of different life-space trajectories on patients' lives in their words. CONCLUSION: Older adults with NSCLC have low pretreatment life space with many developing restricted life space during treatment. Incorporating life-space assessments into clinical cancer care may help older adults concretely visualize how treatment might impact their daily function to allow for informed decision making and identify early changes in mobility to implement supportive interventions.

Quality of Life Assessment in Patients Undergoing Trans-Catheter Aortic Valve Implantation Using MacNew Questionnaire.

The MacNew questionnaire is a disease-specific quality of life measure that has been used in patients with myocardial infarction and heart failure. We aimed to investigate the impact of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using MacNew Questionnaire and identify predictors associated with a change in its score. This was a prospective multi-center study performed across 5 National Health Service hospitals in the United Kingdom performing TAVI between 2016 and 2018. HRQoL was assessed using MacNew Questionnaire, Euro Quality of Life-5D-5L, and Short Form 36 questionnaires collected at baseline, 3-, 6- and 12 months after the procedure. Out of 225 recruited patients, 19 did not have TAVI and 4 withdrew their consent, and hence 202 patients were included. HRQoL was assessed in 181, 161, and 147 patients at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Using MacNew, there was a significant improvement in all domains of HRQoL as early as 3 months after TAVI which was sustained up to 12 months with improved discrimination of change in HRQoL compared with other scales. Poor mobility at baseline and history of myocardial infarction were independent predictors of reduced improvement in HRQoL at 3 months. HRQoL increased in all subgroups of patients including frail ones. In conclusion, the MacNew assessment tool performed well in a representative TAVI cohort and could be used as an alternative disease-specific method for assessing HRQoL change after TAVI.

Rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis in 2021.

Patients with multiple sclerosis, despite advances in therapy, often suffer from locomotor impairment that limits their mobility and affect quality of life. Rehabilitation is part of the treatment of MS and has shown its beneficial effects in numerous studies. While traditional rehabilitation techniques remain in the limelight, new technologies are emerging and make it possible to improve the management of disabling symptoms. The aim of this update is to synthesize the new therapy techniques proposed in rehabilitation for patients with multiple sclerosis according to the symptoms as balance, gait, upper limb disorders, fatigue, spasticity and disease progression published over the past 5 years. With regard to balance and walking disorders, neuromotor rehabilitation, physical exercise, rhythmic auditory stimulation, gait robot training and exergaming are effective. Only physical exercise has shown a positive effect on fatigue management. Spasticity is improved by classic rehabilitation techniques however non-invasive brain stimulation are promising. The rehabilitation of upper limb dysfunctions uses various effective techniques such as the repetition of functional tasks in real or virtual situations. In case of a more severe disability, arm robots can be used to relearn the impaired movement. Action observation training in real or virtual situations is also effective. Finally, under certain conditions the constraint induced movement therapy is proposed. The effects of rehabilitation are not only positive on the pyramidal symptoms and fatigue but also increase neuroplasticity and perhaps a neuroprotective effect as shown in some studies.

Rehabilitation to enable recovery from COVID-19: a rapid systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the evidence for rehabilitation interventions tested in populations of patients admitted to ICU and critical care with severe respiratory illness, and consider whether the evidence is generalizable to patients with COVID-19. METHODS: The authors undertook a rapid systematic review. Medline (via OvidSP), CINAHL Complete (via EBSCOhost), Cochrane Library, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and CENTRAL (via Wiley), Epistemonikos (via Epistemonikos.org), PEDro (via pedro.org.au) and OTseeker (via otseeker.com) searched to 7 May 2020. The authors included systematic reviews, RCTs and qualitative studies involving adults with respiratory illness requiring intensive care who received rehabilitation to enhance or restore resulting physical impairments or function. Data were extracted by one author and checked by a second. TIDier was used to guide intervention descriptions. Study quality was assessed using Critical Skills Appraisal Programme (CASP) tools. RESULTS: Six thousand nine hundred and three titles and abstracts were screened; 24 systematic reviews, 11 RCTs and eight qualitative studies were included. Progressive exercise programmes, early mobilisation and multicomponent interventions delivered in ICU can improve functional independence. Nutritional supplementation in addition to rehabilitation in post-ICU hospital settings may improve performance of activities of daily living. The evidence for rehabilitation after discharge from hospital following an ICU admission is inconclusive. Those receiving rehabilitation valued it, engendering hope and confidence. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise, early mobilisation and multicomponent programmes may improve recovery following ICU admission for severe respiratory illness that could be generalizable to those with COVID-19. Rehabilitation interventions can bring hope and confidence to individuals but there is a need for an individualised approach and the use of behaviour change strategies. Further research is needed in post-ICU settings and with those who have COVID-19. Registration: Open Science Framework https://osf.io/prc2y.

