Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Patients With Severe COVID-19 Associated With Sepsis and Septic Shock.

BACKGROUND: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) can be applied to critically ill patients. However, its results on muscle strength and functionality in patients with COVID-19 are unknown. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effects of intervention with NMES on muscle mass and functionality of patients with severe COVID-19 associated with sepsis and septic shock. METHODS: Seven patients with COVID-19 associated with sepsis or septic shock were selected, but only 5 patients completed all days of the intervention with NMES. The intervention was performed by a single physiotherapist on 7 consecutive days in a daily session of 40 min. The outcome measures were the femoris cross-sectional area; thickness of the anterior compartment of the quadriceps muscle; rectus femoris echogenicity; International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF)-muscle strength; PFIT-s, DEMMI, and the SOMS; feasibility, and safety. The patients were evaluated on days 1, 5, and 8. RESULTS: The rectus femoris cross-sectional area decreased significantly from days 1 to 8, but showed maintenance of the thickness of the anterior compartment of the quadriceps muscle from days 1 to 8. The MRC score increased significantly from days 1 to 5 and kept this improvement until day 8. All patients showed an increase in the MRC score and reduction of the ICF-muscle strength, meaning improved muscle strength from days 1 to 8. The PFIT-s increased significantly from days 1 to 5 and improved until day 8 compared to day 5. DEMMI and SOMS score increased significantly on day 8 compared to days 1 and 5. CONCLUSION: Rehabilitation with NMES showed improvement in muscle strength and functionality of patients in this study with a potential protective effect on muscle mass loss in patients with critical COVID-19 associated with sepsis and septic shock. This study is the first report of the potential effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with severe COVID-19 associated with sepsis and septic shock.

Quanto tempo de oclusão é necessário para avaliar a pressão inspiratória máxima pelo método da válvula expiratória unidirecional em sujeitos sem via aérea artificial? / ¿Cuánto tiempo de oclusión es necesario para evaluar la presión inspiratoria máxima por el método de la válvula espiratoria unidireccional en sujetos sin vía aérea artificial? / How much occlusion time is necessary to assess maximal inspiratory pressure by the unidirectional expiratory valve method in subjects without artificial airway?

RESUMO O objetivo desse estudo foi determinar o tempo de oclusão necessário para avaliar a pressão inspiratória máxima (PIMáx) obtida pelo método da válvula expiratória unidirecional em sujeitos sem via aérea artificial. Foram avaliados 31 sujeitos, com idade entre 18 e 60 anos. A PIMáx foi avaliada pelo método convencional (PIMáxconv) e pelo método da válvula expiratória unidirecional (PIMáxuni), sendo a ordem de avaliação definida por meio de sorteio. Para a medida da PIMáxuni, um manovacuômetro digital foi acoplado a uma válvula expiratória unidirecional e máscara orofacial por 20 segundos de oclusão. Nesse período, todos os sujeitos foram encorajados a realizar esforços inspiratórios máximos. Para definir a ótima duração da manobra, o tempo de esforço foi dividido a cada intervalo de 5 segundos (0-5s, 0-10s, 0-15s, 0-20s). Os intervalos de tempo para obtenção da PIMáxuni foram comparados por meio do teste de ANOVA One-way. Para comparação das médias dos valores de PIMáxconv e PIMáxuni, foi utilizado o teste t de Student. O nível de significância foi de 5%. A média dos valores da PIMáxconv foi de -102,5±23,9 cmH2O, enquanto que a PIMáxuni foi de -117,3±24,8 cmH2O (p<0,001). O valor absoluto máximo da PIMáxuni foi alcançado dentro do intervalo de 0-20 segundos, que foi significativamente superior ao valor absoluto máximo obtido nos primeiros 5 segundos (p=0,036). O tempo de oclusão necessário para avaliar a PIMáx pelo método da válvula expiratória unidirecional em sujeitos colaborativos sem via aérea artificial deve ser de pelo menos 20 segundos.

