Level Of Functional Capacity Research Articles

ANN and Fuzzy Logic Based Model to Evaluate Huntington Disease Symptoms.

We introduce an approach to predict deterioration of reaction state for people having neurological movement disorders such as hand tremors and nonvoluntary movements. These involuntary motor features are closely related to the symptoms occurring in patients suffering from Huntington's disease (HD). We propose a hybrid (neurofuzzy) model that combines an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the functional capacity level (FCL) of a person and a fuzzy logic system (FLS) to determine a stage of reaction. We analyzed our own dataset of 3032 records collected from 20 test subjects (both healthy and HD patients) using smart phones or tablets by asking a patient to locate circular objects on the device's screen. We describe the preparation and labelling of data for the neural network, selection of training algorithms, modelling of the fuzzy logic controller, and construction and implementation of the hybrid model. The feed-forward backpropagation (FFBP) neural network achieved the regression R value of 0.98 and mean squared error (MSE) values of 0.08, while the FLS provides a final evaluation of subject's reaction condition in terms of FCL.

Six-Minute Walk Test in Pediatric Cardiac Patients

Background The 6MWT (6MWT) is a self-paced walking test generally used to assess the functional capacity in people with chronic conditions the main outcome is the distance that a person can walk in 6 minutes. The 6 MWT is originally developed to measure the submaximal level of functional capacity in adult patients with moderate to severe heart or lung diseases and has been extensively used in other patient populations. Because the test reflects an exercise level close to that of daily life activities, it is easy to administer, is well tolerated by patients, and is increasingly being used as a functional outcome measure for people with chronic conditions, including pediatric populations. Patients and methods Our study is a cross sectional study to discuss the effect of cardiac diseases on the functional capacity of pediatric patients suffering from cardiac diseases compared with control group via 6MWT. The study included pediatric patients admitted to pediatric cardiology unit at Assiut University children hospital from age of 5 to 18 years at duration of one year from 1/8/2016 to 31/7/2017. The Patients One hundred cases (100) cases (52 males and 48 females) were suffering from cardiac diseases (42 suffering from CHD, 38 suffering from RHD and remaining 20 cases suffering from cardiomyopathy). The Control Hundred healthy children (50 males and 50 females). From primary, preparatory and secondary schools from the same age category of the patients. Results: 34 cases of congenital adrenal hyperplasia were included, of whom 8 cases were newly diagnosed on admission while 26 cases were previously diagnosed and came for follow up, 41.2% were males, 58.8% were females.

ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНОЕ СОСТОЯНИЕ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ НЕРВНОЙ СИСТЕМЫ ПРИ ВОЗДЕЙСТВИИ СЛАБОСТРУКТУРИРОВАННОЙ ИНФОРМАЦИИ

Aim: the aim of this article is to estimate the functional condition of the central nervous system in students under the influence of weakly structured information on the parameters of sensorimotor reactions. Materials and methods. We examined 97 female students with the average age of 19.2 ± 1.2 years. We estimated physiological effects of the influence of weakly structured information (WSI) in the conditions of doing tasks with increased demands to the manifestation of verbal intellect. The lack of instruction for doing the task characterizes work with information as a weakly structured. The WSI model is based on the Wechsler’s method. We registered the combination of physiological effects in response to the influence of WSI using NS-Psychotest computer appliance. We conducted tests (Common hand-eye reaction and Reaction to a moving object) just before and after the influence of WSI. We analyzed the latent time of common hand-eye reaction and the parameter of functional condition of the central nervous system: functional level of the system, reaction stability, level of functional capacities, and the quantitative parameters of the accuracy of motor reactions. Results. The informative parameters of the central nervous system reactivity of students in the dynamics of performing the tasks on WSI processing are quantity of accurate reactions, functional level of the system (FLS), reaction stability (RS) and level of functional capacities (LFC). We revealed the peculiarities of the central nervous system reactivity in students under the influence of WSI. The manifestation of psychomotor functions under the influence of WSI in persons with the different level of the functional mobility of nervous processes and reaction accuracy are registered in different functional conditions: readiness is revealed in persons with the mobility of nervous processes and high accuracy of reaction; mobilization is revealed in female students with the pronounced inertia of nervous processes and high accuracy of sensorimotor reaction together with the insignificant decrease in the level of functional capacity. Conclusion. We established that the influence of WSI on body is accompanied by the formation of functional system realizing the variant of the central nervous system reactivity. The sequence of the development of reaction mobilization or readiness is determined by the different ratio of the functional mobility of the nervous processes and accuracy of sensorimotor reactions.

