Ambulation Recovery Research Articles

Ambulation recovery prediction after hip fracture surgery using the Hip Fracture Short-Term Ambulation Prediction tool.

To develop models for predicting postoperative ambulation recovery at 3 months following fragility hip fracture surgery. Cross-sectional study. Fragility hip fracture patients aged ≥ 50 years who underwent operative treatment and completed a 3-month follow-up. Potential predictors were collected from eligible patients, while ambulation at 3 months after injury was assessed using the modified functional ambulation classification. These factors were used to develop the Hip Fracture Short-Term Ambulation Prediction, consisting of 2 models: Model 1 for postoperative ambulation and Model 2 for preinjury status recovery. Among the 275 patients, 55 (20.0%) achieved good ambulation, and 59 (21.5%) returned to their preinjury status at 3 months. Age, preinjury ambulatory status, and discharge ambulatory status were identified as significant predictors of 3-month postoperative ambulation. The tool presented (Models 1 and 2) showed strong performance (area under the curve of 0.86 and 0.85, respectively) and good internal validity. Age, preinjury ambulatory status, and discharge ambulatory status significantly predict postoperative ambulation and preinjury status recovery at 3 months after fragility hip fracture surgery. The tool presented may aid clinicians in identifying patients who could benefit from targeted rehabilitation interventions during this crucial period.

Multiple imputation integrated to machine learning: predicting post-stroke recovery of ambulation after intensive inpatient rehabilitation

Good data quality is vital for personalising plans in rehabilitation. Machine learning (ML) improves prognostics but integrating it with Multiple Imputation (MImp) for dealing missingness is an unexplored field. This work aims to provide post-stroke ambulation prognosis, integrating MImp with ML, and identify the prognostic influential factors. Stroke survivors in intensive rehabilitation were enrolled. Data on demographics, events, clinical, physiotherapy, and psycho-social assessment were collected. An independent ambulation at discharge, using the Functional Ambulation Category scale, was the outcome. After handling missingness using MImp, ML models were optimised, cross-validated, and tested. Interpretability techniques analysed predictor contributions. Pre-MImp, the dataset included 54.1% women, 79.2% ischaemic patients, median age 80.0 (interquartile range: 15.0). Post-MImp, 368 non-ambulatory patients on 10 imputed datasets were used for training, 80 for testing. The random forest (the validation best-performing algorithm) obtained 75.5% aggregated balanced accuracy on the test set. The main predictors included modified Barthel index, Fugl-Meyer assessment/motricity index, short physical performance battery, age, Charlson comorbidity index/cumulative illness rating scale, and trunk control test. This is among the first studies applying ML, together with MImp, to predict ambulation recovery in post-stroke rehabilitation. This pipeline reliably exploits the potential of incomplete datasets for healthcare prognosis, identifying relevant predictors.

Posterior aggressive debulking versus minimal decompression surgery in patients with metastatic spinal cord compression: propensity-score-matching analysis from a multicenter study cohort.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the comparative outcomes of aggressive debulking (AD) and minimal decompression (MD) surgeries for metastatic spinal cord compression based on surgical burden, functional improvement, and symptomatic local recurrence (SLR). In this retrospective analysis from 2 tertiary hospitals, the authors assessed patients with metastatic spinal cord compression treated via AD and MD surgeries between 2010 and 2022. The evaluation included patient demographics, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS), primary tumor type, modified Tokuhashi scores, surgical burden, and SLR. Propensity-score matching (1:1 ratio) was conducted based on oncological status for intergroup comparisons. Survival analysis and logistic regression analyses were conducted. A total of 264 patients were included in the study. After 1:1 propensity-score matching, a total of 156 matched patients were analyzed (78 patients each in the AD and MD groups). Operation time, estimated blood loss, transfused red blood cell units, and inpatient medical complications were significantly higher in the AD group compared to the MD group (p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p = 0.006, and p = 0.035, respectively). There was no significant difference in distribution of postoperative ECOG-PS between the AD and MD groups (OR 1.461, 95% CI 0.821-2.599, p = 0.197). In initially nonambulatory patients (ECOG-PS of grade 3 or 4), the AD group showed a higher proportion of patients regaining ambulatory function compared to the MD group (56.5% vs 36.2%; OR 2.294, p = 0.049). In cases with a preoperative ECOG-PS of grade 3, the difference in ambulation recovery between AD and MD was not statistically significant (60.0% vs 53.3%, p = 0.577). However, for severely impaired patients (ECOG-PS of grade 4), the AD group showed a higher proportion of patients regaining ambulatory function compared to the MD group (33.3% vs 5.9%, p = 0.086). Symptomatic SLR-free survival showed no significant differences at final follow-up (p = 0.095). Multivariate analysis identified the modified Tokuhashi score as the sole predictor of SLR (OR 1.871, p = 0.001). This study found that MD surgery significantly reduced surgical burden compared to AD. AD surgery led to slightly better functional recovery showing greater rescue ratios, especially in patients with a preoperative ECOG-PS of grade 4. However, no difference in rescue ratio was observed in patients with a preoperative ECOG-PS of grade 3. There was no significant difference in SLR rates between the AD and MD groups.