RESUMEN Este estudio busca determinar cuánto tiempo de oclusión es necesario para obtener la presión inspiratoria máxima (PIMáx) por medio del método de la válvula espiratoria unidireccional en individuos sin vía aérea artificial. Se evaluaron 31 sujetos de entre 18 y 60 años de edad. La PIMáx se evaluó mediante el método estándar (PIMáxest) y el método de válvula espiratoria unidireccional (PIMáxuni), siendo que el orden de evaluación se estableció por medio de un sorteo. Para el PIMáxuni, un manovacuómetro digital se ha conectado a una válvula espiratoria unidireccional y una máscara orofacial durante 20 segundos de oclusión. Durante este período, se alentó a los individuos a hacer esfuerzos respiratorios máximos. Para definir la óptima duración de la maniobra, el tiempo de esfuerzo se dividió en intervalos de cinco segundos (0-5s, 0-10s, 0-15s, 0-20s). Los intervalos del tiempo para el PIMáxuni se compararon mediante la prueba ANOVA one-way. Las medias de los valores de PIMáxest y de PIMáxuni se compararon mediante la prueba pareada t de Student. El nivel de significancia se estableció en el 5%. La media de los valores de PIMáxest (-102,5±23,9 cmH2O) presentó una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en comparación con la media de los valores de PIMáxuni (-117,3±24,8 cmH2O, p<0,001). El valor absoluto máximo obtenido de PIMáxuni estaba dentro del intervalo de 0-20 segundos, que fue significativamente superior del valor absoluto máximo durante los primeros 5 segundos (p=0,036). El tiempo de oclusión necesario para registrar la PIMáx por el método de válvula espiratoria unidireccional en individuos colaborativos sin vía aérea artificial debe ser de al menos 20 segundos.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine how much occlusion time is necessary to obtain maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) by the unidirectional expiratory valve method in subjects without artificial airway. Thirty-one subjects aged 18-60 years were evaluated. MIP was evaluated by the standard method (MIPstan) and by the unidirectional expiratory valve method MIPuni, with the order of evaluation determined randomly by lot. For MIPuni measurement, a digital vacuum manometer was attached to a unidirectional expiratory valve and an orofacial mask for 20 seconds of occlusion. During this period, all subjects were encouraged to make maximal respiratory efforts. To define the optimum duration of the maneuver, the 20 seconds of effort were partitioned at every five-second interval (0-5s, 0-10s, 0-15s, 0-20s). The time intervals for obtaining MIPuni were compared with the one-way ANOVA test. The mean values of the standard method and the unidirectional expiratory valve method were compared using the paired Student's t-test. The significance level was established at 5%. The mean values for the MIPstan (-102.5±23.9 cmH2O) presented a statistically significant difference as compared to the mean values for MIPuni (-117.3±24.8 cmH2O; p<0.001). Maximal peak values for MIPuni were achieved within the 20-second time window, which differed significantly from the peak values obtained during the first five seconds (p=0.036). The occlusion time necessary to record MIP by the unidirectional expiratory valve method in collaborative subjects without artificial airway should be of at least 20 seconds.

Reference equations for handgrip strength: Normative values in young adult and middle-aged subjects.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Handgrip strength (HS) has been widely used as a functionality parameter of the upper limbs (UL) and general health. The measurement of HS by dynamometry is a low cost, non-invasive method of simple applicability, widely used in pulmonary rehabilitation and in critical care units. However, there are no reports in the literature of reference equations for the Brazilian population involving young and middle-aged adults. The aim of this study was to establish reference equations to predict normal HS for young and middle-aged adults through demographic and anthropometric data. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with a sample of 80 healthy subjects (40 men and 40 women), aged 20-60 years. Inclusion criteria were: 1) BMI between 18.5 and 30 kg/m2; 2) presence of dominant hand; 3) no cardiac, pulmonary, metabolic, or neurologic diseases; 4) lack of musculoskeletal disorders; 5) no history of fractures or trauma of the UL. Anthropometric measurements of the UL were obtained by a tape (hand length and width, forearm circumference and length). The dominance of hands was defined by the Dutch Handedness Questionnaire. HS measures were obtained by a manual hydraulic dynamometer, according to the recommendations of the American Association of Hand Therapists. Data were analyzed with SPSS for Windows, version 17.0, and treated with descriptive and inferential analysis. Normality was evaluated by Kolmogorov-Smirnov. Pearson or Spearman coefficients and multiple regression analysis were also used. RESULTS: HS was significantly higher for men compared to women, and also higher for the dominant hand (HSD) compared to the non-dominant hand (HSND) (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found for HS between the age groups 20-30, 30-40, 40-50 and 50-60 years (p > 0.05). No correlation was found between HS and age. A weak correlation was found between HS and BMI. A moderate correlation of HS was observed with weight and height. Finally, moderate and high correlations were found between HS and anthropometric variables of UL. The best reference equations with R2, adjusted to 0.71 and 0.70, were respectively: HSDkg = -15.490 + (10.787 × Gender male=1; female=0) + (0.558 × Forearm circumference) + (1.763 × Hand Length); HSNDkg = -9.887 + (12.832 × Gender male=1; female=0) + (2.028 × Hand Length). CONCLUSION: The variability of HS is largely explained by gender, forearm circumference, and hand length.

