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Introduction: Muscle strength impairment has been shown before in patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been proposed to increase muscle strength in patients with chronic diseases who are unable or unwilling to exercise. However, effects of NMES in patients with PAH remains unclear. Aims: To investigate the effects of NMES on physical and psychosocial variables in patients with PAH. Method: In totally 22 patients (treatment=11, control=11) completed this study. For the treatment group, NMES was applied to the bilateral deltoid and quadriceps femoris muscles with 50 Hz for 3 days/week, 8 weeks. Muscle strength (hand-held dynamometer), muscle cross-sectional area and thickness (ultrasound), arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity), exercise capacity (6 Minute Walk Test), physical activity (IPAQ), and quality of life (Nottingham Health Profile) were assessed. Results: There was no significant difference in the demographic and clinical characteristics between the groups (p>0.05). Patients in the treatment group showed a significant improvement in muscle strength, grip strength, rectus femoris muscle cross-sectional area and quadriceps femoris muscle thickness, pulse wave velocity, 6 minutes walking distance, physical activity level and quality of life from the baseline assessments (p Conclusion: This study showed that the NMES increases peripheral muscle strength, muscle cross-sectional area and thickness, exercise capacity, physical activity level, and quality of life, reduced arterial stiffness. The NMES intervention is an effective method for cardiopulmonary rehabilitation in patients with PAH.

Background and aim: There are not many questionnaire that have proven validity and reliability in evaluating the level of physical activity in COPD patients. The RAPA questionnaire has proven validity and reliability. The aim of the study was to examine the validity of the RAPA questionnaire in COPD patients. Method: It was estimated that at least 21 patients were necessary in order to identify correlations ≥ 0.6 based on corellations in the study done before (Cekok, F.K. et al. Geriatrics & Gerontology International 2017; 11:1837-1842)., accepting an alpha risk of 0.05 and a beta risk of 0.05 in a two-tailed test (bilateral). Hence, 21 patients surveyed short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) and after 2 weeks RAPA questionnaire as well. The IPAQ-SF was accepted as the gold standard for physcial activity assessment in COPD. Furthermore, patients were assessed for a 6-min walking test (6MWT), and perceived dyspnea (with modified medical research dyspnea scala (mMRC)). Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients (rs) was used for the relationship between RAPA and IPAQ. Correlations between RAPA and 6MWT and mMRC was also analyzed. Results: Therefore, there were significant positive correlations between RAPA and IPAQ-SF total score (rs=0.92, P Conclusion: The present study showed the RAPA was an easy-to-use, valid and reliable measure of physical activity among COPD patients.

Introduction: The Timed Up and Go (TUG) is a simple, quick and easy-to-use test to detect general functional mobility performance in many populations including COPD. Although the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is commonly used to evaluate functional capacity in persons with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), it can be difficult to use since its requirements of time and open space. Additionally, the length of test limits its use in more disabled patients. Aims: To investigate the associations between the TUG and other mobility and disease related variables. Methods: Twenty-three patients with PAH were included in this cross-sectional study. Functional status was determined by the 6MWT. Peripheral muscle strength was measured with a hand-held and hand-grip dynamometer. Respiratory muscle strength was measured with a digital pressure manometer. Disease severity was determined by the New York Heart Association functional classification. Physical activity was also measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: There was a significant strong correlation between the TUG and 6MWT, hand-grip strength, respiratory muscle strength, and physical activity (p Conclusion: This study suggests that the TUG can be considered as a potential objective test to evaluate patients with PAH, since it was strongly associated with other mobility and disease related variables.

Background: It is known that in patients with chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pain negatively affects patients9 functional capacities and health-related quality of life (QOL). Although decreased functional capacity and QOL are the greatest problems in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and affects their lives seriously, effects of pain on these variables is unknown in PAH. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pain and exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength, and QOL in individuals with PAH. Methods: 26 individuals with PAH were included in the study. The presence of pain was determined by the pain subscale of the Nottingham Health Profiles scale. Exercise capacity was determined by the 6-Minute Walk Test. Knee extensor strength was measured with a hand-held dynamometer and grip strength was measured with a handgrip dynamometer. Results: The median age of the patients were 55.5 years. There was a statistically significant high to moderate correlation between pain and exercise capacity, knee extensor strength, grip strength, and QOL (p Conclusions: Pain can affect exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength, and QOL in patients with PAH. Pain management methods should be considered in the rehabilitation programs of patients with PAH to improve exercise capacity, peripheral muscle strength, and QOL more effectively.

Introduction: Upper extremity function and hand use are considered as a prerequisite for the development of body stability and central axis control. It is assumed that the provision of equilibrium permits the independent use of hands and arms in tool-use and purposeful activities. Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between upper extremity functions and balance in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods: 21 PAH patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Berg Balance Scale and Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale were used in the evaluation of balance and balance confidence in activities of daily living. The 6-minute Pegboard and Ring Test was used for measuring of upper extremity functional capacity, grip strength was measured with handgrip, and daily activities of upper extremities were assessed using the Milliken Activities of Daily Living Scale. Results: The median age of the patients were 58.0 (IQR: 33.5 - 67.5) years. The Berg Balance Scale showed a high correlation with activity confidence, upper extremity functional capacity and grip strength (p Conclusions: This study showed that there is a relationship between upper extremity functions and balance. Upper extremity and balance exercises should be consider together in rehabilitation programs.