scholarly journals Rehabilitation program in patients with moderate-to-severe intermittent claudication: immediate results and one year follow-up

2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Duccio Rossini ◽  
Massimo Bulckaen ◽  
Stefano Di Marco ◽  
Roberto Giovannetti ◽  
Franco Giuntoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Program ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Exercise Session ◽  
Home Exercise ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Intensive Training ◽  
Supervised Exercise ◽  
Short Course ◽  
One Year

Background: Physical training is believed the primary treatment of claudication symptoms. Although exercise therapy is self-effective, some drugs improving functional capacity have additive effects. TASC (Trans Atlantic Society Consensus) considers Propionil-L-Carnitine (PLC) and prostaglandin-E1 (PGE1) as poorly studied drugs with potential benefits in improving claudication. This retrospective, observational study was performed to compare the efficacy of PGE1 and PLC, and to evaluate both the immediate results of an intensive, short-course rehabilitation program and the outcome at one year follow-up. Methods: Twenty-five patients with severe-moderate claudication were selected. All patients were subjected to an intensive, supervised exercise program for 4 weeks in combination with either PGE1 (10 patients) or PLC (15 patients). Drugs were infused i.v. before every exercise session: 60 μg PGE1 within 2 hours and 600 mg PLC within 10 minutes. Patients were trained with the same supervised treadmill walking-exercise program. At the end of the rehabilitation period, patients were instructed to keep walking (advised home exercise). Initial claudication distance (ICD) and absolute claudication distance (ACD) were evaluated during a constant treadmill test (3 km/hour speed, 10% grade) at entry, after 4 weeks and at one year follow-up. A patient was considered as no-responder if his/her improvement in ACD was <33%. Results: A significant increase of both ICD and ACD was detected after both 4 weeks (+269% and +135%, respectively, in PGE1 group; +245% and +125%, respectively, in PLC group) and one year (+364% and +202%, respectively, in PGE1 group; +279% and +176%, respectively, in PLC group). No-responder patients after the intensive training period (2 in PGE1 group and 4 in PLC group) remained noresponders also at one year follow-up. Both PGE1 and PLC treatments were well tolerated. No serious drug-related side effect requiring interruption of the treatment was observed. Conclusions: A short-course of intensive exercise treatment plus PLC or PGE1 may enhance walking ability. The result was confirmed at one year follow-up.

scholarly journals Role and effectiveness of complex and supervised rehabilitation on overall and hand function in systemic sclerosis patients—one-year follow-up study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Waszczykowski ◽  
Bożena Dziankowska-Bartkowiak ◽  
Michał Podgórski ◽  
Jarosław Fabiś ◽  
Arleta Waszczykowska
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Home Exercise ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group

AbstractThe aim of this study was to estimate the long-term results of complex and supervised rehabilitation of the hands in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Fifty-one patients were enrolled in this study: 27 patients (study group) were treated with a 4-week complex, supervised rehabilitation protocol. The control group of 24 patients was prescribed a home exercise program alone. Both groups were evaluated at baseline and after 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-months of follow-up with the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DAHS) as the primary outcome, pain (VAS—visual analog scale), Cochin Hand Function Scale (CHFS), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), Scleroderma-HAQ (SHAQ), range of motion (d-FTP—delta finger to palm, Kapandji finger opposition test) and hand grip and pinch as the secondary outcomes. Only the study group showed significant improvements in the DASH, VAS, CHFS and SHAQ after 1, 3 and 6 months of follow-up (P = 0.0001). Additionally, moderate correlations between the DASH, CHFS and SHAQ (R = 0.7203; R = 0.6788; P = 0.0001) were found. Complex, supervised rehabilitation improves hand and overall function in SSc patients up to 6 months after the treatment but not in the long term. The regular repetition of this rehabilitation program should be recommended every 3–6 months to maintain better hand and overall function.

scholarly journals Novel Physical Therapy Protocol Targeting Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy Improves Patient Reported Outcomes that Persist For 1 Year

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0028
Author(s):  
Meghan Kelly ◽  
Ashlee MacDonald ◽  
Rachel Olson ◽  
Grace Weyand ◽  
Ruth Chimenti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Achilles Tendinopathy ◽  
Home Exercise ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
One Year ◽  
Therapy Protocol

