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The "can do, do do" framework combines measures of poor and normal physical capacity (PC, measured by a 6 min walking test, can do/can't do) and physical activity (PA, measured by accelerometer, do do/don't do) into four domains and is able to categorize patient subgroups with distinct clinical characteristics, including fall and fracture risk factors. This study aims to explore the association between domain categorization and prospective fall, fracture, and mortality outcomes. This 6-year prospective study included patients visiting a Fracture Liaison Service with a recent fracture. Outcomes were first fall (at 3 years of follow-up, measured by fall diaries), first subsequent fracture, and mortality (at 6 years). Cumulative incidences of all three outcomes were calculated. The association between domain categorization and time to the three outcomes was assessed by uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis with the "can do, do do" group as reference. The physical performance of 400 patients with a recent fracture was assessed (mean age: 64 years; 70.8% female), of whom 61.5%, 20.3%, and 4.9% sustained a first fall, sustained a subsequent fracture, or had died. Domain categorization using the "can do, do do" framework was not associated with time to first fall, subsequent fracture, or mortality in the multivariate Cox regression analysis for all groups. "Can't do, don't do" group: hazard ratio [HR] for first fall: 0.75 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45–1.23), first fracture HR: 0.58 (95% CI: 0.24–1.41), and mortality HR: 1.19 (95% CI: 0.54–6.95). Categorizing patients into a two-dimensional framework seems inadequate to study complex, multifactorial outcomes. A personalized approach based on known fall and fracture risk factors might be preferable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After COVID-19, patients have reported various complaints such as fatigue, neurological symptoms, and insomnia. Immune-mediated changes in amino acid metabolism might contribute to the development of these symptoms. Patients who had had acute, PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection about 60 days earlier were recruited within the scope of the prospective CovILD study. We determined the inflammatory parameters and alterations in tryptophan and phenylalanine metabolism in 142 patients cross-sectionally. Symptom persistence (pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, anosmia, sleep disturbance, and neurological symptoms) and patients' physical levels of functioning were recorded. Symptoms improved in many patients after acute COVID-19 (n = 73, 51.4%). Still, a high percentage of patients had complaints, and women were affected more often. In many patients, ongoing immune activation (as indicated by high neopterin and CRP concentrations) and enhanced tryptophan catabolism were found. A higher phenylalanine to tyrosine ratio (Phe/Tyr) was found in women with a lower level of functioning. Patients who reported improvements in pain had lower Phe/Tyr ratios, while patients with improved gastrointestinal symptoms presented with higher tryptophan and kynurenine values. Our results suggest that women have persistent symptoms after COVID-19 more often than men. In addition, the physical level of functioning and the improvements in certain symptoms appear to be associated with immune-mediated changes in amino acid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impella 5.0 circulatory support via subclavian artery (SA) access may be a safe approach for patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation (CR). In this case series, we retrospectively analyzed the demographic characteristics, physical function, and CR data of six patients who underwent Impella 5.0 implantation via the SA prior to left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation between October 2013 and June 2021. The median age was 48 years, and one patient was female. Grip strength was maintained or increased in all patients before LVAD implantation (pre-LVAD) compared to after Impella 5.0 implantation. The pre-LVAD knee extension isometric strength (KEIS) was less than 0.46 kgf/kg in two patients and more than 0.46 kgf/kg in three patients (unavailable KEIS data, n = 1). With Impella 5.0 implantation, two patients could ambulate, one could stand, two could sit on the edge of the bed, and one remained in bed. One patient lost consciousness during CR due to decreased Impella flow. There were no other serious adverse events. Impella 5.0 implantation via the SA allows mobilization, including ambulation, prior to LVAD implantation, and CR can be performed relatively safely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe burns are life-altering and can have lasting effects on patients' physical and mental health. Alterations in physical function, changes in appearance, and psychological disturbances resulting from severe burns are especially concerning in children, as they are still in the early stages of identity formation. Exercise in the nonburn population has been shown to improve quality of life and result in better physical and mental status. However, the effect of early exercise on the quality of life in pediatric burn patients requires more research. Methods: Forty-eight children between the ages of seven and seventeen with ≥30% total body surface area (TBSA) burn were randomized in a 1:2 fashion to receive treatment with standard-of-care (SOC) or standard-of-care plus exercise (SOC+Ex). Surveys administered at admission and discharge collected patient-reported information regarding physical and mental health outcomes. The results are given as means +/− standard deviation. