Respiratory and peripheral muscle strength influence recovery of exercise capacity after severe exacerbation of COPD? An observational prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) have decreased exercise tolerance, which may persist for months. In this context, little is known about the associations between muscle strength and recovery of exercise capacity. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether respiratory and peripheral muscle strength influence recovery of exercise capacity in patients hospitalized due to AECOPD. METHODS: Twenty-seven AECOPD patients (aged 69 ± 7 years, 56% male) were included. The following assessments were performed within 24 to 72 h of hospital admission: (i) respiratory muscle strength, measured by maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP); (ii) peripheral muscle strength, assessed by handgrip and quadriceps muscle strength; and (iii) exercise capacity, measured by 6-min walking distance (6MWD). The 6MWD was reassessed 30 days later to determine the recovery of exercise capacity. RESULTS: After 30 days, while 63% of the patients showed clinically important improvement in the 6MWD (recovery ≥ 30 m), 37% showed no change (recovery < 30 m). During hospital stay, the non-recovered group had lower quadriceps muscle strength compared to the recovered group (15 ± 5 vs. 22 ± 6 kgf; P = 0.006), with no significant difference for MIP, MEP and handgrip strength. Only quadriceps muscle strength was associated with recovery of exercise capacity (r = 0.56; P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: AECOPD patients with quadriceps muscle weakness during hospitalization have poor recovery of exercise capacity after 30 days. This finding suggests the importance of early rehabilitation to improve quadriceps strength and accelerate functional recovery after AECOPD.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Daily Physical Activity Level in Patients with COPD- a Cluster Analysis.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have a limited level of physical activity in daily life (PADL) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The interrelationships of these variables should be measure by cluster analysis to characterize this population and enable rehabilitation programs to target each patient profile identified. This study investigates different phenotypes in COPD according to PADL and HRQOL. A cross-sectional study with cluster analysis was done, in which 76 people with COPD were submitted to measurements to characterize the sample on first day, followed by used of physical activity monitor, which was worn for 7 days. After 7 days, the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and HRQOL questionnaires were applied (St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire). The main results: three phenotypes were identified (A, B and C), with phenotype A who exhibited an inactive physical activity level and HRQOL scores above the value deemed satisfactory, phenotype B those with active physical activity level and poor HRQOL scores, and phenotype C subjects with inactive physical activity level and HRQOL scores but the value is close to cutoff point. To conclude, three phenotypes were found, with one indicating disproportionality between PADL and HRQOL.

Evaluation of the Level of Physical Activity and Muscle Strength of Quadriceps in Patients Hospitalized for E-COPD: A Longitudinal Study.

Physical inactivity and peripheral muscle dysfunction are considered two of the main contributors to hospitalizations due to exacerbation and, above all, predictors of mortality for these requirements in patients with COPD. Therefore, longitudinal studies are needed to determine the impact of exacerbations during hospitalization on these two factors, especially after three months of hospital discharge. The objectives of the present study were to assess the level of physical activity in daily life (PADL) and isometric muscle strength of the quadriceps in patients hospitalized for exacerbation of COPD and to verify changes after 3 months of hospital discharge. This is a longitudinal observational study that assessed the PADL level with an accelerometer, after 24 h of the hospitalization and the beginning of the drug treatment and assessed the quadriceps muscle strength with a manual dynamometer, after 72 h of hospitalization, in 32 patients with COPD (66 ± 7.61 years), in addition to repeating both assessments with 30 days of hospital discharge and after 3 months of follow-up. Cognition, dyspnea, general health, physical performance and lung function were assessed to characterize the sample. As main results, there was increase in active time (344 ± 260 - 447 ± 199 min; p = 0.04) and number of steps (4.241 ± 374 - 6.216 ± 400 steps; p = 0.02) after three months. In addition, inactive time showed significant reduction 30 days after hospital discharge (1.151 ± 249 - 1.065 ± 198 min; p = 0.02). The level of physical activity showed significant improvement due to the increase in active time and number of steps after three months of hospital discharge and to the reduction of inactive time 30 days after hospital discharge.

