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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 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 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]