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Introduction/Purpose Obesity increases significantly every year worldwide. Since 1980, the prevalence of individuals with obesity has practically doubled. Obesity plays an important role in the pathophysiology of diseases that arise from a complex interaction of nutritional, genetic, and metabolic factors, characterizing a chronic inflammatory state. This study aimed to verify the systemic inflammatory response through the analysis of IGF-1, IL-23, and resistin levels and the lipid profile in severely obese women undergoing surgery for obesity and weight-related diseases. Materials and Methods This randomized controlled clinical trial includes female patients clinically diagnosed with severe obesity with an indication for bariatric surgery. Results In the initial evaluation, no significant difference was observed between the control (CG) and bariatric surgery (BSG) groups. The weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, total non-HDL cholesterol, and glucose in BSG patients showed a significant change after surgery. Pre- and post-surgery levels of resistin, IGF-1, and IL-23 showed a significant difference in the BSG group, but only IL-23 was changed after 6 months in the CG. Conclusion The results of this study confirmed that weight loss induced by surgery for obesity and weight-related diseases improved the lipid profile and reduced the chronic inflammatory status in women with severe obesity.

Introduction: The Syndrome Z (SyndZ) has been drawing scientific community’s attention on the past years. It is characterized by the interaction between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). On its turn, MetS is knew for the association with various metabolic disturbances occurring simultaneously in the same patient, those of which include central obesity, systemic hypertension (SH), glucose intolerance or insulin resitance, low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and elevated serum triglycerides. OSA is a prevalent condition all over the world, and presents potential adverse health outcomes, with a particular impact in cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, OSA and MetS present important cardiovascular risk factors, that when superimposed can mean a higher cardiovascular morbi-mortality. This associated pathogenesis has not been completely elucidated. Objectives: A pilot study to determine the prevalence and severity of SyndZ in severely obese female patients on the waiting list for bariatric surgery. Methods/Design: This cross-sectional study will be conducted with severely obese female patients, on waiting list for bariatric surgery, from the Santa Casa de Misericordia de São Paulo Hospital, in the city of Sao Paulo (Brazil). Demographic, anthropometric and clinical data will be collected, as well as blood’s biochemical analysis. The patients will also undergo standard overnight polysomnography at the Sleep Laboratory of Nove de Julho University.

Background: Although the progressive nature of pulmonary hypertension (PH), including the impairment of respiratory muscle function, studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of physical exercise on the functional limitations caused by the disease in this population, being an important ally to the conventional drug therapy. There is no training protocol focused exclusively on respiratory musculature that is performed without supervision, since these patients have low adherence to the rehabilitation programs performed in an outpatient setting. Respiratory muscle training (RMT) improves functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic diseases such as heart failure and COPD. However, the effects of an unsupervised RMT protocol on PH are not yet known. Objective: To developed an unsupervised, home-based RMT protocol for patients with PH. Methods: A double-blind, controlled, randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of this protocol on respiratory muscle strength and endurance, functional capacity, by the six-minute walk test and QoL with the questionnaire The Medical Outcomes Study 36- item Short Form Health Survey (Sf-36) before and after an unsupervised training protocol and performed in a home environment with POWERbreathe. Two groups (IMT and SHAM) will be followed for 12 weeks with training performed 30 minutes daily. Results: We hope the intervention idealized by the protocol may will increase the respiratory muscle strength and endurance, the walk distance in six-minute walk test and QoL. Conclusions: Patients with PH who perform the intervention with inspiratory muscle training protocol may will be increase the respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity and QoL.

