Effects of a short-term aquatic exercise intervention on symptoms and exercise capacity in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a pilot study

Abstract

Purpose

This pilot pre-and post-intervention study investigated the effects of a short-term aquatic exercise programme on physiological outcomes, symptoms and exercise capacity in women with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Methods

Eleven women (54.8 ± 12.4 year) volunteered for the 5-week program; an initial 20-min aquatic exercise session then two self-paced 20-min sessions per week for 4 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention outcomes were physiological measures, 6 min Walk Test (6MWT), perceived exertion (RPE), hand grip strength, Sit-to-Stand, Sit-Reach test, Apley's shoulder test, FACIT questionnaire, and 24-h post-test tiredness and pain scores (0–10 visual analogue scale). Heart rates, RPE, 24- and 48-h post-session tiredness/pain scores were recorded each session.

Results

6MWT distance increased by 60.8 m (p = 0.006), left hand grip strength by 6 kg (p = 0.038), Sit-Reach test by 4.0 cm (p = 0.017), right shoulder flexibility by 2.9 cm (p = 0.026), FACIT scores by 8.2 (p = 0.041); 24-h post-test tiredness and pain decreased by 1.5 and 1.6, respectively (p = 0.002). There were significant post-intervention increases in exercising heart rates (6MWT 4- and 6-min time points), oxygen saturation at 2-min, and reduced RPE at 4-min. Weekly resting and exercising heart rates increased significantly during the study but RPE decreased; immediately post- and 24-h post-session tiredness decreased significantly. There were no reports of symptom exacerbation.

Conclusions

Five weeks of low-moderate intensity aquatic exercise significantly improved exercise capacity, RPE and fatigue. This exercise mode exercise may potentially be a manageable and safe physical activity for CFS/ME patients.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2t8ExKM
via IFTTT

The Rehabilitation of Advanced Heart Failure Patients after Left Ventricular Assist Device: A Narrative Review

As an increasing number of patients with advanced heart failure are receiving a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) as either destination therapy or bridge to transplantation, there is increasing attention on functional outcomes and quality of life after LVAD implantation. Rehabilitation providers in the acute inpatient rehabilitation setting increasingly will treat patients with LVAD and should understand the exercise physiology, medical management, rehabilitation considerations, and outcomes after rehabilitation for patients with LVAD.

from Rehabilitation via xlomafota13 on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2JMpPDw
via IFTTT

Effects of a powered ankle-foot orthosis on perturbed standing balance

Lower extremity exoskeletons are mainly used to provide stepping support, while balancing is left to the user. Designing balance controllers is one of the biggest challenges in the development of exoskeletons....

from Rehabilitation via xlomafota13 on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2K1A3Pv
via IFTTT

SPARC: a new approach to quantifying gait smoothness in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Impairments in biomechanics and neural control can disrupt the timing and muscle pattern activation necessary for smooth gait. Gait is one of the most affected motor characteristics in Parkinson's disease (PD)...

from Rehabilitation via xlomafota13 on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2JTJDAR
via IFTTT

Medical Gases as an Emerging Topic in Sports Medicine

from Sports Medicine via xlomafota13 on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2yuL0VB
via IFTTT

Balanced Crystalloids Versus Saline for Perioperative Intravenous Fluid Administration in Children Undergoing Neurosurgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Balanced crystalloid solutions induce less hyperchloremia than normal saline, but their role as primary fluid replacement for children undergoing surgery is unestablished. We hypothesized that balanced crystalloids induce less chloride and metabolic derangements than 0.9% saline solutions in children undergoing brain tumor resection. Methods: In total, 53 patients (age range, 6 mo to 12 y) were randomized to receive balanced crystalloid (balanced group) or 0.9% saline solution (saline group) during and after (for 24 h) brain tumor resection. Serum electrolyte and arterial blood gas analyses were performed at the beginning of surgery (baseline), after surgery, and at postoperative day 1. The primary trial outcome was the absolute difference in serum chloride concentrations (post-preopΔCl−) measured after surgery and at baseline. Secondary outcomes included the post-preopΔ of other electrolytes and base excess (BE); hyperchloremic acidosis incidence; and the brain relaxation score, a 4-point scale evaluated by the surgeon for assessing brain edema. Results: Saline infusion increased post-preopΔCl (6 [3.5; 8.5] mmol/L) compared with balanced crystalloid (0 [−1.0; 3.0] mmol/L; P

from Anaesthesiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2tdD1pJ
via IFTTT

Selection of Patients’ Recumbent Position Laterality According to Physician Handedness Bias Increases the Success Rate of Lumbar Puncture: A Multicenter Study

Background: Lumbar puncture (LP) is a medical procedure required during spinal anesthesia and for obtaining cerebrospinal fluid samples in the diagnosis of neurological disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of physicians' handedness bias and the laterality of patients' recumbent position on the success rate of LPs. Methods and Patients: A prospective multicenter study including 36 physicians (18 left-handed and 18 right-handed) and 7200 patients was conducted in 6 medical centers. In each center, 1200 patients were randomized into group L (LPs performed by left-handed physicians) or group R (LPs performed by right-handed physicians). Each physician performed 200 cases of LPs, of which the laterality of the recumbent position (either on the left or right side) was decided after a second randomization. A successful LP was considered when the free flow of cerebrospinal fluid was observed upon the first attempt. Results: There was no significant difference in patient characteristics between groups L and R. Right-handed physicians had a significantly higher LP success rate with patients in the left lateral recumbent position (LRP) (1595/1800 vs. 1408/1800; odds ratio, 0.539; 95% confidence interval, 0.348-0.836; P=0.006). For left-handed physicians, the LP success rate was higher when patients were in the right LRP (1424/1800 vs. 1593/1800, odds ratio, 0.449; 95% confidence interval, 0.283-0.711; P=0.001). Patients' age, sex, height, and weight were not statistically related to LP success during multivariate analyses. Conclusions: Physicians handedness bias and patient laterality of recumbent position affects the success of LPs. Right-handed physicians have a greater chance of performing successful LPs when patients are in the left LRP, and vice versa. J.-L.Z. and Y.-R.S. contributed equally. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81471241, 81271375, and 81171133), Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission project (16411955300, 18441903300 and 18695841300), and Shanghai Minhang Natural Science Foundation (2014MHZ001). The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Address correspondence to: Jin Hu, MD, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wulumuqi Zhong Road, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China (e-mail: 286644104@qq.com). Received January 7, 2018 Accepted May 8, 2018 Copyright © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

from Anaesthesiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2MuIWQ2
via IFTTT