Changes in Functional Outcomes After an Inpatient Rehabilitation Program for Solid-Organ Transplant Recipients.

Introduction: Outpatient exercise training has been shown to be beneficial for solid organ transplant recipients. Little is known about the effects of inpatient rehabilitation programs for recipients with a more complicated postoperative course. Research Question: This study was designed to (1) describe the changes in functional outcomes after an inpatient rehabilitation program, and (2) determine whether the changes in lower body strength and quadriceps strength are associated with changes in functional exercise capacity. Design: This was a single-arm prospective longitudinal study. The recipients participated in an inpatient rehabilitation program twice a day, 7 days a week for 3 to 4 weeks. Outcome Measures Included: 2-Minute Walking Test, Timed Up and Go, Berg Balance Scale, 30-Second Sit to Stand, biceps and quadriceps strength, Functional Independence Measure, SF-36, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Results: Twenty-eight patients (54% female, mean age = 55 [11]) completed the study. Participants were mostly liver (42%) and lung recipients (35%). There were statistically significant improvements in all outcomes after the intervention. There was no relationship between changes in functional exercise capacity and quadriceps strength or lower body strength. Conclusion: An inpatient rehabilitation program may improve several functional outcomes and health-related quality of life in transplant recipients with a complicated postoperative course.

Prevalence and characteristics of patients with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease participating in non-pulmonary rehabilitation programmes: a brief report.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of people with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among those completing non-pulmonary rehabilitation (NPR) programmes and to describe their characteristics. METHODS: Electronic data of participants who completed an in-patient rehabilitation programme between July 1, 2010, and July 1, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Data extracted were month and year of birth, sex, height, weight, referral source, admission and discharge dates, programme admitted to, reason for admission, most responsible health condition, number of co-morbidities, referral agency on discharge, and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores on admission and discharge. RESULTS: The prevalence of COPD among participants who completed the NPR programmes was 7.5%. The most common reasons for admission were cardiac conditions (n=69, 20%), followed by post-unilateral hip replacement (n=40, 11%) and post-unilateral hip fracture (n=38, 11%). Patients were discharged after an average stay of 20 (SD 13) days. The mean FIM score was 91 (SD 11) at admission and 108 (SD 9) at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of a COPD diagnosis among participants in NPR programmes was 7.5%. COPD is a common comorbidity for people in rehabilitation programmes who have had amputations, have a cardiac condition, have undergone organ transplantation, or require complex care.

Objectif : Établir la prévalence des personnes atteintes d'une MPOC chez celles qui effectuent un programme de réadaptation non pulmonaire et décrire leurs caractéristiques. Méthodes   : Examen rétrospectif de données informatisées au sujet de participants hospitalisés ayant terminé un programme de réadaptation entre le 1er juillet 2010 et le 1er juillet 2012. Les données extraites étaient les suivantes: mois et année de naissance, sexe, grandeur, poids, source de référence, date d'admission et date du congé, programme effectué, raison de l'admission, problème de santé principal, nombre de comorbidités, agence d'aiguillage au moment du congé, note de la mesure d'indépendance fonctionnelle (MIF) à l'admission et au moment du congé. Résultats : La prévalence de MPOC chez les participants ayant terminé un programme de réadaptation non pulmonaire était de 7,5%. La raison la plus fréquente de l'admission était un trouble cardiaque (n=69,20%), suivi d'une arthroplastie unilatérale de la hanche (n=40,11%) et d'une fracture unilatérale à la hanche (n=38,11%). Les patients ont obtenu leur congé après un séjour moyen de 20 (13) jours. La note moyenne de la MIF était de 91 (ET 11) à l'admission et de 108 (9) au moment du congé. Conclusions : La prévalence de MPOC chez les participants à un programme de réadaptation non pulmonaire était de 7,5%. La MPOC est une comorbidité fréquente dans les programmes de réadaptation destinés aux personnes qui ont subi une amputation ou une greffe d'organe, qui sont aux prises avec un trouble cardiaque ou qui exigent des soins complexes.