Standardization use of the international classification of functioning, disability and health in the determination of health status in patients with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

PURPOSE: To propose a standardized method for the use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to describe the health status in Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome (PACS) and investigate interrater agreement in the linking process in instruments and clinical exams using the ICF categories. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional and interrater agreement study that followed the Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies. Two raters performed the linking coding process in instruments of quality of life, anxiety and depression, fatigue and pulmonary function, inspiratory muscle strength and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. The codes were qualified by standards defined to each instrument and exams. RESULTS: The instrument with the lowest Cohen's Kappa coefficient was anxiety and depression (k = 0.57). Forty ICF codes were linked to clinical instruments and exams. The fatigue instrument presented a higher degree of disability by the qualification process, from severe to complete, in the linked codes. CONCLUSION: The study presents a standardized method for the assessment of the health status of patients with PACS through ICF. Restriction in work performance, socialization and family relationships as well as disabilities in physical endurance, fatigue and exercise tolerance were found in the sample. The agreement between the raters was moderate to perfect, demonstrating that the method can be reproducible.

The body structures and functions, environmental factors, activities and participation in a person's environment are determinant aspects of his health.Ways to measure these aspects are key to assessing health not only as absence of disease, so the International Classification of Disability and Functional Health demonstrates the ability to fully describe health.This study proposes a standardization in the use of the tool to facilitate usability in clinical practice.

Should We Use the Functional Electrical Stimulation-Cycling Exercise in Clinical Practice? Physiological and Clinical Effects Systematic Review With Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the evidence regarding functional electrical stimulation cycling's (FES-cycling's) physiological and clinical effects. DATA SOURCES: The study was conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses protocol. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Review, CINAHL, Scopus, Sport Discus, and Web of Science databases were used. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials involving FES-cycling were included. Studies that did not involve FES-cycling in the intervention group or without the control group were excluded. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts and then conducted a blinded full-text evaluation. A third reviewer resolved the discrepancies. DATA EXTRACTION: Meta-analysis was performed using inverse variance for continuous data, with effects measured using the mean difference and random effects analysis models. A 95% confidence interval was adopted. The significance level was set at P<.05, and trends were declared at P=.05 to ≤.10. The I2 method was used for heterogeneity analysis. The minimal clinically important difference was calculated. Methodological quality was assessed using the risk of bias tool for randomized trials. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method was used for the quality of the evidence analysis. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 52 studies were included. Metabolic, cardiocirculatory, ventilatory, and peripheral muscle oxygen extraction variables presented statistical (P<.05) and clinically important differences favoring FES-cycling, with moderate-to-high certainty of evidence. It also presented statistical (P<.05) and clinically important improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, leg and total body lean mass, power, physical fitness in intensive care (moderate-to-high certainty of evidence), and torque (low certainty of evidence). It presented a trend (P=.05 to ≤.10) of improvement in muscle volume, spasticity, and mobility (low-to-moderate certainty of evidence). It showed no difference (P>.10) in 6-minute walking distance, muscle cross-sectional area, bone density, and length of intensive care unit stay (low-to-moderate certainty of evidence). CONCLUSIONS: FES-cycling exercise is a more intense stimulus modality than other comparative therapeutic modalities and presented clinically important improvement in several clinical outcomes.

Inspiratory Muscle Training in Phase 1 and 2 Postoperative Cardiac Rehabilitation Following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, length of hospital stay (LOS), and quality of life (QOL) following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: The search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the Cochrane Handbook and included the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and CENTRAL. The review included randomized controlled trials utilizing IMT during phase 1 or 2 postoperative cardiac rehabilitation (PoCR) versus alternative treatment (active or passive control) in patients following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included (11 phase 1 studies, 4 phase 2 studies) with no reported adverse events. In phase 1 PoCR, IMT reduced the LOS (-1.02 days; 95% CI = -2.00 to -0.03) and increased exercise capacity (6-minute walk distance [6MWD]).(+75.46 m; 95% CI = 52.34 to 98.57), and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) (10.46 cm H2O; 95% CI = 2.83 to 18.10), but had no effect on maximal expiratory pressure. In phase 2 PoCR, IMT increased 6MWD (45.84 m; 95% CI = 10.89 to 80.80), MIP (-23.19 cm H2O; 95% CI = -31.31 to -15), maximal expiratory pressure (20.18 cm H2O; 95% CI = 9.60 to 30.76), and QOL (-11.17; 95% CI = -17.98 to -4.36), with no effect on peak oxygen uptake. There was a high risk of bias for MIP (75% of the phase 1 studies) and 6MWT (1 of 4 phase 2 studies). The quality of the evidence ranged from very low to moderate. CONCLUSIONS: IMT significantly improves exercise capacity, respiratory muscle strength, LOS, and QOL in phase 1 and 2 PoCR. IMPACT: IMT may benefit patients during phase 1 and 2 of PoCR, considering the safety, low cost, and potential benefits.