RELATIONS BETWEEN FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF STUDENTS

The aim of this study was to determine the relation between physical activity and functional capacity at the primary school pupils. Many people are not aware that the health of the most important in human life and associated with the movement. In recent decades, the number of obese people, children and adolescents is is significantly increasing. The modern life style of children and young people are increasingly missing movement and outdoor games, is prevalent sedentary lifestyle (TV, Internet, Play Station ..) adverse effects the development of abilities and skills of children and their health status. The study included 80 students of the third grade of primary school, of which 43 boys (mean age 9.30 ± 0.46 years) and 37 girls (mean age 9.29 ± 0.47 years). The students attended two elementary schools in the city of Petrinja., First Primary School and Elementary School Dragutin Tadijanović. The survey was conducted in the school year 2014/2015. The sample of variables consisted of anthropometric measures of body height, weight, skin fold of the upper arm, back skinfold, abdominal skinfold. The functional abilities were measured test run for 3 minutes - F3, which is used to assess the level of functional ability in primary education in the Republic of Croatia. The level of physical activity was estimated PAQ-C questionnaire. From the results it is evident that of the total sample 60% of them have a normal percentage of body fat, while almost 40% of students with excessive fat in the body. The conclusion of this study indicates a high percentage of students who are overweight. Functional capacity was inversely associated with indicators of obesity, which means that students with high levels of functional capacity have a lower percentage of body fat. School age is the best time to stimulate and positive impact on the growth and development of children and the missed possibilities to that age cannot be recovered in later stages of life. Keywords: aerobic capacity, functional ability, obesity, students, school

Anaerobic Capacity of Sailors with Disabilities

AbstractIntroduction. A review of Polish and international literature does not give a clear indication of the level of anaerobic capacity that sailors with disabilities demonstrate with regard to their functional capacities. This study sought to determine differences in functional capacity levels between sailors from three medical and functional groups. Material and methods. The research was carried out during a sports camp at the National Sailing Centre in Górki Zachodnie in 2014. Eighteen males with locomotor disabilities were included in the study. The athletes were members of the National Team of Sailors with Disabilities of the Polish Yachting Association. The sportsmen competed in the Skud 18 and 2.4mR Paralympic classes. A 30-second Wingate test for upper limbs was employed in the study. Results. Significant differences in mean power (MP) values were noted between the groups under investigation. The group of wheelchair sailors with improper core stability (A) and the group of wheelchair sailors with proper core stability (B) had significantly lower scores than the group of study participants who were able to move freely, that is to walk (C). Conclusions. The study revealed that a 30-second anaerobic capacity test performed on an arm ergometer differentiated disabled sailors from selected groups in terms of mean power. Research on anaerobic capacity may be used to verify the current classification in Paralympic sailing and will make it possible to differentiate present competition categories.

The implementation of an intensity regulated exercise programme in coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients: A pilot randomised controlled trial

AIM: To determine the safety and effect of an intensity regulated exercise programme, compared to a structured usual care mobilisation protocol, on the functional capacity of patients following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, at discharge and 10 - 14 days after discharge. METHODS: Single centre, double-blinded, randomised controlled trial at a private hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Subjects in the exercise group performed an intensity regulated exercise programme, while subjects in the control group were encouraged to mobilise out of bed. Both programmes were implemented within 24 hours after extubation following uncomplicated CABG surgery. Functional capacity was tested by means of the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) at discharge and 10 - 14 days after discharge. RESULTS: Eligible patients (n=38) were randomly allocated to an exercise group (n=17) or a control group (n=21). The functional capacity of subjects in the exercise group was signifi cantly higher than that of the control group at hospital discharge, mean difference 103.10 meters (95%CI 23.39 - 182.81) (p=0.01). The exercise group did not further improve after hospital discharge (p=0.3) whereas the control group showed a signifi cant improvement (p<0.01) in walking distance over time. The mean difference in 6MWD at the second test was 44.89 meters (95%CI -84.33 - 174.10) (p=0.47). CONCLUSION: An intensity regulated exercise programme leads to higher levels of functional capacity on discharge and should be encouraged in the in-patient phase of cardiac rehabilitation following CABG surgery.