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: The average age of the SOC and SOC+Ex groups were 12 ± 3 and 13 ± 4 years, respectively. The average %TBSA burned in the SOC and SOC+Ex groups were 54 ± 17 and 48 ± 14, respectively. The SOC+Ex group averaged 10 ± 9 exercise sessions (range of 1 to 38 sessions) with an attendance rate of 25% (10 sessions out of 40 BICU days). Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in patient-reported physical and mental outcomes during hospital admission (p < 0.05) However, additional exercise did not exhibit any additional benefits for measured levels. Conclusions: Our recommendation is for all pediatric patients in the BICU to continue with the SOC and consult with their physician over the benefits of additional aerobic exercise. This study suggests that perhaps there is potential for increasing the amount of exercise that can be administered to pediatric burn survivors beyond SOC as we did not find aerobic exercise to be of any harm to any patients if it is performed properly and under supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robotic technology has developed rapidly in recent years, and several robotic devices have been applied to improve physical, sensory, intellectual, psychological, and social functioning in the elderly and people with disabilities. In this study, we investigated the effects of EX1-assisted exercise in various environments on physical function, muscle strength, and walking efficiency in older adults. We designated four experimental conditions and randomly assigned participants to one of four groups: A (overground walking without an EX1), B (overground walking using the resistance mode of EX1), C (stair ascent using the assistance mode of EX1), and Group D (inclined treadmill walking using the assistance mode of EX1). A total of 60 community-dwelling elderly persons participated in 10 exercise intervention sessions for 4 weeks, and all participants were assessed before and after the exercise intervention. Physical function was measured by the 10-meter walk test for self-selected velocity (10MWT-SSV), short physical performance battery (SPPB), Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go (TUG), functional reach test (FRT), geriatric depression scale—short form (GDS-SF), and muscle strength of trunk and lower extremity. Cardiopulmonary metabolic energy efficiency was measured using a portable telemetric gas analyzer system. A significant increase in the 10MWT-SSV and TUG test was observed in groups B, C, and D. A statistically significant improvement in the SPPB and FRT was seen only in group D, and GDS-SF scores decreased significantly after exercise with an EX1 in groups B and D. Trunk and lower limb muscle strength increased more in the groups that exercised with EX1 assistance than those without an EX1, particularly in group B. The net metabolic energy costs and energy expenditure measurement during walking significantly improved in exercise groups C and D. The findings in this study support the application of the EX1 to physical activity and exercise to improve age-related changes in physical function, muscle strength, and walking efficiency among older adults. In addition, personalized exercise programs using different modes and training environments with an EX1 can enhance physical performance and walking efficiency in the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoporosis is a highly prevalent condition affecting a growing number of patients affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with crucial implications for risk of fragility fractures, hospitalization, and mortality. Several risk factors have been identified to have a role in osteoporosis development in COPD patients, including corticosteroid therapy, systemic inflammation, smoke, physical activity levels, malnutrition, and sarcopenia. In this scenario, a personalized multitarget intervention focusing on the pathological mechanisms underpinning osteoporosis is mandatory to improve bone health in these frail patients. Specifically, physical exercise, nutritional approach, dietary supplements, and smoke cessation are the cornerstone of the lifestyle approach to osteoporosis in COPD patients, improving not only bone health but also physical performance and balance. On the other hand, pharmacological treatment should be considered for both the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in patients at higher risk of fragility fractures. Despite these considerations, several barriers still affect the integration of a