Introduction: Vaginismus is characterized by involuntary recurrent or persistent contraction of the perineum muscles adjacent to the lower third of the vagina when vaginal penetration with penis, finger, tampon or speculum is attempted. However, there may be low adherence to the therapy due to the need of the touch of the perineal region by the therapist. The interferential current can be an alternative, once it can be used externally and superficially. Objective: To evaluate a clinical protocol with the use of interferential current to treat vaginismus and to observe the decrease of pain and the behavior of the electrical activity on the perineal musculature. Methods: The protocol was registered in the Clinical Trials (NCT03176069) and it was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CAAE: 51995515.4.0000.5479). This will be a controlled clinical trial with a group of patients with Vaginismus (n = 30) and another without (n = 30). All women will be submitted to evaluation and reassessment with algometry, electromyographic biofeedback and visual analogue pain scale. The vaginismus group will perform 10 sessions, twice a week, with the interferential current (frequency = 2000 Hz, modulated amplitude = 80 Hz, pulse width = 200 μs and intensity according to sensory level) for 30 minutes. The evolution of vaginismus group before and after the intervention and the correlations between groups will be statistically analysed with the t Student’s or the Mann-Whitney test with a significance level of 5% (p ≤ 0.05). Hypothesis: This protocol will present a possible alternative for the treatment of vaginismus and it will investigate the electrical activity of the pelvic floor musculature in vaginismus compared to women who do not suffer from this disorder. It is expected to decrease the pain, to measure the muscular electrical activity before and after the intervention in the vaginismus group and to investigate the muscular electrical activity in the group without sexual dysfunction.

Background: Children with Down Syndrome have poorer functional and sensory skills compared to children with typical development. Virtual reality training could help improve these skills. Moreover, transcranial direct current stimulation has achieved promising results in terms of enhancing the effects of physical and sensory therapy by modulating cortical excitability. Methods/design The sample will be defined after conducting a pilot study with the same methodology as that to be used in the main study. The study will involve individuals with Down Syndrome with a cognitive age of six to 12 years according to the Wechsler Abbreviated Intelligence Scale. Will be randomly allocated into two groups: Group 1 AtDCS combined with a virtual reality game and a manual motor task. Group 2 sham AtDCS with a virtual reality game and a manual motor task. The training protocol will involve 10 sessions of AtDCS during memory and motor task games. Three 20-minute sessions will be held per week for a total of 10 sessions. Evaluations will be performed on three different occasions: pre-intervention, post-intervention (after session 10) and follow-up (one month after the proposed training). The evaluations will consist of an analysis of electroencephalographic signals, electromyographic signals of the biceps and triceps brachii and the three-dimensional reconstruction of the reaching movement. The results will be analyzed statistically, with the significance level set at 5% (p ≤ 0.05). Discussion: The optimization of the results obtained is believed to be related to interactive training with a wide range of activities and scenarios involving multiple sensory channels and the creation of exercises, the intensity of which can be adjusted to the needs of individuals. Therefore, the proposed study aims to complement the literature with further information and different variables to provide the scientific community with clinical data on this combination of interventions. Trial Registration: REBEC protocol number RBR-43pk59 registered on 2019/03/27 and Human Ethics Committee number 3.608.521 approved on 2019/09/30.

Endometriosis is characterised by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity that responds to oestrogen and stimulates local inflammatory processes, adhesions, pelvic pain, and infertility. The treatment of endometriosis includes the use of medications and videolaparoscopy for excision of adhesions or lesions. Some complications are associated with the videolaparoscopy, such as vascular, intestinal, urinary, neurological, and more rarely, vulvar oedema, which makes the rehabilitation difficult in the immediate postoperative period. In relation to the urinary dysfunction and to the vulvar oedema, physiotherapy has resources with demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of such complications after videolaparoscopy; they can rehabilitate the patient and improve their quality of life in a short time. In this study, the authors report the case of a patient treated by the Physical Therapy Service of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, with urinary retention and vulvar oedema after videolaparoscopy for endometriosis, which showed improvement in vulvar oedema with the application of physiotherapy.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays an important role in modulating bronchial smooth muscle contractility, which is altered in cystic fibrosis (CF). A convenient approach to probe ANS regulation is the quantitative analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). The purpose of this study was to evaluate ANS regulation in children with CF and to investigate the influence of colonization by Pseudonomas aeruginosa via assessment of HRV in colonized CF (CCF) children and noncolonized CF (NCCF) children. Sixteen children with CF (7 CCF and 9 NCCF) and seven healthy age-matched control children were enrolled in the study. Heart rate was recorded for 10 min at rest in the supine and standing positions and HRV analysis was carried out using autoregressive spectral analysis. The CCF group was characterized by lower forced expiratory volume than NCCF, indicating an impairment of respiratory function. The HRV parameters further confirmed the possible sympathetic overactivity in CCF. Children with CF exhibited hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. In particular, the CCF group presented a greater impairment of ANS modulation. Both CCF and NCCF children showed lower supine vagal activation in the HRV indices related to sympathetic activation and reduction of indices indicating vagal activity with the postural change from supine to standing when compared to the NCCF group.