Longitudinal strain and myocardial work in symptomatic patients having recovered from COVID-19 and possible associations with the severity of the disease.

COVID-19 may have residual consequences in multiple organs, including the cardiovascular system. The purpose of the present investigation is to quantify myocardial function in symptomatic individuals with long COVID and investigate the association between illness severity and myocardial function. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in which symptomatic individuals with previous COVID-19 underwent echocardiographic analysis of left ventricle global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) and myocardial work (MW). Individuals also performed cardiopulmonary testing (CPX) to assess peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Differences between illness severity subgroups were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test. Correlations were calculated using the Spearman correlation test. Multilinear regressions were performed to evaluate the influences of COVID-19 severity, body mass index, age, and sex on MW. Fifty-six individuals were included (critical subgroup: 17; moderate/severe subgroup: 39), 59% females; median age: 56 years (IQR: 43-63). CPX revealed a substantial reduction in VO2peak (median of 53% of predicted values). LVGLS were not statistically different between subgroups. Global wasted work (GWW) was higher in the critical subgroup [146 (104-212) versus 121 (74-163) mmHg%, p = 0.01], and global work efficiency (GWE) was lower in this subgroup [93 (91-95) versus 94 (93-96), p = 0.03]. Illness severity was the only independent predictor of GWW and GWE (GWW: r2 = 0.167; p = 0.009; GWE: r2 = 0.172; p = 0.005) in multilinear regressions. In our study with long COVID-19 individuals, despite having a similar LVGLS, patients had subclinical LV dysfunction, demonstrated only by an increase in GWW and a decrease in GWE.

Early Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Preserves Muscle Size and Quality and Maintains Systemic Levels of Signaling Mediators of Muscle Growth and Inflammation in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: To investigate the effects of an early neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) protocol on muscle quality and size as well as signaling mediators of muscle growth and systemic inflammation in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design: Two-arm, single-blinded, parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial with a blinded assessment. Setting. Trauma intensive care unit at a university hospital. Participants. Forty consecutive patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) secondary to TBI were prospectively recruited within the first 24 hours following admission. Interventions. The intervention group (NMES; n = 20) received a daily session of NMES on the rectus femoris muscle for five consecutive days (55 min/each session). The control group (n = 20) received usual care. Main Outcome Measures. Muscle echogenicity and thickness were evaluated by ultrasonography. A daily blood sample was collected to assess circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), inflammatory cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). Results: Both groups were similar at baseline. A smaller change in muscle echogenicity and thickness (difference between Day 1 and Day 7) was found in the control group compared to the NMES group (29.9 ± 2.1 vs. 3.0 ± 1.2, p < 0.001; -0.79 ± 0.12 vs. -0.01 ± 0.06, p < 0.001, respectively). Circulating levels of IGF-I, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-y), and MMP were similar between groups. Conclusion: An early NMES protocol can preserve muscle size and quality and maintain systemic levels of signaling mediators of muscle growth and inflammation in patients with TBI. This trial is registered with https://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br under number RBR-2db.