Impact of Prefracture Cognitive Impairment and Postoperative Delirium on Recovery after Hip Fracture Surgery

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the impact of prefracture cognitive impairment (CI) severity and postoperative delirium on recovery after hip fracture surgery in older patients. DesignProspective study with a 1-year follow-up. Setting and ParticipantsWe included 355 patients aged ≥80 years from 2 acute hospitals in Japan. MethodsBarthel Index (BI) ambulation scores were assessed prefracture and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The score at each time point minus the prefracture score was used as the ambulation recovery variable. The 21-item Dementia Assessment Sheet for the Community-based Care System (DASC-21) and Confusion Assessment Method were used to assess CI severity and delirium, respectively. The impacts of CI severity and delirium on recovery at 1 month and by 12 months postoperatively were examined. Linear multiple regression and linear mixed effects models were used. ResultsBI ambulation scores remained the same or improved from prefracture levels in 26.8%, 34.4%, 33.0%, and 30.4% of patients at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Ten patients (2.8%) had fall-related hip fractures, 20 (5.6%) were rehospitalized, and 43 (12.1%) died during this period. Although DASC-21 CI severity significantly affected the recovery both at 1 month and by 12 months postoperatively [standardized β (Stdβ) = −0.39, P < .0001, and Stdβ = −0.37, P < .0001, respectively], delirium did not. Other variables affecting recovery by 12 months postoperatively included prefracture BI ambulation scores, Mini Mental State Examination scores, age, fracture type, place of residence, and time. Conclusions and ImplicationsPostoperative ambulation recovery, excluding the effect of death and other poor outcomes, is influenced by prefracture CI severity, and the presence of delirium itself may not be the moderating variable. These results emphasize the importance of treatment planning based on prefracture CI severity and indicate that assessments such as the DASC-21 may be useful in implementing such a plan.

Early Versus Delayed Surgery for Elderly Traumatic Cervical Spinal Injury: A Nationwide Multicenter Study in Japan.

Retrospective multicenter study. The effectiveness of early surgery for cervical spinal injury (CSI) has been demonstrated. However, whether early surgery improves outcomes in the elderly remains unclear. This study investigated whether early surgery for CSI in elderly affects complication rates and neurological outcomes. This retrospective multicenter study included 462 patients. We included patients with traumatic acute cervical spinal cord injury aged ≥65years who were treated surgically, whereas patients with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale E, those with unknown operative procedures, and those waiting for surgery for >1month were excluded. The minimum follow-up period was 6months. Sixty-five patients (early group, 14.1%) underwent surgical treatment within 24hours, whereas the remaining 397 patients (85.9%) underwent surgery on a standby basis (delayed group). The propensity score-matched cohorts of 63 cases were compared. Patients in the early group were significantly younger, had significantly more subaxial dislocations (and fractures), tetraplegia, significantly lower ASIA motor scores, and ambulatory abilities 6months after injury. However, no significant differences in the rate of complications, ambulatory abilities, or ASIA Impairment Scale scores 6months after injury were observed between the matched cohorts. At 6months after injury, 61% of the patients in the early group (25% unsupported and 36% supported) and 53% of the patients in the delayed group (34% unsupported and 19% supported) were ambulatory. Early surgery is possible for CSI in elderly patients as the matched cohort reveals no significant difference in complication rates and neurological or ambulatory recovery between the early and delayed surgery groups.