Introduction: Functional disability is common in patients with chronic kidney disease, especially in those on hemodialysis. Muscle strength can be evaluated by a dynamometer; however, no study using this technique on the quadriceps of patients undergoing hemodialysis was found in literature. Objective: To assess the effects of cycloergometer training on the quadriceps muscle strength of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis. Method: This was a clinical trial including 46 patients, both men and women, over 18 years old who had been undergoing hemodialysis for more than six months and signed an informed consent form. Patients were allocated into two groups: intervention group (n = 22) and control group (n = 20). The intervention group underwent intradialytic training in a physical therapy protocol with the cycloergometer for two months, whereas the control group, in turn, was only reevaluated two months after the initial evaluation. All patients were assessed for demographic data at baseline and, two months later for quadriceps muscle strength by standardized dynamometry and with the use of a rigid belt and suction cups. Results: A significant increase was detected in quadriceps muscle strength in the right and left lower limbs in the intervention group when compared with the control group. Conclusion: Quadriceps muscle strength improved after patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis underwent training with the cycloergometer. Resumo Introdução: A incapacidade funcional é comum em pacientes com doença renal crônica, especialmente naqueles em hemodiálise. A força muscular pode ser avaliada pelo dinamômetro, porém não localizamos na literatura estudo dessa técnica em quadríceps de pacientes em hemodiálise. Objetivo: Analisar os efeitos do treinamento com o cicloergômetro na força muscular do quadríceps de pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise. Método: Este estudo foi prospectivo e randomizado com inclusão de 46 pacientes, acima de 18 anos, de ambos os gêneros que realizavam hemodiálise há mais de seis meses e assinassem o termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido. Os pacientes foram alocados em dois grupos: intervenção (n = 22) e controle (n = 20). O grupo de intervenção realizou dois meses de treinamento intradialítico de um protocolo fisioterápico com o cicloergômetro, já o grupo controle foi somente reavaliado após dois meses da avaliação inicial. Todos foram avaliados quanto a dados demográficos e força muscular do quadríceps no início e no fim do estudo por dinamometria com padronização da técnica, e uso de cinto rígido e ventosas. Resultados: Houve aumento significante da força muscular de quadríceps em membro inferior direito e esquerdo no grupo intervenção quando comparado ao controle. Conclusão: Houve melhora da força muscular após o treinamento realizado com o cicloergômetro na força muscular do quadríceps de pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise. Resumen Introducción: La discapacidad funcional es común en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica, especialmente aquellos en hemodiálisis. La fuerza muscular se puede evaluar por medio del dinamómetro, pero no hemos encontrado en la literatura un estudio con esta técnica en cuádriceps de pacientes en hemodiálisis. Objetivo: Analizar los efectos del entrenamiento con cicloergómetro sobre la fuerza muscular del cuádriceps de pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica sometidos a hemodiálisis. Método: Se trata de un estudio prospectivo y aleatorizado, en el que incluyó a 46 pacientes, mayores de 18 años, de ambos sexos, que realizaban hemodiálisis durante más de seis meses, y que firmaron el formulario de consentimiento informado. Los pacientes fueron asignados en dos grupos: intervención (n = 22) y control (n = 20). El grupo intervención realizó dos meses de entrenamiento intradialítico de un protocolo de fisioterapia con el cicloergómetro, mientras que el grupo control fue reevaluado solamente tras dos meses de la evaluación inicial. Todos fueron evaluados en cuanto a los datos demográficos y la fuerza muscular del cuádriceps al principio y al final del estudio por medio de la dinamometría con estandarización de la técnica, y el uso de correas rígidas y ventosas. Resultados: Hubo un aumento significativo en la fuerza muscular del cuádriceps en las extremidades inferiores derecha e izquierda en el grupo intervención en comparación con el grupo control. Conclusión: Se observó la mejora de la fuerza muscular tras el entrenamiento con cicloergómetro en la fuerza muscular del cuádriceps de pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en hemodiálisis.

