Incentive spirometry combined with expiratory positive airway pressure improves asthma control and quality of life in asthma: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: The use of the incentive spirometer (IS) and expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) provides several benefits in patients with respiratory disorders. However, the effects of the use of these devices coupled (IS + EPAP) are still unknown in asthmatic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of IS associated with EPAP on exercise tolerance (six-minute walk test - 6MWT), lung function (by spirometry), asthma control (Asthma Control Questionnaire - ACQ) and quality of life (Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire - AQLQ) in patients with severe asthma. METHODS: Patients were randomised into two groups: IS + EPAP (n = 8) and control (n = 6). The IS + EPAP group performed breathing exercises at home, twice daily for 20 min, over a period of 5 weeks. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in spirometric variables and in the distance walked in the 6MWT in both groups. However, the IS + EPAP group showed an improvement in asthma control (p = 0.002) and quality of life (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that the IS + EPAP protocol, when performed at home, provides an improvement in asthma control and quality of life for patients with severe asthma when evaluated by ACQ and AQLQ, respectively.

Functional capacity and ventilatory efficiency are preserved in well-controlled people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

To verify and compare the responses of the cardiopulmonary variables to the incremental test in physically inactive people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA) with well-controlled disease and physically inactive healthy subjects (non-HIV/AIDS). Participants performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) on a treadmill. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and Spearman correlation. Nine PLWHA (5 women) and 9 non-HIV/AIDS gender and activity level-matched controls were included in the data analysis. Data are expressed in median (range). No difference was shown in the PLWHA group when compared to the control group in functional capacity (peak oxygen consumption [VO2peak]: 29.9 (20.9-36.4) mL/kg/min vs. 32.2 (24.5-39.4) mL/kg/min) and ventilatory efficiency (oxygen uptake efficiency slope [OUES]: 2,058 [1,474-3,204] vs. 2,612 [1,383-4,119]; minute ventilation carbon dioxide production slope: 27.4 [22.5-33.6] vs. 27.5 [20.4-38.1]). The results are also similar to maximal heart rate, oxygen pulse, gas exchange threshold, respiratory compensation point, heart rate recovery, and half-time of VO2peak recovery. OUES had a strong correlation with VO2peak in the PLWHA group (r s =0.70, P=0.04) and control group (r s =0.78, P=0.02). The results of this study indicate that functional capacity and ventilatory efficiency in PLWHA with well-controlled disease are preserved and are not different from sedentary subjects. In this sense, when CPX is unavailable, the aerobic assessment and prescription could be based on simpler procedures used in healthy subjects.

Normative values and reference equation for the six-minute step test to evaluate functional exercise capacity: a multicenter study / Valores normativos e equação de referência para o teste do degrau de seis minutos para avaliar a capacidade funcional de exercício: um estudo multicêntrico

ABSTRACT Objective: To establish normative values and a reference equation for the number of steps climbed during the six-minute step test (6MST) in healthy adults, and to assess the reliability of the test and of the equation. Methods: This was a multicenter cross-sectional study involving 468 healthy volunteers (age range: 18-79 years) recruited from the general community in six research laboratories across different regions of Brazil, which is a country with continental dimensions. The 6MST was performed twice (30-min interval), and clinical, demographic, and functional variables were evaluated. An independent sample of 24 volunteers was evaluated to test the reference equation a posteriori. Results: The number of steps had excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.96 [95%CI: 0.95-0.97]), and the mean number of steps was 175 ± 45, the number being 14% greater in males than in females. The best performance on the test was correlated with age (r = −0.60), sex (r = 0.28), weight (r = 0.13), height (r = 0.41), BMI (r = −0.22), waist circumference (r = −0.22), thigh circumference (r = 0.15), FVC (r = 0.54), and physical activity level (r = 0.17; p < 0.05 for all). In the regression analysis, age, sex, height, and weight explained 42% of the variability of the 6MST. Normative values were established for the 6MST according to age and sex. There was no difference between the 6MST values from the independent sample and its predicted values (157 ± 29 steps vs. 161 ± 25 steps; p = 0.47; 97% of predicted values). Conclusions: The normative values and the reference equation for the 6MST in this study seem adequate to accurately predict the physical functional performance in adults in Brazil.

RESUMO Objetivo: Estabelecer valores normativos e uma equação de referência para o número de degraus subidos no teste do degrau de seis minutos (TD6) em adultos saudáveis, bem como avaliar a confiabilidade do teste e da equação. Métodos: Estudo transversal multicêntrico com 468 voluntários saudáveis (faixa etária: 18-79 anos) recrutados na comunidade geral em seis laboratórios de pesquisa em diferentes regiões do Brasil, um país de dimensões continentais. O TD6 foi realizado duas vezes (com 30 min de intervalo entre uma e outra), e foram avaliadas variáveis clínicas, demográficas e funcionais. Uma amostra independente composta por 24 voluntários foi avaliada para testar a equação de referência a posteriori. Resultados: O número de degraus subidos apresentou excelente confiabilidade teste-reteste [coeficiente de correlação intraclasse = 0,96 (IC95%: 0,95-0,97)], e a média de degraus subidos foi de 175 ± 45, sendo 14% maior no sexo masculino. O melhor desempenho no teste correlacionou-se com as seguintes variáveis: idade (r = −0,60), sexo (r = 0,28), peso (r = 0,13), estatura (r = 0,41), IMC (r = −0,22), circunferência da cintura (r = −0,22), circunferência da coxa (r = 0,15), CVF (r = 0,54) e nível de atividade física (r = 0,17; p < 0,05 para todos). Na análise de regressão, idade, sexo, estatura e peso explicaram 42% da variabilidade do TD6. Foram estabelecidos valores normativos para o TD6 de acordo com a idade e o sexo. Não houve diferença entre os valores do TD6 na amostra independente e os valores previstos (157 ± 29 vs. 161 ± 25 degraus subidos; p = 0,47; 97% dos valores previstos). Conclusões: Os valores normativos e a equação de referência para o TD6 neste estudo parecem adequados para predizer com precisão o desempenho físico funcional em adultos no Brasil.