Raphael at the Temple.

Raphael, in his painting "Healing of the Lame Man" shows one lame man encountering St. Peter and St. John while another lame man waits his turn. Children with unusually muscular bodies are also depicted in the painting. The possible causes of lameness in the men and muscle hypertrophy in the children are discussed.

Association between coffee consumption and functional disability in older US adults.

The effect of coffee consumption on functional disability has been scarcely investigated. Thus, this study aimed to examine the association between coffee consumption and functional disability in older American adults. Participants (≥60 years old, n 7704) were from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2016. Coffee consumption was assessed through two 24-h dietary recall interviews. Five domains of functional disability including lower extremity mobility (LEM), general physical activity (GPA), leisure and social activities (LSA), activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were self-reported. Age- and multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used. Total coffee consumption was inversely associated with LEM, GPA, LSA and IADL disability. Compared with non-drinkers of total coffee, those who consumed ≥2 cups/d reported lower odds of LEM (OR 0·67, 95 % CI 0·50, 0·91), GPA (OR 0·65, 95 % CI 0·47, 0·88), LSA (OR 0·61, 95 % CI 0·45, 0·83) and IADL (OR 0·59, 95 % CI 0·44, 0·78) disability. The dose-response analyses confirmed these relationships. Intake of ≥2 cups/d caffeinated coffee was also inversely linked to GPA (OR 0·67, 95 % CI 0·48, 0·92), LSA (OR 0·66, 95 % CI 0·46, 0·93) and IADL (OR 0·57, 95 % CI 0·43, 0·75) disability, whereas the inverse association of 2+ cups/d decaffeinated coffee was only on LEM (OR 0·43, 95 % CI 0·23, 0·81) and LSA (OR 0·39, 95 % CI 0·16, 0·94) disability. The present study suggested that coffee consumption was inversely associated with functional disability in older American adults. Those associations of diverse coffee types differed across domains of functional disability.

Innovations in Geroscience to enhance mobility in older adults.

Aging is the primary risk factor for functional decline; thus, understanding and preventing disability among older adults has emerged as an important public health challenge of the 21st century. The science of gerontology - or geroscience - has the practical purpose of "adding life to the years." The overall goal of geroscience is to increase healthspan, which refers to extending the portion of the lifespan in which the individual experiences enjoyment, satisfaction, and wellness. An important facet of this goal is preserving mobility, defined as the ability to move independently. Despite this clear purpose, this has proven to be a challenging endeavor as mobility and function in later life are influenced by a complex interaction of factors across multiple domains. Moreover, findings over the past decade have highlighted the complexity of walking and how targeting multiple systems, including the brain and sensory organs, as well as the environment in which a person lives, can have a dramatic effect on an older person's mobility and function. For these reasons, behavioral interventions that incorporate complex walking tasks and other activities of daily living appear to be especially helpful for improving mobility function. Other pharmaceutical interventions, such as oxytocin, and complementary and alternative interventions, such as massage therapy, may enhance physical function both through direct effects on biological mechanisms related to mobility, as well as indirectly through modulation of cognitive and socioemotional processes. Thus, the purpose of the present review is to describe evolving interventional approaches to enhance mobility and maintain healthspan in the growing population of older adults in the United States and countries throughout the world. Such interventions are likely to be greatly assisted by technological advances and the widespread adoption of virtual communications during and after the COVID-19 era.

The effects of sitting Tai Chi on physical and psychosocial health outcomes among individuals with impaired physical mobility.

