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Objective. The purpose of this study will be to determine the efficacy of low intensity lower extremity resistance training with and without blood flow restriction (BFR) on quadriceps muscle strength and thickness in veterans with advanced multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods. This will be an assessor-blinded, 2-group (1 to 1 allocation) randomized controlled trial targeting an enrollment of 58 participants with advanced MS as defined by Patient-Determined Disease Steps scale levels 4 to 7. Both groups will complete 10 weeks of twice weekly low-load resistance training (20%-30% of 1-repetition max) targeting knee and hip extension, knee flexion, and ankle plantarflexion. The intervention group will perform all training using BFR, with limb occlusion pressures between 60% and 80% of maximal limb occlusion pressure. Primary outcomes will be quadriceps muscle strength and thickness. Secondary outcomes will include knee flexion and ankle plantarflexion strength, functional mobility, physical activity, and patient-reported measures. All outcomes will be assessed at baseline before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and at a 2-month follow-up assessment. The change between groups postintervention and after the 2-month follow-up will be reported for all outcomes. All analyses will assume a 2-sided test of hypothesis (α =.05). Impact. There is very little evidence for the efficacy of exercise interventions in people with MS who have advanced mobility disability. Resistance training with BFR may be an important approach for people with advanced MS who may not tolerate more conventional, moderate-to-high intensity resistance training. The results of this study will inform clinicians regarding exercise decisions for people with advanced MS and future investigations on the role of BFR in people with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Loss of functional independence is more likely in older adults who reside in an institution as a consequence of a decline in muscle mass and a loss of force production capacity. The aim of this review was to assess the effect of whole-body vibration (WBV) interventions on the strength, balance, and mobility of nursing home residents older than 80 years. Methods An electronic search in MEDLINE, Scopus, and CINAHL databases was conducted. Randomized controlled trials that involved nursing home residents older than 80 years, that investigated WBV interventions compared with nonintervention, usual care, or placebo, and that measured physical function outcomes including strength, balance, gait, and mobility were included. Risk of bias was assessed by 2 reviewers using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. The standardized mean differences (SMD) between the experimental and control groups were calculated with a random-effects model for each outcome, and subgroup analysis was conducted for different outcomes. Results In total, 2864 articles were identified; of these, 14 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed that WBV significantly increased the lower limb muscle strength (SMD = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.16 to 1.03), mobility (SMD = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.10 to 0.81), gait score (SMD = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.01 to 0.51), balance (SMD = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.01 to 0.81), and physical performance (SMD = 1.33; 95% CI = 0.33 to 2.33). Conclusion WBV may be an effective intervention to improve the strength, balance, mobility, walking ability, and physical performance of older nursing home residents. Impact WBV presents a safe, accessible alternative for improving health in this vulnerable population, warranting further research and integration into health care practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness (ICUAW) on the functional independence of patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) over 6 months after ICU discharge. Methods This was a prospective cohort study that included patients who were admitted to the ICU because of COVID-19 and who were monitored for 6 months after discharge from the ICU via telephone. Patients were evaluated at 3 times (30 days, 3 months, and 6 months after discharge from the ICU) for functional independence for personal care and mobility activities (Barthel Scale), independence for self-care (Katz Index), impact of COVID-19 on functional status (post–COVID-19 Functional Status Scale [PCFS]), and mobility level (ICU Mobility Scale). The existence of some degree of dependence was considered when the Barthel Scale score was <100 points, the Katz Index was ≥1, and the PCFS score was ≥1. A PCFS score of ≥3 indicated moderate or severe dependence. Patients with a Medical Research Council score of <48 at discharge from the ICU were diagnosed with ICUAW. Results Sixty-eight patients were included, with a mean age of 51 (SD = 13) years. The ICUAW rate at ICU discharge was 35%. In the evaluation with the PCFS, the values for the presence of any functional limitation at 30 days, 3 months, and 6 months after ICU discharge were 89.7%, 57.4%, and 38.2%, respectively. The rate of persistence of functional limitations after 6 months was higher in patients with ICUAW than in those without ICUAW (66.7% vs 22.8%; P  = .000); the same was true for moderate or severe limitations (20.8% vs 4.5%; P  = .035). Likewise, functional independence for personal care, mobility, and self-care activities was poorer in patients with ICUAW. Conclusions In patients surviving an ICU stay due to COVID-19, decreased functional independence persists even 6 months after discharge, and patients with ICUAW have worse outcomes. Impact Patients who survive