Effectiveness of using a chatbot to promote adherence to home physiotherapy after total knee replacement, rationale and design of a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Rehabilitation is essential to optimize outcomes after surgical procedures in musculoskeletal disorders. However, adherence to rehabilitation continues to be an important barrier, since compliance with the programs is not always as desired, which may have a negative impact on clinical results. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial aimed at to determining the effectiveness of using a virtual assistant (i.e., chatbot) to promote adherence to home rehabilitation. Overall, seventy patients under 75, undergoing total knee replacement, who have a personal smartphone and are familiar with its use, will be assigned into the control (standard care) or the experimental (standard care plus virtual assistant) group. Adherence (primary outcome) will be assessed three months after surgery. The WOMAC questionnaire, knee pain and system usability scale will be also outcomes of interest at three months and one year. Overall, an analysis of variance will look for possible time, group and time*group interactions. DISCUSSION: The expected result is to determine whether the use of a chatbot that interacts with the patient can increase adherence to post-surgical home physiotherapy, and result in better clinical results (functional and pain) than standard care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov id. NCT05363137.

Effectiveness of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation therapy and strength training among post-menopausal women with thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis. A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis (CMC OA) greatly affects post-menopausal women. It is characterized by pain and functional deficits that limit the performance of activities of daily life and affect quality of life. PURPOSE: Analyze the effects of 4/weeks strength training, with and without proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the disability among post-menopausal women with thumb CMC OA. Secondly, analyze the effects on pain, mobility, and strength. STUDY DESIGN: Superiority randomized clinical trial. METHODS: 42 women were randomly allocated to strength training program (SEG, n = 21) and to a strength training plus PNF therapy program (PNFG, n = 21). The Disability (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire), pain (visual analogue scale), mobility (Kapandji Test), and hand strength were evaluated pre, post intervention (at 4 weeks) and follow-up (at 8 weeks). RESULTS: Disability was significantly reduced in both groups after intervention, but reduction was statistically superior in PNFG (between-group mean difference [MD] = -16.69 points; CI = -21.56:-11.82; P<.001; d = 2.14). Similar results were observed for secondary outcomes: pain (MD = -2.03; CI = -2.83:-1.22; P<.001; d = 1.58), mobility (MD = 0.96; CI = 0.52:1.38; P<.001; d = 1.40) and strength (grip: MD = 3.47kg; CI = 1.25:5.69; P = .003; d = 0.97, palmar: MD = 0.97kg; CI = 0.14:1.80; P = .024; d = 0.72, tip: MD = 1.12kg; CI = 0.41:1.83; P = .003; d = 0.99 and key pinch: MD = 0.85kg; CI = 0.001:1.70; P = .049; d = 0.62). These improvements were maintained at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of PNF exercises and strength training is more effective for reducing disability pain and improve mobility and strength in post-menopausal women with CMC OA than a programme based solely on strength.

A randomized controlled trial assessing the effects of preoperative strengthening plus balance training on balance and functional outcome up to 1 year following total knee replacement.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of including balance training in a preoperative strengthening intervention on balance and functional outcomes in patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) and compare these effects to those induced by preoperative strengthening and no intervention. METHODS: Eighty-two subjects scheduled for TKR were randomly allocated into the strengthening (ST, n = 28) group: a preoperative lower limb strengthening intervention; the strengthening + balance (ST + B, n = 28) group: same intervention augmented with balance training; and the control group (n = 26). The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the function in daily living subscale of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS-ADL) were the primary outcomes. The secondary measures included balance and mobility, self-reported status, and knee function. The outcomes were assessed at baseline, 1 week before surgery, and 2, (primary endpoint), 6 and 52 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the participants in the ST and ST + B groups presented significant improvements from baseline to the end of the preoperative intervention in BBS (p = 0.005) and KOOS-ADL (p < 0.001). At 6 weeks post-surgery, the knee extensor strength values were similar in the two treatment groups and significantly higher than that in the controls. Overall, the participant outcomes in all groups stabilized at 1 year after surgery. CONCLUSION: A preoperative strengthening intervention, regardless of whether it is complemented with balance training, enhances strength but not balance or functional outcomes at 6 weeks after surgery. Patients are expected to present similar performance at 1 year postoperatively, but adequately statistically powered trials are needed to confirm the findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02995668.

