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To analyze the effect of lumbar strengthening exercise in lower-limb amputees with chronic low back pain.
We included in this prospective study 19 lower-limb amputees who had experienced low back pain for longer than 6 months. Participants were treated with 30-minute lumbar strengthening exercises, twice weekly, for 8 weeks. We used the visual analog scale (VAS), and Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire, and measured parameters such as iliopsoas length, abdominal muscle strength, back extensor strength, and back extensor endurance. In addition, we assessed the isometric peak torque and total work of the trunk flexors and extensors using isokinetic dynamometer. The pre- and post-exercise measurements were compared.
Compared with the baseline, abdominal muscle strength (from 4.4±0.7 to 4.8±0.6), back extensor strength (from 2.6±0.6 to 3.5±1.2), and back extensor endurance (from 22.3±10.7 to 46.8±35.1) improved significantly after 8 weeks. The VAS decreased significantly from 4.6±2.2 to 2.6±1.6 after treatment. Furthermore, the peak torque and total work of the trunk flexors and extensors increased significantly (p<0.05).
Lumbar strengthening exercise in lower-limb amputees with chronic low back pain resulted in decreased pain and increased lumbar extensor strength. The lumbar strengthening exercise program is very effective for lower-limb amputees with chronic low back pain.
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To investigate factors associated with enrollment and participation in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in Korea.
Patients admitted to four university hospitals with acute coronary syndrome between June 2014 and May 2016 were enrolled. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Barriers Scale (CRBS) made of 21-item questionnaire and divided in four subdomains was administered during admission. CRBS items used a 5-point Likert scale and ≥2.5 was considered as a barrier. Differences between CR non-attender and CR attender, or CR non-enroller and CR enroller in subscale and each items of CRBS were examined using the chi-square test.
The CR participation rate in four hospitals was 31% (170 of the 552). Logistical factors (odds ratio [OR]=7.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.62–12.55) and comorbidities/functional status (OR=6.60; 95% CI, 3.95–11.01) were identified as a barrier to CR enrollment in the subdomain analysis. Among patients who were enrolled (agreed to participate in CR during admission), only work/time conflict was a significant barrier to CR participation (OR=2.17; 95% CI, 1.29–3.66).
Diverse barriers to CR participation were identified in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Providing the tailored model for CR according to the individual patient's barrier could improve the CR utilization. Further multicenter study with large sample size including other CR indication is required.
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To determine if there is muscle mass reduction in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to the general population and to examine the relationship between skeletal muscle mass, quality of life (QOL), strength, and mobility in patients with AS.
A total of 30 AS patients were enrolled in this study. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and it was expressed as the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI). QOL was assessed using the EuroQOL (EQ-5D). To measure mobility, the modified Schöber test and chest expansion test were used. To measure grip strength as a measure of muscle strength, we used the hydraulic hand dynamometer. Additionally, we divided the patients into two groups according to the degree of X-ray finding and compared the differences between the two groups.
There was no significant reduction in skeletal muscle mass in patients with AS compared to the general population. Also, there was no significant correlation between SMI and QOL. On the other hand, there was a significant positive correlation between SMI and mobility, and grip strength. A significant positive correlation was found between mobility and QOL. Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference in mobility between the two groups according to the degree of X-ray finding.
Maintaining muscle mass in AS patients may not be helpful for improving QOL, but it may contribute to achieving adequate mobility and strength.
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To determine the age-related changes in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) outcomes, which includes hemodynamic and metabolic factors, in patients with myocardial infarction (MI).
CR was administered for 8 weeks to 32 men (mean age, 54.0±8.8 years) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention for acute MI between July 2012 and January 2016. The exercise tolerance tests were performed before and after the CR. The results were stratified based on a cut-off age of 55 years.