BACKGROUND: Impaired physical mobility, most often seen in people with neurological disorders (i.e., stroke and spinal cord injury survivors), musculoskeletal diseases or frailty, is a limitation in independent and purposeful physical movement of the body or one or more extremities. The physical restrictions result in negative consequences on an individual's physical and psychosocial functions. This proposal describes a systematic review protocol to determine the effectiveness and approaches of sitting Tai Chi intervention for individuals with impaired physical mobility. Our review would inform stakeholders' decisions in integrating this complementary therapy into current rehabilitation services. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental studies that compared an intervention group receiving sitting Tai Chi with a control group among adult participants with impaired physical mobility resulting from any health condition(s) will be included. Outcomes of interest will include physical and psychosocial health outcomes. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, AMED, PsycINFO, SPORDiscus, PEDro, WanFang Data and China National Knowledge Infrastructure will be searched from their inception to January 2020. Additional searches will be performed to identify studies that are being refereed, to be published, unpublished or ongoing. Two reviewers will select the trials and extract data independently. The risk of bias of the included studies will be assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tools. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation will be used to assess evidence quality for each review outcome. Data synthesis will be performed using Review Manager 5.3. When a meta-analysis is possible, we will assess the heterogeneity across the studies by computing the I statistics. RESULTS: A high-quality synthesis of current evidence of sitting Tai Chi for impaired physical mobility will be stated from several aspect using subjective reports and objective measures of performance. CONCLUSION: This protocol will present the evidence of whether sitting Tai Chi is an effective intervention for impaired physical mobility. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD 42019142681.

Association Between Changes in Subjective and Objective Measures of Mobility in People With Lower Limb Amputations After Inpatient Rehabilitation.

Functional recovery for people with lower limb amputations is quantified using objective or subjective measures of performance. In this brief report, the prospective relationship between objective and subjective mobility after rehabilitation was evaluated in people with lower limb amputations. Adults undergoing inpatient prosthetic rehabilitation for a first unilateral transtibial or transfemoral level lower limb amputation were recruited. Assessment times: discharge and 4-mo follow-up. Gait velocity and the L Test under single- and dual-task conditions measured objective mobility. The Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaire (section 4 and question 5b) measured subjective mobility. Paired t tests and Pearson correlation analysis evaluated change over time and the association between mobility types, respectively. Twenty-one people with lower limb amputations (61.6 ± 8.2 yrs) participated. Gait velocity significantly improved (single- and dual-task: P < 0.001). L Test significantly improved for single-task (P = 0.002) but not dual-task conditions. No statistically significant Prosthetic Evaluation Questionnaire changes were observed. One subjective mobility question (sidewalk walking) correlated with objective mobility at follow-up (L Test single- and dual-task: r = -0.77; P < 0.001). Objective mobility improved after discharge; however, subjective reporting had no change. Lack of association may represent a mismatch between quantitative outcomes and subjective self-assessment. Both subjective and objective measures of mobility should be collected to provide a holistic picture of clinical and patient-relevant outcomes in people with lower limb amputations.

The Six-Clicks Mobility Measure: A Useful Tool for Predicting Discharge Disposition.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive capabilities of 2 measures of functional mobility, the 6-clicks score and the Braden scale mobility score. We also identified the additional predictive value of adding electronic health record data (demographics, laboratory data, and vital signs) to each model. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: A large integrated health system. PARTICIPANTS: Patients ≥18 years of age (N=17,022) admitted to the inpatient medical service of one of 8 hospitals. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Predictive measures were patient demographics, laboratory values, vital signs, and functional mobility as measured by the 6-clicks score within the first 48 hours of hospital admission. Our outcome was discharge destination (home vs other). RESULTS: Our final sample included 19,963 records. Patients were discharged alive from 19,698 admissions. The majority were women (n=11,729, 59%) with a mean age of 73 (standard deviation, 15.3) years. Patients' initial 6-clicks score had moderate discrimination for discharge destination (c-statistic of 0.78) and outperformed the Braden score (c-statistic of 0.68). Electronic health record data alone had poor discrimination (c-statistic of 0.66) and added little to the model of 6-clicks alone (adjusted c-statistic increased from 0.78 to 0.80). CONCLUSION: Functional mobility measured via 6-clicks within 48 hours of admission can help identify patients who are likely to go home, facilitating early discharge planning.