Predictor of Postoperative Ambulatory Recovery in Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression with Delayed Surgical Timing and Progressive Paraplegia

OBJECTIVETo analyze preoperative predictors of ambulatory recovery after surgical treatment in metastatic spinal cord compression(MSCC) patients with delayed surgical timing and progressive paraplegia. METHODSWe reviewed patients with a preoperative lower-extremity motor grade of ≤ 3 and surgical timing ≥ 48h after the non-ambulatory status. The recovery group(group R) and non-recovery group(group NR) were classified according to ambulation assessment during follow-up. The data on patient demographics, origin of the primary tumor, pre- and postoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy, surgical procedures, Tokuhashi score, Karnofsky score, preoperative lower-extremity motor grade, and surgical timing were collected for analyzing predictors of postoperative ambulatory recovery. RESULTSOf the 55 patients, 24(43.6%) were group R and 31 patients were group NR. The preoperative motor grade of the lower extremities was the only predictive factor (P<0.05). The mean hip flexor and knee extensor motor grades in group R were 2.0±1.0 and 2.4±1.1 respectively, while in group NR, they were 1.2±1.0 and 1.3±1.0. The odds ratios for failing to regain ambulatory ability were 12.6 in the knee extensor and 4.8 in the hip flexor when the motor grades 0-2 and 3 groups were compared. The rescue ratio of the preoperative hip flexor and knee extensor motor grade 0-2 group were 34.1% and 21.2%, grades 3 group were 71.4% and 77.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONThe significant predictive factor for ambulatory recovery was the preoperative lower-extremity motor grade. The preoperative knee extensor motor grade was identified as a more important factor than hip flexor motor grade in predicting ambulatory recovery.

Guillain-Barre syndrome before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a referral center of Mexico.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in the number of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) cases has been reported. To describe the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with GBS before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prospective cohort of GBS patients divided in two subgroups: before (2018-2019) and during (2020-2021) the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinical and paraclinical characteristics, as well as deaths, were recorded. A good prognosis was defined as independent ambulation recovery at three months. Two-hundred and one patients were included (123 during and 78 before the pandemic), out of whom 69% were males; age was 45 ± 16 years, and there was 2.5% of in-hospital deaths. During the pandemic, a higher frequency of the demyelinating variant (50%), bulbar cranial nerves involvement (44% vs. 28%), prior history of vaccination (16% vs. 0%), and a lower MRC score (30 ± 16.7 vs. 34.3 ± 17.7) were documented. An increase in the number of cases was observed from July to September (38 vs. 13). There were no significant differences in independent ambulation recovery or in the number of deaths. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a higher number of GBS cases were treated, out of which 16% were associated with the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine; patients treated during the pandemic did not have a worse prognosis.

The efficacy of exoskeleton robotic training on ambulation recovery in patients with spinal cord injury: A meta-analysis

Objective To discuss the efficacy of exoskeleton robotic training on ambulation recovery in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched systematically from their inception to April 2022 for studies on exoskeleton robotic training in patients with SCI. The language was restricted to English. The retrieved studies were screened to select eligible clinical trials. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4. Results Eleven randomized clinical trials (RCTs) involving 456 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed that exoskeleton robotic training was more effective in improving FIM [SMD = 0.58, 95%CI = (0.07, 1.10), P = 0.03], LEMS [MD = 4.64, 95%CI = (3.58, 5.70), P<0.05], MAS [MD = 0.76, 95%CI = (0.48, 1.03), P<0.05] and BBS [MD = −3.11, 95%CI = (−12.59, 6.36), P<0.05] in patients with SCI, compared to conventional gait training(CGT). Subgroup analysis showed that the exoskeleton robotic could significantly improve the walking endurance and walking speed of patients with a duration of injury within 6 months. The sensitivity of inverted funnel plot analysis is low, suggesting that the analysis results of this study are relatively stable. Conclusion Exoskeleton robotic training improves ambulation in patients with SCI, especially for patients with a course of injury within six months.

Lower extremity robotic exoskeleton devices for overground ambulation recovery in acquired brain injury-A review.

