Reduction of Cardiac Autonomic Modulation and Increased Sympathetic Activity by Heart Rate Variability in Patients With Long COVID.

Although several clinical manifestations of persistent long coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been documented, their effects on the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system over the long term remain unclear. Thus, we examined the presence of alterations in cardiac autonomic functioning in individuals with long-term manifestations. The study was conducted from October 2020 to May 2021, and an autonomic assessment was performed to collect heart rate data for the heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. The study participants were divided into the long COVID clinical group, the intragroup, which included patients who were hospitalized, and those who were not hospitalized and were symptomatic for different periods (≤3, >3, ≤6, and >6 months), with and without dyspnoea. The control group, the intergroup, comprised of COVID-free individuals. Our results demonstrated that the long COVID clinical group showed reduced HRV compared with the COVID-19-uninfected control group. Patients aged 23-59 years developed COVID symptoms within 30 days after infection, whose diagnosis was confirmed by serologic or reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (swab) tests, were included in the study. A total of 155 patients with long COVID [95 women (61.29%), mean age 43.88 ± 10.88 years and 60 men (38.71%), mean age 43.93 ± 10.11 years] and 94 controls [61 women (64.89%), mean age 40.83 ± 6.31 and 33 men (35.11%), mean age 40.69 ± 6.35 years] were included. The intragroup and intergroup comparisons revealed a reduction in global HRV, increased sympathetic modulation influence, and a decrease in parasympathetic modulation in long COVID. The intragroup showed normal sympathovagal balance, while the intergroup showed reduced sympathovagal balance. Our findings indicate that long COVID leads to sympathetic excitation influence and parasympathetic reduction. The excitation can increase the heart rate and blood pressure and predispose to cardiovascular complications. Short-term HRV analysis showed good reproducibility to verify the cardiac autonomic involvement.

Physical Exercise Affects Quality of Life and Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Patients With Chronic Kidney Failure Submitted to Hemodialysis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Performing physical exercise during hemodialysis has been debated regarding safety and efficacy for improving life quality for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Thus, we explored the influence of physical exercise during hemodialysis on both autonomic modulation of heart rate and quality of life for patients with CKF in a randomized clinical trial. We randomly allocated participants requiring hemodialysis to an experimental exercise group (EG) and a control no-exercise group (CG) and assessed their quality of life with the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form-KDQOL-SF™ 1.3 and with Polar RS800CX to monitor their heart rate variability (HRV) before and three months after the end of the exercise intervention. EG participants reported a significant increase in their quality of life (p = .05, physical function, physical aspects, pain, emotional well-being, emotional function; p = .03, energy and fatigue) and showed HRV improvement (p = .05, RMSSD, SDNN, and SD2; p = .004, SD1) after three months of exercise. Thus, we recommend supervised physical exercise during hemodialysis for carefully selected patients.

Constraint Induced Movement Therapy Increases Functionality and Quality of Life after Stroke.

This blind randomized clinical trial evaluated the effect of CIMT on the functionality and quality of life (QOL) of chronic hemiparetics. Thirty volunteers were divided into two groups: Control (CG) and CIMT (CIMTG); evaluated before and after 12 and 24 intervention sessions. The scales used were: adapted Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment (FMA), Modified Ashworth, Stroke Specific Quality Of Life (SS-QOL) and the Functional Reach Test (FRT). The scores for all FMA variables in the CIMTG increased until the 24th session, differing from the pre-treatment. In the CG, the scores increased for pain, coordination/ speed and sensitivity. In the FRT there was an increase in the scores in both groups; after the 12th and 24th sessions, the result of the CIMTG was superior to the CG. For the SS-QOL in the CIMTG, the general score and most of the variables increased, as well as in the CG. Muscle tone in CIMTG was lower compared to CG after 24 sessions. Both protocols used in the study were effective, the CIMT protocol showed benefits in recovering the functionality of the paretic upper limb, in the functional range and in reducing muscle tone, with a consequent improvement in quality of life.