The effects of preoperative balance training on balance and functional outcome after total knee replacement: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of preoperative balance training on the early postoperative balance and functional outcomes after total knee replacement surgery and to test whether an outpatient intervention may be as effective as a domiciliary intervention. DESIGN: This is a three-arm randomized controlled trial. SETTING: University hospital. SUBJECTS: Eighty-six individuals were recruited. Seventy-seven were analysed, aged 72.1 (SD 7.6) years, of which 68% were women. OUTCOME MEASURES: Overall state of balance, as measured with the Berg Balance Scale, and patient-perceived functionality, as measured with the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Function in Activities in Daily Living (KOOS-ADL) questionnaire, were the primary outcomes. Secondary assessments targeted knee function, balance and mobility, quality of life, and self-reported outcomes. The primary end-point was six weeks after surgery. INTERVENTION: The hospital group implemented a four-week preoperative outpatient balance-oriented intervention. The home group implemented similar training, but this was domiciliary. The control group was instructed to keep performing their normal activities. RESULTS: Home and hospital groups presented a moderate effect against the control group (dhospital-control = 0.54; dhome-control = 0.63), both being similarly effective in improving the overall state of balance at six weeks after surgery (P = 0.013). KOOS-ADL scores showed no between-group differences and a small effect size (d < 0.5; P = 0.937). Secondary assessments suggested non-significant between-group differences. CONCLUSION: Preoperative balance training, conducted either as domiciliary or as an outpatient, is an effective approach to enhance early postoperative balance outcome but not the perceived functionality of individuals undergoing total knee replacement.

Effects of a vestibular physiotherapy protocol on adults with intellectual disability in the prevention of falls: A multi-centre clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Balance alterations are one of the main problems in people with intellectual disabilities (ID), increasing their risk of falls and impacting their life. AIMS: To describe a vestibular rehabilitation programme (VRP) and evaluate its effects on the ability to maintain balance and risk of suffering a fall. METHODS: Forty-seven adults with mild to moderate ID were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (CG, N = 24), which performed a general physical exercise only, and an experimental group (EG, N = 23) which also completed a VRP. The variables, used pre- and post-training and 1 month after the intervention, were as follows: Center of Pressure Displacement, Berg Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance. RESULTS: The EG improved significantly in each variable. The CG did not show changes for any of the parameters. CONCLUSIONS: A programme based on VRP may improve balance and reduce the risk of falling.

The Effects of the Pilates Training Method on Balance and Falls of Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Exercising with the Pilates method may be a beneficial treatment to improve balance and decrease the number of falls. To ascertain this, our search in 7 databases included 15 randomized controlled trials in which Pilates was the primary intervention. Participants were over 60 years of age; the outcomes were related to balance and falls. The Cochrane tool and PEDro scale were used to assess risk of bias and quality of individual studies. Current evidence supported the view that exercising with the Pilates method improves the balance of older adults with a high practical effect in terms of the dynamic (SMD = 0.75 [0.17;1.32]), static (SMD = 1.33 [0.53;2.13]), and overall balance (SMD = 0.96[0.00;1.91]). Pilates also produced greater improvements with a moderate effect in terms of the dynamic (SMD = 0.37[-0.36;1.11]) and overall balance (SMD = 0.58[0.19;0.96]) compared to other training approaches oriented to the same end. Literature evaluating the effects on falls is scarce, and results were not conclusive.

In-home versus hospital preoperative balance and proprioceptive training in patients undergoing TKR; rationale, design, and method of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Severe knee osteoarthritis, as well as the surgical procedure of total knee replacement that aims to reduce its symptoms, cause great deterioration on the proprioceptive system. Taking this fact into account, and considering that balance abilities positively influence the capacity to perform basic functional tasks, this trial aims to find the short and mid-term effects of a preoperative balance and proprioceptive training when conducted by patients undergoing total knee replacement. Along with the effects, it is intended to determine whether in-home based training can be as effective as hospital training. The results will help to conclude whether the possible benefits may outweigh the health costs. METHODS: Seventy-five participants will take part. The trial will include in-home and supervised hospital experimental training compared to a non-active control group in order to estimate the actual effect of the proposal against the benefits due exclusively to the surgical procedure. Interventions last 4 weeks prior to surgery, and the follow-up will be at 2w, 6w, and 1y following the operation. The primary outcomes are in agreement with the goals: self-reported functionality in terms of KOOS and overall balance in terms of the Berg Balance Scale. The secondary outcomes will include the measurements of static and dynamic balance abilities, pain, function, and quality of life. DISCUSSION: It is expected for the results of this trial to provide relevant information in order to decide if a specific intervention is cost-effective to be implemented in clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03100890 . Registered in April 4, 2017.