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is a leading cause of ambulation deficits in the United States every year. ABI (stroke, traumatic brain injury and cerebral palsy) results in ambulation deficits with residual gait and balance deviations persisting even after 1 year. Current research is focused on evaluating the effect of robotic exoskeleton devices (RD) for overground gait and balance training. In order to understand the device effectiveness on neuroplasticity, it is important to understand RD effectiveness in the context of both downstream (functional, biomechanical and physiological) and upstream (cortical) metrics. The review identifies gaps in research areas and suggests recommendations for future research. We carefully delineate between the preliminary studies and randomized clinical trials in the interpretation of existing evidence. We present a comprehensive review of the clinical and pre-clinical research that evaluated therapeutic effects of RDs using various domains, diagnosis and stage of recovery.

Predictors of Postoperative Gain in Ambulatory Function After Decompressive Surgery for Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression.

Reports on the effects of timing of the surgery on the patient survival rate or the results of palliative laminectomy are limited. The aim of the study was to investigate the postoperative ambulatory status of neurologically impaired metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) patients who underwent laminectomy and evaluate predictors of postoperative ambulation recovery after laminectomy for MSCC. We included 175 patients who underwent decompressive surgery for MSCC. Changes in the Frankel grade (FG) were evaluated perioperatively. Among all patients, 113 were unable to walk preoperatively and were divided into two groups: 70 and 43 patients in the ambulation-regained and ambulation-not regained postoperatively groups, respectively. The percentage of patients eligible for postoperative chemotherapy and overall survival rate in each group were investigated. Furthermore, predictors of postoperative ambulation recovery after laminectomy for MSCC were examined. The most common primary tumor sites were the lung, prostate, and breast. FG improved with surgery in 80 cases, remained unchanged in 94 cases, and worsened in one case. In the ambulation-regained group, 70% were eligible for postoperative chemotherapy, while only 26% of the not-regained group were eligible for postoperative chemotherapy. The postoperative survival rate of the ambulation-regained group was significantly better than that of the not-regained group. Univariate predictors for not regaining the ability to walk were Karnofsky Performance Status ≤40 prior to surgery, FG B prior to surgery, and time to surgery since the inability to walk >48 h. Decompressive surgery benefits motor function postoperatively. Both good neurological status prior to surgery and prompt surgery for non-ambulatory MSCC are important predictors of improved functional outcome.

Adjusting for informative cluster size in pseudo-value-based regression approaches with clustered time to event data.

Informative cluster size (ICS) arises in situations with clustered data where a latent relationship exists between the number of participants in a cluster and the outcome measures. Although this phenomenon has been sporadically reported in the statistical literature for nearly two decades now, further exploration is needed in certain statistical methodologies to avoid potentially misleading inferences. For inference about population quantities without covariates, inverse cluster size reweightings are often employed to adjust for ICS. Further, to study the effect of covariates on disease progression described by a multistate model, the pseudo-value regression technique has gained popularity in time-to-event data analysis. We seek to answer the question: "How to apply pseudo-value regression to clustered time-to-event data when cluster size is informative?" ICS adjustment by the reweighting method can be performed in two steps; estimation of marginal functions of the multistate model and fitting the estimating equations based on pseudo-value responses, leading to four possible strategies. We present theoretical arguments and thorough simulation experiments to ascertain the correct strategy for adjusting for ICS. A further extension of our methodology is implemented to include informativeness induced by the intracluster group size. We demonstrate the methods in two real-world applications: (i) to determine predictors of tooth survival in a periodontal study and (ii) to identify indicators of ambulatory recovery in spinal cord injury patients who participated in locomotor-training rehabilitation.

Évaluation des effets du programme d’éducation thérapeutique Bipolis® sur le parcours de santé des participants entre mars 2009 et juillet 2017