Inspiratory muscle training on quality of life in individuals with spinal cord injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to summarize the effectiveness of Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) on the quality of life in individuals with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). METHODS: An online systematic literature search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, PubMed CENTRAL, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, SciELO, CINAHL/SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO. Randomized and non-randomized clinical studies investigating the effectiveness of IMT in quality of life were included in the present study. The results used the mean difference and 95% confidence interval for maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and the standardized mean differences for the quality of life and maximum ventilation volume. RESULTS: The search found 232 papers, and after the screening, four studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analytical procedures (n = 150 participants). No changes were demonstrated in the quality of life domains (general health, physical function, mental health, vitality, social function, emotional problem, and pain) after IMT. The IMT provided a considerable effect over the MIP but not on FEV1 and MEP. Conversely, it was not able to provide changes in any of the quality of life domains. None of the included studies evaluated the IMT effects on the expiratory muscle maximal expiratory pressure. CONCLUSION: Evidence from studies shows that inspiratory muscle training improves the MIP; however, this effect does not seem to translate to any change in the quality of life or respiratory function outcomes in individuals with SCI.

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Post-COVID-19 Patients: Where Does Exercise Intolerance Come From? / Teste Cardiopulmonar em Pacientes Pós-COVID-19: De Onde vem a Intolerância ao Exercício?

BACKGROUND: Post-COVID-19 exercise intolerance is poorly understood. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) can identify the underlying exercise limitations. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the source and magnitude of exercise intolerance in post-COVID-19 subjects. METHODS: Cohort study assessing subjects with different COVID-19 illness severities and a control group selected by propensity score matching. In a selected sample with CPET prior to viral infection, before and after comparisons were performed. Level of significance was 5% in the entire analysis. RESULTS: One hundred forty-four subjects with COVID-19 were assessed (median age: 43.0 years, 57% male), with different illness severities (60% mild, 21% moderate, 19% severe). CPET was performed 11.5 (7.0, 21.2) weeks after disease onset, with exercise limitations being attributed to the peripheral muscle (92%), and the pulmonary (6%), and cardiovascular (2%) systems. Lower median percent-predicted peak oxygen uptake was observed in the severe subgroup (72.2%) as compared to the controls (91.6%). Oxygen uptake differed among illness severities and controls at peak and ventilatory thresholds. Conversely, ventilatory equivalents, oxygen uptake efficiency slope, and peak oxygen pulse were similar. Subgroup analysis of 42 subjects with prior CPET revealed significant reduction in only peak treadmill speed in the mild subgroup and in oxygen uptake at peak and ventilatory thresholds in the moderate/severe subgroup. By contrast, ventilatory equivalents, oxygen uptake efficiency slope, and peak oxygen pulse did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral muscle fatigue was the most common exercise limitation etiology in post-COVID-19 patients regardless of the illness severity. Data suggest that treatment should emphasize comprehensive rehabilitation programs, including aerobic and muscle strengthening components.

FUNDAMENTO: A intolerância ao exercício pós-COVID-19 não é bem entendida. O teste de esforço cardiopulmonar (TECP) pode identificar as limitações ao exercício subjacentes. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a etiologia e a magnitude da intolerância ao exercício em sujeitos pós-COVID-19. MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte que avaliou sujeitos com níveis de gravidades diferentes da doença COVID-19 e um grupo de controle selecionado por pareamento por escores de propensão. Em uma amostra seleta com TECP anterior à infecção viral disponível, foram realizadas comparações antes e depois. O nível de significância foi de 5% em toda a análise. RESULTADOS: Foram avaliados cento e quarenta e dois sujeitos com COVID-19 (idade mediana: 43 anos, 57% do sexo masculino), com níveis de gravidade de doença diferentes (60% leve, 21% moderada, 19% grave). O TECP foi realizado 11,5 (7,0, 21,2) semanas após o aparecimento da doença, com as limitações ao exercício sendo atribuídas aos sistemas muscular periférico (92%), pulmonar (6%), e cardiovascular (2%). Menor valor mediano do consumo de oxigênio pico percentual foi observado no subgrupo com níveis graves de doença (72,2%) em comparação com os controles (91,6%). O consumo de oxigênio foi diferente entre os grupos com diferentes níveis de gravidade de doença e o controle no pico e nos limiares ventilatórios. Inversamente, os equivalentes ventilatórios, a inclinação da eficiência do consumo de oxigênio, e o pico do pulso de oxigênio foram semelhantes. A análise do subgrupo de 42 sujeitos com TECP prévio revelou uma redução significativa no pico de velocidade da esteira no subgrupo com nível leve de doença, e no consumo de oxigênio no pico e nos limiares ventilatórios nos subgrupos com níveis moderado/grave. Por outro lado, os equivalentes ventilatórios, a inclinação da eficiência do consumo de oxigênio e o pico do pulso de oxigênio não apresentaram alterações significativas. CONCLUSÕES: A fadiga do músculo periférico foi a etiologia de limitação de exercício mais comum em pacientes pós-COVID-19 independentemente da gravidade da doença. Os dados sugerem que o tratamento deve enfatizar programas de reabilitação abrangentes, incluindo componentes aeróbicos e de fortalecimento muscular.