Functional principal component analysis as a new methodology for the analysis of the impact of two rehabilitation protocols in functional recovery after stroke.

BACKGROUND: This study addressed the problem of evaluating the effectiveness of two protocols of physiotherapy for functional recovery after stroke. In particular, the study explored the use of Functional Principal Component Analysis (FPCA), a multivariate data analysis in order to assess and clarify the process of regaining independence after stroke. METHODS: A randomized double-blind controlled trial was performed. Thirteen subjects with residual hemiparesis after a single stroke episode were measured in both in- and outpatient settings at a district hospital. All subjects were able to walk before suffering the stroke and were hemodynamically stable within the first week after stroke. Control and target groups were treated with conventional physiotherapy for stroke, but specific techniques were added for treatment of the target group depending on patients' functional levels.Independence level was assessed with the Barthel Index (BI) throughout 7 evolution stages (hemodynamic stability, beginning of standing, beginning of physical therapy sessions in the physiotherapy ward and monthly assessment for 6 months after stroke). RESULTS: FPCA was applied for data analysis. Statistically significant differences were found in the dynamics of the recovery process between the two physiotherapy protocols. The target group showed a trend of improvement six months after stroke that was not present in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: FPCA is a method which may be used to provide greater insight into the analysis of the rehabilitation process than that provided by conventional parametric methods. So, by using the whole curves as basic data parameters, subtle differences in the rehabilitation process can be found.FPCA represents a future aid for the fine analysis of similar physiotherapy techniques, when applied in subjects with a huge variability of functional recovery, as in the case of post-stroke patients.

Effects of Three Interventions Combining Impact or Walking at Intense Pace Training, with or without Calcium and Vitamin Supplements, to Manage Postmenopausal Women with Osteopenia and Osteoporosis.

The purpose was to assess the effects of three interventions on bone mineral density (BMD) to prevent the onset or progression of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Specifically, thirty-nine postmenopausal women, diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis, implemented either high-impact training (G1), the same training + calcium and vitamin D intake (G2), or walked at an intense pace + calcium and vitamin D (G3). Baseline change (BC) in BMD was estimated using the femoral neck and lumbar spine T-scores. Participants were classified as having suffered fractures and/or falls before (24-month) and during the 2-year intervention. The participants-aged 61.8 years-were allocated into G1 (n = 9), G2 (n = 16), and G3 (n = 14). The groups evolved similarly over time; however, participants in G2 exhibited the largest T-score improvements with BC over 20%. G1 and G3 maintained BMD levels (BC = -7 to 13.3%; p > 0.05). Falls occurred similarly across the interventions, while the participants in G2 had the lowest percentage of fracture events (p = 0.037). Overall, the findings suggest that regular physical exercise may be effective in maintaining or improving BMD in postmenopausal women presenting with osteopenia or osteoporosis. Due to the limited sample size, the results are preliminary and warrant future randomized trials to validate the findings.

The efficacy of virtual reality tools for total knee replacement rehabilitation: A systematic review.

Purpose. To assess the effects of training with virtual reality tools (VRT) during rehabilitation of patients after total knee replacement (TKR). Methods. Systematic review. Six databases were queried. Search criteria included studies in which participants underwent TKR, took part in a rehabilitation protocol with VRT, and clinical outcomes of rehabilitation were considered. Available demographic, interventional and outcome data, along with functional, balance, and pain outcome measures were extracted. Patient satisfaction was also summarized. Results. Six trials were included. Available information shows that multi-modal intervention with VRT is used primarily to augment conventional rehabilitation. The Wii Balance Board is the most frequently used device. Conclusions. Findings suggest that an augmented VRT physical therapy intervention that is specifically-oriented to enhance balance could be more effective for overcoming balance limitations than standard physical therapy. However, rehabilitation with VRT has no advantage over conventional training for enhancing function, resolving pain, or increasing patient satisfaction after TKR. Future studies are needed to confirm the findings, particularly regarding the feasibility of preoperative and continued in-home intervention. Registration: CRD42017057087.

