Physical fitness and activities of daily living in primary ciliary dyskinesia: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare, hereditary, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by recurrent upper and lower respiratory tract infections. This study aimed to compare pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, physical fitness, and activities of daily living (ADLs) retrospectively between patients with PCD and healthy controls. METHODS: Data from 20 patients with PCD and 20 matched, healthy counterparts recorded between July 2015 and January 2017 were analyzed. The data evaluated and recorded included pulmonary function using a portable spirometer, respiratory muscle strength (using a mouth pressure device, exercise capacity using the incremental shuttle walk test,), physical fitness (using the Munich Fitness Test), and ADLs (using the Glittre ADL test). RESULTS: Pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, incremental shuttle walk test scores (all parameters), and total Munich Fitness Test scores were lower in the PCD group relative to controls (P < 0.05). The duration to complete the Glittre ADL test was higher in PCD patients than in healthy subjects (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, physical fitness, and ADL were affected by PCD. Thus, pulmonary rehabilitation regimens should be tailored according to these impacts.

The effect of brace treatment on pulmonary functions in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: An 8-month follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: The instant effect of a brace on pulmonary functions of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is known. However, the permanent effects of its regular use are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether a brace in patients with AIS had a permanent effect on respiratory functions. METHODS: Fifteen patients with a mean age of 13.2 ± 1.6 years, and a major Cobb angle of 25.8∘± 7.7∘ participated in this study. Lung volumes and respiratory muscle strength were measured with and without thoracolumbosacral brace, at the end of first month and follow-up period after the patients started using the brace for 23 hours daily. RESULTS: When the brace was on, the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), ratio of FEV1/FVC, peak expiratory flow, and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity values were found to be lower at both first month and follow-up. After the follow-up, the measurement results did not differ from the results of the first month. CONCLUSIONS: The brace had a momentary restrictive effect on patients with AIS. However, it did not cause a permanent change in pulmonary functions after the 8-month follow-up.

Gait oxygen consumption in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and the effect of brace use.

BACKGROUND: Despite studies showing that gait is affected in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), it remains unclear whether gait oxygen consumption is altered. RESEARCH QUESTION: The aims of the present study were to compare energy consumption during gait between subjects with AIS and healthy controls, and to examine the effect of brace use on gait energy expenditure. METHODS: This prospectively designed study included 15 AIS and 15 healthy girls, whose ages ranged from 10 to 16 years old and Cobb angles from 20 and 45°. At the end of the first month of brace use for the first time in individuals with AIS, oxygen consumption was measured with and without brace use on a treadmill at a gait speed of 4 km.h-1 using a metabolic analyzer. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in gross and net gait oxygen consumption measurements between AIS and healthy individuals or between individuals with AIS with or without brace use (p >  0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: After one month of brace treatment, AIS is not associated with an additional metabolic load with or without the brace during gait when compared to healthy subjects.

A comparison of respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, functional exercise capacity, activities of daily living and physical fitness in patients with cystic fibrosis and healthy subjects.

There are limited reports that compare muscle strength, functional exercise capacity, activities of daily living (ADL) and parameters of physical fitness of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with healthy peers in the literature. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, functional exercise capacity, ADL and physical fitness in patients with CF and healthy subjects. Nineteen patients with CF (mean forced expiratory volume in one second-FEV1: 86.56±18.36%) and 20 healthy subjects were included in this study. Respiratory (maximal inspiratory pressure-MIP and maximal expiratory pressure-MEP) and peripheral muscle strength (quadriceps, shoulder abductors and hand grip strength) were evaluated. Functional exercise capacity was determined with 6min walk test (6MWT). ADL was assessed with Glittre ADL test and physical fitness was assessed with Munich fitness test (MFT). There were not any statistically significant difference in MIP, %MIP, MEP and %MEP values between two groups (p>0.05). %Peripheral muscle strength (% quadriceps and shoulder abductors strength), 6MWT distance and %6MWT distance were significantly lower in patients with CF than those of healthy subjects (p<0.05). Glittre ADL-test time was significantly longer in patients with CF than healthy subjects (p<0.05). According to Munich fitness test, the number of bouncing a ball, hanging score, distance of standing vertical jumping and standing vertical jumping score were significantly lower in patients with CF than those of healthy subjects (p<0.05). Peripheral muscle strength, functional exercise capacity, ADL performance and speed, coordination, endurance and power components of physical fitness are adversely affected in mild-severe patients with CF compared to healthy peers. Evaluations must be done in comprehensive manner in patients with CF with all stages.