Purpose. Exercise is recommended for patients undergoing hemodialysis, to reduce the decrease in functional capacity secondary to the progression of chronic kidney disease. A cycle ergometer can be easily added to an exercise routine during hemodialysis sessions. The purpose of this article was to assess the results of a training protocol with the cycle ergometer during hemodialysis sessions on the respiratory function and functional capacity of patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. Method. In this randomized clinical trial (NCT no. 02834026), 39 patients undergoing hemodialysis were randomly allocated into two groups: the treatment group (TG, n = 20), who underwent a cycle ergometer protocol training, and the control group (GC, n = 19), not trained. The TG attended 24 training sessions, three times a week, during the intradialytic period. Training intensity was aimed at keeping the heart rate between 50 and 70% of its maximum. All participants were evaluated before and after the eight consecutive weeks of follow-up and had biochemicals data, anthropometric, functional, and respiratory outcomes evaluated. Results. A significant difference was observed between groups in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in the first second, peak expiratory flow, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, and Borg score and distance covered in the six-minute walk test. Improvement was also observed in biochemical and Kt/V test results for the TG. Conclusion. The systematic training regimen with a cycle ergometer resulted in benefits in the respiratory function and functional capacity in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

Objective: To analyze the impact of a physiotherapy protocol in maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) by manovacuometry. AIS may change the respiratory dynamics and the performance of inspiratory and expiratory muscles, affecting ventilatory capacity. Methods: Patients with AIS aged 10 to 20 years old were randomly assigned to receive an aerobic exercise-training program or no treatment. They were evaluated for respiratory muscle strength before and after the treatment period by means of manovacuometry, thorax and spine radiographs. Physical therapy exercising protocol comprised three weekly sessions including stretching and aerobic exercises during four months. Results: Forty five patients received physical therapy and 45 patients received no treatment (control group). The mean maximum inspiratory pressure (Pimax) was -52.13 cm H20 and the maximum expiratory pressure (Pemax) was 62.38 cm H20. There was a significant increase of Pimax and Pemax (p=0,000) in the group receiving physical therapy. There were no drop-outs and no adverse events in this study. Respiratory muscle strength, scoliosis and kyphosis degrees were not statistically correlated. Conclusion: Exercising is beneficial to patients with AIS, who have shown significant increases in respiratory muscle strength after physical therapy. There was no correlation between respiratory pressure and spine deformity. Level of Evidence I, High quality randomized trial.

Question: In adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, does combined aerobic and resistance training improve respiratory function, perceived exertion and functional exercise capacity more than aerobic training only? Design: Randomised controlled trial with concealed allocation, blinded assessors and intention-to-treat analysis. Participants: Forty adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and formal indication for surgical correction (spinal curvature ≥ 45 deg). Intervention: Both groups undertook three 60-minute training sessions per week for 12 weeks. The experimental group performed combined aerobic and resistance training and the control group performed only aerobic training. Outcome measures: At baseline and upon completion of treatment, participants completed: a 6-minute walk test with Borg scale (0 to 10) rating of exertion, spirometry, maximal respiratory pressures and peak expiratory flow measurement. Results: After 12 weeks of training, the experimental group improved more than the control group on the 6-minute walk test (MD 22 m, 95% CI 4 to 40), with lower perceived exertion at the end of the test (MD –1.2, 95% CI –1.9 to –0.4). The experimental group also improved more than the control group on several respiratory measures, including: FEV1 (MD 270 ml, 95% CI 30 to 510), maximal inspiratory pressure (MD 4 cmH2O, 95% CI 1 to 8) and peak expiratory flow (MD 33 l/minute, 95% CI 7 to 58). Conclusion: In adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, combined aerobic and resistance training improves functional exercise capacity and several respiratory outcomes more than a similar training regimen with aerobic training only. It is unclear whether the magnitude of the benefits is large enough to be worthwhile. Trial registration: NCT02413788. Key words: Exercise, Exercise test, Resistance training, Physical therapy, Scoliosis