Category: Sports Introduction/Purpose: Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy (IAT) affects 5% of the general population and up to 20% of the athletic population. Despite trials of non-surgical management such as physical therapy and heels lifts, more than 50% of patients ultimately pursue surgery. One hypothesis regarding the development of IAT pain and stiffness is that ankle dorsiflexion and associated calcaneal impingement causes transverse compression of the tendon insertion, inducing metaplastic changes within the Achilles tendon, and bursa, contributing to inflammation. Thus the aim of the current study is to examine the effect of a home exercise program designed to minimize compression of insertional tissues for patients with IAT on patient reported outcomes (PRO) measures at 3 months and one year. Methods: Thirty-five patients with IAT were enrolled in the study from May 2014 until June 2015 as two separate cohorts (21 and 14 patients, respectively) of whom 26 completed the study (mean age: 56.7 + 10.1 years, BMI: 29.5 + 6.0 kg/m2, 58% women). One patient elected for surgery prior to completing the physical therapy protocol. Physical therapy exercises were progressive eccentric loading of the Achilles tendon and seated isometric plantar flexion that were performed 4 times a week for 3 months. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment – Achilles (VISA-A), the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) and the SF-36 questionnaires were completed at baseline and at the completion of the 3-month physical therapy protocol. Six of the 14 patients in the second cohort returned for a 1 year follow up visit; four patients were lost to follow up and 4 had undergone surgical intervention prior to 1-year follow up. Results: Completion of the 3 month protocol resulted in statistically significant improvements in VISA-A, FAAM ADL and sports scores as well as multiple subcategories of the SF-36 (physical function, role limiting physical function, energy/vitality, social functioning and general pain). Twenty-two of the 26 patients (~85%) that completed the study had clinically significant, greater than MCID, improvements in their VISA-A and/or FAAM scores. In the second cohort, all six patients that returned for a one year follow up assessment maintained their improved VISA-A and FAAM scores observed at the end of the initial physical therapy protocol. Of the four patients that underwent surgical intervention prior to follow up, two did not demonstrate improvement in any of their outcomes following the initial study period. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that a physical therapy home exercise program utilizing eccentric and isometric Achilles exercises may result in a greater improvement in functional outcomes compared to other exercise programs that do not progressively increase both ankle dorsiflexion and Achilles tendon loading. Furthermore, improvements in pain and function result in increased energy and social wellbeing. Finally, symptomatic improvement that occurs after 3 months is likely to persist for at least one year following initial treatment.

On-Site versus Home Exercise Programs: Psychological Benefits for Individuals with Arterial Claudication

1997 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 311-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernardine M. Pinto ◽  
Bess H. Marcus ◽  
Robert B. Patterson ◽  
Mary Roberts ◽  
Andrea Colucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Home Exercise ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Home Exercise Program ◽  
Supervised Exercise ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Pain Symptoms

Exercise has been shown to improve walking ability in individuals with arterial claudication. This study compared the effects of an on-site supervised exercise program and a home exercise program on quality of life and psychological outcomes in these individuals. Sixty individuals were randomly assigned to a 12-week on-site or a 12-week home-based exercise program. Quality of life, mood and pain symptoms, and walking ability were examined at baseline, posttreatment, and at 6 months follow-up. Individuals in the on-site exercise program showed significantly greater improvements in walking ability. Although sample size limited the ability to detect significant differences between groups on quality of life and psychological measures, both groups were comparable on improvements in quality of life and in mood. These data suggest that a home exercise program with weekly feedback may provide improved quality of life and mood benefits for individuals with arterial claudication but does not provide improvements in walking equivalent to those provided by an on-site exercise program.

scholarly journals Physical fitness of paramedic students during vocational training - a follow-up study

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heikki Paakkonen ◽  
Joachim Ring ◽  
Jyrki Kettunen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Exercise Programme ◽  
Home Exercise ◽  
One Year

<p align="left">Introduction: Paramedics’ work includes periods of physically light activity, but also involves short periods of relatively intense physical activity.  Even during their studies paramedic students’ days involve a lot of sitting, i.e. physically sedentary behaviour. We initiated a programme to motivate paramedic students to be physically active during their studies. In this study we report physical fitness among paramedic students who for one year participated in brief physical activity counselling consisting of both verbal and a written individually tailored exercise program</p><p align="left">Methods: A total of 40 paramedic students (26 female, 14 male) had participated voluntarily in a physical activity programme alongside their studies. Subjects’ maximal oxygen consumption and muscle strength were measured at baseline and at one-year follow-up. According to the results of the baseline tests all students were given an individual exercise programme, which included aerobic and muscle strength training.</p><p align="left">Results: Sixty-five percent (26/40) of the students participated in the follow-up examinations. At baseline male students had higher mean maximal oxygen consumption (VO<sub>2Max</sub>) and, as expected, greater absolute muscle strength than their female counterparts (all p-values &lt;0.05). During the follow-up females had improved their VO<sub>2Max</sub> on average by 2.4 ml/kg/min. Furthermore, females on average improved the number of squats  by 4.2 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.01 to 8.33] repetitions, and males improved the number of push-ups (mean improvement 4.8, 95% CI 1.93 to 7.57), and left arm grip strength (mean improvement 4.0 kg, 95% CI 1.39 to 6.53).</p><p align="left">Conclusions: It seems to be possible to maintain, and even slightly improve paramedic students’ physical fitness with a self-directed, guided, home exercise programme. This approach could enhance prospective paramedics’ willingness to develop the necessary physical qualities long-term throughout their clinical careers. </p>