ObjectivesBipolis® is a therapeutic patient education program for people with bipolar disorders from healthcare institutions in the Occitania region, designed and implemented by Dr Barbara Combes. This program is based on the SARA® method (Ambulatory Recovery Assistance Internship), four independent and complementary sub-programs. This innovative therapeutic and pedagogical approach incorporates therapeutic knowledge in four areas of activity (Appropriation of the disease, Relapse, Sociality, Hygiene of Life) and invests the working postures of the patient and the specific professional ETP caregiver. It adopts original ETP techniques in “common axes of strength” in each SARA ® sub-program to understand psychic functioning, address states of stability and instability, and the fundamental problems of psychiatric pathology. A Free Enrolment Modality was used depending on the patient's desire to learn skills, self-care strategies and adaptive strategies. We explored its impact on the recurrences of bipolar disorder, the degree of patient's satisfaction and the perceived quality of life. MethodsOur work constitutes a retrospective survey of cohort exposed versus non-exposed research, whose target population is patients with bipolar disorder who participated in Bipolis® between March 2009 and July 2017, with whom we have compared a sample of controls based on gender, age, and the year of the beginning of follow-up at the counselling center who did not participate in the Bipolis® program (non-exposed group). Our study consisted of analyzing the data contained in the patients’ medical files and conducting a telephone questionnaire. We included 55 patients in the exposed group and 50 in the non-exposed. The primary endpoint is the number of psychiatric hospitalizations occurring at 2 years and at 5 years following the index date. The index date (T0) is the end date of participation in the 4 SARA® sub-programs of Bipolis® for the exposed patients. ResultsOur study established a significant link between Bipolis® and the number of hospitalizations at either 2 or 5 years following the end of the program. In effect, at 2 years after the program (involuntary admission in psychiatric care at the request of a third party) we observed an 80 % decrease in ASPDT hospitalizations. In the 5 years following the end of the program, we noted that the implementation of the Bipolis® program is associated with an overall decrease in hospitalizations (all categories combined) and more precisely a drop of 41.17% in voluntary hospitalizations. As for the results regarding the impact of Bipolis® on destabilizations treated on an outpatient basis, we find, however, that within 2 years, they are fewer in number but the differences are not significantly conclusive. Whereas at the 5-year mark following the end of the program, there is a 34.62% decrease in destabilizations for those patients in outpatient care. We can therefore hypothesize that, surprisingly, Bipolis® seems to provide better protection from outpatient relapse at 5 years, than at 2 years. Several hypotheses can be suggested : in the first place, 31% of the Bipolis® patients we included participated in at least one other SARA® program and therefore did more than 4 SARA® programs, or at least one SARA®, after their T0 when they personally felt the need for reinforcement. The results of the questionnaire show that Bipolis® improves the patients’ perception of their mental and physical health. 93.1% of patients found that Bipolis® helped them in understanding and accepting treatment, and 85.7% of the patients were able to identify complementary non-medicinal strategies and to distinguish between them and chemical treatments. Bipolis® allows patients to feel less limited in carrying out domestic tasks, establishing social links, participating in leisure activities or setting up projects. It also reduces the difficulties experienced by patients in the workplace. ConclusionBipolis® reduces the severity of hospitalizations: in fact, 2 years after the end of the program, there is an 80% reduction in ASPDT hospitalizations in the exposed group compared to the non-exposed Bipolis® group. In the long term, this same program reduces the number of hospitalizations at 5 years following the end of the program and particularly for voluntary hospitalizations. Outpatient destabilizations are also reduced over the same period. This program is also associated with an improvement in the patients’ quality of life.

Recovery of walking in nonambulatory children with chronic spinal cord injuries: Case series.

The immature central nervous system is recognized as having substantial neuroplastic capacity. In this study, we explored the hypothesis that rehabilitation can exploit that potential and elicit reciprocal walking in nonambulatory children with chronic, severe (i.e., lower extremity motor score < 10/50) spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Seven male subjects (3-12 years of age) who were at least 1-year post-SCI and incapable of discrete leg movements believed to be required for walking, enrolled in activity-based locomotor training (ABLT; clinicaltrials.gov NCT00488280). Six children completed the study. Following a minimum of 49 sessions of ABLT, three of the six children achieved walking with reverse rolling walkers. Stepping development, however, was not accompanied by improvement in discrete leg movements as underscored by the persistence of synergistic movements and little change in lower extremity motor scores. Interestingly, acoustic startle responses exhibited by the three responding children suggested preserved reticulospinal inputs to circuitry below the level of injury capable of mediating leg movements. On the other hand, no indication of corticospinal integrity was obtained with transcranial magnetic stimulation evoked responses in the same individuals. These findings suggest some children who are not predicted to improve motor and locomotor function may have a reserve of adaptive plasticity that can emerge in response to rehabilitative strategies such as ABLT. Further studies are warranted to determine whether a critical need exists to re-examine rehabilitation approaches for pediatric SCI with poor prognosis for any ambulatory recovery.

Minimal adaptation of the molecular regulators of mitochondrial dynamics in response to unilateral limb immobilisation and retraining in middle-aged men.

