Exercise Capacity In Survivors Research Articles

Home- and hospital-based exercise training programme after Fontan surgery.

Exercise training has been shown to increase exercise capacity in survivors of Fontan surgery. The geographic distribution of the Fontan population has been a barrier to hospital-based exercise training programmes. The objective of this study was to establish whether a home exercise training programme could achieve similar improvements to a hospital programme. Adolescents with a Fontan circulation aged 12-19 years were prospectively recruited in a hospital or home exercise training programme. Patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and completed the Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory at initial assessment and after completion of an 8-week programme. Both groups performed two 1-hour training sessions per week. Patients in the home training programme had their first session in the hospital, and then progressed independently with one phone consult per week and one home visit by a physiotherapist. In total, 17 patients, with a mean age of 15±3 years, completed the training programme (six hospital). Characteristics and baseline performance of patients were similar in both groups. Oxygen consumption at anaerobic threshold increased from 19.3±3.8 to 21.6±6.0 ml/kg/minute (p=0.02) and peak oxygen pulse increased from 8.8±2.5 to 9.5±2.7 ml/beat (p=0.049). Total quality of life scale improved from 68 to 74% (p=0.01) and psychosocial health improved from 67 to 74% (p=0.02). No patient experienced training-related complications. Exercise training is beneficial and most likely safe after Fontan, resulting in improved exercise capacity and self-reported quality of life. Home exercise training programmes are probably as effective as hospital programmes. Home exercise training programmes should be integrated in the follow-up care of patients undergoing Fontan surgery.

Outpatient-based physical rehabilitation does not affect exercise capacity in survivors of prolonged critical illness [synopsis

Outpatient-based physical rehabilitation does not affect exercise capacity in survivors of prolonged critical illness [synopsis

Outpatient-based physical rehabilitation does not affect exercise capacity in survivors of prolonged critical illness [commentary

Outpatient-based physical rehabilitation does not affect exercise capacity in survivors of prolonged critical illness [commentary

Discordance Between Distance Ambulated as Part of Usual Care and Functional Exercise Capacity in Survivors of Critical Illness Upon Intensive Care Discharge: Observational Study.

People who have had a prolonged admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) commonly have profound debilitation and weakness. For the delivery of effective exercise training, an accurate assessment of exercise capacity is essential. The study objectives were to investigate how much ground-based walking is undertaken by inpatients recovering from critical illness within 1 week of discharge from an ICU and to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) for this population. This was an observational study. Within 1 week of discharge from the ICU, functional exercise capacity was measured with the 6MWT. The maximum distance ambulated on the ward in a single session as part of usual clinical management was extracted from the medical notes. The distance achieved during the 6MWT and the maximum distance ambulated on the ward were compared. The participants (N=23) were survivors of a critical illness; their mean age was 57 years (SD=11). The median length of ICU stay was 11 days (interquartile range [IQR]=7). The mean 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) was 179 m (SD=101), and the maximum distance ambulated on the ward was 30 m (IQR=65). There was a moderate association between the distance participants ambulated on the ward and the 6MWD (r=.54). The maximum distance ambulated on the ward, expressed as a percentage of the 6MWD, was 29% (IQR=34%). Five participants (22%) experienced oxygen desaturation (oxygen saturation of <85%) and recovered within 1 minute of resting. The maximum distance ambulated on the ward was estimated with premeasured distances. Most participants ambulated at a low percentage of their measured exercise capacity. The 6MWT appears to be a safe and useful test for inpatients recently discharged from the ICU.