ICU stays due to COVID-19 continue to have greater functional dependence even 6 months after ICU discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The primary objective of this study was to identify the occurrence and factors associated with intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness (ICUAW) in patients with COVID-19. Secondarily, we monitored the evolution of muscle strength and mobility among individuals with ICUAW and those without ICUAW and the association of these variables with length of stay, mechanical ventilation (MV), and other clinical variables. Methods In this prospective observational study, individuals admitted to the ICU for >72 hours with COVID-19 were evaluated for muscle strength and mobility at 3 times: when being weaned from ventilatory support, discharged from the ICU, and discharged from the hospital. Risk factors for ICUAW were monitored. Results The occurrences of ICUAW at the 3 times evaluated among the 75 patients included were 52%, 38%, and 13%. The length of the ICU stay (29.5 [IQR = 16.3–42.5] vs 11 [IQR = 6.5–16] days), the length of the hospital stay (43.5 [IQR = 22.8–55.3] vs 16 [IQR = 12.5–24] days), and time on MV (25.5 [IQR = 13.8–41.3] vs 10 [IQR = 5–22.5] days) were greater in patients with ICUAW. Muscle strength and mobility were lower at all times assessed in patients with ICUAW. Bed rest time for all patients (relative risk = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.28) and use of corticosteroids (relative risk = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.03) for those who required MV were factors independently associated with ICUAW. Muscle strength was found to have a positive correlation with mobility and a negative correlation with lengths of stay in the ICU and hospital and time on MV. Conclusion The occurrence of ICUAW was high on patients' awakening in the ICU but decreased throughout hospitalization; however, strength and mobility remained compromised at hospital discharge. Bed rest time and use of corticosteroids (for those who needed MV) were factors independently associated with ICUAW in patients with COVID-19. Impact Patients who had COVID-19 and developed ICUAW had longer periods of ICU stay, hospital stay, and MV. Bed rest time and use of corticosteroids (for those who required MV) were factors independently associated with ICUAW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a disabling and costly condition for older adults that is difficult to properly classify and treat. In a cohort study, a subgroup of older adults with CLBP who had elevated hip pain and hip muscle weakness was identified; this subgroup differentiated itself by being at higher risk for future mobility decline. The primary purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a hip-focused low back pain (LBP) treatment provides better disability and physical performance outcomes for this at-risk group compared with a spine-focused LBP treatment. Methods: This study is a multisite, single-blinded, randomized controlled, parallel arm, Phase II trial conducted across 3 clinical research sites. A total of 180 people aged between 60 and 85 years with CLBP and hip pain are being recruited. Participants undergo a comprehensive baseline assessment and are randomized into 1 of 2 intervention arms: hip-focused or spine-focused. They are treated twice weekly by a licensed physical therapist for 8 weeks and undergo follow-up assessments at 8 weeks and 6 months after randomization. Primary outcome measures include the Quebec Low Back Disability Scale and the 10-Meter Walk Test, which are measures of self-report and performance-based physical function, respectively. Impact: This multicenter, randomized clinical trial will determine whether a hip-focused or spine-focused physical therapist intervention results in improved disability and physical performance for a subgroup of older adults with CLBP and hip pain who are at increased risk of mobility decline. This trial will help further the development of effective interventions for this subgroup of older adults with CLBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Chronic neurological disorders (CNDs) generally produce deleterious effects on the musculoskeletal system and can affect physical activity and increase sedentary behavior in children, hindering the execution of training programs and the attainment of a correct dose of exercise. The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on skeletal muscle and then on biomechanics of movement, functional mobility, strength, spasticity, muscle architecture, and body composition of children and adolescents with CNDs and chronic diseases. Methods The search was conducted in April 2020 in PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, without publication period restriction. Publications investigating the effect of NMES on children and adolescents with CNDs and other chronic diseases were independently selected by 2 researchers. One author independently extracted data from the studies selected, and a second author cross-checked. Results Eighteen studies with 595 participants aged between 3 and 14 years were included. Quality assessment showed that 50% of the studies presented a low risk of bias. The pooled effect of NMES on gross motor functional measure, calculated as a standardized mean difference using a random effects model, was 0.41 (95% CI = 0.19–0.64). Conclusion The use of NMES programs for children diagnosed with cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, and obstetric injury of the brachial plexus was effective in improving muscle strength, biomechanics of movement, and functional mobility. Impact NMES can be a useful tool to prevent the reduction of mobility that results from CNDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]