Mitochondrial dynamics are regulated by the differing molecular pathways variously governing biogenesis, fission, fusion, and mitophagy. Adaptations in mitochondrial morphology are central in driving the improvements in mitochondrial bioenergetics following exercise training. However, there is a limited understanding of mitochondrial dynamics in response to inactivity. Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from middle-aged males (n = 24, 49.4 ± 3.2years) who underwent sequential 14-day interventions of unilateral leg immobilisation, ambulatory recovery, and resistance training. We quantified vastus lateralis gene and protein expression of key proteins involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, fusion, fission, and turnover in at baseline and following each intervention. PGC1α mRNA decreased 40% following the immobilisation period, and was accompanied by a 56% reduction in MTFP1 mRNA, a factor involved in mitochondrial fission. Subtle mRNA decreases were also observed in TFAM (17%), DRP1 (15%), with contrasting increases in BNIP3L and PRKN following immobilisation. These changes in gene expression were not accompanied by changes in respective protein expression. Instead, we observed subtle decreases in NRF1 and MFN1 protein expression. Ambulatory recovery restored mRNA and protein expression to pre-intervention levels of all altered components, except for BNIP3L. Resistance training restored BNIP3L mRNA to pre-intervention levels, and further increased mRNA expression of OPA-1, MFN2, MTFP1, and PINK1 past baseline levels. In healthy middle-aged males, 2 weeks of immobilisation did not induce dramatic differences in markers of mitochondria fission and autophagy. Restoration of ambulatory physical activity following the immobilisation period restored altered gene expression patterns to pre-intervention levels, with little evidence of further adaptation to resistance exercise training.

Mixed circuit training acutely reduces arterial stiffness in patients with chronic stroke: a crossover randomized controlled trial.

Investigate whether a single bout of mixed circuit training (MCT) can elicit changes in arterial stiffness in patients with chronic stroke. Second, to assess the between-day reproducibility of post-MCT arterial stiffness measurements. Seven participants (58 ± 12years) performed a non-exercise control session (CTL) and two bouts of MCT on separate days in a randomized counterbalanced order. The MCT involved 3 sets of 15 repetition maximum for 10 exercises, with each set separated by 45-s of walking. Brachial-radial pulse wave velocity (br-PWV), radial artery compliance (AC) and reflection index (RI1,2) were assessed 10min before and 60min after CTL and MCT. Ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) was calculated from 24-h recovery ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Compared to CTL, after 60min of recovery from the 1st and 2nd bouts of MCT, lower values were observed for br-PWV (mean diff = -3.9 and -3.7m/s, respectively, P < 0.01; ICC2,1 = 0.75) and RI1,2 (mean diff = -16.1 and -16.0%, respectively, P < 0.05; ICC2,1 = 0.83) concomitant with higher AC (mean diff = 1.2 and 1.0 × 10-6cm5/dyna, respectively, P < 0.01; ICC2,1 = 0.40). The 24-h AASI was reduced after bouts of MCT vs. CTL (1st and 2nd bouts of MCT vs. CTL: mean diff = -0.32 and -0.29 units, respectively, P < 0.001; ICC2,1 = 0.64). A single bout of MCT reduces arterial stiffness during laboratory (60min) and ambulatory (24h) recovery phases in patients with chronic stroke with moderate-to-high reproducibility. Ensaiosclinicos.gov.br identifier RBR-5dn5zd.