Background Obesity is a worldwide disease related to genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors, and it is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Recently, obesity has been characterized by a low-grade inflammatory state known as inflammome indicated by chronic increases in circulating concentrations of inflammatory markers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of weight loss induced by surgery for obesity and weight-related diseases on pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory adipokine (adiponectin) levels, and on an adipose-derived hormone (leptin) in severely obese subjects. Methods This randomized, controlled trial involved 55 severe obese patients (50 women, age 18–63 years, and body mass index of 35.7–63 kg/m2) who underwent bariatric surgery (BS). Patients with a BMI > 65 kg/m2 and clinical and mental instability, or significant and unrealistic expectations of surgery were excluded. Blood samples were collected during the fasting period to analyze tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), adiponectin, and leptin levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results At baseline, no significant difference was observed in the anthropometric, demographic, clinical characteristics and biochemistry and inflammatory markers between the control group (CG) and bariatric surgery group (BSG). The same finding was also observed when we compared the baseline variables to those at the 6-month follow-up in the CG. However, the same variables in the BSG group were significantly different between baseline and the 6-month follow-up after BS. Conclusions Weight loss induced by surgery for obesity and weight-related diseases reduced the inflammome state in severely obese patients.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of global postural reeducation (GPR) relative to segmental exercises (SE) in the treatment of scapular dyskinesis (SD) associated with neck pain.Participants with SD and neck pain (n = 30) aged 18 to 65 years were randomly assigned to one of two groups: GPR and SE (stretching exercises). The upper extremity was assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; function of the neck was estimated using the Neck Disability Index; pain severity was measured using a visual analogical scale; and health-related quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-12. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after 10 weekly sessions (60 minutes each). The significance level adopted was α.05.For pre-post treatment comparisons, GPR was significantly associated with improvements in function of neck and upper extremities, pain, and physical and mental domains of quality of life (P.05). Segmental exercises improved function of upper extremities and of the neck and severity of pain (P.05). When contrasting groups, GPR was significantly superior to SE in improving pain and physical domains of the quality of life.This study showed that GPR and SE had similar effects on function of the neck and upper extremity in patients with SD associated with neck pain. When comparing groups, GPR was superior to SE in improving pain and quality of life.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is related to a low body mass index (BMI), reduced functional capacity and reduced bone density, thus justifying the importance of evaluating all of these parameters in the patients with the disease. This is a cross-sectional study, with sample consisting of 20 patients who performed measurement of body composition by bioelectrical impedance, evaluation of functional capacity by the distance traveled in the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT) and assessment of severity of obstruction by spirometry. Significant differences were found between the travelled and scheduled distance in the ISWT (p

Introdução: A doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica é caracterizada por limitação do fluxo aéreo, não totalmente reversível. Os pacientes frequentemente apresentam intolerância ao exercício, dispneia e pior qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Avaliar a correlação de variáveis espirométricas, capacidade funcional e índice i-BODE com a qualidade de vida em sujeitos com DPOC. Métodos: Realizou-se estudo transversal no Laboratório de Avaliação Funcional Respiratória da Uninove. Os 23 pacientes com DPOC realizaram as seguintes avaliações: anamnese, qualidade de vida e dispneia, espirometria, composição corporal e incremental shuttle walk test. Resultados: Encontrou-se correlação significativa entre o SF-36 e o AQ-20 com a função pulmonar, a distância percorrida e o i-BODE, e as variáveis que mais apresentaram contribuição associativa com a qualidade de vida foram IMC, massa gorda, VEF1, DP e índice i-BODE. Conclusões: Pacientes com DPOC com qualidade de vida mais prejudicada apresentam maior comprometimento da função pulmonar, menor capacidade de exercício e menor sobrevida.

