Effect of oxygen therapy duration on cognitive impairment 12 months after hospitalization for SARS-COV-2 infection.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of persistent cognitive impairment at 12 months after hospitalization due to COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. DESIGN: Retrospective, single-centre study. SUBJECTS: All consecutive patients assessed in physical and rehabilitation medicine consultations at 3 months with a neuropsychiatric testing (NPT) at 6 months. METHODS: A Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was performed at 3 months and NPT at 6 and 12 months, exploring global cognitive efficiency, attention and processing speed, short-term memory and executive function. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify predictors of persistent cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Among 56 patients, 64.3% and 53.6% had 1 or more impaired cognitive functions at 6 and 12 months, respectively, attention and processing speed being the most represented (41.1% at 12 month). Duration of oxygen therapy (odds ratio 0.926 [0.871-0.985], p = 0.015) and MMSE score at 3 months (odds ratio 0.464 [0.276-0.783], p = 0.004) were associated with cognitive impairment at 12 months by multivariable analysis (R² 0.372-0.497). CONCLUSIONS: Half of patients have cognitive impairment 12 months after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring hospitalization. The duration of oxygen therapy in acute care could be a protective parameter. Systematic evaluation with the MMSE at 3 months after infection might be an effective tool to detect risk.

Acute outcomes of acupuncture and dry needling over peripheral acute fatigue in untrained healthy volunteers: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Peripheral acute fatigue (PAF) is defined as when the skeletal muscle is incapable of generating power. We aimed to investigate the acute effects of traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) and dry needling (DN) over PAF induced on the biceps brachii of untrained healthy volunteers. We conducted a randomized, single-blind controlled clinical trial. All volunteers (n = 45) underwent fatigue induction protocols repeated before and after treatment with TCA (TCA group; TCAg; n = 15), DN (DN group; DNg; n = 15), and rest (control group; Cg; n = 15). Assessments of PAF, skin temperature, and exercise time occur before and after each event: 1st fatigue induction (FI), treatment, and 2nd FI. We used repeated measures ANOVA adjusted with Bonferroni post hoc test to determine any change in tested variables (PAF-VAS, PAF-EMG, and skin temperature) at different time points compared to the baseline. Paired Samples t-test was used for the variable exercise times. All statistical tests considered' the significance level at p ≤ 0,05. There was no difference between groups in acute fatigue recovery (p = 0.19). All intragroup analyses were significant (p ≤ 0.05) and all volunteers show a reduction in fatigue perception after treatment (p ≤ 0,05), however, exercise time did not ameliorate after TCA or DN (p > 0.77). A single session of TCA and, DN can equally reduce fatigue, temperature, and exercise time over PAF induced on biceps brachii of untrained healthy volunteers.

Pulmonary rehabilitation after severe exacerbation of COPD: a nationwide population study.

BACKGROUND: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) lead to a significant reduction in quality of life and an increased mortality risk. Current guidelines strongly recommend pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) after a severe exacerbation. Studies reporting referral for PR are scarce, with no report to date in Europe. Therefore, we assessed the proportion of French patients receiving PR after hospitalization for COPD exacerbation and factors associated with referral. METHODS: This was a national retrospective study based on the French health insurance database. Patients hospitalized in 2017 with COPD exacerbation were identified from the exhaustive French medico-administrative database of hospitalizations. In France, referral to PR has required as a stay in a specialized PR center or unit accredited to provide multidisciplinary care (exercise training, education, etc.) and admission within 90 days after discharge was assessed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association between patients' characteristics, comorbidities according to the Charlson index, treatment, and PR uptake. RESULTS: Among 48,638 patients aged ≥ 40 years admitted for a COPD exacerbation, 4,182 (8.6%) received PR within 90 days after discharge. General practitioner's (GP) density (number of GPs for the population at regional level) and PR center facilities (number of beds for the population at regional level) were significantly correlated with PR uptake (respectively r = 0.64 and r = 0.71). In multivariate analysis, variables independently associated with PR uptake were female gender (aOR 1.36 [1.28-1.45], p < 0.0001), age (p < 0.0001), comorbidities (p = 0.0013), use of non-invasive ventilation and/or oxygen therapy (aOR 1.52 [1.41-1.64], p < 0.0001) and administration of long-acting bronchodilators (p = 0.0038). CONCLUSION: This study using the French nationally exhaustive health insurance database shows that PR uptake after a severe COPD exacerbation is dramatically low and must become a high-priority management strategy.

Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Exercise on Athletes with Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI) or Functional Ankle Instability (FAI) is a condition characterized by laxity and mechanical instability in the ankle joint. This instability interferes with the activities and physical-functional parameters of athletes, which leads to repetitive ankle sprains. The current systematic review was carried out to identify the effects of whole-body vibration exercise (WBVE) in athletes with CAI. METHODS: We conducted electronic searches in Pubmed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Academic Search Premier (ASP) (EBSCO) databases on 26 February 2022. Registers were identified, and studies were selected for inclusion according to the eligibility criteria. The methodological quality was assessed by the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. RESULTS: Seven studies were included with a mean methodological quality score of 5.85, considered 'regular' quality on the PEDro scale. WBVE interventions in athletes with CAI showed that this exercise contributes to a better response on parameters of neuromuscular performance, muscle strength and consequently in balance and postural control, variables that are for the management of CAI. CONCLUSION: WBVE interventions in sports modalities promote physiological responses that may lead to positive effects in several parameters. The protocols proposed in each modality can be carried out in practice and are considered effective additional exercise and training methods beyond traditional types of training for athletes. However, more studies are needed on athletes with this condition, with specific protocols, to highlight the possible physiological and physical-functional responses. Protocol study registration: PROSPERO (CRD42020204434).

Therapeutic Approach of Whole-Body Vibration Exercise on Wound Healing in Animal Models: A Systematic Review.

Human skin wounds pose a gathering threat to the public health, carrying an immense epidemiologic and financial burden. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological (NP) treatments have been proposed to the management of wound healing. Physical exercise is a strong NP intervention considered for patients in wound healing. Particularly, a type of exercise intervention known as whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise has gained increasing interest. WBV exercise is generated due to the transmission of mechanical vibrations, produced by a vibrating platform, to the body. The aim of this review was to summarize studies in experimental animal models using WBV exercise in wound healing. Searches were performed in EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science including publications on 21 November 2022 using the string "whole body vibration" AND "wound healing" (animal or mice or mouse or rat or rodent). The SYRCLE tool was used to assess the risk of bias (RoB). From 48 studies, five studies met the inclusion criteria. RoB indicated that none of the studies fulfilled all methodological analyzed criteria, resulting in possible biases. The studies were homogeneous, and results suggest beneficial effects of WBV exercise in wound healing, mainly related to enhancing angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation, reducing the blood glucose level and enhancing blood microcirculation, by increasing myofiber growth and rapid re-epithelialization. In conclusion, the various biological effects of the response to the WBV exercise indicate the relevance of this intervention in wound healing in animals. Moreover, considering the translation approach, it is possible to speculate that the beneficial effects of this non-pharmacological therapy might justify clinical trials for wound healing also in humans, after criterion evaluation.

Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on Sleep Quality Evaluated by Wrist Actigraphy: A Systematic Review.

COVID-19 has probably contributed as a risk factor for sleep disturbance. Actigraphy has been used to evaluate sleep complaints in self-isolated populations and frontline doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This systematic review aims to summarize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep through wrist actigraphy, estimating sleep latency, total sleep time, awakening-after-sleep onset, and sleep efficiency. Searches were conducted of observational studies on the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro databases from 1 December 2019 to 31 December 2022. Ninety articles were found, and given the eligibility criteria, fifteen were selected. Six studies were classified by the National Health and Medical Research Council as evidence level IV, two studies as level III-3, and seven studies as level III-2. According to the ACROBAT-NRSI instrument, three studies were classified as having a "serious" risk of bias, two as having "critical" risk, four as having "moderate" risk, and six as having "low" risk. In the selected publications, various populations were evaluated via actigraphy during the COVID-19 pandemic, with reports of "poor" sleep quality. Actigraphy may be a relevant tool to assess individual day-night rhythms and provide recommendations under enduring pandemic conditions. Moreover, as actigraphy presents objective data for sleep evaluations, it is suggested that this method be used in similar pandemics and that actigraphy be included as part of the sleep hygiene strategy.