Analysis of the functional capacity of elderly residents of communities with a rapid population aging rate

Abstract Introduction: The elderly population has risen sharply in Brazil, increasing the need for a health policy focused on health promotion and disease prevention. Attention should also be focused on functional capacity because of the personal and family suffering caused by dependency, as well as the increased demand placed on public services. Objective: To check the health and functional capacity of elderly residents in a small town with a high population aging rate. Methods: A cross-sectional, analytical and non-probabilistic study was performed of 528 elderly persons aged ≥60 years, of both genders, who were evaluated in their home environment. The variables of interest were general health and functional capacity, assessed by the adapted Katz and Lawton and Brody scales. Data analysis was carried out using descriptive and analytical statistical tools. To assess the association between variables the chi-squared test was used, accepting the hypothesis of dependency of variables with p=0.05. Results: The mean age was 72.24±9.33 years. Functional capacity assessment identified that most of the elderly persons carried out activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) independently; with percentages of 90% and 83.7%, respectively. A statistically significant association was observed (p=0.001) between reports of falls and functional capacity levels. Conclusion: The results show that the elderly of this municipality are mostly independent in performing their daily tasks, representing successful aging.

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale: a pilot study to examine its latent structure and the link between psychological state and symptom severity in transient ischaemic attack patients

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is often associated with anxiety and depression, which may precipitate secondary stroke and interfere with treatment. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is widely used to assess these states and to inform the management of any associated psychological problems, but there is considerable debate about what it actually measures. The HADS scores from a range of different clinical groups have been reviewed in order to assess its psychometric properties, but so far, no research has examined either its latent structure when used with TIA patients, or the association between symptom severity and the test’s validity. The aims of this study, therefore, were to investigate: (a) the underlying structure of the HADS when used with TIA patients; and (b) the impact of symptom severity on the validity of the HADS. The HADS and a functional capacity measure were administered by post to a sample of 542 confirmed TIA patients. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the HADS scores to establish its underlying structure for this clinical group, and then, sub-sample correlations were undertaken between the anxiety/depression scores for different levels of functional capacity. Two factors emerged, with 13 of the 14 HADS items loading significantly on both, suggesting there is a common affective state underlying the standard anxiety and depression scales. Further data-exploration indicated that convergence between these affective states increased as functional capacity deteriorated. The results suggest firstly that the HADS measures general subjective distress when used with TIA patients, and secondly that the higher reported symptom severity in this clinical group may be associated with reduced affective differentiation. As the ability to retain clear affective discrimination is associated with health and well-being, this could provide a focus for post-TIA rehabilitation.

Formation of social and household skills in children with hand defects.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to consider the peculiarities of forming social and household skills, and the criteria for their evaluation, as well as an assessment of functional capacity, in children with hand defects both before and after surgical treatment and rehabilitation courses using a system of games.MethodsWe elaborated and implemented a program of social rehabilitation of preschool children with congenital and acquired hand defects for the development of their functional capabilities and the formation of social and household skills after surgical treatment and prosthetics using play therapy methods. As part of this work, 140 preschool children aged 3–7 years underwent social rehabilitation. Most of the children had congenital hand defects—122 children (87 %): 96 children (79 %) with ectrodactylia, adactylia, hypoplasia, aplasia, hand splitting, club hand, or partial gigantism; 26 children (21 %) with congenital syndactylism and constricted bonds and 18 children (13 %) with acquired defects (burn deformity, amputation). 110 children (79 %) had reached the stage of surgical correction; 30 children (21 %) reached the stage of prosthetics. Most of the children participating in the experiment (78 children, 56 %) had defects of fingers on one hand. The program aimed at solving specific rehabilitation tasks: formation and improvement of all possible types of grip under the existing defect including those after surgery and prosthetics; development of tactile sensations in fingers; development of fine motor skills; increase in range of motion in all joints of the damaged hand; development of attention and concentration; formation of social and household skills appropriate to age; and development of the ability to achieve the set task.ResultsAnalysis of the level of social and household skills of children with hand defects undergoing rehabilitation treatment at the hospital depending on the age prior to medical and social rehabilitation showed that preschool children with hand defects in the age category of 3 years demonstrated the highest results in the level of social and household skills (31 %) as compared with children in other age categories. The indicators for children aged 4 and 5 years were slightly lower, 25 and 26 %, respectively. The lowest values were recorded among children aged 6: 20 %.ConclusionStatistically significant parameters of the level of functional capacity of hand grip and social and household skills in children with hand defects obtained in the course of the investigation indicated that the use of play therapy measures significantly increased the effect of medical treatment irrespective of the type of defect. These data indicate that play therapy measures given immediately after surgery or prosthetics can significantly increase the efficiency of rehabilitation even in its early stages.