In the whole patient group, the hemodynamic variables such as the resting heart rate (HRrest), systolic blood pressure (SBPrest), submaximal HR (HRsubmax), SBP (SBPsubmax), and rate pressure product (RPPsubmax) significantly decreased and the maximal HR (HRmax) and RPP (RPPmax) significantly increased. All metabolic variables displayed significant improvement, to include maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and ventilation (VEmax), anaerobic threshold (AT), and the maximal oxygen pulse (O2pulsemax). However, upon stratification by age, those who were younger than 55 years of age exhibited significant changes only in the HRrest and RPPsubmax and those aged 55 years old or greater displayed significant changes in all hemodynamic variables except diastolic BP. Both groups displayed significant increases in the VO2max, VEmax, and AT; the older group also exhibited a significant increase in O2pulsemax. The magnitude of the changes in the hemodynamic and metabolic variables before and after CR, based on age, did not differ between the groups; although, it tended to be greater among the older participants of this study's sample.
Because the older participants tended to show greater hemodynamic and metabolic changes due to CR, a more aggressive CR program must be administered to elderly patients with MI.
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To determine whether heart rate recovery (HRR) following an exercise tolerance test (ETT) is correlated with a changing ratio of peak oxygen consumption (VO2) and maximal metabolic equivalents (METmax).
A total of 60 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients who underwent ETT at both assessment points - 3 weeks (T0) after the AMI attack and 3 months after T0 (T1) were included. After achieving a peak workload, the treadmill was stopped with a 5-minute cooldown period, and the patients recovered in a comfortable and relaxed seated position. HRR was defined as the difference between the maximal heart rate (HRmax) and the HR measured at specific time intervals - immediately after the cool down period (HRR-0) and 3 minutes after the completion of the ETT (HRR-3).
HRR-0 and HRR-3 increased over time, whereas VO2max and METmax did not show significant changes. There was a positive correlation between HRR at T0 and the exercise capacity at T0. HRR at T0 also showed a positive correlation with the exercise capacity at T1. There was no significant correlation between HRR measured at T0 and the change in the ratio of VO2max and METmax, as calculated by subtracting VO2max and METmax obtained at T0 from those obtained at T1, divided by VO2max at T0 and multiplied by 100.
Post-exercise HRR measured at 3 weeks after the AMI onset can reflect the exercise capacity 3 months after the first ETT. However, it may be difficult to correlate post-exercise HRR at T0 with the degree of increase in cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with AMI.
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To investigate if walking is independently associated with low back pain (LBP) in the general population.
This cross-sectional study used public data from the Fourth and Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Subjects included 5,982 community-dwelling adults aged ≥50 years. Presence of current LBP was defined as LBP for 1 month or more in the past 3 months. Walking was measured as total walking duration for the past week and subjects were divided into four quartiles. Independent effect of walking on LBP was determined using odds ratios (OR) adjusted for age, sex, osteoporosis, depression or anxiety, and radiographic lumbar spondylosis.
Prevalence of LBP was 26.4% in this population. Older people and women had higher prevalence of current LBP. Prevalence of obesity and osteoporosis was higher in subjects with current LBP and quality of life was poorer in subjects with current LBP. Adjusted logistic regression model revealed that older age (OR, 1.655; p=0.018), female sex (OR, 2.578; p<0.001), radiographic lumbar spondylosis (OR, 2.728; p<0.001), depression or anxiety (OR, 5.409; p<0.001), and presence of osteoporosis (OR, 1.467; p=0.002) were positively associated with current LBP. Walking decreased prevalence of current LBP proportionally (2nd quartile OR, 0.795; 3rd quartile OR, 0.770; and 4th quartile OR, 0.686 compared with the 1st quartile of walking).
Walking was negatively associated with LBP. Further studies are needed to reveal causal relationship of this phenomenon.
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To examine the effect and safety of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program in high-risk cardiac patients and compare these results to those of control CR participants without high-risk criteria.
A total of 12 high-risk cardiac patients were recruited as subjects. The high-risk criteria were: advanced heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of less than 30%, a recent history of cardiac arrest or dangerous arrhythmia, and cardiac device insertion. Another 12 CR participants without any high-risk criteria mentioned above were recruited as controls. Both groups underwent 6 to 8 weeks of CR exercise training. Exercise tolerance tests were performed before and after completion of the CR program. After CR completion, both groups were evaluated and their results were compared.
