Molecular and Brain Volume Changes Following Aerobic Exercise, Cognitive and Combined Training in Physically Inactive Healthy Late-Middle-Aged Adults: The Projecte Moviment Randomized Controlled Trial.

Behavioral interventions have shown promising neuroprotective effects, but the cascade of molecular, brain and behavioral changes involved in these benefits remains poorly understood. Projecte Moviment is a 12-week (5 days per week-45 min per day) multi-domain, single-blind, proof-of-concept randomized controlled trial examining the cognitive effect and underlying mechanisms of an aerobic exercise (AE), computerized cognitive training (CCT) and a combined (COMB) groups compared to a waitlist control group. Adherence was > 80% for 82/109 participants recruited (62% female; age = 58.38 ± 5.47). In this study we report intervention-related changes in plasma biomarkers (BDNF, TNF-α, HGF, ICAM-1, SDF1-α) and structural-MRI (brain volume) and how they related to changes in physical activity and individual variables (age and sex) and their potential role as mediators in the cognitive changes. Our results show that although there were no significant changes in molecular biomarker concentrations in any intervention group, changes in ICAM-1 and SDF1-α were negatively associated with changes in physical activity outcomes in AE and COMB groups. Brain volume changes were found in the CCT showing a significant increase in precuneus volume. Sex moderated the brain volume change in the AE and COMB groups, suggesting that men may benefit more than women. Changes in molecular biomarkers and brain volumes did not significantly mediate the cognitive-related benefits found previously for any group. This study shows crucial initial molecular and brain volume changes related to lifestyle interventions at early stages and highlights the value of examining activity parameters, individual difference characteristics and using a multi-level analysis approach to address these questions.

Supervised physical activity in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease: protocol for a randomized clinical trial (ARTPERfit Study).

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a marker of cardiovascular morbidity, causing disability, loss of mobility and poor quality of life, manifesting clinically in the form of intermittent claudication (IC). Physical exercise increases the distance walked and improves quality of life. The aim of our study will be increased walking distance prolonging the time of onset of pain in patients with symptomatic PAD (IC). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study will be performed in Mataró Hospital's vascular surgery service and School of Health Sciences, TecnoCampus. This population comes from 15 primary healthcare centres ofNorth Barcelona, Spain (450 000 inhabitants).This study will be a four-group parallel, longitudinal, randomised controlled trial, blind to analysis.The main primary outcome of this study will be the improvement in pain-free walking distance. Others primary objectives are and improvement in functional status, quality of life and Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI). Secondary outcomes will be the analysis of cardiorespiratory fitness, evaluation of muscle fitness, determine the maintenance of primary objectives at 6 and 12 months.We will be included 124 patients (31 per group). The changes of the outcome (Barthel, SF-12, VascQOL-6, ABI) of the three intervention groups vs the control group at 3, 6 and 12 months will be compared, both continuously (linear regression) and categorically (logistic regression). A person who has not performed at least 75% of the training will be considered to have not completed the intervention. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study will be conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki . It was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Research Institute Primary Health IDIAP Jordi Gol (20/035 P),Barcelona 6 October 2020. Informed consent will be obtained from all patients before the start of the study. We will disseminate results through academic papers and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04578990.

Exercise and Fitness Neuroprotective Effects: Molecular, Brain Volume and Psychological Correlates and Their Mediating Role in Healthy Late-Middle-Aged Women and Men.

Background: Although exercise is known to have a neuroprotective effect in aging, the mediators underlying the exercise-cognition association remain poorly understood. In this paper we aimed to study the molecular, brain, and behavioral changes related to physical activity and their potential role as mediators. Methods: We obtained demographic, physical activity outcomes [sportive physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF)], plasma biomarkers (TNF-α, ICAM-1, HGF, SDF1-α, and BDNF), structural-MRI (brain volume areas), psychological and sleep health (mood, depressive and distress symptoms, and sleep quality), and multi-domain cognitive data from 115 adults aged 50-70 years. We conducted linear regression models and mediation analyses stratifying results by sex in a final sample of 104 individuals [65 women (age = 56.75 ± 4.96) and 39 men (age = 58.59 ± 5.86)]. Results: Women engaging in greater amounts of exercising showed lower TNF-α levels and greater dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and temporal lobe volumes. Men engaging in greater amounts of exercise showed greater temporal lobe volumes. CRF levels were not related to any of the analyzed outcomes in women but in men higher CRF was associated with lower TNF-α, HGF and ventricle volumes, greater volume of temporal and parietal lobes and fewer depressive symptoms and better mood. In men, reduced TNF-α and HGF levels mediated brain and cognitive CRF-related benefits. Conclusion: Our results show that exercise is a promising approach for influencing inflammation and brain volume and also contributes to ongoing discussions about the physiological mediators for the association between CRF and cognition in men.

[How to identify physical inactivity in primary care: validation of the Catalan and Spanish versions of 2 short questionnaires]. / Cómo identificar la inactividad física en atención primaria: validación de las versiones catalana y española de 2 cuestionarios breves.