personalized approach to managing osteoporosis in COPD patients. However, digital innovation solutions and telemedicine might have a role in optimizing sustainable networking between hospital assistance and community settings to improve bone health and reduce sanitary costs of the long-term management of COPD patients with osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA or Morquio A), a lysosomal storage disease with an autosomal recessive inherited pattern, is induced by GALNS gene mutations causing deficiency in N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase activity (GALNS; EC 3.1.6.4). Currently, intravenous (IV) enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with elosulfase alfa is employed for treating MPS IVA patients. A systematic literature review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of IV elosulfase alfa for MPS IVA by searching the National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health (PubMed), Excerpta Medica dataBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, limited to clinical trials. Four cohort studies and two randomized controlled trials, with a total of 550 participants (327 on ERT treatment versus 223 on placebo treatment), satisfied the inclusion criteria. Pooled analysis of proportions and confidence intervals were also utilized to systematically review clinical cohort studies and trials. Per the pooled proportions analysis, the difference in means of urinary keratan sulfate (uKS), 6-min walk test, 3-min stair climb test, self-care MPS-Health Assessment Questionnaire, caregiver assistance and mobility, forced vital capacity, the first second of forced expiration, and maximal voluntary ventilation between the ERT and placebo treatment groups were −0.260, −0.102, −0.182, −0.360, −0.408, −0.587, −0.293, −0.311, and −0.213, respectively. Based on the currently available data, our meta-analysis showed that there is uKS, physical performance, quality of life, and respiratory function improvements with ERT in MPS IVA patients. It is optimal to start ERT after diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing evidence about the link between cognitive and physical decline suggests the early changes in physical functioning as a potential biomarker for cognitive impairment. Thus, we compared grip-strength trajectories over 12–16 years in three groups classified according to their cognitive status (two stable patterns, normal and impaired cognitive performance, and a declining pattern) in two representative UK and Chilean older adult samples. The samples consisted of 7069 UK (ELSA) and 1363 Chilean participants (ALEXANDROS). Linear Mixed models were performed. Adjustments included socio-demographics and health variables. The Declined and Impaired group had significantly lower grip-strength at baseline when compared to the Non-Impaired. In ELSA, the Declined and Impaired showed a faster decline in their grip strength compared to the Non-Impaired group but differences disappeared in the fully adjusted models. In ALEXANDROS, the differences were only found between the Declined and Non-Impaired and they were partially attenuated by covariates. Our study provides robust evidence of the association between grip strength and cognitive performance and how socio-economic factors might be key to understanding this association and their variability across countries. This has implications for future epidemiological research, as hand-grip strength measurements have the potential to be used as an indicator of cognitive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Information on the quality of life of patients operated on for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is scarce. The objective of this study was to analyse these patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study. Patients undergoing elective AAA surgery from January 2013 to December 2020 were included. The Spanish version of the SF-36 questionnaire was administered to participants one to sixty months after surgery. Results: During the study period, 178 patients underwent surgery for AAA, 109 (61.23%) had open abdominal aortic repair (AAR) and 69 (38.54%) had endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Mortality before the month of surgery was higher among those treated by AAR than EVAR (2.7% and 1.45%, respectively), while late mortality was higher in the EVAR group than in the AAR group (11.5% and 2.7%, respectively). In the late postoperative period, 12.5% of patients who underwent AAR presented complications compared to 25% of those treated with EVAR. The questionnaire was administered to 151 patients (91 AAR and 60 EVAR patients). The AAR patients compared to the EVAR patients had significantly higher mean scores on the health scales of the SF-36 questionnaire in Physical Function (p = 0.001), Vitality (p = 0.003), General Health (p = 0.37), Social Function (p = 0.023) and Mental Health (p = 0.006). Scores on the Mental Summary Component were significantly higher in the AAR group (p = 0.026). Conclusions: The group of patients treated with AAR showed the highest average scores on the scales of the SF-36 questionnaire in