Determinants of Functional Capacity of Patients Who Experienced Haemorrhagic Stroke

Introduction. Independence in performing basic activities of daily living is an important exponent of the quality of human life. An essential component of nursing services is a systematic analysis of the functional capacity of patients in the acute phase of the brain vascular disease. This creates opportunities to plan holistic and personalized care.Aim. Evaluation of functional capacity of patients with prior hemorrhagic brain stroke according to selected socio-demographic variables.Material and Methods. The study included 53 patients with a prior cerebral hemorrhagic stroke, hospitalized in the Department of Neurology of the Provincial Hospital in Plock. As a research tool the Barthel’s Scale Questionnaire was used, and it was supplemented with the certificate of patients’ socio-demographic data.Results. The research results confirm the effectiveness of intensive, professional medical practice regarding patients after prior incident of brain stroke. They are in fact reflected in the improvement of patients’ functional capacity. However, some selected socio-demographic factors significantly influenced greater independence of the patients in activities of their daily living. Among all the patients surveyed after the incident of stroke, there was found a clear improvement in functional capacity on the day of hospitalization completion.Conclusions.1. Men after the incident of hemorrhagic brain stroke show a lower functional efficiency compared to women.2. Age advancement significantly reduces the functional capacity after the incident of haemorrhagic stroke of the brain.3. Education significantly affects the level of functional capacity of patients after hemorrhagic stroke of the brain.4. Marital status and place of residence do not substantially affect the differences in the functional capacity of patients after brain hemorrhagic stroke. (JNNN 2015;4(2):62–68)

Ageing influence in the evolution of strength and muscle mass in women with fibromyalgia: the al-Ándalus project.

Fibromyalgia is associated with physical disabilities in daily activities. Moreover, patients with fibromyalgia present similar levels of functional capacity and physical condition than elderly people. The aim of this study was to analyse the evolution of strength and muscle mass in women with fibromyalgia along ageing. A total sample of 492 fibromyalgia patients and 279 healthy control women were included in the study. Participants in each group were further divided into four age subgroups: subgroup 1: 30-39years old, subgroup 2: 40-49years old, subgroup 3: 50-59years old and subgroup 4: 60-69years old. Standardized field-based fitness tests were used to assess muscle strength (30-s chair stand, handgrip strength and arm curl tests). Fibromyalgia patients did not show impairment on muscle mass along ageing, without values of skeletal muscle mass index below 6.76kg/m(2) in any group. However, in all variables of muscle strength, the fibromyalgia group showed less strength than the healthy group (p<0.05) for all age groups. As expected, handgrip strength test showed differences along ageing only in the fibromyalgia group (p<0.001). Age was inversely associated with skeletal muscle mass (r=-0.155, p<0.01) and handgrip strength (r=-0.230, p<0.001) in the FM group. Women with fibromyalgia showed a reduction in muscle strength along ageing process, with significantly lower scores than healthy women for each age group, representing a risk of dynapenia.

Strategy for Increased Levels of Functional Capacity and Independence in Elderly People

Strategy for Increased Levels of Functional Capacity and Independence in Elderly People

Factors associated with functional capacity of elderly registered in the Family Health Strategy

The objective of this study was to verify the level of functional capacity in subjects aged 60 years or older from the Family Health Strategy Vila Sao Paulo, in Bauru, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, and its association with the sociodemographic, behavioral, ergonomic, and referred health variables. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 363 elderly selected by the two-stage cluster technique, who were interviewed at home using the multidimensional instrument (sociodemographic, behavioral, ergonomic, referred health information), the Nordic questionnaire, and Katz and Lawton scales. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses by logistic regression were used. Results showed that 36.9% of elderly were dependent on daily life activities, whereas 51.0% were on instrumental daily life activities. It also indicated that functional disability in daily life activities was associated with age range, repetitive movements, sedentary lifestyle, number of diseases, and musculoskeletal pain, while years of study, repetitive movements, number of diseases and physical inactivity showed an association with decreased instrumental daily life activities. The identified characteristics that are related to disability for daily life activities and instrumental daily life activities suggest a complex causal network; therefore, preventive actions directed specifically to some factors are needed, providing benefits to the quality of life of elderly.