Preferred Outcome Measures Used in Randomized Clinical Trials of Total Knee Replacement Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the most frequently used outcome measures in total knee replacement rehabilitation trials. LITERATURE SURVEY: Systematic review of randomized trials searched in five databases: Web of Science, MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. METHODOLOGY: Trials were included if participants underwent total knee replacement rehabilitation and outcome measures were used to assess rehabilitation outcomes. A descriptive synthesis determined the frequency of using outcome measures and preferred assessment time points. Outcomes were classified into eight categories: patient- and clinician-reported function, performance-based function, balance, anxiety and depressive symptoms, quality of life, and others. SYNTHESIS: Eighty-one trials were included and 102 different outcome measures were classified. The most frequently reported outcome was knee range of motion, used in 54% of trials, followed by a visual analog scale of pain (43%) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC; 40%). Patient- and clinician-reported function were the categories most frequently assessed (74%), whereas performance-based measures were implemented by 56% of trials. The most frequent assessment time points were 1 week presurgery (52%) and 3 months postsurgery (39%). CONCLUSIONS: There is consensus regarding the need to evaluate functional outcomes in total knee replacement rehabilitation trials but none regarding the outcome measure that should be used. These findings suggest that most trials include patient- and clinician-reported functional measures, along with pain and performance-based measures in trial designs.

Balance training versus balance training and foot and ankle mobilization: a pilot randomized trial in community-dwelling older adults.

Background: Balance limitations and foot and ankle problems are common in older adults. Objective: To determine the impact of augmented balance training with foot and ankle mobilizations (FAMs) on balance in older adults. Methods: Two-arm pilot randomized trial. Both groups underwent a 4-week conventional balance training. Additionally, the experimental group received four sessions of FAM. Balance measurement, as assessed by the Berg Balance Scale, was the primary outcome. The secondary outcome was the ankle range of movement (ROM). Outcomes were evaluated 1 day before and after intervention, and at 3 months' post-intervention (midterm). Results: Twenty-eight participants completed the study (14 control, 14 experimental). No between-group differences were observed in terms of balance. Similarly, both groups significantly improved the ankle ROM, but the effects persisted at 3 months only in the FAM group. Conclusion: Augmented balance training with FAM does not improve balance of older adults over conventional methods, but may help to correct ankle mobility limitations at midterm. As this was a pilot study, further studies with adequate sample size are warranted to validate our findings, and elucidate the dose-response relationship of FAM with improvement of balance and ROM in older adults.

Effects of balance and proprioceptive training on total hip and knee replacement rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGOUND: Balance and proprioceptive deficits are frequently persistent after total joint replacement, limiting functionality and involving altered movement patterns and difficulties in walking and maintaining postural control among patients. RESEARCH QUESTION: The goal of this systematic review was to evaluate the short- and mid-term effects of proprioceptive and balance training for patients undergoing total knee and hip replacement. METHODS: This is a systematic review of literature. MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, PEDro, and Scopus were the databases searched. The review included randomized clinical trials in which the experimental groups underwent a training aimed at improving balance and proprioception, in addition to conventional care. The studies had to assess at least one of the following outcomes: self-reported functionality or balance (primary outcomes), knee function, pain, falls, or quality of life. RESULTS: Eight trials were included, involving 567 participants. The quantitative synthesis found a moderate to high significant effect of balance and proprioceptive trainings on self-reported functionality and balance after total knee replacement. The effects were maintained at mid-term in terms of balance alone. Conversely, preoperative training did not enhance outcomes after total hip arthroplasty. SIGNIFICANCE: The synthesis showed that, in clinical terms, balance trainings are a convenient complement to conventional physiotherapy care to produce an impact on balance and functionality after knee replacement. If outcomes such as improvement in pain, knee range of movement, or patient quality of life are to be promoted, it would be advisable to explore alternative proposals specifically targeting these goals. Further research is needed to confirm or discard the current evidence ultimately, predominantly in terms of the effects on the hips and those yielded by preoperative interventions.