Reliability of Quadriceps Femoris Muscle Strength Assessment Using a Portable Dynamometer and Protocol Tolerance in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the intrarater and interrater reliability of isometric quadriceps strength (IQS) using a portable dynamometer in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to verify their tolerance to the protocol. METHODS: A cross-sectional reliability study was conducted with 50 individuals with stable COPD (34 men and 16 women; mean age = 70 years [SD = 8]). The main outcome measure was obtained using a portable dynamometer (Microfet 2) to assess IQS. Two masked raters performed 2 assessments in the dominant lower limb on 2 nonconsecutive days. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to verify the intrarater and interrater reliability and was considered excellent when >0.90, with a 5% significance level. RESULTS: Rater 1 and 2 intrarater reliability was as follows: ICC = 0.96 (95% CI = 0.94 to 0.98) and ICC = 0.97 (95% CI = 0.95 to 0.98), respectively. The interrater reliability was as follows: ICC = 0.96 (95% CI = 0.93 to 0.98). The minimum detectable difference was 4 to 5 peak isometric strength, in mean, for intrarater and interrater reliability. Not all patients presented relevant changes in physiological responses, dyspnea, and lower limb fatigue. CONCLUSION: There was an excellent intrarater and interrater reliability for IQS, and the participants tolerated the protocol. IMPACT: This tool can be used to assess quadriceps strength in clinical practice in patients with COPD.

Do London Chest Activity of Daily Living Scale and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire Reflect Limitations During Activities of Daily Living in Patients With COPD?

PURPOSE: It is unclear whether activities of daily living (ADL) and quality-of-life scales reflect real ADL limitations. The aim of the study was to assess the limitation during ADL simulation and to identify whether the London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL) Scale and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) are able to reflect the patient's real limitations during ADL simulation. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (age = 69 ± 8 y; forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration [FEV1] = 1.37 ± 0.49 L) were assessed by SGRQ and LCADL Scale. Activities of daily living simulations were performed: showering (ADL1); lifting and lowering containers above the shoulder girdle (ADL2); and raising and lowering pots below the pelvic girdle (ADL3). RESULTS: SpO2 and ΔSpO2 in ADL2 were statistically lower than in ADL3. Ventilatory demand was statistically higher in ADL2 and ADL3 than in ADL1. Metabolic equivalent values were similar between the ADLs with values above 3.6. Oxygen desaturation was present in 41.7% (ADL1) and 33.3% (ADL2) of the patients. The LCADL% showed a moderate positive correlation with dyspnea in ADL3 and metabolic demand in ADL1. The SGRQ score presented a moderate positive correlation with dyspnea in all ADL simulations and metabolic demand in ADL1 and ADL3. Dyspnea in ADL3 and metabolic demand in ADL1 explained 33% of the variability in LCADL%. The dyspnea and metabolic demand in ADL3 explained 67% of the variability in SGRQ. CONCLUSION: Activities of daily living lead to oxygen desaturation and high ventilatory demand. London Chest Activity of Daily Living Scale reflected 33% and SGRQ reflected 67% of the functional limitation during ADL simulation, such as dyspnea and the metabolic demand during ADL.

Should the 6-Minute Walk Test Be Compared When Conducted by 2 Different Assessors in Subjects With COPD?

BACKGROUND: The 6-min walk test (6MWT) is an important tool in the assessment of functional capacity and prognosis in patients with COPD. However, especially in long-term follow-up in clinical settings, this test may be executed by a different assessor, and it is not well known whether 6MWT has an acceptable inter-rater reliability. The aim of this study is to analyze the intra- and inter-rater reliability of the performance in 6MWT, its cardiorespiratory changes, and effort perception in subjects with COPD. METHODS: Thirty-two subjects with a diagnosis of COPD participated in the study, but 3 subjects did not appear on the second day of evaluation and therefore were included only in the intra-rater analysis; the first and second tests were executed by the same assessor with a 30-min interval between them, and the last was executed by a different assessor a week later. The intra-rater reliability was verified comparing the first and second 6MWT performance, and the inter-rater reliability was verified comparing the third test with the best performance of the first and second tests. RESULTS: The intraclass correlation coefficient values were >0.75 (P < .001) for the walked distance on the 6MWT; however, the limits of agreement, SE of measurement, and minimal detectable difference were higher than the minimum clinically important differences already mentioned in the literature (∼25, 26, and 54 m), and the coefficient of variation was small in both intra- and inter-rater comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: The 6MWT showed excellent reliability for distance and perceived exertion and moderate to excellent for HR and SD as assessed by intra- and inter-rater analysis. Thus, based on the main study outcomes, we concluded that the 6MWT can be compared when conducted by 2 different evaluators.