Maximum voluntary muscle contraction and fatigue in multibacillary leprosy / Contração voluntária máxima e fadiga no paciente com hanseníase multibacilar / Contracción voluntaria máxima y fadiga en el paciente con hanseniasis multibacilar

Abstract Introduction: The impairment of muscle strength and fatigue in leprosy remains a problem that requires careful attention to avoid or minimize its progression, as well as prevention of disabilities and deformities. Objective: To investigate the maximum voluntary contraction and time to muscle fatigue in leprosy patients. Method: A total of 21 leprosy patients and 21 healthy subjects completed the sample. The method used to determine the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) of the handgrip followed the recommendation of the American Society of Hand Therapists with the use of a hydraulic hand grip dynamometer. The test was performed three times with each hand, with a time interval of 60 seconds between successive trials. The subject was instructed to perform a maximal isometric force against the dynamometer for 5 seconds. The peaks were recorded and used for the fatigue test. For the fatigue test, we recorded the electromyogram of the forearm muscles to offline determine the onset time for the muscle contraction (14 bits, Miograph 2 USB®, Miotec, Brazil). Results: Leprosy patients had lower MVC compared with healthy subjects (p > 0.05), both in the dominant and the non-dominant hands. The time to fatigue in the leprosy and control groups was similar (p < 0.05). We observed that leprosy patients had more contractions than the healthy subjects (22.6 ± 11.8 contractions for the leprosy group vs. 12.3 ± 6.9 contractions for the control group, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Multibacillary leprosy patients lost muscle force without modifying the resistance to fatigue.

Resumo Introdução: O comprometimento da força muscular e a fadiga na hanseníase continuam sendo problemas que requerem cuidadosa atenção para evitar ou minimizar sua progressão, bem como prevenir incapacidades e deformidades. Objetivo: Avaliar a força muscular e o tempo até a fadiga em pacientes com hanseníase Método: Vinte e um pacientes com hanseníase e 21 indivíduos saudáveis completaram a amostra. O método utilizado para determinar a contração voluntária máxima (CVM) da força de preensão palmar seguiu a recomendação da Sociedade Americana de Terapeutas da Mão com o uso de um dinamômetro de preensão manual. O teste foi realizado três vezes em cada mão, com intervalo de tempo de sessenta segundos entre tentativas sucessivas. O sujeito foi instruído a realizar força isométrica máxima contra o dinamômetro durante cinco segundos. Os picos foram registrados e usados para o teste de fadiga. Para o teste de fadiga, registrou-se o eletromiograma dos músculos do antebraço para determinar off-line o tempo de início da contração muscular (14 bits, Miograph 2 USB ® , Miotec, Brasil). Resultados: Os pacientes com hanseníase apresentaram menor CVM em relação aos saudáveis (p < 0,05) nas mãos dominante e não dominante. Não houve diferença no tempo de fadiga entre os grupos hanseníase e controle (p > 0,05). Foi observado que os pacientes com hanseníase tinham mais contrações do que os saudáveis (22,6 ± 11,8 contrações para o grupo com hanseníase vs. 12,3 ± 6,9 para o grupo controle, p < 0,05). Conclusão: Pacientes com hanseníase multibacilar apresentaram perda de força muscular sem modificação da resistência à fadiga.