Effects of a motor imagery-based exercise protocol on chronic pain and emotional distress in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: A pilot study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Teresa Paolucci ◽  
Francesco Agostini ◽  
Massimiliano Mangone ◽  
Andrea Torquati ◽  
Simona Scienza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Imagery ◽  
Fibromyalgia Syndrome ◽  
Coping Behavior ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Exercise Protocol ◽  
And Coping

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread muscular or musculoskeletal pain of at least 3 months’ duration, occurring above and below the waist, on both sides of the body. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program based on motor imagery versus a conventional exercise program in FM in terms of pain, functional and psychological outcomes. METHODS: Twenty-nine female subjects were randomly assigned to a group receiving motor imagery-based rehabilitation (MIG) or to a control group (CG) performing conventional rehabilitation. Outcome assessments were performed before (T0) and after 10 sessions of treatment (T1) and at a 12-week follow-up (T2). Pain, function and psychological measurements were conducted by means of different questionnaires. RESULTS: Both treatments improved all outcomes at post-treatment (T1) and follow-up (T2). The MIG showed a significant improvement in anxiety disorder associated with FM with respect to the CG, as well as improvements in coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation treatment based on motor imagery showed a stronger effect on anxiety and coping behavior than traditional physiotherapy in patients with FM. Integrated psychological support would be desirable in this setting. Further research is needed to explore the aspects investigated in more depth.

scholarly journals Task-oriented exercises improve disability of working patients with surgically-treated proximal humeral fractures. A randomized controlled trial with one-year follow-up

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Monticone ◽  
Igor Portoghese ◽  
Daniele Cazzaniga ◽  
Valentina Liquori ◽  
Giuseppe Marongiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Group Differences ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
One Year ◽  
Task Oriented

Abstract Background General physiotherapy is a common means of rehabilitation after surgery for proximal humeral fracture (PHF). Better-targeted exercises seem worthy of investigation and the aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a rehabilitation program including task-oriented exercises in improving disability, pain, and quality of life in patients after a PHF. Methods By means of a randomized controlled trial with one-year follow-up, 70 working patients (mean age of 49 ± 11 years; 41 females), who were selected for open reduction and internal fixation with plates caused by PHF, were randomized to be included in an experimental (n = 35) or control group (n = 35). There was a permuted-block randomization plan, and a list of program codes was previously created; subsequently, an automatic assignment system was used to conceal the allocation. The first group underwent a supervised rehabilitation program of task-oriented exercises based on patients’ specific job activities, and occupational therapy. The second group underwent general physiotherapy, including supervised mobility, strengthening and stretching exercises. Both groups individually followed programs of 60-min session three times per week for 12 weeks in the outpatient setting. The Disability Arm Shoulder Hand questionnaire (DASH; scores range from 0 to 100; primary outcome), a Pain intensity Numerical Rating Scale (scores range 0 to 10; secondary outcomes), and the Short-Form Health Survey (scores range from 0 to 100; secondary outcomes) assessed the interventions. Participants were evaluated before surgery, before and after rehabilitation (primary endpoint), and at the one-year follow-up (secondary endpoint). A linear mixed model analysis for repeated measures was carried out for each outcome measure (p < 0.05). Results Time, group and time by group showed significant effects for all outcome measures in favour of the experimental group. The DASH and the DASH work achieved clinically important between-group differences of 16.0 points (95% confidence interval [C.I.] 7.3 to 24.7) and 19.7 (95% C.I. 9.0 to 30.5) at follow-up, respectively. The NRS achieved a between-group difference of 2.9 (95% C.I. 1.0 to 3.9) at follow-up. As for SF-36, there were between-group differences ranging from 17.9 to 37.0 at follow-up. Conclusions A rehabilitation program based on task-oriented exercises was useful in improving disability, pain, and quality of life in working patients after PHFs. Improvements lasted for at least 12 months. Trial registration On 16/12/2019, the trial was retrospectively registered in the ISRCTN registry with the ID number 17996552.

scholarly journals Four or Twelve Months' Follow-Up in the Evaluation of Functional Outcome after Hip Fracture Surgery?

