Physiotherapy in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapy is an essential for the treatment of patients with chronic respiratory non-inflammatory diseases especially for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). AIM: To assess the effect of six months physiotherapy (PT) program on functional status in patients with COPD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients were divided into two groups according to the severity of the disease. Group A included 33 patients (mean age 68.6 ± 7.3; GOLD II - III stages). Group B included 32 patients (mean age 71.7 ± 6.9; GOLD I -II). They were referred to supervised PT program performed three times weekly for a half a year. All the patients were on standard medical care. At entry and after PT, six minutes walking test (6 MWT), Borg scale and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale were assessed. RESULTS: Significant changes in 6 MWT (p < 0.001) and mMRC scale (p < 0.001) were found after applied physical therapy program in patients of group A. Exertional dyspnoea decreased significantly in patients with group A (p < 0.001). Positive changes were found in physical tolerance in the patients of group B (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed the positive effect of six months physiotherapy in physical tolerance and dyspnoea in patients with COPD at different stages of the disease.

Changes in Kinetic Parameters of Gait in Patients with Supratentorial Unilateral Stroke in Chronic Period.

AIM: The aim of the study is to evaluate the changes of the kinetic parameters of gait in patients with supratentorial unilateral stroke in the chronic period (SUSChP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 67 patients with SUSChP (56 patients included in the experimental group - 32 men and 24 women, with duration of disease 7.8 ± 2.0 months, and 11 patients in the control group - 9 men and 2 women, with duration of disease 7.3 ± 1.5 months). To evaluate the changes in the gait were followed cadence of 6 m and 10 m and the speed of movement which are the most informative kinetic parameters. Patients in the experimental group were treated with a specialised 10-day KT, which later continued to be performed as an adapted exercise program at home for one month. RESULTS: After applying specialised kinesitherapeutic methodology (SKTM), the highest trend towards improvement in the kinetic parameters of gait was established after the 1st month with a level of significance during treatment p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: The enclosed SKTM in the experimental group continued later as an adapted exercise program at home, significantly improving the kinetic parameters of gait in patients with SUSChP, compared with the usual kinesi-therapeutic methodology applied in the control group.

Influence of Early Intensive Rehabilitation on Functional Mobility after Low Back Surgery.

AIM: The research aims to determine the influence of early goal-oriented physical therapy program in combination with educational booklet and standard physical therapy without written instructions on functional mobility outcomes in patients after low back surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients with similar functional impairments were randomly divided into two groups, a control group (CG n = 10) and an experimental group (EG n = 20). The outcome measures include time to move from lying to sitting position, the TUG test and the 6-meter walk test. Rehabilitation program includes daily physical therapy with mild to moderate intensity, achieving sitting position and education sessions how to perform activities of daily living (ADL) from the first day after surgery. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement from baseline in two groups for all performed tests (p < 0.001). Statistical significant differences between two groups for transfers in bed on discharge (p < 0.05), in one month (p < 0.01) and for TUG in one month (p < 0.05) were found. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that early rehabilitation program consists of therapeutic exercises and written educational booklet after low back surgery improves transfer abilities and basic activities in one month.

Ageing of ex-sportsmen: ergonometric parameters of ex-elite athletes.

After the cessation of physical activity for six or more years, processes start to occur in previously active sportsmen that cause aerobic capacity to reach the values observed in people of the same age who have never participated in sport. However, the physical capacity of these people remains above the average level for the same age group. The important factors related to the aerobic capacity of ex-elite sportsmen are the age, current physical activity and body weight. There is no relationship between their maximal aerobic capacity and the type of sport discipline practiced by the ex-athlete in the past.

Typical electrocardiographic deviations after cessation of physical activities in elite sportsmen.

We observed that ECG changes associated with high levels of sporting activity are reversible in the majority of cases after cessation of the sports career. This is probably related to the normalization of the raised vagal tone and diminution of the effort-related heart hypertrophy and chamber dilatation in ex-sportsmen. The persistent ECG changes observed in some of the ex-sportsmen could be related to the ageing processes observed in the general population as well. It is important that all ECG deviations in ex-sportsmen be considered seriously and interpreted in the context of the ECGs obtained during the active sports career.