OBJECTIVE: The Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool (BPAAT) and the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) are valid and reliable assessment tools to identify "inactive" patients in primary care. No similar tools exist for the Spanish population. The study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Catalan and Spanish versions (CBPAAT-CGPPAQ; CBPAAT-EGPPAQ) of such tools. DESIGN: Validation study of the linguistic and cultural adaptation of two questionnaires into Catalan/Spanish. SETTING: Centres of Primary Care. PARTICIPANTS: The load for administering the questionnaires was evaluated by 7 general practitioners and 44 patients. Construct validity and reliability was assessed in 105 patients (58 years old±20; 37% men) without any contraindication for physical activity (PA). MAIN VARIABLES: After carrying out the translation and back-translation, construct validity was assessed against the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ short form). Reliability was assessed administering the questionnaires again within 14 to 28 days. RESULTS: The validity of the CBPAAT-EBPAAT showed a moderate percentage agreement, correctly classifying over 80% and 83% of the "inactive" cases. Reliability was also good, correctly classifying over 86% and 88% of the cases. The validity of the CGPPAQ-EGPPAQ showed a moderate percentage agreement, correctly classifying over 70% and 60% of the "inactive" cases. Reliability was good, correctly classifying over 82% and 72% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: The CBPAAT-CGPPAQ and EBPAAT-EGPPAQ are valid instruments to identify "inactive" patients that should receive advice on PA.

Nursing workload predictors in Catalonia (Spain): a home care cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the characteristics of chronic patients and their environment in order to predict the nursing workload required 1 year after their inclusion in a home care program. METHODS: A longitudinal study was carried out in 72 primary health care teams in Catalonia (Spain) with a 1-year follow-up of 1,068 home care patients over 64 years old. The variables collected from each patient included data on health and social status (Charlson and Barthel indexes and the Pfeiffer, Braden and Gijon scales), carer overburden (Zarit scale), hospital admissions, use of emergency services, self-perceived health (SF-12) and the number of health worker visits. RESULTS: Patients received 7.2 (SD 10.4) visits per year from their nurse-in-charge, out of a total of 8.7 (SD 13.1) nursing visits per year. Risk factors for receiving more nursing visits at home were male gender (IRR=1.42, 95%CI: 1.20-1.67), dependency for daily activities (IRR=1.65, 95%CI: 1.29-2.13), decubitus ulcers (IRR=4.03, 95%CI: 2.27-7.14) and receiving emergency medical care at home (IRR=1.65, 95%CI: 1.31-2.07). In contrast, patients with major cognitive impairment (IRR=0.78, 95%CI: 0.63-0.98) had a lower probability of receiving nursing visits at home. CONCLUSIONS: Workload can be predicted by patients' clinical characteristics. The positive correlation of workload with variables related to disease severity and the negative correlation with variables related to cognitive impairment show that home care nursing in Catalonia is basically demand-oriented.

[Health problems also explain social services use in home care]. / Los problemas de salud también explican la utilización de servicios sociales en atención domiciliaria.

OBJECTIVE: To identify which social and health variables are associated with receiving social services in patients included in home care programmes with the implementation of the Dependence Law. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: 72 primary health care teams in Catalonia. PATIENTS: Patients over 64 years old with chronic diseases in home care programmes in Catalonia. MEASUREMENTS: Health status variables: Charlson, Barthel, Pfeiffer, Braden and Gijon, data from their carer (Zarit), self perception of health (SF-12), health professional visits, as well as: emergency visits, temporary admissions, and final results such as death or definitive admission in a nursing home or a hospital. RESULTS: A total of 1068 patients were included, 46.8% of the patients received some kind of social service, public or private. We observed that the variables related to receive some kind of social services are: high dependence (Barthel test), pressure sores and home care rehabilitation. Barthel test is highly associated with having social problems (Gijon test), living without an informal carer, more than 2 GP visits and having additional private health care. CONCLUSIONS: To be more fair, the evaluation of the provisions of the Dependence Law should also consider the health status of the patient. With the implementation of this law we can observe difficulties in access to social services for middle class patients. These patients do not have access to public social assistance and cannot pay for a private one. Social services are still an alternative to family care.

[Monitoring a home care cohort]. / Seguimiento de una cohorte de atención domiciliaria.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate home care by primary care teams for people over 65 years old with chronic conditions, in order to identify improvement opportunities. To identify patient and care variables associated with cognitive and functional impairment, nursing home admission, attendance at casualty units, hospital admission and death. DESIGN: Analytic study of the follow-up of a cohort for 3 years. SETTING: Primary health care teams in Catalonia, Spain. PATIENTS: One thousand three hundred patients over 65 with chronic pathologies and cared for by home care programmes in Catalonia. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The following will be recorded annually: health status (Charlson, Barthel, Pfeiffer, Braden, and Gijón), data on the carer (Zarit), care received (social and health), self-perception of health (SF-12), Casualty attendance, short-term admissions and the final results, i.e. death or definitive admission to a nursing home or hospital. The statistical analyses will be based on logistic regression and a survival analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The study should reveal patient characteristics with prognostic value, as well as identify the social and health factors related to better survival and lower consumption of health and social resources.

[Physical exercise prescription]. / Prescripción de ejercicio físico.

Although being sedentary is recognized as the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factor in industrialized societies, health measures tend to concentrate on secondary and tertiary prevention methods, using pharmacological curative measures instead of favoring methods of primary prevention by means of promoting healthy lifestyles. This article hits on the essentials to promote physical exercise by our patients.

[5.07 Monofilament: the use of this monofilament in outpatient offices by nurses in primary health care units]. / Monofilamento 5.07. Uso en las consultas de Enfermería de Atención Primaria.

A diabetic foot is the most important cause of disability and loss of life quality among diabetics. To inspect a diabetic's feet and to explore his/her protective sensibility capability with a 5.07 monofilament are efficient methods to detect the risk of lesions. The authors' objective was to discover if our Primary Health Care Unit utilizes this instrument; therefore, we carried out a poll among all the nurses in our unit. 79% of these nurses are aware of the 5.07 monofilament; 62% have this monofilament available for their use; 55% stated they utilize it. The primary reasons to not use this monofilament are its unavailability and a lack of knowledge regarding it. Priority must be given to facilitate the availability of this instrument and to promote among nurses an understanding how to correctly utilize a 5.07 monofilament.