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Heikkinen ◽  
P. Jalovaara
Keyword(s):  
Hip Fracture ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Hip Fracture Surgery ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Walking Aids ◽  
One Year

Background and Aims: As a rule, follow-up for at least one year is recommended for fracture studies. This is considered the shortest reliable interval. Still, in the case of hip fractures of the elderly, shorter follow-up might be more practical, since the life expectancy of these patients is often short. The aim of this study was to see if a short four months follow-up period would be acceptable in hip fracture surveys. Material and Methods: Information on 196 consecutive non-pathological hip fracture patients aged 50 years or over (mean 79 years) was collected using a standardised hip fracture audit concentrating on functional measurements at admission and at four and twelve months' follow-ups. Results: 167 patients were alive at four months and 152 and at one year. The patients who died between four and twelve months had poorer functional capacity in the four-month evaluation than those who survived one year. The analysis of repeated measures, including only the patients alive at the last follow-up, showed that residential status, use of walking aids and 6 out of 10 and ADL variables (bathing, toileting, shopping, household activities, doing laundry, banking) did not change significantly. Walking ability and the rest 4 ADL variables (dressing, eating, food preparation, use of transportation) improved and pain decreased. Conclusions: Due to high mortality and age-related deterioration of functioning, no steady state i.e. “final result” is ever reached after hip fracture in the elderly. Four-month follow-up is justified as the shortest possible period, because the socioeconomically most important variable, i.e. place of living, and most of the ADL functions do not change significantly after that.

scholarly journals A new test (VITTORIO Test) for functional fitness assessment in rehabilitation after cardiac surgery

2005 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Calsamiglia ◽  
Federica Camera ◽  
Antonio Mazza ◽  
Paola Villa ◽  
Francesca Gigli Berzolari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
Aerobic Capacity ◽  
Exercise Tolerance ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Artery Bypass ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Rehabilitation Program ◽  
Old Patients ◽  
Intensive Training ◽  
Valvular Surgery

Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) plays a central role in early detection of physical limitations. Traditionally exercise tolerance has been used as an indicator of overall PF. However exercise tolerance has been shown to poorly predict patients’ ability to perform daily-life activities. The goal of the present study is to evaluate a new test, named VITTORIO TEST, for assessing various component of daily activities among patients in CR after cardiac surgery. VITTORIO test consists in 8 items that assess lower and upper extremity strength and flexibility, agility, dynamic balance, aerobic capacity. 500 patients (359 males; 141 females) admitted to CR programs following cardiac surgery (349 coronary artery bypass surgery; 151 valvular surgery) were enrolled in the study. They were evaluated with an initial test (T1) (10.7±6.3 days after cardiac surgery) and a final test (T2) after a inhospital intensive training program (mean length 16.8 ± 6.6 days) consisting in stretching, large muscle group and aerobic activity, resistance exercises. Statistical analysis showed a significant improvement of all items at the end of the rehabilitation program. Old patients (&gt;70 years) and particularly females demonstrate exercise improvement comparable to that of younger subjects especially regards lower extremity strength and aerobic capacity. VITTORIO test is inexpensive, simple and easy to perform by the patient. Through the identification and the measurement of different aspects of physical disability, it allows a personalized rehabilitation exercise program. It could be used as an outcome measure of CR programs.

scholarly journals Structured pain-free exercise progressively improves ankle-brachial index and walking ability in patients with claudication and compressible arteries: an observational study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabio Manfredini ◽  
Luca Traina ◽  
Vincenzo Gasbarro ◽  
Sofia Straudi ◽  
Lorenzo Caruso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Ankle Brachial Index ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Walking Distance ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Moderate Pain ◽  
Cost Index ◽  
Free Exercise ◽  
Supervised Exercise

AbstractIn patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), supervised exercise at near-moderate pain improves walking ability but not ankle-brachial index (ABI) values. In a retrospective observational study, we determined vascular and functional effects of a 6-month structured pain-free exercise program in patients with claudication and compressible vessels. Four-hundred and fifty-nine consecutive patients were studied. Segmental limb pressures were measured and ABI calculated during circa-monthly hospital visits. The 6-min (6MWD) and the pain-free walking distance (PFWD) during the 6-min walking test were determined. Two daily 8-min sessions of slow–moderate in-home walking at increasing metronome-paced speed were prescribed. After excluding patients with unmeasurable ABI or incompletion of the program, 239 patients were studied. Safe and satisfactory (88%) execution of the prescribed training sessions was reported. During the visits, bilateral ABI improved (+ 0.07; p < 0.001) as well as the segmental pressures in the more impaired limb, with changes already significant after 5 weeks of slow walking. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased overtime (F = 46.52; p < 0.001; F = 5.52; p < 0.001, respectively). 6MWD and PFWD improved (41[0‒73]m p < 0.001 and 107[42‒190]m p < 0.001, respectively) with associated decrease of walking heart rate (F = 15.91; p < 0.001) and Physiological Cost Index (F = 235.93; p < 0.001). The variations of most parameters at different visits correlated to the training load calculated. In a regression model, the PFWD variations directly correlated with rate sessions completed, training load and ABI change and inversely with the baseline value (R2 = 0.27; p < 0.001). In the PAD population studied, moderate pain-free exercise improved ABI with associated progressive functional and cardiovascular changes occurring regardless of subjects characteristics.

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