Impact of COVID-19's on Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Programs in Brazil: An Online Survey-Based Cross-Sectional Study. / Impacto da COVID-19 nos Programas de Reabilitação Cardiovascular no Brasil: Um Estudo Transversal Baseado em uma Pesquisa Online.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR) programs in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of CR programs in Brazil, the impacts of the first epidemiological wave of COVID-19 (first 60 days) on the programs and present the initiatives used to overcome the impacts. METHOD: This cross-sectional and retrospective study utilized a specific online survey. Participants were coordinators of CR programs. Variables were presented by Brazilian geographic region and as the following categories: demographic, clinical and operational characteristics. The significance level for statistical analysis was set at 5%. RESULTS: Fifty-nine CR programs were responsible for 5,349 patients, of which only 1,817 were post-acute cardiovascular events, which corresponded to 1.99% of hospitalized patients in the month prior to the survey (n=91,231). The greatest impact was the suspension of on-site activities, which occurred similarly in areas with the highest and the lowest rates of COVID-19 in the period. Forty-five programs (75%) were shortly interrupted, while three (5%) were ended. All 42 programs that already used remote rehabilitation strategies noticed a substantial increase in activities, based primarily on the use of media and video calling. Only three (5%) considered safe to see patients during the first 60 days. CONCLUSIONS: There was a reduction in the number of CR programs with the COVID-19 pandemic. Telerehabilitation activities increased during the first two months of the COVID-19 pandemic, but this was not enough to overcome the reduction in CR program activities across Brazil.

FUNDAMENTO: A pandemia da COVID-19 teve um impacto sobre os programas de reabilitação cardiovasculares (RC) no Brasil. OBJETIVOS: Descrever características dos programas de RC no Brasil, os impactos da primeira onda epidemiológica da COVID-19 (primeiros 60 dias) sobre os programas, e apresentar as iniciativas usadas para superar esses impactos. MÉTODOS: Este estudo transversal e retrospectivo usou um questionário online específico. Os participantes eram coordenadores de programas de RC. As variáveis foram apresentadas por região geográfica do Brasil, como as seguintes categorias: característica demográficas, clínicas e operacionais. O nível de significância estatística foi definido em 5%. RESULTADOS: Cinquenta e nove programas de RC atendiam 5349 pacientes, dos quais somente 1817 eram pacientes após eventos cardiovasculares agudos, o que correspondia a 1,99% dos pacientes internados no mês anterior à pesquisa (n=91.231). O maior impacto foi a suspensão das atividades presenciais, o que ocorreu de maneira similar em áreas com as taxas mais altas e áreas com as taxas mais baixas de COVID-19 no período. Quarenta e quatro (75%) programas foram interrompidos de forma breve, e três (5%) foram encerrados. Todos os 42 programas que já utilizavam estratégias de reabilitação remota notaram aumento substancial nas atividades, baseadas principalmente no uso da mídia e chamadas por vídeo. Somente três (5%) consideraram seguro atender pacientes durante os primeiros 60 dias. CONCLUSÕES: Houve redução no número de programas de RC devido a pandemia da COVID-19. Atividades de telerreabilitação aumentaram durante os primeiros dois meses da pandemia da COVID-19, mas que não foi suficiente para superar a redução nas atividades dos programas de RC no Brasil.

Analysis of physical function, muscle strength, and pulmonary function in surgical cancer patients: a prospective cohort study.