Whole-Body Vibration Training on Oxidative Stress Markers, Irisin Levels, and Body Composition in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

(1) Background: Mitochondrial dysfunction and redox imbalance seem to be involved in fibromyalgia (FM) pathogenesis. The results of our previous studies suggest that whole-body vibration training (WBVT) would improve redox status markers, increase blood irisin levels, and ameliorate the body composition of women with FM. (2) Objective: The current study aimed to investigate WBVT on oxidative stress markers, plasma irisin levels, and body composition in women with FM. (3) Methods: Forty women with FM were randomized into WBVT or untrained (UN) groups. Before and after 6 weeks of WBVT, body composition was assessed by dual-energy radiological absorptiometry (DXA), and inflammatory marker activities were measured by enzymatic assay. (4) Results: Body composition, blood irisin levels, and oxidative stress markers were similar between UN and WBVT groups before the intervention. After 6 weeks of intervention, the WBVT group presented higher irisin levels (WBVT: 316.98 ± 109.24 mg·dL³, WBVT: 477.61 ± 267.92 mg·dL³, p = 0.01) and lower TBARS levels (UN: 0.39 ± 0.02 nmol MDA/mg protein, WBVT: 0.24 ± 0.06 nmol MDA/mg protein, p = 0.001) and visceral adipose tissue mass (UN: 1.37 ± 0.49 kg, WBVT: 0.69 ± 0.54 kg, p = 0.001) compared to the UN group. (5) Conclusions: Six weeks of WBVT improves blood redox status markers, increases irisin levels, and reduces visceral adipose tissue mass, favoring less cell damage and more outstanding oxidative balance in women with FM.

Efficacy of Hip Strengthening on Pain Intensity, Disability, and Strength in Musculoskeletal Conditions of the Trunk and Lower Limbs: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Grade Recommendations.

To investigate the efficacy of hip strengthening on pain, disability, and hip abductor strength in musculoskeletal conditions of the trunk and lower limbs, we searched eight databases for randomized controlled trials up to 8 March 2022 with no date or language restrictions. Random-effect models estimated mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and the quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Very low quality evidence suggested short-term effects (≤3 months) of hip strengthening on pain intensity (MD of 4.1, 95% CI: 2.1 to 6.2; two trials, n = 48 participants) and on hip strength (MD = 3.9 N, 95% CI: 2.8 to 5.1; two trials, n = 48 participants) in patellofemoral pain when compared with no intervention. Uncertain evidence suggested that hip strengthening enhances the short-term effect of the other active interventions on pain intensity and disability in low back pain (MD = -0.6 points, 95% CI: 0.1 to 1.2; five trials, n = 349 participants; MD = 6.2 points, 95% CI: 2.6 to 9.8; six trials, n = 389 participants, respectively). Scarce evidence does not provide reliable evidence of the efficacy of hip strengthening in musculoskeletal conditions of the trunk and lower limbs.

Recent Advance Analysis of Recovery in Hospitalized People with COVID-19: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is a public health emergency all around the world. Severe illness occurred in about 14% of patients and 5% of patients developed critical illness, but the prognosis for these patients remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To describe the prognosis in hospitalized adults with COVID-19. METHODS: The MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, and COCHRANE databases were searched for studies published up to 28 June 2021 without language restrictions. Descriptors were related to "COVID-19" and "prognosis". Prospective inception cohort studies that assessed morbidity, mortality and recovery in hospitalized people over 18 years old with COVID-19 were included. Two independent reviewers selected eligible studies and extracted the available data. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and multiple organ failure (MOFS) were considered as outcomes for morbidity and discharge was considered for recovery. The Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) tool was used to assess risk of bias. Analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (version 2.2.064). RESULTS: We included 30 inception cohort studies investigating 13,717 people hospitalized with COVID-19 from different countries. The mean (SD) age was 60.90 (21.87) years, and there was high proportion of males (76.19%) and people with comorbidities (e.g., 49.44% with hypertension and 29.75% with diabetes). Findings suggested a high occurrence of morbidity, mainly related to ARDS. Morbidity rates varied across studies from 19% to 36% in hospital wards, and from 13% to 90% in Intensive Care Units-ICU. Mortality rates ranged from 4% to 38% in hospital wards and from 8% to 51% in ICU. Recovery rates ranged up to 94% and 65% in hospital wards and ICU, respectively. The included studies had high risk of bias in the confounding domain. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is an issue for the public health system worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality rates, mainly in ICU and for patients with comorbidities. Its prognosis emphasizes the need for appropriate prevention and management strategies.