Long-term effects of vitamin D deficiency on gait and balance in the older adults.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Vitamin D deficiency is a public health problem. The resulting data showed that vitamin D is associated not only with calcium homeostasis, skeletal muscle health, but also with some chronic diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate long-term effects of vitamin D deficiency on gait-balance parameters in older adults. METHODS: 370 patients who applied to the geriatric outpatient clinic three times at six-months intervals and underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), were retrospectively screened. Patients, whose sociodemographic characteristics, systemic diseases and laboratory findings were reviewed, were divided into 3 groups according to basal serum 25-hydroxy D vitamin [25(OH)D] level: Group 1 (<10 ng/mL), Group 2 (10-20 ng/mL), Group 3 (≥20 ng/mL). The balance-gait performance of patients, the 25(OH)D level of whom reached to the sufficient level at the end of 12th month, was compared to other patients by the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) scale. RESULTS: Demographic characteristics and systemic diseases were similar in the groups except for education (p > 0.05). At baseline, Group 1 had lower Basic and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (ADL), POMA balance and total score (p < 0.05). At the end of 12th month, POMA balance and total scores improved in the Group 1 patients who reached a sufficient 25(OH)D level, however these scores failed to catch Group 3 (p < 0.05). The basal, 6th and 12th month evaluations of three groups showed that mean POMA balance, gait and total scores were better in patients whose 25(OH)D level was ≥20 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D replacement, especially to severe deficient patients, may improve balance and gait functions in older adults. Therefore, vitamin D deficiency should be screened routinely and treated effectively.

Circulating Interleukin-6 Is Associated with Skeletal Muscle Strength, Quality, and Functional Adaptation with Exercise Training in Mobility-Limited Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Human aging is characterized by a chronic, low-grade inflammation suspected to contribute to reductions in skeletal muscle size, strength, and function. Inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), may play a role in the reduced skeletal muscle adaptive response seen in older individuals. OBJECTIVES: To investigate relationships between circulating IL-6, skeletal muscle health and exercise adaptation in mobility-limited older adults. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Exercise laboratory on the Health Sciences campus of an urban university. PARTICIPANTS: 99 mobility-limited (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) ≤9) older adults. INTERVENTION: 6-month structured physical activity with or without a protein and vitamin D nutritional supplement. MEASUREMENTS: Circulating IL-6, skeletal muscle size, composition (percent normal density muscle tissue), strength, power, and specific force (strength/CSA) as well as physical function (gait speed, stair climb time, SPPB-score) were measured pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: At baseline, Spearman's correlations demonstrated an inverse relationship (P<0.05) between circulating IL-6 and thigh muscle composition (r = -0.201), strength (r = -0.311), power (r = -0.210), and specific force (r = -0.248), and positive association between IL-6 and stair climb time (r = 0.256; P<0.05). Although the training program did not affect circulating IL-6 levels (P=0.69), reductions in IL-6 were associated with gait speed improvements (r = -0.487; P<0.05) in "higher" IL-6 individuals (>1.36 pg/ml). Moreover, baseline IL-6 was inversely associated (P<0.05) with gains in appendicular lean mass and improvements in SPPB score (r = -0.211 and -0.237, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These findings implicate age-related increases in circulating IL-6 as an important contributor to declines in skeletal muscle strength, quality, function, and training-mediated adaptation. Given the pervasive nature of inflammation among older adults, novel therapeutic strategies to reduce IL-6 as a means of preserving skeletal muscle health are enticing.

Clinically Integrated Physical Therapist Practice in Cancer Care: A New Comprehensive Approach.