Resumen Introducción: El compromiso de la fuerza muscular y la fatiga en la lepra sigue siendo un problema que requiere atención cuidadosa para evitar o minimizar su progresión, así como la prevención de incapacidades y deformidades. Objetivo: Evaluar la fuerza muscular y el tiempo hasta la fatiga de pacientes con lepra. Método: Veintiún pacientes con lepra y 21 sujetos sanos completaron la muestra. El método utilizado para determinar la contracción voluntaria máxima (CVM) de la fuerza de asimiento palmar siguió la recomendación de la Sociedad Americana de Terapeutas de la Mano con el uso de un dinamómetro de asimiento manual. La prueba se realizó tres veces con cada mano, con un intervalo de tiempo de 60 segundos entre intentos sucesivos. El sujeto fue instruido a realizar una fuerza isométrica máxima contra el dinamómetro durante 5 segundos. Los picos se registraron y se utilizaron para la prueba de fatiga. Para la prueba de fatiga, registramos el electromiograma de los músculos del antebrazo para determinar fuera de línea el tiempo de inicio de la contracción muscular (14 bits, Miograph 2 USB ® , Miotec, Brasil). Resultados: Los pacientes con lepra presentaron menor CVM con relación a los sanos (p < 0,05) en las manos dominante y no dominante. No hubo diferencia en el tiempo de fatiga entre los grupos de lepra y control (p > 0,05). Se observó que los pacientes con lepra tenían más contracciones que los sanos (22,6 ± 11,8 contracciones para el grupo con hanseniasis frente a 12,3 ± 6,9 para el grupo control, p < 0,05). Conclusión: Pacientes con hanseniasis multibacilar presentaron pérdida de fuerza muscular sin modificación de la resistencia a la fatiga.

Avaliação da capacidade funcional, qualidade de vida e do sono em indivíduos com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica / Evaluation of functional capacity, quality of life and quality of sleep in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objetivo: Avaliar a capacidade funcional, a qualidade de vida e do sono em pacientes portadores de doença pulmonar obstru-tiva crônica (DPOC). Material e Métodos: Estudo quantitativo do tipo transversal, no qual foram avaliados 11 voluntários com diagnóstico clínico e espirométrico de DPOC em atendimento no Centro de Reabilitação II (UEPA) e 15 voluntários saudáveis (grupo controle). Foi aplicada uma ficha de avaliação para registro dos dados clínicos e demográficos dos voluntários. A avaliação da capacidade funcional foi realizada por meio do Teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (TC6min); a qualidade de vida, por meio da utilização do Questionário de Qualidade de Vida SF36 (Medical Outcomes Study 36 ­ Item Short ­ Form Health Survey) e da avaliação da qualidade do sono por meio do Índice de Qualidade de Sono de Pittsburgh (IQSP). As informações coletadas foram armazenadas no software Excel 2007™ (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, USA) e analisadas por meio dos softwares BIO ESTAT versão 5.0™. Foi adotado o nível α de 0.05 para rejeição da hipótese nula. Resultados:A média da distância percorrida no TC6 foi de 398.0±18.44 m para o DPOC e 523.9±15.41m para os saudáveis (p-valor <0.0001). Todos os domínios do SF36 encontraram-se alterados no DPOC e houve significância estatística quando comparados os grupos. O IQSP indicou que a maioria dos indivíduos com DPOC possui má qualidade do sono. Conclusão: O estudo trouxe resultados significativos, mostrando que os indivíduos atendidos no Centro de Reabilitação II, encontram-se limitados no que diz respeito ao exercício, qualidade de vida e do sono, indicando a necessidade de avaliar o indivíduo com DPOC de maneira biopsicossocial. (AU)

Objective: To evaluate functional capacity, quality of life and quality of sleep in COPD patients. Methods: 11 Volunteers with a clinical spirometryc diagnosis of COPD, of both genders, on treatment at the CER II, and 15 healthy volunteers (control group) .To evaluate the volunteers, it was used: an evaluation sheet, containing the volunteer's identification and clinical data, the Six minute walk test (6WT) to evaluate the patient's functional capacity, the Medical Outcomes Study 36­ Item Short ­ Form Health Survey to assess quality of life, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI) to evaluate quality of sleep. All data collected was stored in the software Excel 2007™ (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, USA), and analyzed through the software BIO ESTAT 5.0™. The α level of 0.05 was be applied to reject the null hypothesis. Results: The mean value for distance among the COPD group was 398.0±18.44 m and 523.9±15.41m for the control group (p-value <0.0001). All do-mains of the SF-36 were altered. The PSQI indicated that most individuals with COPD have bad quality of sleep. Conclusion:This study had significative results, showing that the subjects of this study are limited, when it comes to exercise, quality of life and quality of sleep, indicating the need to evaluate COPD individuals in a biopsychosocial manner. (AU)

CT Chest and pulmonary functional changes in patients with HTLV-associated myelopathy in the Eastern Brazilian Amazon.