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome Prevalence Six Months after Critical Covid-19: Comparison between First and Second Waves.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of improved intensive care for COVID-19 patients on the prevalence of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). DESIGN: Ambispective cohort study. PATIENTS: Post-intensive care unit COVID-19 patients from the first and second waves of COVID-19. METHODS: Patients were evaluated at 6 months after infection. PICS was defined as the presence of a 1-min sit-to-stand test (1STS) score < 2.5th percentile or a Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) below the 2 standard deviation cut-off, or a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale score ≥ 11. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were included (34 from wave 1 and 26 from wave 2). Intensive care unit management improved between waves, with shorter duration of orotracheal intubation (7 vs 23.5 days, p = 0.015) and intensive care unit stay (6 vs 9.5 days, p = 0.006) in wave 2. PICS was present in 51.5% of patients after wave 1 and 52% after wave 2 (p = 0.971). Female sex and diabetes were significantly associated with PICS by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Approximately half of post-intensive care unit COVID-19 patients have 1 or more impairments consistent with PICS at 6 months, with an impact on quality of life and participation. Improved intensive care unit management was not associated with a decrease in the prevalence of PICS. Identification of patients at risk, particularly women and diabetic patients, is essential. Further studies of underlying mechanisms and the need for rehabilitation are essential to reduce the risk of PICS.

Cluster analysis unveils a severe persistent respiratory impairment phenotype 3-months after severe COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The mid-term respiratory sequelae in survivors of severe COVID-19 appear highly heterogeneous. In addition, factors associated with respiratory sequelae are not known. In this monocentric prospective study, we performed a multidisciplinary assessment for respiratory and muscular impairment and psychological distress 3 months after severe COVID-19. We analysed factors associated with severe persistent respiratory impairment, amongst demographic, COVID-19 severity, and 3-month assessment. METHODS: Patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia requiring ≥ 4L/min were included for a systematic 3-month visit, including respiratory assessment (symptoms, lung function, CT scan), muscular evaluation (body composition, physical function and activity, disability), psychopathological evaluation (anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder-PTSD) and quality of life. A cluster analysis was performed to identify subgroups of patients based on objective functional measurements: DLCO, total lung capacity and 6-min walking distance (6MWD). RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were analysed, 39% had dyspnea on exercise (mMRC ≥ 2), 72% had DLCO < 80%, 90% had CT-scan abnormalities; 40% had sarcopenia/pre-sarcopenia and 31% had symptoms of PTSD. Cluster analysis identified a group of patients (n = 18, 30.5%) with a severe persistent (SP) respiratory impairment (DLCO 48 ± 12%, 6MWD 299 ± 141 m). This SP cluster was characterized by older age, severe respiratory symptoms, but also sarcopenia/pre-sarcopenia, symptoms of PTSD and markedly impaired quality of life. It was not associated with initial COVID-19 severity or management. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATION: We identified a phenotype of patients with severe persistent respiratory and muscular impairment and psychological distress 3 months after severe COVID-19. Our results highlight the need for multidisciplinary assessment and management after severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Trial registration The study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (May 6, 2020): NCT04376840.

Whole-Body Vibration Associated with Strength Training on the Lower-Limb Blood Flow and Mobility in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Vascular endothelium insults caused by high serum glucose levels affect the oxygen supply to tissues, via the microvascular endothelium, resulting in an increased perfusion heterogeneity. These insults may lead to the underuse of blood capillaries, while other vessels are overused and effectively overload their oxygen supply capacity, which eventually causes damages to distal parts of the peripheral nervous system. Therefore, the proprioceptive and exteroceptive feedback information will be gradually lost and contribute to a mobility reduction. This study aims to assess the efficacy of whole-body vibration (WBV) associated with strength training (ST) on lower-limb blood flow and mobility in older adults with type 2 diabetes (DM2). Methods and analyses: This is a protocol (1st version) for Pa single-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial guided by the SPIRIT guidelines. Our sample will consist of 51 older adults with DM2 randomly allocated to three groups: low frequency WBV (16−26 Hz) associated to ST (G1), WBV sham (G2) and nonintervention control (G3). The study protocol is set for a 12-week (three times per week) schedule. Primary outcomes: skin temperature using infrared thermographic imaging (ITI); mean peripheral arterial blood flow velocity (MBF) by a handheld Doppler ultrasound (DU), and functional mobility by Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Secondary outcomes: quasi-static posture using the DX100 BTS Smart optoelectronic system, and plantar pressure and body balance using the MPS stabilometric platform. Data will be collected and analyzed at baseline and post-intervention, considering p-value < 0.05 level of significance. The analyses will also be conducted with an intention-to-treat method and effect size. Dissemination: All results will be published in peer-reviewed journals as well as presented in conferences.

