Interventions to Promote Physical Activity and Reduce Functional Decline in Medical Inpatients: An Umbrella Review.

OBJECTIVES: Physical inactivity in hospitals is common and is associated with poor patient and clinical outcomes. This review was undertaken to identify and describe the effectiveness of interventions implemented at the ward or system level for improving physical activity and reducing functional decline in general medical inpatients. The secondary aim was to describe the effects on length of stay, discharge destination, falls, and hospital costs. DESIGN: Umbrella review. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Systematic reviews that evaluated ward- or system-level interventions aiming to improve physical activity or reduce functional decline in medical inpatients. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Database, CINAHL, JBI, and Web of Science databases were searched for English-language reviews published between 2000 and 2023. AMSTAR 2 was used to assess methodologic quality. Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility and methodologic quality and completed data abstraction, with results presented as a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: The search yielded 568 systematic reviews of which 12 met criteria, half of which were published since 2020. Reviews included 76 unique primary studies with 72,645 participants. Most reviews were of low quality. Interventions that focused on progressive mobilization likely increased physical activity participation, reduced functional decline, and improved discharge home. Multicomponent interventions that employed multiple strategies targeting a broader range of barriers likely improved functional decline and discharge home and may have been associated with shorter length of stay. No interventions were associated with increased frequency of falls. Few studies reported costs. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Progressive mobilization interventions and multicomponent interventions appear to be effective for improving physical activity participation and reducing functional decline in medical inpatients. Further high-quality studies may help to determine the most important aspects of multicomponent interventions. Standardized terminology related to inpatient physical activity may help promote a shared understanding and purpose across professions.

Physiotherapist perspectives of airway clearance techniques in bronchiectasis.

INTRODUCTION: Our understanding regarding the personalization of airway clearance techniques (ACTs) in bronchiectasis is limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine physiotherapist perceptions regarding the prescription of ACTs in inpatients and outpatients with bronchiectasis. METHODS: A single-center qualitative study using semi-structured interviews of physiotherapists who treated individuals with bronchiectasis was undertaken. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed using the thematic framework approach described by Braun and Clark. NVivo 12 software assisted with coding and thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. Findings were summarized into major conceptual themes. Participant demographic data was also obtained. RESULTS: Eleven physiotherapists participated in the interviews. Central to all themes was the complexity of physiotherapy clinical decision-making regarding ACT prescription. Main themes included: organizational factors (i.e. workload, scope of service, access to resources/ACTs); patient-related factors (i.e. symptom severity, finances, disease-specific knowledge, social commitments, clinical setting, and perceived benefit); and physiotherapist/profession-related factors (i.e. clinical experience, access to professional support and education, awareness of evidence of ACTs, and evaluating ACT effectiveness). CONCLUSION: Physiotherapists regularly and routinely prescribe ACTs for individuals with bronchiectasis allowing for a multitude of competing factors. These factors should be considered by physiotherapists to enhance the personalized prescription of ACTs and may help promote patient adherence to ACTs to improve outcomes.

A Study of the Reliability, Validity, and Physiological Changes of Sit-to-Stand Tests in People With Heart Failure.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to describe the psychometric properties and physiological response of the five times sit-to-stand (STST-5) and 60-sec sit-to-stand test (STST-60) in adults with heart failure (HF). METHODS: People with HF enrolled in a 12-wk exercise rehabilitation program completed two STST-5 and two STST-60 as part of their usual baseline and follow-up assessments. Test-retest reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the two STSTs were described. Results were correlated with the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and timed up and go test (TUGT), and rating of perceived exertion and physiological responses were compared between all tests. Feasibility was also reported according to the presence of adverse events and adherence to the protocol. RESULTS: Forty-nine adults with HF participated in this study. Intraclass correlation coefficients of the STST-5 and STST-60 were 0.91 (95% CI, 0.78-0.96) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.93-0.98), respectively. The STST-60 was strongly associated with both the 6MWT ( r = 0.76) and the TUGT ( rs =-0.77). The STST-5 was strongly associated with the TUGT ( rs = 0.79) and moderately associated with the 6MWT ( rs =-0.70). Rating of perceived exertion and lower limb fatigue were greater in the STST-60 than in the 6MWT ( P < .001) or STST-5 ( P < .001). Adverse events occurred in five participants undertaking the STST-60 and one participant undertaking the STST-5. CONCLUSIONS: The STST-5 and STST-60 are reliable and valid measures of functional exercise capacity in people with HF.

Patient perspectives of airway clearance techniques in bronchiectasis.