Introduction: Literature shows that patients undergoing hemodialysis present poor physical conditioning and low tolerance to exercise. They may also suffer from respiratory dysfunctions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on pulmonary function and functional capacity of patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. Methods: Forty adult patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis were prospectively studied and randomized into two groups (control n = 20 and treatment n = 20). The treatment group underwent bilateral femoral quadriceps muscles electrical stimulation for 30 minutes during hemodialysis, three times per week, for two months. The patients were evaluated by pulmonary function test, maximum respiratory pressures, maximum one-repetition test, and six-minute walk test (6MWT), before and after the treatment protocol. Results: The treatment group presented increased maximum inspiratory (MIP) (p = 0.02) and expiratory pressures (MEP) (p < 0.0001), muscular strength in maximum one-repetition test (p < 0.001), and distance covered in the 6MWT (p = 0.03), and decreased systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and respiratory frequency (p < 0.001) when compared with the control group. Conclusion: Electrical neuromuscular stimulation had a positive impact on pulmonary function and functional capacity, leading to better physical performance in patients on hemodialysis. Resumo Introdução: Pacientes submetidos à hemodiálise apresentam baixo condicionamento físico além de serem acometidos por disfunções respiratórias. Objetivamos avaliar os efeitos da estimulação elétrica neuromuscular na função pulmonar e capacidade funcional de pacientes com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise. Método: 40 adultos com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise foram estudados prospectivamente e randomizados em dois grupos (controle n = 20 e tratamento n = 20). O grupo tratamento realizou protocolo com estimulação elétrica neuromuscular em quadríceps femoral por 30 minutos durante a hemodiálise, três vezes por semana, durante dois meses. Todos pacientes realizaram espirometria, pressões respiratórias máximas, teste de uma repetição máxima e teste da caminhada dos seis minutos (TC6), antes e após o período de acompanhamento. Resultados: O grupo tratamento apresentou aumento da pressão inspiratória máxima com p = 0,02 na comparação entre grupos e p < 0,001 para a pressão máxima expiratória. O teste de uma repetição máxima e a distância percorrida no TC6 apresentaram-se maiores após o protocolo no grupo de tratamento com p < 0,001 e 0,03 respectivamente. Houve diminuição da pressão arterial sistólica (p < 0,001) e frequência respiratória (p < 0,001) após a estimulação elétrica quando comparado ao grupo controle. Conclusão: A estimulação elétrica neuromuscular teve impacto positivo sobre a função pulmonar e a capacidade funcional levando ao melhor desempenho físico em pacientes em hemodiálise.

Background: The adequate control of asthma includes the absence of nocturnal symptoms, minimal use of medication, normal or nearly normal lung function and no limitations to physical activity. The choice of a more sedentary lifestyle can lead to physical de-conditioning, thereby aggravating asthma symptoms and increasing the risk of obesity. Methods: This study aimed at performing a battery of function-related assessments in patients with asthma and comparing them to a healthy control group. A prospective, transversal and case–control study was designed. It was set up at Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital – Sao Paulo and Nove de Julho University on a population of outpatients. Subjects of the study were patients affected by moderate to severe asthma. A case–control study was carried out involving 20 patients with moderate to severe asthma and 15 healthy individuals (control group). All participants underwent body composition analysis (BMI and BIA) and a controlled walk test (Shuttle test), resistance muscle test (1RM) and answered a physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). The group with asthma also answered a questionnaire addressing the clinical control of the illness (ACQ). Results: In comparison to the control group (unpaired Student’s t-test), the patients with asthma had a significantly higher BMI (31.09 ± 5.98 vs. 26.68 ± 7.56 kg/m2) and percentage of body fat (38.40 ± 6.75 vs. 33.28 ± 8.23%) as well as significantly lower values regarding distance traveled on the walk test (369 ± 110 vs. 494 ± 85 meters) and metabolic equivalents (3.74 ± 0.87 vs. 4.72 ± 0.60). A strong correlation was found between the distance completed and peripheral muscle strength (r: 0.57, p < 0.05) and METs (Metabolic equivalents – minutes/week) and peripheral muscle strength of 1RM (r: 0.61, p = 0.009). Conclusions: The individuals with asthma had lower functional capacity and levels of physical activity as well as a higher percentage of body fat compared to healthy individuals. This suggests that such patients have a reduced physical performance stemming from a sedentary lifestyle. Despite the existence of few studies reporting moderate to severe asthmatic patients and functional capacity assessment, it is clear that the assessment presented in the current study is a valid and accessible tool in clinical practice.