Effect of preterm birth on exercise capacity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Survivors of preterm-birth have increased prevalence of respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases in later life however, the overall impact of prematurity on cardiorespiratory exercise capacity is unclear. We, therefore, systematically reviewed the literature on cardiorespiratory exercise capacity in survivors of preterm birth. Relevant studies up to March 2013 were searched using eight electronic health databases. Studies reporting exercise capacity in participants born preterm (<37 weeks) were included. The main outcome of interest was oxygen uptake (V˙O2max⁡) at maximal exercise. Data were categorized into four groups: (i) preterm-born subjects including those with or without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) but excluding study groups biased towards BPD; (ii) preterm-born subjects (BPD excluded); (iii) preterm-born subjects who had BPD28 (defined as oxygen dependency at 28 days of life) in infancy; (iv) preterm born subjects with BPD36 (oxygen dependency at 36 weeks post menstrual age) in infancy. From 9,341 abstracts, 22 included publications reported V˙O2max⁡ in ml/kg/min from 685 preterm and 680 term-born subjects. Overall 20 studies reported results for preterm-born subjects including BPD; 14 studies for the preterm group excluding BPD; 10 studies for the BPD28 group; and 8 studies for BPD36 group. The mean differences (95% CI) for the four groups were -2.20 (-3.70, -0.70) ml/kg/min; -2.26 (-4.44, -0.07 ml/kg/min; -3.04 (-5.48, -0.61) ml/kg/min, and -3.05 (-5.93, -0.18) ml/kg/min, respectively. Despite marked deficits in spirometry, preterm-born children have a marginally decreased V˙O2max⁡, which is unlikely to be of great clinical significance. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2015; 50:293-301. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Motor performance and functional exercise capacity in survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Impaired motor performance and reduced maximum exercise capacity during and after treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been shown. However, no longitudinal study monitoring motor performance after cessation of treatment has been published. Whether sub-maximal exercise capacity is reduced is unknown. Motor performance of pediatric ALL survivors, treated with Dutch Childhood Oncology Group ALL-9 protocol was measured with the movement-ABC at stop treatment and ≥5 years later. At follow-up functional exercise capacity was also investigated using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Heart rate and oxygen saturation were measured with a portable pulse oximeter before and after the 6MWT. Nineteen boys and 15 girls, median age 12.3 years (range: 9.0-18.7), median time since completion of chemotherapy 5.2 years (5.0-7.1), participated. Mean height/age and weight/age were within the norm, whereas mean BMI/age was significantly increased (mean SDS 0.38, SEM 0.17, P = 0.04). Motor performance had improved significantly (P = 0.001). In contrast, functional exercise capacity at follow-up was significantly impaired (mean SDS -2.05, SEM 0.13, P < 0.001). At ≥5 years after completion of ALL treatment motor performance had improved significantly, but functional exercise capacity was significantly impaired. The exact underlying cause of this late effect needs further study.

Pulmonary function and exercise capacity in survivors of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is associated with pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension. The objective of this study was to assess pulmonary function and exercise capacity and its early determinants in children and adolescents born with high-risk CDH (CDH-associated respiratory distress within the first 24 h) and to explore the relationship of these findings with CDH severity. Of 159 patients born with high-risk CDH, 84 survived. Of the 69 eligible patients, 53 children (mean+/-SD age 11.9+/-3.5 yrs) underwent spirometry, lung volume measurements and maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Results of the pulmonary function tests were compared with those from a healthy control group matched for sex, age and height. CDH survivors had a significantly lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV(1)/FVC, maximum mid-expiratory flow and peak expiratory flow when compared with healthy controls. The residual volume/total lung capacity ratio was significantly higher. Linear regression analysis showed that gastro-oesophageal reflux disease was an independent determinant of reduced FEV(1) and FVC. CPET results were normal in those tested. High-risk CDH survivors have mild to moderate pulmonary function abnormalities when compared with a healthy matched control group, which may be related to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in early life. Exercise capacity and gas exchange parameters were normal in those tested, indicating that the majority of patients do not have physical impairment.

Pulmonary Function and Exercise Capacity in Survivors of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Pulmonary Function and Exercise Capacity in Survivors of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Pulmonary function and exercise capacity in survivors of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

PURPOSE: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is an acute respiratory illness caused by infection with a new coronavirus. The sequelae of SARS coronavirus infection remain undefined. The aim of this study is to investigate the pulmonary function and exercise capacity in a group of survivors of SARS.