INTRODUCTION: While airway clearance techniques (ACTs) are recommended for individuals with bronchiectasis, data suggests the use of and adherence to ACTs is poor. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify patient perceptions regarding ACTs, the barriers and facilitators to ACTs, and factors affecting adherence. METHODS: A multi-center qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews of individuals with bronchiectasis was undertaken. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed using the thematic framework approach described by Braun and Clark. NVIVO™ 12 software assisted with coding and thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. Data saturation was achieved when no new common themes were identified. Findings were summarized into major conceptual themes. Participant demographic data was also obtained. RESULTS: Twenty-four participants participated in semi-structured interviews. The main facilitators to using ACTs included a perceived health and quality of life benefit, a tailored approach to ACTs and the use of self-management strategies. Main barriers included lack of time and motivation, lack of access to resources, and a lack of perceived health benefit. A number of factors were identified by participants that may help promote adherence including combining and trialing different ACTs, receiving regular ACT reviews and education from physiotherapists, and having good social support. CONCLUSION: To assist the personalized prescription of ACTs, these facilitators and barriers should be considered by clinicians to help promote adherence and improve patient outcomes.

Frailty implications for exercise participation and outcomes in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Frailty is common in people with heart failure (HF) and associated with poorer outcomes. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics, exercise participation, and outcomes of frail and not-frail participants enrolled in a randomized trial of exercise training (ET) within a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of EJECTION-HF randomized trial (ACTRN12608000263392). SETTING: Five HF-specific CR programs in Queensland, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Adults recently hospitalized with HF. INTERVENTION: All participated in CR including home exercise prescription and monitoring; half were randomized to center-based ET. MEASUREMENTS: A frailty index (FI) was constructed at randomization and 6-month follow-up. Outcomes included ET attendance, change in 6-min walk distance (6MWD), improved FI (>0.09 units) at 6 months, achieving physical activity (PA) guidelines at 6 months, and 12 month all-cause death or readmission. RESULTS: The FI was measured in 256 participants at randomization: 110 (43%) were not-frail (FI 0.2 or less), 119 (46%) were frail (FI >0.2 to 0.39), and 27 (11%) were very frail (FI ≥0.4). Frailty was more common with older age, female gender, decompensated HF, worse HF symptoms, and preserved ejection fraction. ET attendance did not differ by frailty group. Participants who were more frail had lower 6WMD at enrollment, but similar improvement over 6 months. Mean FI improved by 0.03 units at 6 months (95% CI 0.02-0.04, p < 0.001). Participants who were more frail had significantly greater improvements in FI compared with not-frail participants and were often able to achieve PA guidelines, both in intervention and control groups. Neither baseline frailty nor intervention was significantly associated with 12-month death or readmission. CONCLUSION: Frail people with HF participating in CR that includes home and/or center-based ET often achieve PA guidelines, and some may have meaningful reductions in frailty.

Impact of exercise training program attendance and physical activity participation on six minute walk distance in patients with heart failure.

Background: Exercise training is recommended for all people with stable heart failure (HF) however adherence is poor. This study sought to describe exercise participation in recently hospitalized HF patients who participated in a 12-week exercise training program. The association between exercise training variables and improvement in 6-min walk distance (6MWD) was also investigated.Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of results from the intervention arm of the EJECTION-HF trial (ACTRN12608000263392), (n = 140). Exercise program attendance was defined according to session frequency (< 12 sessions vs ≥ 12 sessions) and attendance duration (< 6 weeks attendance vs ≥ 6 weeks) over the 12 weeks. Physical activity at baseline and follow up were reported according to self-report of 150 min of moderate intensity exercise per week. Primary outcome was change in 6MWD at 12 weeks.Results: Being physically active (OR 3.8, CI 1.3-11.5) and frequent program attendance (OR 2.7, CI 1.2-5.9) were associated with significant improvements in 6MWD. Program duration and baseline physical activity were not significantly associated with the outcome.Conclusions: Attainment of 150 min of moderate intensity exercise per week and at least weekly attendance at the program, were associated with significant improvements in 6MWD at follow up. Efforts should be made to assist patients with HF to achieve these targets.

The Effectiveness of Exercise Interventions Supported by Telerehabilitation For Recently Hospitalized Adult Medical Patients: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise interventions delivered via telerehabilitation (via videoconference) for recently hospitalized adult medical patients. Data sources: A search was undertaken across six databases for English language publications from inception to May 2020. Methods: Studies were selected if they included an exercise intervention for recently hospitalized adults, delivered by a physiotherapist via videoconference. Two reviewers independently screened 1,122 articles (21 full text screening) and assessed methodological quality using the Downs and Black Checklist. A narrative synthesis of the included studies was undertaken. Results: Three studies met eligibility criteria involving 201 participants with chronic heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Findings demonstrated limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of exercise delivered via telerehabilitation in improving physical function and patient reported quality of life outcomes in recently hospitalized medical patients. Telerehabilitation in this setting was also associated with high attendance rates and patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Findings provide preliminary support for the benefits of exercise interventions delivered via telerehabilitation for recently hospitalized medical patients. Results do need to be interpreted with caution as further high-quality studies specific to this method of exercise intervention delivery are needed.