The aim of this study was to investigate mobility, physical functioning, peripheral muscle strength, inspiratory muscle strength and pulmonary function in surgical cancer patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). We conducted a prospective cohort study with 85 patients. Mobility, physical functioning, peripheral muscle strength, inspiratory muscle strength, and pulmonary function were assessed using the following tests: ICU Mobility Scale (IMS); Chelsea Critical Care Physical Assessment (CPAx); handgrip strength and Medical Research Council Sum-Score (MRC-SS); maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and S-Index; and peak inspiratory flow, respectively. The assessments were undertaken at ICU admission and discharge. The data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk and Wilcoxon tests and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Significant differences in inspiratory muscle strength, CPAx, grip strength, MRC-SS, MIP, S-Index, and peak inspiratory flow scores were observed between ICU admission and discharge. Grip strength showed a moderate correlation with MIP at admission and discharge. The findings also show a moderate correlation between S-Index scores and both MIP and peak inspiratory flow scores at admission and a strong correlation at discharge. Patients showed a gradual improvement in mobility, physical functioning, peripheral and inspiratory muscle strength, and inspiratory flow during their stay in the ICU.

The need for long-term personalized management of frail CVD patients by rehabilitation and telemonitoring: A framework.

Due to advances in cardiovascular medicine and preventive cardiology, patients benefit from a better prognosis, even in case of significant disease burden such as acute and chronic coronary syndromes, advanced valvular heart disease and chronic heart failure. These advances have allowed CVD patients to increase their life expectancy, but on the other hand also experience aging-related syndromes such as frailty. Despite being underrecognized, frailty is a critical, common, and co-existent condition among older CVD patients, leading to exercise intolerance and compromised adherence to cardiovascular rehabilitation (CR). Moreover, frail patients need a different approach for CR and are at very high risk for adverse events, but yet are underrepresented in conventional CR. Fortunately, recent advances have been made in technology, allowing remote monitoring, coaching and supervision of CVD patients in secondary prevention programs with promising benefits. Similarly, we hypothesized that such programs should also be implemented to treat frailty in CVD patients. However, considering frail patients' particular needs and challenges, telerehabilitation interventions should thus be appropriately adapted. Our purpose is to provide, for the first time and based on expert opinions, a framework of how such a cardiac telerehabilitation program could be developed and implemented to manage a prevention and rehabilitation program for CVD patients with frailty.

A call to action for blood flow restriction training in older adults with or susceptible to sarcopenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The extent to which exercise training with blood flow restriction (BFR) improves functional performance (FP) in people with sarcopenia remains unclear. We performed a comprehensive search of BFR training in subjects with sarcopenia or susceptible to sarcopenia hoping to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of BFR on FP in older adults without medical disorders, but with or susceptible to sarcopenia. Methods: PubMed and the Cochrane library were searched through February 2022. Inclusion criteria were: 1) the study examined older adults (>55 years of age) with or susceptible to sarcopenia and free of overt acute or chronic diseases, 2) there was a random allocation of participants to BFR and active control groups, 3) BFR was the sole intervention difference between the groups, and 4) the study provided post-intervention measures of skeletal muscle and physical function which were either the same or comparable to those included in the revised European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) diagnostic algorithm. Results: No studies of BFR training in individuals with sarcopenia were found and no study included individuals with FP values below the EWGSOP criteria. However, four studies of BFR training in older adults in which FP was examined were found. BFR training significantly improved the timed up and go (MD = -0.46, z = 2.43, p = 0.02), 30-s chair stand (MD = 2.78, z = 3.72, p < 0.001), and knee extension strength (standardized MD = 0.5, z = 2.3, p = 0.02) in older adults. Conclusion: No studies of BFR exercise appear to have been performed in patients with or suspected sarcopenia based on latest diagnostic criteria. Despite the absence of such studies, BFR training was found to significantly improve the TUG, 30-s chair stand, and knee extension strength in older adults. Studies examining the effects of BFR in subjects below EWGSOP cut-off points are needed.