Adjunctive Use of Noninvasive Ventilation During Exercise in Patients With Decompensated Heart Failure.

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) as an adjunct strategy for increasing exercise tolerance has been widely investigated in patients with pulmonary diseases. To our knowledge, there are no studies that have used NIV during exercise in patients with decompensated heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of NIV on exercise tolerance in hospitalized patients with decompensated HF. Thirteen patients (77 ± 15 years) with a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 35 ± 15% were included. Patients underwent 2 submaximal exercise tests with constant load for lower limbs using a portable cycle ergometer. Tests were performed on the same day with a 60-minute interval between each one, using a randomized crossover design: sham ventilation (continuous positive airway pressure mode, 4 cm H2O) and intervention situation (NIV in bilevel mode). Primary outcome was the endurance time performed during exercise tests with constant load. Submaximal exercise with NIV in bilevel mode improved endurance time (7.2 ± 2.7 minutes) compared to the tests performed with continuous positive airway pressure (5.1 ± 1.5 minutes; p = 0.008). Increase in endurance time (Δ time) with bilevel test showed a significant correlation with reduction in the slope of dyspnea (Δ Borg) over time (r = -0.73; p = 0.004). There was a significant correlation between endurance time in bilevel tests and maximum inspiratory pressure % predicted (r = 0.68; p = 0.02). In conclusion, NIV was effective in increasing exercise tolerance in hospitalized patients with decompensated HF. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT02122848).

Unidirectional Expiratory Valve Method to Assess Maximal Inspiratory Pressure in Individuals without Artificial Airway.

INTRODUCTION: Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) is considered an effective method to estimate strength of inspiratory muscles, but still leads to false positive diagnosis. Although MIP assessment with unidirectional expiratory valve method has been used in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation, no previous studies investigated the application of this method in subjects without artificial airway. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the MIP values assessed by standard method (MIPsta) and by unidirectional expiratory valve method (MIPuni) in subjects with spontaneous breathing without artificial airway. MIPuni reproducibility was also evaluated. METHODS: This was a crossover design study, and 31 subjects performed MIPsta and MIPuni in a random order. MIPsta measured MIP maintaining negative pressure for at least one second after forceful expiration. MIPuni evaluated MIP using a unidirectional expiratory valve attached to a face mask and was conducted by two evaluators (A and B) at two moments (Tests 1 and 2) to determine interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility of MIP values. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC[2,1]) was used to determine intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility. RESULTS: The mean values for MIPuni were 14.3% higher (-117.3 ± 24.8 cmH2O) than the mean values for MIPsta (-102.5 ± 23.9 cmH2O) (p<0.001). Interobserver reproducibility assessment showed very high correlation for Test 1 (ICC[2,1] = 0.91), and high correlation for Test 2 (ICC[2,1] = 0.88). The assessment of the intraobserver reproducibility showed high correlation for evaluator A (ICC[2,1] = 0.86) and evaluator B (ICC[2,1] = 0.77). CONCLUSIONS: MIPuni presented higher values when compared with MIPsta and proved to be reproducible in subjects with spontaneous breathing without artificial airway.

Repercussões da colecistectomia aberta na mobilidade diafragmática e toracoabdominal / Repercussions of open cholecystectomy on diaphragmatic and chest wall mobility