Predictors of Exercise Training and Physical Activity Adherence in People Recently Hospitalized With Heart Failure: A BRIEF REPORT.

PURPOSE: For individuals with heart failure (HF), frequent attendance at exercise training programs and meeting physical activity (PA) guidelines are significantly associated with improvements in 6-min walk distance. Despite the evidence, adherence to exercise interventions remains poor. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of these 2 variables in patients recently hospitalized with HF. METHODS: In this substudy of the Exercise Joins Education: Combined Therapy to Improve Outcomes in Newly-discharged Heart Failure (EJECTION-HF) trial, all participants were enrolled in a HF disease management program, including weekly review of a home exercise program for 12 wk. Intervention group participants additionally undertook twice weekly supervised exercise training. Primary outcomes were frequent exercise training program attendance (≥12 sessions) and attainment of PA guidelines (150 min/wk of moderate intensity exercise) at 12 wk. Participant and clinical characteristics were analyzed using a logistic regression model to identify significant predictors of each outcome. RESULTS: A total of 278 participants provided PA data and 140 contributed attendance data. New diagnosis of HF was a significant predictor of frequent program attendance (OR = 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.7; P = .03). Predictors of meeting PA guidelines at follow-up included new HF diagnosis (OR = 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2-4.8, P = .013), and being physically active at baseline (OR = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.3-5.6; P = .007). Gender, symptom severity, multimorbidity, and disability were not significantly associated with either outcome in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: To improve adherence, specific strategies may be required for patients with decompensated HF and those physically inactive at time of referral.

Motivators and barriers for participation in aquatic and land-based exercise training programs for people with stable heart failure: A mixed methods approach.

BACKGROUND: Aquatic exercise training may be suitable for people with stable heart failure (HF) to engage in physical activity. OBJECTIVES: Acceptability, experiences and preferences regarding aquatic and traditional land-based exercise training, were explored in people with HF. METHODS: As part of a comparative intervention study, participants completed a questionnaire assessing acceptability, benefits and challenges of aquatic compared to land-based programs. Semi-structured interviews explored participant experiences in greater depth. RESULTS: Forty-eight participants, (mean age 70 + /- 11 years), completed the questionnaire and 14 participated in semi structured interviews. Aquatic exercise was regarded as acceptable and beneficial. Motivators were similar for both programs and included: a skilled and compassionate workforce, tailored care, perceived health benefit, sense of safety and an inclusive and enjoyable environment. Few barriers were identified for either program. CONCLUSIONS: Aquatic and land-based exercise training are equally acceptable for people with stable HF and motivators are similar for both programs.

Addition of Supervised Exercise Training to a Post-Hospital Disease Management Program for Patients Recently Hospitalized With Acute Heart Failure: The EJECTION-HF Randomized Phase 4 Trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to measure the impact on all-cause death or readmission of adding center-based exercise training (ET) to disease management programs for patients with a recent acute heart failure (HF) hospitalization. BACKGROUND: ET is recommended for patients with HF, but evidence is based mainly on ET as a single intervention in stable outpatients. METHODS: A randomized, controlled trial with blinded outcome assessor, enrolling adult participants with HF discharged from 5 hospitals in Queensland, Australia. All participants received HF-disease management program plus supported home exercise program; intervention participants were offered 24 weeks of supervised center-based ET. Primary outcome was all-cause 12-month death or readmission. Pre-planned subgroups included age (<70 years vs. older), sex, left ventricular ejection fraction (≤40% vs. >40%), and exercise adherence. RESULTS: Between May 2008 and July 2013, 278 participants (140 intervention, 138 control) were enrolled: 98 (35.3%) age ≥70 years, 71 (25.5%) females, and 62 (23.3%) with a left ventricular ejection fraction of >40%. There were no adverse events associated with ET. There was no difference in primary outcome between groups (84 of 140 [60.0%] intervention vs. 90 of 138 [65.2%] control; p = 0.37), but a trend toward greater benefit in participants age <70 years (OR: 0.56 [95% CI: 0.30 to 1.02] vs. OR: 1.56 [95% CI: 0.67 to 3.64]; p for interaction = 0.05). Participants who exercised to guidelines (72 of 101 control and 92 of 117 intervention at 3 months) had a significantly lower rate of death and readmission (91 of 164 [55.5%] vs. 41 of 54 [75.9%]; p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Supervised center-based ET was a safe, feasible addition to disease management programs with supported home exercise in patients recently hospitalized with acute HF, but did not reduce combined end-point of death or readmission. (A supervised exercise programme following hospitalisation for heart failure: does it add to disease management?; ACTRN12608000263392).