Predictors of ambulatory recovery and walking proficiency in community-dwelling stroke survivors: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAlthough the major goal of rehabilitation is to return a stroke survivor (SSv) to as close to their pre-stroke functioning, limitation in ambulatory recovery and walking proficiency is the major impediment. Despite the importance of walking to the outcomes in stroke, factors predicting its recovery remain unclear. This study therefore was aimed at exploring the predictors of ambulatory recovery and walking proficiency in community-dwelling SSv.MethodsThis study involved 164 (83females) SSv from four tertiary health institutions in Nigeria. Ambulatory level and status was assessed using Functional Ambulatory Classification, motor function using the Fugl-Myer Assessment scale (lower limb), and ambulatory/waking endurance using the 6-min walk test. Ambulatory capability was assessed using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, ambulatory self-confidence using the Ambulatory Self-Confidence Questionnaire, and functional ambulatory profile using the Modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile. Mobility was assessed using the Modified Rivermead Mobility Index, functional mobility using Time Up and Go, balance using the Berg Balance Scale, and cognitive function using the modified Mini-Mental State Examination. Spatial indexes were assessed using the Footprint method and temporal variables using a stopwatch and gait speed on a 10-m walkway. Data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis at p ≤ 0.05.ResultsParticipants (mean age = 54.3±11.36 years) have had stroke for 12.9 ± 17.39 months and spent 9.82 ± 13.19 months in hospital admissions. More (65.2%) had ischemic stroke with 54.3% of them having left hemispheric stroke. The predictors of ambulatory onset in SSv were stroke duration and length of stay in hospital admission contributing 40.3% (β = 0.403) and 17.6% (β = 0.176) respectively to the variance. Mobility (β = 0.249, p < 0.001), gait speed (β = 0.185, p = 0.012), paretic double-limb support time (β = 0.155, p = 0.03), balance (β = 0.334, p < 0.001), and cognition (β = 0.155, p = 0.01) were predictors of ambulatory self-confidence contributing 59.5% to the variance. Balance (β = 0.363, p < 0.001) and mobility (β = 0.155, p = 0.015) were predictors of ambulatory capability contributing 52.9% to the variance. Balance (β = −0.489, p < 0.001), paretic double-limb support time (β = 0.223, p = 0.003), gait speed (β = −0.181, p = 0.022), and paretic swing phase duration (β = 0.177, p = 0.01) were predictors of functional ambulatory profile (p < 0.05) contributing 52.9% to the variance. Gait speed (β = −0.648, p < 0.001) and step length (β = −0.157, p = 0.003) were predictors of walking endurance contributing 76.5% to the variance.ConclusionAmbulatory recovery and walking proficiency depend on the interplay among duration of stroke and length of hospitalization on the one hand and balance performance, cognitive function, and the spatiotemporal integrity of the affected limb on the other hand.

A 50-step walking test for analysis of recovery after decompressive surgery for thoracolumbar disc herniation in dogs.

BackgroundDespite its importance, there is no agreed definition of recovery of ambulation in dogs with spinal cord injury.ObjectivesTo validate a new walking test in dogs recovering from thoracolumbar spinal cord injury.AnimalsTwo hundred twenty‐four dogs weighing <20 kg: 120 normally ambulatory dogs, plus 104 dogs undergoing decompressive surgery for acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation.MethodsProspective cohort studies. The distance each freely‐ambulatory dog walked during 50 step cycles was regressed on ulna length. For each postsurgical dog, we recorded when the calculated 50‐step distance was completed without falling, or their inability to complete this distance by 4 months or more after surgery. Bayesian analysis compared outcomes for presurgical neurologic categories; association of recovery with several preoperative variables was explored using logistic and time‐to‐event regression.ResultsFor control dogs, 50‐step distance (m) = 1.384 × ulnar length (cm) + 2.773. In postsurgical dogs, the 50‐step test provided decisive evidence that deep pain‐negative dogs were less likely to recover ambulation than dogs with intact pain perception (12/29 recovered vs 71/75; Bayes factor [BF] = 5.9 × 106) and, if they did recover, it took much longer (median 91 days vs median 14 days; BF = 1.5 × 103). Exploratory analysis suggested that presurgical neurologic status (subhazard ratio [SHR] = 0.022; P < .001) and duration of presurgical anesthesia (SHR = 0.740; P = .04) were associated with rapidity of recovery.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThis straightforward 50‐step walking test provides robust data on ambulatory recovery well‐suited to large scale pragmatic trials on treatment of thoracolumbar spinal cord injury in dogs.

Early identification of patients at risk for delayed recovery of ambulation after elective abdominal surgery.

Recovery of preoperative ambulation levels 1 month after surgery represents an important patient-centered outcome. The objective of this study is to identify clinical factors associated with the inability to regain baseline preoperative ambulation levels 28 days postoperatively. This is a prospective cohort study enrolling patients scheduled for elective inpatient abdominal operations. Daily ambulation (steps/day) was measured with a wristband accelerometer. Preoperative steps were recorded for at least 3 full calendar days before surgery. Postoperatively, daily steps were recorded for at least 28 days. The primary outcome was delayed recovery of ambulation, defined as inability to achieve 50% of preoperative baseline steps at 28 days postoperatively. A total of 108 patients were included. Delayed recovery (< 50% of baseline preoperative steps/day) occurred in 32 (30%) patients. Clinical factors associated with delayed recovery after multivariable logistic regression included longer operative time (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.05-1.79), open operative approach (OR 4.87, 95% CI 1.64-14.48) and percent recovery on POD3 (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56-0.96). In addition, patients with delayed ambulation recovery had increased rates of postoperative complications (16% vs 1%, p < 0.01) and readmission (28% vs 5%, p < 0.01). After elective inpatient abdominal operations, nearly one in three patients do not recover 50% of their baseline preoperative steps 28 days postoperatively. Factors that can be used to identify these patients include longer operations, open operations and low ambulation levels on postoperative day #3. These data can be used to target rehabilitation efforts aimed at patients at greatest risk for poor ambulatory recovery.