Pulmonary function and exercise capacity in survivors of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

The aim of this study was to investigate pulmonary function and exercise capacity in a group of survivors of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). At 3 months after hospital discharge, 46 survivors of SARS underwent the following evaluation: spirometry, static lung volumes and carbon monoxide transfer factor (TL,CO). In total, 44 of these patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing. No abnormalities were detected in the pulmonary function tests in 23 (50%) of the patients. Abnormalities of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC and TL,CO were detected in seven (15%), 12 (26%), one (2%) and 18 (39%) patients, respectively. All of these abnormalities were mild except in one case. In 18 patients (41%), the maximum aerobic capacity was below the lower limit of the normal range. Breathing reserve was low in four patients and significant oxygen desaturation was detected in a further four patients. Comparison of the measured exercise capacity with resting pulmonary function tests showed many cases of discordance in impairment. In conclusion, pulmonary function defects were detected in half of the recovered severe acute respiratory syndrome patients 3 months after hospital discharge, but the impairment was mild in almost all cases. Many patients had reduced exercise capacity that cannot be accounted for by impairment of pulmonary function.

Non-endocrine late complications of bone marrow transplantation in childhood: part I.

Non-endocrine late complications of bone marrow transplantation in childhood: part I.

Maximal exercise test in long-term follow-up after atrial redirection for complete transposition in a population-based cohort

AbstractIn western Sweden, less than one-third of children born with complete transposition between 1964 and 1983 are long-time survivors. During bicycle ergometry, using a steady-state protocol with analyses of the expiratory gases and lactate, we investigated the exercise capacity in survivors of atrial redirection. There were 16 patients who had a Mustard procedure, now aged 16.9±3.6 years (12.0–22.0) and 15 patients who underwent a Senning correction aged 9.4±1.6 years (7.2–12.1). Nineteen percent of Mustard cases and 53% of Senning cases had minor or no sequels. Moderate sequels were found in 44% of post-Mustard cases, and 40% of post-Senning cases, including baffle complications, moderate systemic ventricular dysfunction, sinus node dysfunction and tracheal stenosis. Severe problems were encountered in 37% of post-Mustard cases and 7% of post-Senning cases, including pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary venous obstruction, atrioventricular block and hemiparesis. The maximal exercise capacity was low (p&lt;0.0001); 71% had an oxygen uptake below −2 SD of predicted values, with severely impaired oxygen uptake in all except one of the cases with severe sequels, but no significant difference was found between patients having mild and moderate sequels. The maximally achieved heart rate was low (p&lt;0.0001); 71% had values below −2 SD of predicted, including all cases with sinus nodal dysfunction, as well as 40% of cases without it. The maximal oxygen pulse was low (p&lt;0.01), below −2 SD in 36%, but it was less affected than other exercise variables in 68% of the patients. Our study, therefore, presents exercise data in an epidemiologically-based population, relates the data to postoperative sequels and discusses some possible adaptive mechanisms.

Lung function and exercise capacity in survivors of childhood leukaemia.

The survival from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in childhood is now approximately 60-70%, and from acute myeloid leukaemia, up to 50%. However, there is little information on the effects of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy used in the treatment of these conditions on lung function and exercise capacity in the long term. Severity survivors of acute leukaemia from one centre in the UK were studied. Measurements of lung volumes, spirometry and transfer factor were made. Each child also performed a standard, symptom-limited maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Predictive equations for indices of lung function and exercise tolerance were calculated from 146 age- and sex-matched control subjects. The results of the survivors of leukaemia were compared to these. There was a significant reduction of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC), and transfer for carbon monoxide (DLCO; P < 0.05 for each measurement), in the survivors of leukemia when compared to the control subjects. In addition, there was a mild but significant reduction of both maximal and submaximal indices of exercise capacity in the leukaemic group. A multivariate analysis was carried out to identify those variables acting independently to reduce lung volumes. For FEV1, FVC and TLC, these were craniospinal irradiation, cyclophosphamide and chest complications during treatment. For a reduction in DLCO, the significant factors were administration of anthracyclines, craniospinal irradiation and bone marrow transplantation. Survivors of acute leukemia have impaired pulmonary function and exercise capacity. Long-term cardiopulmonary follow-up may be necessary and new regimens devised which reduce long-term toxicity without compromising survival rates.