Characteristics of COVID-19 Inpatients in Rehabilitation Units during the First Pandemic Wave: A Cohort Study from a Large Hospital in Champagne Region.

Background: Data describing patients hospitalized in medical rehabilitation wards after the acute phase of COVID-19 could help to better understand the rehabilitation needs in the current pandemic situation. Methods: Cohort including all patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in a single, large university hospital in Northeast France from 25 February to 30 April 2020. Results: 479 patients were admitted with COVID-19 during the study period, of whom 128 died (26.7%). Among the 351 survivors, 111 were referred to rehabilitation units, including 63 (17.9%) referred to physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM) units. The median age of patients referred to rehabilitation units was 72 years. Patients who had been in intensive care, or who had had a long hospital stay, required referral to PRM units. Two biomarkers were associated with referral to rehabilitation units, namely, elevated troponin (p = 0.03) and impaired renal function (p = 0.03). Age was associated with referral to PRM units (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Almost one-third of COVID-19 patients required post-acute care, but only one-fifth had access to PRM units. The optimal strategy for post-acute management of COVID-19 patients remains to be determined. The need for rehabilitation wards during a pandemic is a primary concern in enabling the long-term functioning of infected patients.

Impact of resistance training on the 6-minute walk test in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review was to assess functional improvement, measured by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) after the application of a resistance training (RT) protocol in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The search involved the databases ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, PubMed and Scopus from the beginning of inception to September 1, 2019. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the functional impact of RT were included. The quality of the trials was assessed with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Calculations were performed according to mean difference (MD) for differences between pre- and post-intervention in 6MWT distance and according to the standardized mean difference (SMD) for post-treatment results of the 6MWT and quadriceps muscle strength (QMS) improvement. RESULTS: In total, 23 studies (690 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis was used to compute the best improvement on the 6MWT with an analysis of improvement pre- versus post-treatment (MD 37.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.8; 64.8, I2 = 86%, p = 0.008) versus post-treatment alone, intervention versus control group (MD 15.5, 95% CI -7.7; 38.6, I2 = 71%, p = 0.19). QMS was significantly improved (SMD 2.9, 95% CI 1.1; 4.7, I2 = 91%, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The results of the meta-analysis show a significant improvement in walking ability and performance measured by the 6MWT and an improvement in QMS for people with COPD responding to the therapy. The main limitation of this review is the significant heterogeneity across the study results. Furthermore, the statistical significance does not totally coincide with the clinical significance. RT is recommended to reduce muscle dysfunction and seems useful when combined with endurance training.

The quality of life in genetic neuromuscular disease questionnaire: Rasch validation of the French version.

INTRODUCTION: Slowly progressive, genetic neuromuscular diseases (gNMDs) often lead to important motor deficiencies and functional limitations. The Quality of Life in Genetic Neuromuscular Disease Questionnaire (QoL-gNMD) is a new health-related quality-of-life questionnaire developed for these patients. The purpose of the present study was to validate the French version of the QoL-gNMD and to calibrate its measurement system. METHODS: Both the QoL-gNMD and a validated generic questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) were administered to patients. Validation was performed using item response theory. The partial credit model (Rasch) was used to calibrate each domain. RESULTS: Three hundred fifteen adult patients were included. All 3 domains showed adequate psychometric properties (internal consistency: person separation index >0.77; repeatability: test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient >0.75, scalability coefficient >0.38) and fitted the partial credit model. The QoL-gNMD also demonstrated adequate concurrent validity with the WHOQOL-BREF. DISCUSSION: The QoL-gNMD showed adequate psychometric properties and can be used in clinical settings. Although not anchor-based, the minimum detectable change tables help in interpreting score change. Muscle Nerve 56: 1085-1091, 2017.