Best practice recommendations in cancer care increasingly call for integrated rehabilitation services to address physical impairments and disability. These recommendations have languished primarily due to a lack of pragmatic, generalizable intervention models. This perspective paper proposes a clinically integrated physical therapist (CI-PT) model that enables flexible and scalable services for screening, triage, and intervention addressing functional mobility. The model is based on (1) a CI-PT embedded in cancer care provider clinics, and (2) rehabilitation across the care continuum determined by the patient's level of functional mobility. The CI-PT model includes regular screening of functional mobility in provider clinics via a patient-reported mobility measure-the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care, a brief physical therapy evaluation tailored to the specific functional needs of the individual-and a tailored, skilled physical therapist intervention based on functional level. The CI-PT model provides a pragmatic, barrier-free, patient-centric, data-driven approach to integrating rehabilitation as part of standard care for survivors of cancer. The model standardizes CI-PT practice and may be sufficiently agile to provide targeted interventions in widely varying cancer settings and populations. Therefore, it may be ideal for wide implementation among outpatient oncological settings. Implementation of this model requires a shared approach to care that includes physical therapists, rehabilitation administrators, cancer care providers, and cancer center administrators.

The effect of rehabilitation interventions on physical function and immobility-related complications in severe stroke: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation interventions on physical function and immobility-related complications in severe stroke. DESIGN: Systematic review of electronic databases (Medline, Excerpta Medica database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Database of Research in Stroke, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) searched between January 1987 and November 2018. METHODS: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement guided the review. Randomised controlled trials comparing the effect of one type of rehabilitation intervention to another intervention, usual care or no intervention on physical function and immobility-related complications for patients with severe stroke were included. Studies that recruited participants with all levels of stroke severity were included only if subgroup analysis based on stroke severity was performed. Two reviewers screened search results, selected studies using predefined selection criteria, extracted data and assessed risk of bias for selected studies using piloted proformas. Marked heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis and a descriptive review was performed. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was used to assess evidence strength. RESULTS: 28 studies (n=2677, mean age 72.7 years, 49.3% males) were included in the review. 24 studies were rated low or very low quality due to high risk of bias and small sample sizes. There was high-quality evidence that very early mobilisation (ie, mobilisation with 24 hours poststroke) and occupational therapy in care homes were no more effective than usual care. There was moderate quality evidence supporting short-term benefits of wrist and finger neuromuscular electrical stimulation in improving wrist extensor and grip strength, additional upper limb training on improving upper limb function and additional lower limb training on improving upper limb function, independence in activities of daily living, gait speed and gait independence. CONCLUSIONS: There is a paucity of high-quality evidence to support the use of rehabilitation interventions to improve physical function and reduce immobility-related complications after severe stroke. Future research investigating more commonly used rehabilitation interventions, particularly to reduce poststroke complications, is required. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42017077737.

Baseline Characteristics May Help Indicate the Best Choice of Health Care Provider for Back Pain Patients in Primary Care: Results From a Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Baseline characteristics of patients low back pain differ substantially between care settings, but it is largely unknown whether predictors are of equal importance across settings. The aim of this study was to investigate whether 8 known predictors relate differently to outcomes in chiropractic practice and in general practice and to which degree these factors may be helpful in selecting patients benefiting more from one setting or the other. METHODS: Patient characteristics were collected at baseline, and outcomes of pain intensity (numeric rating scale 0-10) and activity limitation (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire 0-100) after 2, 12, and 52 weeks. Differences in the prognostic strength between settings were investigated for each prognostic factor separately by estimating the interaction between setting and the prognostic factor using regression models. Between-setting differences in outcome in high-risk and low-risk subgroups, formed by single prognostic factors, were assessed in similar models adjusted for a propensity score to take baseline differences between settings into account. RESULTS: Prognostic factors were generally associated more strongly with outcomes in general practice compared with chiropractic practice. The difference was statistically significant for general health, duration of pain, and musculoskeletal comorbidity. After propensity score adjustment, differences in outcomes between settings were insignificant, but negative prognostic factors tended to be less influential in chiropractic practice except for leg pain and depression, which tended to have less negative impact in general practice. CONCLUSION: Known prognostic factors related differently to outcomes in the 2 settings, suggesting that some subgroups of patients might benefit more from one setting than the other.