The aim of this study was to compare computed tomography (CT) scans of chest and lung function among patients with Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 (HTLV) with and without HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). In this cross-sectional study performed between January 2013 and June 2016, we included 48 patients with HAM/TSP (19 women and 11 men) and without HAM/TSP (12 women and 6 men). We compared CT findings and lung functions of these groups. Patients who had HAM/TSP had abnormal CT findings (P = 0.000), including more frequent bronchiectasis (P = 0.049), parenchymal bands (P = 0.007), interlobular septal thickening (P = 0.035), and pleural thickening (P = 0.009). In addition, neither patients with HAM/TSP (9/30; 30%) nor the controls (0/18; 0%) had obstructive or restrictive lung disease (P = 0.009). HTLV diagnosis should be considered in all patients with abnormal CT findings in whom no other cause is apparent. It is important to remember that lung disease increases the rates of morbidity and mortality in developing countries.

Heart rate variability in multibacillar leprosy: Linear and nonlinear analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with multibacillary leprosy using dynamic linear and nonlinear analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one leprosy patients (mean age: 39.14 ±10.58 years) and 21 healthy subjects (mean age: 36.24 ± 12.64 years) completed the sample. Heart rate variability recording was performed by a Polar RS800 CX heart monitor during a period of 15 min in the supine position and 15 min in a sitting position. Analysis of HRV was performed by frequency domain from high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) spectral indexes in absolute and normalized units. The nonlinear analysis of HRV was calculated using symbolic analysis (0V%, 1V%, 2LV% and 2UV% indexes), Shannon entropy (SE) and normalized complexity index (NCI). RESULTS: Linear analysis: both groups showed higher HF values (p < 0.05) and smaller LF values (p < 0.05) in supine than in sitting position. The leprosy patients showed higher LF values (p < 0.05) and smaller HF values (p < 0.05) compared to the controls on supine position. Symbolic analysis: leprosy patients had higher 0V% values (p < 0.05), smaller 2LV% values (p < 0.05) and 2UV % values compared to healthy subjects on both positions. The 1V % had higher values (p < 0.05) for leprosy patients than for controls in the sitting position. The control subjects had smaller 0V % values (p < 0.05), and higher 2UV % values (p < 0.05) in the supine position compared to the sitting position. Leprosy patients had higher 2UV index values (p < 0.05) in the supine position compared to the sitting position. In the complexity analysis, leprosy patients had smaller SE and NCI values (p < 0.05) than the control in the supine position. There was no difference between the SE and NCI values of leprosy and the control subjects in the sitting position. The control subjects had higher SE and NCI values (p < 0.05) in the supine position than in the sitting position. CONCLUSION: Leprosy patients had higher sympathetic modulation and smaller vagal modulation than controls, indicating less HRV and cardiac modulation with lower complexity. The control group displayed significant HRV differences in response to position changes while leprosy patients had fewer HRV differences after the same postural change. An analysis of HRV with linear and non-linear dynamics proved to be a reliable method and promising for the investigation of autonomic dysfunction in patients with multibacillary leprosy.