Contextualização: A disfunção diafragmática é sugerida como a principal causa do comprometimento pulmonar e das complicações respiratórias pós-operatórias de pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia. Objetivo: Verificar os efeitos da colecistectomia aberta na mobilidade diafragmática (MD) e na mobilidade toracoabdominal (MT). Método: Estudo analítico, tipo observacional transversal, com amostra de 15 pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia aberta, no Hospital Regional de São José - SC. Os pacientes foram avaliados no pré-operatório e no segundo dia de pós-operatório (2PO). A MD foi analisada pela radiografia torácica na inspiração e expiração máximas. Para mensuração da MT se realizou cirtometria torácica nas regiões axilar, xifoide, basal e umbilical. As frequências respiratória (f) e cardíaca (FC) foram registradas, a intensidade da dor foi avaliada pela escala visual analógica. Na análise dos dados pré e pós-operatório se utilizou o teste de Wilcoxon e a correlação de Pearson (p£0,05). Resultados: Participaram 10 mulheres e 5 homens. O grupo apresentou índice de massa corporal de 30,42±4,48 kg/m2. A média de idade foi de 40,53±9,51 anos (28 a 55 anos). Houve diminuição significativa da MD de 35,91±15,39 cm2 no pré-operatório para 18,56±12,78 cm2 no 2PO (p=0,001). A MT também apresentou redução significativa na medida da cirtometria de todas as regiões (p<0,05). Houve aumento significativo na f, FC e na escala de dor no 2PO (p=0,001, p=0,027 e p=0,016, respectivamente). A diminuição da MD e da MT basal no 2PO apresentou correlação moderada (r=0,533). Conclusões: A colecistectomia aberta reduziu a mobilidade diafragmática e toracoabdominal, evidenciando que pacientes submetidos a esse procedimento cirúrgico apresentam alterações na mecânica respiratória.

Marcha de pacientes com doença arterial obstrutiva periférica e claudicação intermitente / Gait of patients with peripheral obstructive arterial disease and intermittent claudication

INTRODUÇÃO: Pacientes com doença arterial obstrutiva periférica (DAOP) e claudicação intermitente (CI) apresentam prejuízo no desempenho de caminhada e alterações nos parâmetros espaço-temporais da marcha, mesmo na ausência de dor. OBJETIVO: Analisar os parâmetros espaço-temporais da marcha de pacientes com DAOP e CI participantes de programa de reabilitação. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi constituída por 12 pacientes com DAOP e CI, sendo 75 por cento do sexo masculino e idade média de 63,3 ± 8,6 anos. Todos os pacientes participavam de programa de reabilitação e apresentavam melhora no desempenho de caminhada após os tratamentos; sete foram avaliados em longo prazo (de seis a 24 meses) e cinco em curto prazo (dois meses). Velocidade, comprimento da passada e cadência foram analisados antes e logo após o início da claudicação em pista de 6m de papel. A claudicação foi induzida por meio de caminhada em esteira ergométrica. As avaliações foram realizadas ao final dos tratamentos e analisadas inter e intragrupos. RESULTADOS: Velocidade de marcha (1,06m/s ± 0,29 vs 1,10m/s ± 0,06), comprimento da passada (1,34m ± 0,27 vs 1,33m ± 0,11) e cadência (93,81 passos/min ± 7,20 vs 99,84 passos/min ± 8,99) foram similares entre os grupos tratados em curto e em longo prazos (p > 0,05). Na avaliação intragrupos, ocorreu diminuição significativa no comprimento da passada dos pacientes tratados em curto prazo após a indução da claudicação (1,34m ± 0,27 vs 1,09m ± 0,03), com p = 0,05. CONCLUSÃO: Não ocorreram diferenças significativas nos parâmetros espaço-temporais da marcha entre os grupos. As características da marcha persistem, inclusive na ausência da dor e com a melhora do desempenho de caminhada, em pacientes participantes de programa de reabilitação.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with peripheral obstructive arterial disease (POAD) and intermittent claudication (IC) present difficulty in gait performance and alterations in the spatio-temporal parameters of gait, even in the absence of pain. AIM: to assess the spatio-temporal of gait parameters of patients with POAD and IC participants in a rehabilitation program. METHODS: The sample was composed of 12 patients with POAD and IC, being 75 percent males and mean age of 63.3 8.6 years. All patients participated in a rehabilitation program and presented gait improvement after treatments; seven patients were long-term assessed (from six to 24 months) and five patients were short-term assessed (two months). Velocity, step length and cadence were assessed before and immediately after claudication began on a 6-m paper track. Claudication was induced by gait on treadmill. Evaluations were performed at the end of the treatment and inter and intra-groups assessment was carried out. RESULTS: Gait velocity (1.06 m/s 0.29 vs 1.10m/s 0.06) step length (1.34 m 0.27 vs 1.33m 0.11) and cadence (93.81 steps/min 7.20 vs 99.84 steps/min ± 8.99) were similar between groups short and long-term treated (p> 0.05). In intragroup assessment, significant decrease was observed in the step length of patients short-term treated after claudication induction (1.34m ± 0.27 vs 1.09m ± 0.03) with p = 0.05. CONCLUSION: No significant differences were observed in the spatio-temporal parameters of gait between groups. The gait characteristics remain, even in the absence of pain and with gait performance improvement with patients participating in rehabilitation programs.