Physical Function, Vitality, General Health and Mental Health. The worst result was found in the Social Function scale for EVAR patients and was related to a higher rate of late complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spasticity is a common comorbidity of spinal cord injury (SCI) that is characterized by velocity dependent tone and spasms manifested by uninhibited reflex activity of muscles below the level of injury. For some, spasticity can be beneficial and facilitate functional standing, transfers, and some activities of daily living. For others, it may be problematic, painful, and interfere with mobility and function. This manuscript will address the anatomy and physiology of neuromuscular reflexes as well as the pathophysiology that occurs after SCI. Spasticity assessment will be discussed in terms of clinical history and findings on physical examinations, including responses to passive and active movement, deep tendon reflexes, and other long tract signs of upper motor neuron injury, as well as gait and function. Management strategies will be discussed including stretch, modalities, pharmacotherapy, neurolysis, and surgical options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of physical exercise, with or without whole-body vibration (WBV), in patients with aromatase inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS). Eligible patients were adults (≥18 years) with a history of breast cancer and current AIMSS. Enrolled patients (n = 22) were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive physical exercise combined with WBV or sham WBV for 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was pain intensity measured by numerical pain rating scale (NPRS). The secondary endpoints were muscle strength, physical function, physical performance, and quality of life. The WBV group (mean age: 51.73 ± 10.73 years; body mass index (BMI): 25.56 ± 5.17 kg/m2) showed a statistically significant pain reduction (NPRS: 6.82 ± 1.17 vs. 5.73 ± 1.01; p = 0.031), whereas patients in the sham WBV group (mean age: 58.55 ± 9.71 years; BMI: 27.31 ± 3.84 kg/m2), did not reach statistical significance (NPRS: 6.91 ± 2.02 vs. 5.91 ± 2.51; p = 0.07). Concurrently, muscle strength, physical performance, and quality of life significantly improved in both groups, without significant differences between groups. No dropouts and no side effects were recorded. Both patients and the physical therapist reported a high level of satisfaction with the intervention. Our findings suggest that physical exercise and WBV combination might be a safe therapeutic option for improving the rehabilitative management of patients with AIMSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to develop a framework to classify dependence in ambulation by employing a deep model in a 3D convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) using video data recorded by a smartphone during inpatient rehabilitation therapy in stroke patients. Among 2311 video clips, 1218 walk action cases were collected from 206 stroke patients receiving inpatient rehabilitation therapy (63.24 ± 14.36 years old). As ground truth, the dependence in ambulation was assessed and labeled using the functional ambulatory categories (FACs) and Berg balance scale (BBS). The dependent ambulation was defined as a FAC score less than 4 or a BBS score less than 45. We extracted patient-centered video and patient-centered pose of the target from the tracked target's posture keypoint location information. Then, the extracted patient-centered video was input in the 3D-CNN, and the extracted patient-centered pose was used to measure swing time asymmetry. Finally, we evaluated the classification of dependence in ambulation using video data via fivefold cross-validation. When training the 3D-CNN based on FACs and BBS, the model performed with 86.3% accuracy, 87.4% precision, 94.0% recall, and 90.5% F1 score. When the 3D-CNN based on FACs and BBS was combined with swing time asymmetry, the model exhibited improved performance (88.7% accuracy, 89.1% precision, 95.7% recall, and 92.2% F1 score). The proposed framework for dependence in ambulation can be useful, as it alerts clinicians or caregivers when stroke patients with dependent ambulatory move alone without assistance. In addition, monitoring dependence in ambulation can facilitate the design of individualized rehabilitation strategies for stroke patients with impaired mobility and balance function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional technology is increasingly being used in acetabular fracture treatment. No systematic reviews are available about the added clinical value of 3D-assisted acetabular fracture surgery compared to conventional surgery. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether 3D-assisted acetabular fracture surgery compared to conventional surgery improves surgical outcomes in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy usage, complications, and postoperative fracture reduction, and whether it improves physical functioning. Pubmed and Embase databases were searched for articles on 3D technologies in acetabular fracture surgery, published between 2010 and February 2021. The McMaster critical review form was used to assess the methodological quality. Differences between 3D-assisted and conventional surgery were evaluated using the weighted mean and odds ratios. Nineteen studies were included. Three-dimensional-assisted surgery resulted in significantly shorter operation times (162.5 ± 79.0 versus 296.4 ± 56.0 min), less blood loss (697.9 ± 235.7 mL versus 1097.2 ± 415.5 mL), and less fluoroscopy usage (9.3 ± 5.9 versus 22.5 ± 20.4 times). The odds ratios of complications and fracture reduction were 0.5 and 0.4 for functional outcome in favour of 3D-assisted surgery, respectively. Three-dimensional-assisted surgery reduces operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy usage, and complications. Evidence for the improvement of fracture reduction and functional outcomes is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impaired physical functioning is one of the most critical consequences associated with fibromyalgia, especially when there is comorbid obesity. Psychological factors are known to contribute to perceived (i.e., subjective) physical functioning. However, physical function is a multidimensional concept encompassing both subjective and objective functioning. The contribution of psychological factors to performance-based (i.e., objective) functioning is unclear. This study aims to investigate the contribution of pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance to both self-reported and performance-based physical functioning. In this cross-sectional study, 160 participants completed self-report measures of pain catastrophizing, pain acceptance, and pain severity. A self-report measure and a performance-based test were used to assess physical functioning. Higher pain catastrophizing and lower pain acceptance were associated with poorer physical functioning at both self-reported and performance-based levels. Our results are consistent with previous evidence on the association between pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance with self-reported physical functioning. This study contributes to the current literature by providing novel insights into the role of psychological factors in performance-based physical functioning. Multidisciplinary interventions that address pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance are recommended and might be effective to improve both perceived and performance-based functioning in women with FM and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical function is a patient-oriented indicator and can be considered a proxy for the assignment of healthcare personnel. The study aims to create an algorithm that classifies patients into homogeneous groups according to physical function. A two-step machine-learning algorithm was applied to administrative data recorded between 2015 and 2018 at the University Hospital of Padova. A clustering-large-applications (CLARA) algorithm was used to partition patients into homogeneous groups. Then, machine learning technique (MLT) classifiers were used to categorize the doubtful records. Based on the results of the CLARA algorithm, records were divided into three groups according to the Barthel index: <45, >65, ≥45 and ≤65. The support vector machine was the MLT showing the best performance among doubtful records, reaching an accuracy of 66%. The two-step algorithm, since it splits patients into low and high resource consumption, could be a useful tool for organizing healthcare personnel allocation according to the patients' assistance needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the prevalence of sarcopenia using new diagnostic criteria and association of sarcopenia with cardiopulmonary function and physical activity (PA) in preoperative lung cancer patients. The data of 614 patients were obtained from the CATCH-LUNG cohort study. Patients were classified into three groups—normal (n = 520), pre-sarcopenia (n = 60, low skeletal muscle mass index only), and sarcopenia (n = 34, low SMI and strength). Cardiopulmonary function was measured using the 6-min walk test (6MWT), and PA was objectively measured using a wearable device. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for a <400-m distance in 6MWT was 3.52 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34–9.21) and 6.63 (95% CI 2.25–19.60) in the pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia groups, respectively, compared to that in the normal group. The aOR (95% CI) for <5000 steps/day was 1.64 (0.65–4.16) and 4.20 (1.55–11.38) in the pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia groups, respectively, compared to that in the normal group. In conclusion, the prevalence of pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia was 9.8% and 5.5%, respectively, among preoperative lung cancer patients. Cardiopulmonary function and physical activity were significantly lower in the pre-sarcopenia and sarcopenia groups than in the normal group. Patients with sarcopenia had more robust findings, suggesting the importance of muscle strength and mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]