Effect of 2 years of endurance and high-impact training on preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze the effects of endurance and high-impact training oriented toward preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with calcium and vitamin D supplementation. METHODS: This study was a randomized clinical trial. Thirty-six postmenopausal women were randomized to the control and experimental groups. Thirty-four women completed the 2-year interventions. The control group training involved walking at an intense pace. The experimental group conducted high-impact training specifically oriented to prevent osteoporosis. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to estimate the T-scores of the lumbar spine and femoral neck. RESULTS: The fast-walking group showed constant T-scores in the femoral neck and improved T-scores in the lumbar spine. High-impact exercises produced improvements in both anatomical levels. Significant differences were found in the femoral neck (ΔControl = -0.04, ΔExperimental = 0.28). The differences were not significant in the lumbar spine (ΔControl = 0.27, ΔExperimental = 0.47). Cohen's effect size (d = 0.52) suggested a medium practical significance of the trial. The power was 51%. CONCLUSIONS: Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation combined with specifically oriented exercises had a higher impact in the femoral neck than walking at an intense pace. As there were no differences at the lumbar spine level, the results were, however, inconclusive concerning which type of exercise was the most convenient. Importantly, the fact that the T-scores did not decrease after 2 years supports the belief that both proposed interventions can be conveniently used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. A trial with a larger sample size would provide consistency to the findings and is warranted given the possible effects and benefits.

A new methodology based on functional principal component analysis to study postural stability post-stroke.

BACKGROUND: A major goal in stroke rehabilitation is the establishment of more effective physical therapy techniques to recover postural stability. Functional Principal Component Analysis provides greater insight into recovery trends. However, when missing values exist, obtaining functional data presents some difficulties. The purpose of this study was to reveal an alternative technique for obtaining the Functional Principal Components without requiring the conversion to functional data beforehand and to investigate this methodology to determine the effect of specific physical therapy techniques in balance recovery trends in elderly subjects with hemiplegia post-stroke. METHODS: A randomized controlled pilot trial was developed. Thirty inpatients post-stroke were included. Control and target groups were treated with the same conventional physical therapy protocol based on functional criteria, but specific techniques were added to the target group depending on the subjects' functional level. Postural stability during standing was quantified by posturography. The assessments were performed once a month from the moment the participants were able to stand up to six months post-stroke. FINDINGS: The target group showed a significant improvement in postural control recovery trend six months after stroke that was not present in the control group. Some of the assessed parameters revealed significant differences between treatment groups (P < 0.05). INTERPRETATION: The proposed methodology allows Functional Principal Component Analysis to be performed when data is scarce. Moreover, it allowed the dynamics of recovery of two different treatment groups to be determined, showing that the techniques added in the target group increased postural stability compared to the base protocol.

[Cost-consequence analysis of respiratory preventive intervention among institutionalized older people: randomized controlled trial]. / Descripción de los resultados y costes de una intervención preventiva a nivel respiratorio en el anciano institucionalizado: ensayo controlado aleatorizado.

INTRODUCTION: The institutionalized elderly with functional impairment show a greater decline in respiratory muscle (RM) function. The aims of the study are to evaluate outcomes and costs of RM training using Pranayama in institutionalized elderly people with functional impairment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on institutionalized elderly people with walking limitation (n=54). The intervention consisted of 6 weeks of Pranayama RM training (5 times/week). The outcomes were measured at 4 time points, and were related to RM function: the maximum respiratory pressures and the maximum voluntary ventilation. Perceived satisfaction in the experimental group (EG) was assessed by means of an ad hoc questionnaire. Direct and indirect costs were estimated from the social perspective. RESULTS: The GE showed a significant improvement related with strength (maximum respiratory pressures) and endurance (maximum voluntary ventilation) of RM. Moreover, 92% of the EG reported a high satisfaction. The total social costs, direct and indirect, amounted to Euro 21,678. CONCLUSIONS: This evaluation reveals that RM function improvement is significant, that intervention is well tolerated and appreciated by patients, and the intervention costs are moderate.