Disrupted macrophage metabolic reprogramming in aged soleus muscle during early recovery following disuse atrophy.

Aged skeletal muscle is characterized by poor muscle recovery following disuse coinciding with an impaired muscle pro‐inflammatory macrophage response. Macrophage inflammatory status is regulated by its metabolic state, but little is understood of macrophage metabolism and its relation to macrophage inflammation in the context of muscle recovery and aging. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to thoroughly characterize macrophage metabolism and inflammation in aged muscle during early recovery following disuse atrophy using single cell transcriptomics and functional assays. Young (4–5 months) and old (20–22 months) male C57BL/6 mice underwent 14 days of hindlimb unloading followed by 4 days of ambulatory recovery. CD45+ cells were isolated from solei muscles and analyzed using 10x Genomics single cell RNA sequencing. We found that aged pro‐inflammatory macrophage clusters were characterized with an impaired inflammatory and glycolytic transcriptome, and this dysregulation was accompanied by a suppression of HIF‐1α and its immediate downstream target, Glut1. As a follow‐up, bone marrow‐derived macrophages were isolated from a separate cohort of young and old mice at 4‐d recovery and were polarized to a pro‐inflammatory phenotype and used for glycolysis stress test, phagocytosis activity assay, and targeted GC‐MS metabolomics. Aged bone marrow‐derived pro‐inflammatory macrophages were characterized with impaired glycolysis and phagocytosis function, decreased succinate and an accumulation of glycolytic metabolic intermediates overall supporting reduced glycolytic flux and macrophage function. Our results indicate that the metabolic reprograming and function of aged skeletal muscle pro‐inflammatory macrophages are dysfunctional during early recovery from disuse atrophy possibly attributing to attenuated regrowth.

Prognostic factors related to ambulation deterioration after 1-year of geriatric hip fracture in a Chinese population

The objective of this study was to investigate the prognostic factors predicting the ambulation recovery of fragility hip fracture patients. 2286 fragility hip fracture patients were collected from the Fragility Fracture Registry in Hong Kong. Predictive factors of ambulation deterioration including age, gender, pre-operation American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, pre-fracture mobility, delay to surgery, length of stay, fracture type, type of surgery, discharge destination and complications were identified. Patients with outdoor unassisted and outdoor with aids ambulatory function before fracture had 3- and 1.5-times increased risk of mobility deterioration, respectively (Odds Ratio (OR) = 2.556 and 1.480, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 2.101–3.111 and 1.246–1.757, both p < 0.001). Patients living in old age homes had almost 1.4 times increased risk of deterioration when compared to those that lived in their homes (OR = 1.363, 95% CI 1.147–1.619, p < 0.001). The risk also increased for every 10 years of age (OR = 1.831, 95% CI 1.607–2.086, p < 0.001). Patients in the higher risk ASA group shows a decreased risk of ambulation deterioration compared to those in lower risk ASA group (OR = 0.831, 95% CI 0.698–0.988, p = 0.038). Patients who suffered from complications after surgery did not increased risk of mobility decline at 1-year post-surgery. Delayed surgery over 48 h, delayed discharge (> 14 days), early discharge (less than 6 days), and length of stay also did not increased risk of mobility decline. Male patients performed worse in terms of their mobility function after surgery compared to female patients (OR = 1.195, 95% CI 1.070–1.335, p = 0.002). This study identified that better premorbid good function, discharge to old age homes especially newly institutionalized patients, increased age, lower ASA score, and male patients, correlate with mobility deterioration at 1-year post-surgery. With the aging population and development of FLS, prompt identification of at-risk patients should be performed for prevention of deterioration.