Osteoporosis pathology in people with severe motor and intellectual disability.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the severity and pathology of osteoporosis in children and adults with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) by evaluating bone enzymes, by which we aimed to determine adequate treatment approaches for preventing fractures. METHODS: Ninety patients (44 men, 46 women; mean age, 34.5 years) underwent bone quality assessment. Quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) was used to measure the T-score and Z-score of the calcaneus, and blood tests were used to measure bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b levels as bone formation and resorption markers, as well as calcium, phosphorous, and parathyroid hormone levels as routine examination. RESULTS: Bone formation and resorption marker levels were within normal ranges in adults, although they were high during the growth period in children and adolescents and in elderly women. Patients receiving tube feeding showed a significantly lower Z-score than those without tube feeding. Tube feeding was a significant factor for the Z-score, whereas age, vitamin supplements, and anti-epileptic drugs were not. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of osteoporosis in SMID started during the growth period and seems to be caused by a lack of an effective increase in bone mineral density. Any treatment should be started during the growth period. More study about tube feeding is needed.

An open-label, single-center pilot study to test the effects of an amino acid mixture in older patients admitted to internal medicine wards.

OBJECTIVE: Older patients are frequently subjected to prolonged hospitalization and extended bed rest, with a negative effect on physical activity and caloric intake. This results in a consistent loss of muscle mass and function, which is associated with functional decline and high mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 1 wk of oral amino acid (AA) supplementation in older patients subjected to low mobility during hospitalization. METHODS: Hospitalized older patients (69-87) were included in the control group (n = 50) or were administered 25 g of AA mixture (n = 44) twice daily throughout 7 d of low mobility. We collected data related to length of stay as primary outcome measure. In-hospital mortality, 90-d postdischarge mortality, 90-d postdischarge rehospitalization, and falls also were considered. Moreover, variations of anthropometric measures, body composition and muscle architecture/strength, circulating interleukins, and oxidative stress markers between the beginning and the end of the supplementation period were analyzed as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Similar values were reported between the two groups regarding age (76.6 ± 6.8 versus 79 ± 7.2 y old), body weight (61.5 ± 14.3 versus 62.1 ± 16.1 kg), and body mass index (28.7 ± 4.15 versus 28.1 ± 3.62 kg/m2). Although no difference in terms of in-hospital, 90-d postdischarge, or overall mortality rate was observed between the two groups, a reduction in length of stay, 90-d postdischarge hospitalization, and falls was observed in the AA supplementation group rather than in controls. Furthermore, the AA mixture limited muscle architecture/strength impairment and circulating oxidative stress, which occurred during hospitalization-related bed rest. The latter data was associated with increased circulating levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-4 and -10. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the AA mixture limits several alterations associated with low mobility in older hospitalized patients, such as length of stay, 90-d postdischarge hospitalization, and falls, preventing the loss of muscle function, as well as the increase of circulating interleukins and oxidative stress markers.

Association of Fish Oil and Physical Activity on Mobility Disability in Older Adults.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine whether long-term fish oil (FO) supplementation is associated with a lower risk of mobility disability and enhances benefits of physical activity (PA). METHODS: A total of 1635 sedentary adults age 70 to 89 yr from the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders single-blinded randomized, multicenter clinical trial, which compared a structured PA program to a health education program. Primary outcome was incident major mobility disability (MMD), defined by loss of ability to walk 400 m, measured every 6 months for an average of 2.6 yr. Secondary outcomes included persistent mobility disability, Short Physical Performance Battery, 400-m walk speed, and grip strength. RESULTS: A third of participants reported using FO at baseline (456 (28%); mean age, 78.5 yr; 70.5% women). MMD was experienced by 131 participants (28.7%) in the FO group and 405 (34.4%) participants in the nonuser group. After adjusting for confounders, FO supplementation was associated with a lower risk (HR, 0.78; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.64-0.96) of incident MMD. However, there was no interaction (P = 0.19) between FO supplementation and PA intervention for MMD. For the secondary outcome of persistent mobility disability, the intervention association differed by supplementation (P = 0.002) with PA intervention associations of (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.83-2.23) for users and (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.46-0.81) for nonusers. Changes in physical performance outcomes were not modified by baseline FO supplementation or combination with PA. CONCLUSIONS: FO supplementation was associated with a lower risk of MMD in low to moderate functioning older adults. However, supplementation did not enhance the benefit of PA on risk of mobility disability. These results are hypothesis generating and need to be confirmed in randomized trials.