Effects of inspiratory muscle training and yoga breathing exercises on respiratory muscle function in institutionalized frail older adults: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In older adults, respiratory function may be seriously compromised when a marked decrease of respiratory muscle (RM) strength coexists with comorbidity and activity limitation. Respiratory muscle training has been widely studied and recommended as a treatment option for people who are unable to participate in whole-body exercise training (WBET); however, the effects of inspiratory muscle training and yoga breathing exercises on RM function remain unknown, specifically in impaired older adults. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of inspiratory threshold training (ITT) and yoga respiratory training (YRT) on RM function in institutionalized frail older adults. METHODS: Eighty-one residents (90% women; mean age, 85 years), who were unable to perform WBET (inability to independently walk more than 10 m), were randomly assigned to a control group or one of the 2 experimental groups (ITT or YRT). Experimental groups performed a supervised interval-based training protocol, either through threshold inspiratory muscle training device or yoga breathing exercises, which lasted 6 weeks (5 days per week). Outcome measures were collected at 4 time points (pretraining, intermediate, posttraining, and follow-up) and included the maximum respiratory pressures (maximum inspiratory pressure [MIP] and maximum expiratory pressure [MEP]) and the maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV). RESULTS: Seventy-one residents completed the study: control (n = 24); ITT (n = 23); YRT (n = 24). The treatment on had a significant effect on MIP YRT (F(6,204) = 6.755, P < .001, η2 = 0.166), MEP (F(6,204) = 4.257, P < .001, η2 = 0.111), and MVV (F(6,204) = 5.322, P < .001, η2 = 0.135). Analyses showed that the YRT group had a greater increase of RM strength (MIP and MEP) and endurance (MVV) than control and/or ITT groups. CONCLUSION: Yoga respiratory training appears to be an effective and well-tolerated exercise regimen in frail older adults and may therefore be a useful alternative to ITT or no training, to improve RM function in older population, when WBET is not possible.

Physiotherapy intervention for preventing the respiratory muscle deterioration in institutionalized older women with functional impairment.

INTRODUCTION: In elderly seniors (>80 years), respiratory function may be compromised when, in addition to the presence of comorbidity and loss of mobility, there is also reduced respiratory muscle (RM) strength. The literature has shown that RM training could be an effective method to improve RM function and prevent clinical deterioration, particularly in population with RM weakness. The main purpose of this paper was to assess the effectiveness of RM training on the respiratory muscle strength and endurance of institutionalized elderly women with functional impairment. METHOD: Fifty-four residents (mean=85 years, SD=6.7) were randomly assigned to either a control (n=27) or training (n=27) group. A supervised training program was developed with Threshold(®)IMT, five times per week for 6-weeks. The main variables of the intervention were: maximum inspiratory pressure (PI(max)), maximum expiratory pressure (PE(max)) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), all of which were measured at weeks 0, 4, 7 and 10. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in PI(max) (F(3,114)=1.04, p=0.368, R(2)=0.027), PE(max) (F(3,114)=1.86, p=0.14, R(2)=0.047) and MVV (F(3,114)=1.74, p=0.162, R(2)=0.044) between the two groups after the intervention. However, the workload significantly improved with the training sessions (F(5,100)=72.031, p<0.001, R(2)=0.791). CONCLUSION: In a 6-week interval-based training program, the threshold loading device does not significantly improve parameters related to RM strength and endurance of the study population.

Descripción de los resultados y costes de una intervención preventiva a nivel respiratorio en el anciano institucionalizado: ensayo controlado aleatorizado / Cost-consequence analysis of respiratory preventive intervention among institutionalized older people: Randomized controlled trial

Introducción. En el anciano institucionalizado con limitación funcional se evidencia una mayor reducción de la funcionalidad de la musculatura respiratoria (MR). Los objetivos de este estudio son evaluar los resultados y costes de una intervención de entrenamiento de la MR mediante Pranayama en población anciana institucionalizada con limitación funcional. Material y métodos. Estudio controlado aleatorizado desarrollado en ancianos institucionalizados con limitación para la deambulación (n = 54). La intervención consistió en el entrenamiento de la MR mediante Pranayama, durante 6 semanas (5 sesiones/semana). Los resultados se midieron en relación con la función de la MR mediante las presiones inspiratoria y espiratoria máximas y la ventilación máxima voluntaria, en 4 tiempos. También se valoró la satisfacción percibida por el grupo experimental (GE) a través de un cuestionario ad hoc. Se estimaron los costes directos e indirectos de la intervención desde la perspectiva social. Resultados. El GE reveló una mejora significativa de la fuerza (presiones inspiratoria y espiratoria máximas) y de la resistencia (ventilación máxima voluntaria) de la MR. Además, un 92% del GE refirió una satisfacción alta. Los costes sociales totales, directos e indirectos, ascendieron a 21.678 Euros. Conclusiones. Esta evaluación revela que los resultados en términos de la función de la MR son significativos, que la intervención es bien tolerada y valorada por el residente, y los costes de la intervención son moderados (AU)