Acute hemodynamic responses from low-load resistance exercise with blood flow restriction in young and older individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-over trials.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the existing evidence on the acute response of low-load (LL) resistance exercise (RE) with blood flow restriction (BFR) on hemodynamic parameters. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE (via Scopus), SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Web of Science and MedRxiv databases were searched from inception to February 2022. REVIEW METHODS: Cross-over trials investigating the acute effect of LLRE + BFR versus passive (no exercise) and active control methods (LLRE or HLRE) on heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean (MBP) blood pressure responses. RESULTS: The quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale, risk of bias using the RoB 2.0 tool for cross-over trials and certainty of the evidence using the GRADE method. A total of 15 randomized cross-over studies with 466 participants were eligible for analyses. Our data showed that LLRE + BFR increases all hemodynamic parameters compared to passive control, but not compared to conventional resistance exercise. Subgroup analysis did not demonstrate any differences between LLRE + BFR and low- (LL) or high-load (HL) resistance exercise protocols. Studies including younger volunteers presented higher chronotropic responses (HR) than those with older volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: Despite causing notable hemodynamic responses compared to no exercise, the short-term LL resistance exercise with BFR modulates all hemodynamic parameters HR, SBP, DBP and MBP, similarly to a conventional resistance exercise protocol, whether at low or high-intensity. The chronotropic response is slightly higher in younger healthy individuals despite the similarity regarding pressure parameters.

Muscle-Skeletal Abnormalities and Muscle Oxygenation during Isokinetic Strength Exercise in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction Phenotype: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Exercise intolerance, a hallmark of patients with heart failure (HF), is associated with muscle weakness. However, its causative microcirculatory and muscle characteristics among those with preserved or reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF or HFrEF) phenotype is unclear. The musculoskeletal abnormalities that could result in impaired peripheral microcirculation are sarcopenia and muscle strength reduction in HF, implying lowered oxidative capacity and perfusion affect transport and oxygen utilization during exercise, an essential task from the microvascular muscle function. Besides that, skeletal muscle microcirculatory abnormalities have also been associated with exercise intolerance in HF patients who also present skeletal muscle myopathy. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the muscle microcirculation dynamics via near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) response during an isokinetic muscle strength test and ultrasound-derived parameters (echo intensity was rectus femoris muscle, while the muscle thickness parameter was measured on rectus femoris and quadriceps femoris) in heart failure patients with HFpEF and HFrEF phenotypes and different functional severities (Weber Class A, B, and C). Twenty-eight aged-matched patients with HFpEF (n = 16) and HFrEF (n = 12) were assessed. We found phenotype differences among those with Weber C severity, with HFrEF patients reaching lower oxyhemoglobin (O2Hb, µM) (-10.9 ± 3.8 vs. -23.7 ± 5.7, p = 0.029) during exercise, while HFpEF reached lower O2Hb during the recovery period (-3.0 ± 3.4 vs. 5.9 ± 2.8, p = 0.007). HFpEF with Weber Class C also presented a higher echo intensity than HFrEF patients (29.7 ± 8.4 vs. 15.1 ± 6.8, p = 0.017) among the ultrasound-derived variables. Our preliminary study revealed more pronounced impairments in local microcirculatory dynamics in HFpEF vs. HFrEF patients during a muscle strength exercise, combined with muscle-skeletal abnormalities detected via ultrasound imaging, which may help explain the commonly observed exercise intolerance in HFpEF patients.