Introduction Bronchiectasis is a chronic disorder characterised by permanent and irreversible abnormal dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles, primarily caused by repeated cycles of pulmonary infections and inflammation, which lead to reduced mucociliary clearance and to the excessive production of sputum. Patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis may be predisposed to hypoxemia during sleep, or to symptoms that may lead to arousals and thereby reduce the quality of life, because of the irreversible dilation of the bronchi and the presence of secretions and airflow obstruction. Methods and analysis For this cross-sectional observational study, patients with a clinical diagnosis of non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis will be recruited from the Bronchiectasis Clinic of the Pneumology Department of the Santa Casa de Misericordia Hospital and the Federal University of Sao Paulo (Sao Paulo, Brazil). Patients of either sex will be included if high-resolution CT of the thorax and classic sweat test confirms they have non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, are between 18 and 80 years old, use long-acting bronchodilators, are clinically stable for a least 1 month, agree to participate in the study and they sign a statement of informed consent. The first part of the study will involve a clinical evaluation, maximal respiratory pressures, spirometry and the Saint George9s Respiratory Questionnaire. The Sleep Laboratory of the Master9s and Doctoral Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences of the Nove de Julho University (Sao Paulo, Brazil) will perform the polysomnographic studies, Berlin Questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, waist and neck circumferences, modified Mallampati classification and tonsil index. Ethics and dissemination This protocol has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committees of Santa Casa de Misericordia Hospital (process number 178/2012) and Human Research Ethics Committee of Nove de Julho University (process number 370474/2010). All participants will sign a statement of informed consent. The study findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences.

Fernanda Dultra Dias,1 Luciana Maria Malosá Sampaio,1 Graziela Alves da Silva,1 Évelim LF Dantas Gomes,1 Eloisa Sanches Pereira do Nascimento,1 Vera Lucia Santos Alves,2 Roberto Stirbulov,2 Dirceu Costa11Post Graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences, Nove de Julho University – UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil; 2Pneumology Clinic at Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo (AME), São Paulo, BrazilIntroduction: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a multidisciplinary program of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with the goal of improving the functional capacity and quality of life, as well as maintaining the clinical stability of COPD sufferers. However, not all patients are available for such a program despite discomfort with their condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a home-based PR (HBPR) program on functional ability, quality of life, and respiratory muscle strength and endurance.Patients and methods: Patients with COPD according to the Global Initiative of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease were randomized (double-blind) into two groups. One group performed a protocol at home with aerobic and muscle strength exercises and was called the intervention group; the other group received only instructions to perform breathing and stretching exercises, characterizing it as the control group (CG). We assessed the following variables at baseline and 2 months: exercise tolerance (incremental shuttle walk test and upper limb test), respiratory muscle (strength and endurance test), and health-related quality of life (Airways Questionnaire 20).Results: There were no significant changes after the intervention in either of the two groups in exercise tolerance and quality of life. However, the intervention group had improved respiratory endurance compared with the CG, while the CG presented a decrease in the load sustained by the respiratory muscles after the HBPR.Conclusion: A program of HBPR with biweekly supervision (although not enough to provide significant improvements in physical capacity or quality of life) played an important role in maintaining the stability of the clinical features of patients with COPD; the patients had no worsening of symptoms during the intervention period according to the daily log.Keywords: home-based pulmonary rehabilitation, COPD, shuttle walk test

Background Idiopathic adolescent scoliosis (AIS) causes not only spinal deformities but rib cage abnormalities that lead to abnormal volumes and pulmonary capacity on pulmonary function testing (PFT). The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of a physical rehabilitation program on respiratory function in surgical patients with AIS. Methods From October 2003 to October 2004, a total of 34 patients (age range, 10 to 18 years) presenting with AIS and a thoracic curvature between 45° and 88° were studied prospectively at a tertiary academic hospital. The patients underwent clinical and radiographic evaluations of the vertebral deformity, chest radiographs, PFT, evaluation of peak expiratory flow, and 6-min walk tests (6MWTs) before and after joining a physical rehabilitation program for 4 months. Results An improvement in FVC, inspiratory capacity, FEV 1 , expiratory reserve volume, and performance assessed by 6MWT were observed after rehabilitation. Conclusions Global conditioning improved after the rehabilitation program. This was expressed by both PFT and 6MWT results.