Avaliação da sobrecarga de trabalho e da qualidade de vida de cuidadores de idosos institucionalizados / Evaluation of work overload and quality of life in caregivers of institutionalized elderly

O aumento do número de idosos dependentes é uma realidade global e pode estar associado à diminuição progressiva das aptidões e capacidades físicas e mentais dessa população. Por isso, torna-se importante a figura do cuidador, que auxilia os idosos em suas atividades de vida diária. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a sobrecarga de trabalho e a qualidade de vida de cuidadores de idosos institucionalizados. Doze participantes foram avaliados por meio de questionário de caracterização do cuidador, WHOQOL-BREF e Escala de Sobrecarga do Cuidador de Zarit. Utilizou-se o coeficiente de Spearman (rs) para correlacionar a sobrecarga e qualidade de vida, considerando p ≤ 0,05. Os voluntários apresentaram sobrecarga moderada a leve (58,33 ± 3%; n = 7) sendo o domínio meio-ambiente o mais afetado na qualidade de vida (13,3 ± 2.9%). Não houve correlação significativa entre a sobrecarga e qualidade de vida (rs = - 0,3023; p > 0,05). As condições do ambiente de trabalho promoveram sobrecarga aos cuidadores e comprometimento de sua qualidade de vida, sugerindo a necessidade de uma análise dos fatores de risco para definição de recomendações e/ou adequações para evitar agravos à saúde destes trabalhadores. (AU)

The increasing number of dependent elderly is a global reality and can be associated with the progressive decrease of the aptitudes and physical and mental capabilities of this population. Therefore, the figure of the caregiver assisting the elderly in their daily life activities becomes important. This study aimed to evaluate the burden and quality of life of caregivers of institutionalized elderly. Twelve participants were evaluated through caregiver's characterization questionnaire, WHOQOL-BREF and Zarit Burden Interview. We used Spearman coefficient (rs) to correlate the burden and quality of life, considering p ≤ 0.05. The volunteers showed moderate to slight overload (58.33 ± 3%; n = 7) being the domain environment the more affected in quality of life (13.3 ± 2.9%). There was no significant correlation between burden and quality of life (rs = -0.3023; p > 0.05). The conditions of the work environment led to a burden for the caregivers and the compromise of their quality of life, suggesting the necessity of an analysis of the risk factors for the definition of recommendations and/or adaptations to avoid damages to workers' health. (AU)

Avaliação pedométrica em pacientes no pós operatório de cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio, após mobilização precoce / Pedometer evaluation in patients in post-operative surgery coronary artery bypass grafting after eaely mobilization in bed intensive care unit

Objetivo: Avaliar a influência da mobilização precoce na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), como forma deexercício físico funcional, sobre a deambulação de pacientes em pós-operatório de cirurgia de revascularização domiocárdio. Método: trabalho experimental com 12 (doze) pacientes, desenvolvido em duas etapas: a primeira etapa,na UTI, onde se desenvolveu um Protocolo de Mobilização com Cicloergômetro; e a segunda etapa, na enfermariacirúrgica, onde foi monitorada a deambulação por quantificação de passos e distância percorrida, durante três diasconsecutivos. Resultados: foi observado que a distância deambulada teve um aumento de acordo com a evoluçãodiária do paciente. Comparando-se a média da distância percorrida entre os períodos da manhã e da tarde, duranteos três dias, ficou evidente que não houve uma diferença estatística significativa, quanto qual o turno em que foipercorrida uma distância maior. Conclusão: o uso da mobilização precoce no leito da UTI altera, significativamente,a deambulação espontânea do paciente no pós-operatório, podendo ser considerada, dessa forma, uma influênciapositiva na recuperação funcional.

Objective: to evaluate the influence of early mobilization in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) as a form of functionalexercise on the ambulation of patients in postoperative coronary artery bypass grafting. Method: an experimentalstudy with twelve (12) patients developed in two stages: the first stage in the ICU, which has developed a Protocolfor Cycle Ergometer with Mobilization; and the second step in the surgical ward, where ambulation was monitoredby quantification of steps and distance traveled for three consecutive days. Results: it was observed that the distancewalked was increased according to the progression of the patient daily. Comparing the average distance traveledbetween the morning and afternoon during the three days, was become evident that there was a statistically significantdifference, as the turn which traveled a greater distance. Conclusion: the use of early mobilization in the ICU bed,significantly alters the spontaneous ambulation of the patient postoperatively and can be considered, therefore, apositive influence on functional recovery.