High-intensity interval training versus progressive high-intensity circuit resistance training on endothelial function and cardiorespiratory fitness in heart failure: A preliminary randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Exercise training is strongly recommended as a therapeutic approach to treat individuals with heart failure. High-intensity exercise training modalities still controversial in this population. The study aims to preliminary assess the consequences of high-intensity exercise training modalities, aerobic interval training (HIIT) and progressive high circuit-resistance training (CRT), on primarily endothelial function and cardiorespiratory fitness, and secondly on muscle strength and physical performance in heart failure patients. METHODS: This preliminary multicentric randomized controlled trial comprised 23 heart failure patients, aged 56 ± 10 years old, mainly New York Heart Association classification I and II (%), hemodynamically stable, who compromise at least 36 exercise sessions of a randomly assigned intervention (HIIT, CRT or control group). Endothelial function, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, muscle strength and physical performance were completed at baseline and post-intervention. RESULTS: Although no effects on endothelial function; both HIIT and CRT modalities were able to produce a positive effect on [Formula: see text] peak (HIIT = +2.1±6.5, CRT = +3.0±4.2 and control group = -0.1± 5.3 mL/kg/min, time*group p-value<0,05) and METs (HIIT = +0.6±1.8, CRT = +0.9±1.2 and control group = 0±1.6, time*group p-value<0,05). Only HIIT increased isokinetic torque peak (HIIT = +8.8±55.8, CRT = 0.0±60.7 and control group = 1.6±57.6 Nm) matched p-value<0,05. Regarding the physical performance, the CRT modality reduced chair stand test completion time (HIIT = -0.7±3.1, CRT = -3.3±3.2 and control group = -0.3±2.5 s, matched p-value<0,05 and HIIT improved global physical performance(time*group p<0,05). CONCLUSION: This preliminary study trends to indicate for the first time that high-intensity interval training promotes a jointly superior effect compared to progressive high intensity circuit-resistance training by improving cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and physical performance. Further research with larger cohort is necessary. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ReBEC RBR-668c8v.

Adjunctive inspiratory muscle training for patients with COVID-19 (COVIDIMT): protocol for randomised controlled double-blind trial.

INTRODUCTION: A significant number of patients with COVID-19 may experience dyspnoea, anxiety, depression, pain, fatigue and physical impairment symptoms, raising the need for a multidisciplinary rehabilitation approach, especially for those with advanced age, obesity, comorbidities and organ failure. Traditional pulmonary rehabilitation (PR), including exercise training, psychosocial counselling and education, has been employed to improve pulmonary function, exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with COVID-19. However, the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in PR programmes remain unclear. This study aimed to determine whether the addition of a supervised IMT in a PR is more effective than PR itself in improving dyspnoea, health-related quality of life and exercise capacity in symptomatic patients with post-COVID-19. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomised controlled trial, powered for superiority, aimed to assess exercise capacity as the primary outcome. A total of 138 are being recruited at two PR centres in Brazil. Following baseline testing, participants will be randomised using concealed allocation, to receive either (1) standard PR with sham IMT or (2) standard PR added to IMT. Treatment effects or differences between the outcomes (at baseline, after 8 and 16 weeks, and after 6 months) of the study groups will be analysed using an ordinary two-way analysis of variance. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This trial was approved by the Brazilian National Ethics Committee and obtained approval on 7 October 2020 (document number 4324069). The findings will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04595097.

Acute and Time-Course Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Vascular and Autonomic Function in Patients With Heart Failure: A Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purposed of this study was to valuate the effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) on flow-mediated dilation and heart rate variability of patients with heart failure. BACKGROUND: Osteopathic manipulative treatment modulates both the vascular and autonomic nervous system (ANS) in healthy volunteers. However, the acute and time-course effects of the OMT on patients with an overactive ANS remain unclear. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial study included 20 patients with heart failure aged 50 to 60 years, allocated to a single session of OMT (base of the skull, retromaxillary region, heart, and thoracic duct) or sham. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) at the brachial artery, hemodynamic measures, and heart rate variability were assessed in 3 periods (baseline, immediately after the intervention, and after 15 minutes). Multivariate analysis of variance procedure was used to compare intervention and periods. RESULTS: The OMT group had a greater FMD modulation compared with the sham (FMD,% =  9.5 vs. -5.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): [6.6, -12.35] vs. [-14.25, 2.8]; p = 0.001) and grater peak diameter (PD, mm =  0.77 vs -0.16 mm, 95% CI: [0.31,-1.24] vs [-0.63, 0.29]; P =  0.001), suggesting an important acute and time-course vascular effect from OMT. We also found some relevant heart rate variability modulation after 15 minutes from OMT: high frequency (HF, ms2 = 295 vs -354, 95% CI: [144.2, -769]; P = .001) and low frequency (LF, ms2) = 670 vs 775, 95% CI: [-98, 3591]; P = .001), suggesting a time-course ANS modulation after OMT. CONCLUSIONS: Osteopathic manipulative treatment was effective at increasing brachial blood flow and stimulating the vagal system in patients with heart failure. Moreover, vascular changes seem to precede the autonomic modulation.