Introduction. The institutionalized elderly with functional impairment show a greater decline in respiratory muscle (RM) function. The aims of the study are to evaluate outcomes and costs of RM training using Pranayama in institutionalized elderly people with functional impairment. Material and methods. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on institutionalized elderly people with walking limitation (n = 54). The intervention consisted of 6 weeks of Pranayama RM training (5 times/week). The outcomes were measured at 4 time points, and were related to RM function: the maximum respiratory pressures and the maximum voluntary ventilation. Perceived satisfaction in the experimental group (EG) was assessed by means of an ad hoc questionnaire. Direct and indirect costs were estimated from the social perspective. Results. The GE showed a significant improvement related with strength (maximum respiratory pressures) and endurance (maximum voluntary ventilation) of RM. Moreover, 92% of the EG reported a high satisfaction. The total social costs, direct and indirect, amounted to Euros 21,678. Conclusions. This evaluation reveals that RM function improvement is significant, that intervention is well tolerated and appreciated by patients, and the intervention costs are moderate (AU)

Intervención fisioterápica preventiva del deterioro de la musculatura respiratoria en ancianas institucionalizadas con limitación funcional / Physiotherapy Intervention for Preventing the Respiratory Muscle Deterioration in Institutionalized Older Women with Functional Impairment

Introducción: En el anciano de edad avanzada (> 80 años) la función respiratoria puede verse afectada cuando a la presencia de comorbilidad y la pérdida de movilidad se suma el descenso de la fuerza de la musculatura respiratoria (MR). La literatura médica ha mostrado que el entrenamiento de la MR puede ser una intervención efectiva para mejorar la funcionalidad y prevenir el deterioro clínico, especialmente en la población con debilidad de la MR. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la efectividad del entrenamiento de la MR en la fuerza y resistencia de esta musculatura, en ancianas institucionalizadas con limitación funcional. Método: Se asignaron aleatoriamente 54 residentes con limitación para deambular (media 85 años, DE 6,7) a un grupo control (n = 27) y entrenado (n = 27). Se desarrolló un programa de entrenamiento supervisado, mediante Threshold ®IMT, 5 días por semana durante 6 semanas. Las variables principales fueron: la presión inspiratoria máxima (PImáx), la presión espiratoria máxima (PEmáx) y la ventilación voluntaria máxima (MVV), medidas en las semanas 0, 4, 7 y 10.ResultadosLos análisis estadísticos no revelaron cambio en la PImáx (F3,114 = 1,04, p = 0,368, R2 = 0,027), PEmáx (F3,114 = 1,86, p = 0,14, R2 = 0,047) y MVV (F3,114 = 1,74, p = 0,162, R2 = 0,044) entre ambos grupos tras la intervención. No obstante, la carga de trabajo mejoró significativamente con el entrenamiento (F5,100 = 72,031, p < 0,001, R2 = 0,791). Conclusión: El dispositivo de entrenamiento umbral en un programa interválico de 6 semanas no produce una mejora significativa de los parámetros relacionados con la fuerza y la resistencia de la MR, en la población estudiada(AU)

Introduction: In elderly seniors (>80 years), respiratory function may be compromised when, in addition to the presence of comorbidity and loss of mobility, there is also reduced respiratory muscle (RM) strength. The literature has shown that RM training could be an effective method to improve RM function and prevent clinical deterioration, particularly in population with RM weakness. The main purpose of this paper was to assess the effectiveness of RM training on the respiratory muscle strength and endurance of institutionalized elderly women with functional impairment. Method: Fifty-four residents (mean=85 years, SD=6.7) were randomly assigned to either a control (n=27) or training (n=27) group. A supervised training program was developed with Threshold®IMT, five times per week for 6-weeks. The main variables of the intervention were: maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax), maximum expiratory pressure (PEmax) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), all of which were measured at weeks 0, 4, 7 and 10.ResultsStatistical analysis revealed no significant differences in PImax (F3,114=1.04, p=0.368, R2=0.027), PEmax (F3,114=1.86, p=0.14, R2=0.047) and MVV (F3,114=1.74, p=0.162, R2=0.044) between the two groups after the intervention. However, the workload significantly improved with the training sessions (F5,100=72.031, p<0.001, R2=0.791). Conclusion: In a 6-week interval-based training program, the threshold loading device does not significantly improve parameters related to RM strength and endurance of the study population(AU)