Exploring quality of life in people with slowly-progressive neuromuscular disease.

PURPOSE: A qualitative work is conducted to enable later the construction of a health-related quality of life (HRQL) questionnaire for patients with slowly-progressive neuromuscular disease (NMD) such as myopathies and muscular dystrophies. METHODS: The formation of focus groups is an efficient method to perform an in-depth exploration of the aspects of HRQL potentially impaired by NMD. Patients were recruited in France by 4 NMD reference centers. To ensure adequate representativeness in terms of severity, three types of focus groups were formed: (1) Patients able to walk (WP). (2) Patients using a wheelchair (WCP). (3) Patients using a wheelchair and requiring continuous mechanical ventilation (WCMVP). All verbal interactions among group participants were recorded. A qualitative analysis of the verbatim was performed using the framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model (ICF). RESULTS: A total of 41 patients distributed across five focus groups were interviewed. The verbatim provided 2424 ICF categories. The percentages of mentions of the different ICF categories were calculated and graphically displayed. CONCLUSION: The results enabled to identify and quantify the aspects of life that are altered by NMD according to patients. This qualitative work was the first phase of a more ambitious project to develop a new NMD-specific HRQL questionnaire. Implication of rehabilitation Patients with NMD have more to say about the quality of their environment, their social relationships and their psychological state than about their physical symptoms. This observation should be compared to clinician perceptions which often focus mainly on the physical symptoms, overlooking those elements that they cannot assess directly. Many patients reported relationship issues with various people from their surrounding (e.g., health professionals, acquaintances, colleagues, and strangers). In particular, it is essential that health professionals are careful not to make adult patients with NMD feel infantilized. This issue can be addressed by making all relevant medical information available and asking for the patient's opinion on any important change in their medical care.

Psychometric properties of the Duke Health Profile in a neuromuscular disease population.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life is a subjective point of view of the patient. Its measurement is complex, but useful to personalize interventions and to evaluate the effect of care, particularly in physical medicine. AIM: To determine the psychometric properties of the Duke Health Profile (DHP) in neuromuscular disease. This instrument was chosen for its excellent acceptability and its ability to evaluate ten dimensions in a short administration. DESIGN: Prospective multicentre study. SETTING: Neuromuscular patients in centers in Reims, Dijon and Besancon. POPULATION: Patients over 18 years with neuromuscular disorders. METHODS: Successive inclusion between 2002 and 2005; DHP administration on two occasions, 15 days apart; collection of socio-demographic data. Statistical analyses using SAS SOFTWARE 9.3. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine patients were included. The acceptability of the DHP was excellent. The disability dimension showed marked ceiling effect. Reliability was acceptable (Cronbach=0.54-0.73, except for the social health dimension [0.40], ICC=0.55-0.83). The anxiety and depression dimensions had discriminant properties in distinguishing patients with different functional status. CONCLUSION: The DHP is suitable and valid for patients with neuromuscular disease, with some reservations for the social health and disability dimensions. CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: This tool can be used in daily clinical practice and in research.

Construction of a Quality of Life Questionnaire for slowly progressive neuromuscular disease.

PURPOSE: To build a questionnaire to assess health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients suffering from slowly progressive neuromuscular disease (NMD) using item response theory (IRT). METHODS: A pool of 64 items and a validated questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) were administered to 159 patients recruited in eight NMD referral centers. Exploratory statistical analysis included methods derived from both IRT and classical test theory. RESULTS: We constructed a questionnaire named QoL-NMD which is composed of two general items and 24 items classified in three domains: (1) "Impact of Physical Symptoms," (2) "Self-perception" and (3) "Activities and Social Participation." Each domain has good psychometric properties (Cronbach's alpha > 0.77, test-retest ICC > 0.81, Loevinger's H > 0.41) and meets IRT assumptions. Comparison with the WHOQOL-BREF enabled assessing similarities and discrepancies with a generic questionnaire. CONCLUSION: This study enabled the development of a new HRQL questionnaire specifically designed for slowly progressive NMD patients. The QoL-NMD is short enough to be used in clinical practice (26 items). The next steps will be to validate QoL-NMD by re-assessing psychometrics in an independent sample of patients and calibrate the IRT scoring system.