scholarly journals Autonomic conditioning therapy reduces fatigue and improves global impression of change in individuals with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome

Author(s):  
David Putrino ◽  
Laura Tabacof ◽  
Jenna Tosto-Mancuso ◽  
Jamie Wood ◽  
Mar Cortes ◽  
...  

Abstract Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS) is a collection of persistent and debilitating symptoms lasting weeks to months after acute COVID-19 infection, with fatigue most commonly reported. There is controversy surrounding the role of exercise programs for this condition, due to concerns over the potential to worsen fatigue. We developed a novel physical therapy program known as Autonomic Conditioning Therapy (ACT) for PACS, and report on the preliminary patient-reported outcome (PRO) data from individuals who completed ACT for PACS, compared with those who did not. Seventy-eight (55 [71%] female, median [range] age 43 [12 to 78]) met the inclusion criteria and consented to have their data included in the analyses. A total of 31 (40%) individuals completed ACT for PACS. There was within-group improvement in fatigue in individuals who completed ACT for PACS (mean difference [95% CI] -14 [-27 to -1], p = 0.03), as well as greater between-group impression of change measured on the Patient Global Impression of Change scale (ACT for PACS median [range] 5 [1 to 7], no ACT for PACS 4 [1 to 7], p < 0.01). ACT for PACS is a novel physical therapy program that can reduce fatigue in individuals with PACS.

Author(s):  
Tessa Peasgood ◽  
Jen-Yu Chang ◽  
Robina Mir ◽  
Clara Mukuria ◽  
Philip A. Powell

Abstract Purpose Uncertainties exist in how respondents interpret response options in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), particularly across different domains and for different scale labels. The current study assessed how respondents quantitatively interpret common response options. Methods Members of the general public were recruited to this study via an online panel, stratified by age, gender, and having English as a first language. Participants completed background questions and were randomised to answer questions on one of three domains (i.e. loneliness (negatively phrased), happiness or activities (positively phrased)). Participants were asked to provide quantitative interpretations of response options (e.g. how many times per week is equal to “often”) and to order several common response options (e.g. occasionally, sometimes) on a 0–100 slider scale. Chi-squared tests and regression analyses were used to assess whether response options were interpreted consistently across domains and respondent characteristics. Results Data from 1377 participants were analysed. There was general consistency in quantifying the number of times over the last 7 days to which each response option referred. Response options were consistently assigned a lower value in the loneliness than happiness and activities domains. Individual differences, such as age and English as a second language, explained some significant variation in responses, but less than domain. Conclusion Members of the public quantify common response options in a similar way, but their quantification is not equivalent across domains or every type of respondent. Recommendations for the use of certain scale labels over others in PROM development are provided.


2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 427-434
Author(s):  
Mohammed S. El-Tamawy ◽  
Moshera H. Darwish ◽  
Saly H. Elkholy ◽  
Engy BadrEldin S. Moustafa ◽  
Shimaa T. Abulkassem ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Cortical reorganization between both cerebral hemispheres plays an important role in regaining the affected upper extremity motor function post-stroke. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the recommended number of contra-lesion low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) sessions that could enhance cortical reorganization post-stroke. METHODS: Forty patients with right hemiparetic subacute ischemic stroke with an age range between 50–65 yrs were randomly assigned into two equal groups: control (GA) and study (GB) groups. Both groups were treated with a selected physical therapy program for the upper limb. Sham and real contra-lesion LF-rTMS was conducted for both groups daily for two consecutive weeks. Sequential changes of cortical excitability were calculated by the end of each session. RESULTS: The significant enhancement in the cortical excitability was observed at the fourth session in favor of the study group (GB). Sequential rate of change in cortical excitability was significant for the first eight sessions. From the ninth session onwards, no difference could be detected between groups. CONCLUSION: The pattern of recovery after stroke is extensive and not all factors could be controlled. Application of LF-rTMS in conjugation with a selected physical therapy program for the upper limb from four to eight sessions seems to be efficient.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.G. Aravitska

<p><strong>Objective:</strong> to determine the effectiveness of a physical therapy program for patients with obesity by the indicators of Functional Movement Screen test exercises.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods</strong>. A total of 114 people of the second adulthood with alimentary-constitutional obesity of the I-III degrees were examined. They were divided according to the level of compliance into two groups. The comparison group consisted of individuals with a low level of compliance; they did not go through a rehabilitation program, but were informed about the risks of obesity; acquainted with the basic principles of hypocaloric nutrition and physical activity. The main group consisted of individuals with a high level of compliance; they underwent a developed program for correcting body weight using measures to maintain a high level of compliance, nutrition modification, increased physical activity, lymphatic drainage procedures, and elements of behavioral psychocorrection. The control group consisted of 60 people with no signs of obesity. A survey of the test exercises Functional Movement Screen was conducted in dynamics before and after the one-year period of implementation of the rehabilitation program.</p><p><strong>Results.</strong> During the initial examination in obese patients, all the obtained parameters of the Functional Movement Screen exercises were statistically significantly worse than in individuals with normal body weight (p &lt;0.05). Re-examination of patients with low compliance showed that no statistically significant positive changes occurred in any test test (p&gt; 0.05). When analyzing the results of test exercises of patients with a high level of compliance under the influence of a physical therapy program, a statistically significant improvement was achieved in all studied parameters relative to the initial level (p &lt;0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Diagnostics of mobility based on test exercises Functional Movement Screen in physical therapy programs for obese patients is a modern, simple and affordable method of rehabilitation examination. To achieve the target level of the control group for the studied parameters by patients of II-III degree of obesity, the rehabilitation program should be long for one year.</p>


Physiotherapy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 101 ◽  
pp. e85-e86
Author(s):  
S.A. Arnadottir ◽  
B. Gudjonsdottir ◽  
S.V. Bjornsdottir ◽  
A. Arnason ◽  
K. Briem ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document