After completion of the CR exercise program, both groups showed significant increases in peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and LVEF. In the control group (n=12), VO2peak increased from 25.9 to 31.8 mL/kg/min (changing rate, +21.4%±22.1%) and LVEF increased from 56.1% to 59.1% (changing rate, +5.3%±8.4%). In the high-risk group (n=12), VO2peak increased from 16.8 to 21.0 mL/kg/min (changing rate, +28.6%±21.4%) and LVEF increased from 26.1% to 29.4% (changing rate, +16.1%±12.9%). There was no serious cardiovascular event during all exercise hours.
High-risk cardiac patients who completed a supervised CR program demonstrated significant improvements in VO2peak and LVEF without any serious cardiovascular event. The improvement rate was similar to that of control group.
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To assess the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the recovery of abdominal muscle strength in postnatal women with diastasis of recti abdominis muscles (DRAM).
Sixty women, 2 months postnatal, participated in this study. They were divided randomly into two equal groups. Group A received NMES in addition to abdominal exercises; group B received only abdominal exercises. The intervention in both groups was for three times per week for 8 weeks. The outcome measures were body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, inter recti distance (IRD), and abdominal muscle strength in terms of peak torque, maximum repetition total work, and average power.
Both groups showed highly significant (p<0.05) improvement in all outcomes. Further, intergroup comparisons showed significant improvement (p<0.05) in all parameters in favor of group A, except for the BMI.
NMES helps reduce DRAM in postnatal women; if combined with abdominal exercises, it can augment the effects.
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To explore the feasibility of cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) in leukemia patients after chemotherapy.
Leukemia patients with histologically confirmed hematologic malignancies were reviewed. We evaluated for CPET, between receiving chemotherapy and undergoing stem cell transplantation after 2 weeks. We recorded exercise testing and physiologic parameters during CPET between January 2013 to May 2015. All patients were subjected to symptoms limited to exercise testing, according to the Modified Bruce Protocol. We considered that if respiratory exchange ratio achieved was over 1.10, participants had successfully completed CPET. We dichotomized all participants into two groups (normal group, normal range of resting heart rate; higher group, over 100 per minute of heart rate).
30 patients were finally enrolled. All participants had no adverse effects during the exercise test. Mean peak double product was 26,998.60 mmHg·beats/min (range, 15,481–41,004), and mean peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) was 22.52±4.56 mL/kg/min. Significant differences were observed in the normal group with VO2 peak (mean, 24.21 mL/kg/min; p=0.027) and number of prior intensive chemotherapy, compared to the higher group (mean, 1.95; p=0.006).
Our results indicate that CPET in leukemia patients before stem cell transplantation was very safe, and is an efficient method to screen for patients with poor cardiac functions. As CPET presents the parameters which reveal the cardiopulmonary functions, including VO2 peak, double product and exercise capacity, this exercise test would help to predict the physical performance or general condition of the leukemia patients.
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To investigate the real-time cardiovascular response to the progressive overload exercise in different levels of spinal cord injury (SCI), and to find out whether regular exercise has effect on these cardiovascular responses.
The study enrolled 8 able-bodied individuals in the control group plus 15 SCI subjects who were divided into two groups by their neurological level of injury: high-level SCI group (T6 or above) and low-level SCI group (T7 or below). Also, subjects were divided into exercise group and non-exercise group by usual exercise habits. We instructed the subjects to perform exercises using arm ergometer according to the protocol and checked plethysmograph for the real time assessment of blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output.
Six subjects were included in high-level SCI group (3 cervical, 3 thoracic injuries), 9 subjects in low-level SCI group (9 thoracic injuries), and 8 able-bodied individuals in control group. During arm ergometer-graded exercise, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was significantly lower in high-level SCI subjects of non-exercise group, compared with high-level SCI subjects of exercise group. In addition, HR was significantly higher in low-level SCI group compared with control group.
There are significant differences in mean arterial pressure of high-level SCI group according to usual exercise habits. We discovered that even in non-athlete high-level SCI, regular exercise can bring cardiac modulation through blood pressure control.