Physiotherapy in intensive care is safe: an observational study.

QUESTION: How often do adverse events (including adverse physiological changes) occur during physiotherapy intervention in intensive care? DESIGN: A multi-centre prospective observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Five tertiary level university-affiliated intensive care units. OUTCOME MEASURES: All physiotherapy intervention in five intensive care units over a three month period. When certain specified changes occurred during physiotherapy intervention, details were noted including diagnosis of patient, intervention, vital signs, radiological changes, co-morbidities, chemical pathology, and fluid balance. RESULTS: 12 281 physiotherapy interventions were completed with 27 interventions resulting in adverse physiological changes (0.2%). This incidence was significantly lower than a previous study of adverse physiological changes (663 events in 247 patients over a 24-hour period); the incidence during physiotherapy intervention was lower than during general intensive care. Common factors in the patients who had an adverse physiological change were a deterioration in cardiovascular status (ie, decrease in blood pressure or arrhythmia) in patients on medium to high doses of inotropes/vasopressors, unstable baseline hemodynamic values, previous cardiac co-morbidities and intervention consisting of positive pressure or right side lying. CONCLUSION: The incidence of adverse events during physiotherapy intervention in these five tertiary hospitals was low, demonstrating that physiotherapy intervention in intensive care is safe.

Aquatic exercise training and stable heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: A meta-analysis and review of the evidence was conducted to determine the efficacy of aquatic exercise training for individuals with heart failure compared to traditional land-based programmes. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted for studies published prior to March 2014, using MEDLINE, PUBMED, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and PEDro databases. Key words and synonyms relating to aquatic exercise and heart failure comprised the search strategy. Interventions included aquatic exercise or a combination of aquatic plus land-based training, whilst comparator protocols included usual care, no exercise or land-based training alone. The primary outcome of interest was exercise performance. Studies reporting on muscle strength, quality of life and a range of haemodynamic and physiological parameters were also reviewed. RESULTS: Eight studies met criteria, accounting for 156 participants. Meta-analysis identified studies including aquatic exercise to be superior to comparator protocols for 6 minute walk test (p < 0.004) and peak power (p < 0.044). Compared to land-based training programmes, aquatic exercise training provided similar benefits for VO(2peak), muscle strength and quality of life, though was not superior. Cardiac dimensions, left ventricular ejection fraction, cardiac output and BNP were not influenced by aquatic exercise training. CONCLUSIONS: For those with stable heart failure, aquatic exercise training can improve exercise capacity, muscle strength and quality of life similar to land-based training programmes. This form of exercise may provide a safe and effective alternative for those unable to participate in traditional exercise programmes.

Exercise training in recently hospitalized heart failure patients enrolled in a disease management programme: design of the EJECTION-HF randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: The Exercise Joins Education: Combined Therapy to Improve Outcomes in Newly-discharged Heart Failure (EJECTION-HF) study will evaluate the impact of a supervised exercise training programme (ETP) on clinical outcomes in recently hospitalized heart failure patients attending a disease management programme (DMP). Methods This multisite, pragmatic randomized controlled trial enrols patients discharged from participating hospitals with clinical evidence of heart failure who are willing and able to participate in a DMP and considered clinically safe to exercise. Enrolment includes participants with impaired and preserved left ventricular systolic function. Baseline assessment and programme commencement occur within 6 weeks of hospital discharge. The control group DMP includes individualized education and follow-up from a multidisciplinary heart failure team; a weekly education programme for 12 weeks; self-management advice; and medical follow-up. Home exercise is recommended for all participants. In addition, intervention participants are offered 36 supervised, structured gym-based 1 h exercise sessions over 24 weeks. Sessions are tailored to exercise capacity and include aerobic, resistance, and balance exercises. Enrolment target is 350 participants. Primary outcome is 12-month mortality and readmissions. Secondary outcomes include blinded evaluation of depressive symptoms, sleep quality, cognition, and functional status (activities of daily living, 6 min walk distance, grip strength) at 3 and 6 months. A cost-utility analysis will be conducted. CONCLUSION: This study will enrol a representative group of hospitalized heart failure patients and measure a range of patient and health service outcomes to inform the design of post-hospital DMPs for heart failure. Enrolment will be completed in 2013. ACTRN12608000263392.