Reprodutibilidade do teste de caminhada e do degrau de 6 minutos em adultos jovens saudáveis / Reproducibility of the six-minute walk and step tests in healthy young adults / Reproductibilidad del test de caminata y del escalón de 6 minutos en adultos jóvenes saludables

INTRODUÇÃO: Os testes caminhada de seis minutos (TC6) e degrau de seis minutos (TD6) são meios de avaliação da capacidade funcional. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre sua reprodutibilidade em adultos jovens. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a reprodutibilidade relativa e absoluta tanto intra quanto inter-avaliadores do TC6 e TD6 em indivíduos adultos jovens. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 33 indivíduos adultos jovens aparentemente saudáveis por meio da espirometria; e realizados os testes TC6 e TD6. Três (T1, T2 e T3) TC6 e TD6 foram feitos em cada indivíduo, sendo o último de cada teste realizado por um avaliador diferente. Para a análise intra-avaliadores foram comparados os desempenhos do T1 e T2 enquanto que a análise inter-avaliadores foi feita pela comparação dos desempenhos do T3 com: T1; T2; e escolha do melhor dos primeiros dois testes. Foi calculado o coeficiente de correlação intra-classe (CCI) como medida da reprodutibilidade relativa; o erro padrão de medida; a diferença mínima detectável; traçados gráficos de Bland-Altman e teste ANOVA para analisar a reprodutibilidade absoluta. RESULTADOS: Observaram-se, nos dois testes funcionais, intra e inter-avaliadores, valores excelentes de reprodutibilidade relativa (CCI>0,75) e a reprodutibilidade absoluta mostrou alto erro. CONCLUSÃO: O TD6 e o TC6 apresentaram reprodutibilidade intra e inter-avaliadores excelente para a população adulto jovem, mas altos valores de erro. .

INTRODUCTION: Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and Six Minute Step Test (6MST) are tests to evaluate functional capacity. However, reproducibility of these tests is still not well known in young adults. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate intra and inter-rater relative and absolute reproducibility of 6MWT and 6MST in young adults. METHODS: Thirty-three apparently health young adults were evaluated through spirometry, 6MWT and 6MST. Three (T1, T2 and T3) of each 6MWT and 6MST were carried out on each individual, the latter (T3) by a different evaluator. Intra-rater analysis was performed comparing the performance of T1 and T2, while the inter-rater analysis was executed using the comparisons of T3 with T1, T2 and the best result of the first two. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated as a measure of relative reproducibility; the standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, Bland-Altman plots and repeated measures ANOVA were used to verify absolute reproducibility. RESULTS: Excellent values of relative reproducibility (ICC>0.75) were observed in both 6MWT and 6MST, yet high error values were found in absolute reproducibility analysis. CONCLUSION: 6MWT and 6MST present excellent intra and inter-rater relative reproducibility, but high error values. .

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los tests de caminata de seis minutos (TC6) y escalón de seis minutos (TD6) son medios de evaluación de la capacidad funcional. Mientras tanto, poco se sabe sobre su reproductibilidad en adultos jóvenes. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la reproductibilidad relativa y absoluta tanto intra como inter-evaluadores del TC6 y TD6 en individuos adultos jóvenes. MÉTODOS: Fueron evaluados 33 individuos adultos jóvenes aparentemente saludables por medio de espirometría; y realizados los tests TC6 y TD6. Tres (T1, T2 y T3) TC6 y TD6 fueron hechos en cada individuo, siendo el último de cada test realizado por un evaluador diferente. Para el análisis intra-evaluadores fueron comparados los desempeños del T1 y T2 mientras que el análisis inter-evaluadores fue hecho por la comparación de los desempeños del T3 con: T1; T2; y selección del mejor de los primeros dos tests. Fue calculado el coeficiente de correlación intra-clase (CCI) como medida de la reproductibilidad relativa; el Error Estándar de Medida; la diferencia mínima detectable; trazados gráficos de Bland-Altman y test ANOVA para analizar la reproductibilidad absoluta. RESULTADOS: Se observaron, en los dos tests funcionales, intra e inter-evaluadores, valores excelentes de reproductibilidad relativa (CCI>0,75) y la reproductibilidad absoluta mostró alto error. CONCLUSIÓN: El TD6 y el TC6 presentaron reproductibilidad intra e inter-evaluadores excelente para la población adulto joven, pero altos valores de error. .

Furniture dimensions and postural overload for schoolchildren's head, upper back and upper limbs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate how the fixed furniture dimensions match with students' anthropometry and to describe head, upper back and upper limbs postures and movements. Evaluation was performed in 48 students from a Brazilian state school. Furniture dimensions were measured with metric tape, movements and postures by inclinometers (Logger Tecknologi, Åkarp, Sweden). Seat height was high for 21% and low for 36% of the students; seat length was short for 45% and long for 9% and table height was high for 53% and low for 28%. Regression analysis showed that seat/popliteal height quotient is explained by 90th percentile of upper back inclination (ß=0.410) and 90th percentile of right upper arm elevation (ß=-0.293). For seat/thigh length quotient the significant variables were 90th percentile of upper back velocity (ß=-0.282) and 90th percentile of right upper arm elevation (ß=0.410). This study showed a relationship between furniture mismatch and postural overload. When the seat height is low students increase upper back left inclination and right upper arm elevation; when the seat is short students decrease the upper back flexion velocity and increase right upper arm elevation.