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To evaluate the accuracy of a smartphone application measuring heart rates (HRs), during an exercise and discussed clinical potential of the smartphone application for cardiac rehabilitation exercise programs.
Patients with heart disease (14 with myocardial infarction, 2 with angina pectoris) were recruited. Exercise protocol was comprised of a resting stage, Bruce stage II, Bruce stage III, and a recovery stage. To measure HR, subjects held smartphone in their hands and put the tip of their index finger on the built-in camera for 1 minute at each exercise stage such as resting stage, Bruce stage II, Bruce stage III, and recovery stage. The smartphones recorded photoplethysmography signal and HR was calculated every heart beat. HR data obtained from the smartphone during the exercise protocol was compared with the HR data obtained from a Holter electrocardiography monitor (control).
In each exercise protocol stage (resting stage, Bruce stage II, Bruce stage III, and the recovery stage), the HR averages obtained from a Holter monitor were 76.40±12.73, 113.09±14.52, 115.64±15.15, and 81.53±13.08 bpm, respectively. The simultaneously measured HR averages obtained from a smartphone were 76.41±12.82, 112.38±15.06, 115.83±15.36, and 81.53±13 bpm, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient (95% confidence interval) was 1.00 (1.00–1.00), 0.99 (0.98–0.99), 0.94 (0.83–0.98), and 1.00 (0.99–1.00) in resting stage, Bruce stage II, Bruce stage III, and recovery stage, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the HRs measured by either device at each stage (p>0.05).
The accuracy of measured HR from a smartphone was almost overlapped with the measurement from the Holter monitor in resting stage and recovery stage. However, we observed that the measurement error increased as the exercise intensity increased.
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To compare and analyze the effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in two groups based on the peak respiratory exchange ratio (RERpeak) 1.1 values using the exercise tolerance test (ETT) results, and to investigate the reasons for early termination of ETT.
Patients with acute coronary syndrome who participated in CR exercise training were selected and all subjects underwent 6 weeks of CR exercise training. ETT was performed on a treadmill using a Modified Bruce Protocol before and after CR exercise training. According to the result of the first ETT, the subjects were divided into two groups: those with an RERpeak≥1.1 (n=33) and those with an RERpeak<1.1 (n=22). We investigated the reasons for ETT termination and compared the effect of CR between the groups.
The reasons for the early termination of the first ETT in the RERpeak<1.1 group were subjective dyspnea, abnormal cardiovascular responses, leg fatigue and other problems. After a 6-week CR, the peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) and ETT time increased, and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and RPP (rate pressure product) at stage 3 decreased in both the RERpeak<1.1 and RERpeak≥1.1 groups.
CR exercise training improved exercise capacity, not only in the RERpeak≥1.1 group, but also in the RERpeak<1.1 group. This means that patients with a lower exercise tolerance could also benefit from the effects of CR. Thoughtful consideration to identify the direct and indirect causes for the early termination of ETT would be necessary to improve the efficiency of CR.
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To evaluate the effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on functional capacity in obese and non-obese patients who have suffered acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
Overall, 359 patients who have suffered AMI, and were referred for CR after percutaneous coronary intervention from 2010 to 2015 and underwent an exercise tolerance test before and after phase II CR were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: obese group with body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 (n=170; age, 54.32±9.98 years; BMI, 27.52±2.92 kg/m2) and non-obese group with BMI <25 kg/m2 (n=189; age, 59.12±11.50 years; BMI 22.86±2.01 kg/m2). The demographic characteristics and cardiopulmonary exercise capacity of all patients were analyzed before and after CR.
There were significant changes in resting heart rate (HRrest) before and after CR between the obese and non-obese groups (before CR, p=0.028; after CR, p=0.046), but other cardiopulmonary exercise capacity before and after CR was not different between the groups. HRrest (p<0.001), maximal metabolic equivalents (METs, p<0.001), total exercise duration (TED, p<0.001), and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max, p<0.001) improved significantly in the obese and non-obese groups after CR. No difference in the change in the cardiopulmonary exercise capacity rate was detected between the groups.
CR may improve functional capacity in patients who suffered AMI regardless of their obesity.
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