Functional capacity and its associated factors in the elderly with low back pain.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of functional capacity in subjects aged 60 years and older, who have lower back pain, and its association with demographic, socioeconomic, work-related, lifestyle-related and disease mentioned variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 246 elderly registered at the Family Health Strategy of Vila São Paulo, Bauru,SP, Brazil, who reported lower back pain and were sampled by a two-stage cluster technique. The subjects were interviewed at home by using a multidimensional instrument (demographic; socioeconomic aspects; life style; work characterization; disease mentioned), and also the IPAQ, the Nordic and the Roland Morris questionnaires. A bivariate and multivariate descriptive logistic regression analysis was carried out. RESULTS: The prevalence of lower back pain in men was of 25.1% and in women it was of 35.1%. The mean score in the functional capacity assessment was 10.46 ± 5.62. A fraction of 67.5% of the elderly demonstrated an inappropriate functional capacity. The age group from 70 to 80 years old, the subjects reporting three or more diseases and the sedentary group presented an independent association with inappropriate functional capacity. CONCLUSION: The older, sedentary subjects and who reported more than three diseases presented low functional capacity. Level of Evidence III, Cross Sectioning.

Prevalência e fatores associados à capacidade funcional de idosos na Estratégia Saúde da Família em Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Objetivou-se mensurar o nível de capacidade funcional de idosos e suas associações, por meio de um estudo transversal com 516 residentes nas áreas circunscritas à Estratégia Saúde da Família no distrito de Grande Santos Reis, Montes Claros-MG. Foram aplicados dois questionários: um de características sociodemográficas, condições de moradia e percepção da própria situação econômica, e outro para a avaliação da capacidade funcional. Foram realizadas abordagens descritiva (frequências absoluta e relativa para variáveis categóricas, média e desvio-padrão para as contínuas) e analítica (teste de associação do qui-quadrado e regressão logística binária hierarquizada). Do total de idosos, 39,5% eram homens (70,4±7,1 anos) e 60,5% mulheres (69,1±6,9 anos); 63,4% com escolaridade de zero a dois anos; 85,7% tinham renda de até dois salários mínimos; 73,1% moravam com seus familiares; 33,9% apresentaram capacidade funcional não adequada, sendo 38,5% mulheres e 27,0% homens. A capacidade funcional não adequada foi associada às mulheres, ter mais que 70 anos de idade, renda de até dois salários mínimos e menor tempo de escolaridade. Há necessidade de direcionar a atenção à saúde do idoso, aliando o incentivo à pesquisa e às ações planejadas e direcionadas para melhorar as condições de saúde e qualidade de vida desse grupo.

Relationship between functional capacity and body mass index with plasma coenzyme Q10 and oxidative damage in community-dwelling elderly-people

The impact of aging and physical capacity on coenzyme Q10 (Q10) levels in human blood is unknown. Plasma Q10 is an important factor in cardiovascular diseases. To understand how physical activity in the elderly affects endogenous Q10 levels in blood plasma, we studied a cohort of healthy community-dwelling people. Volunteers were subjected to different tests of the Functional Fitness Test Battery including handgrip strength, six-minute walk, 30s chair to stand, and time up and go tests. Anthropometric characteristics, plasma Q10 and lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels were determined. Population was divided according to gender and fitness. We found that people showing higher levels of functional capacity presented lower levels of cholesterol and lipid peroxidation accompanied by higher levels of Q10 in plasma. The ratio Q10/cholesterol and Q10/LDL increased in these people. No relationship was found when correlated to muscle strength or agility. On the other hand, obesity was related to lower Q10 and higher MDA levels in plasma affecting women more significantly. Our data demonstrate for the first time that physical activity at advanced age can increase the levels of Q10 and lower the levels of lipid peroxidation in plasma, probably reducing the progression of cardiovascular diseases.

Early postoperative results after removal of cranially migrated lumbar disc prolapse: retrospective comparison of three different surgical strategies.

Background. To compare the early postoperative results of three surgical approaches to lumbar disc herniations that migrated cranially. Minimally invasive techniques such as the translaminar and endoscopic transforaminal approaches are utilized in patients with lumbar disc herniations to gain access to cranially located disc material and to avoid the potentially destabilizing resection of ligament and bone tissue, which is associated with an extended interlaminar approach. Methods. This retrospective study compares the postoperative pain and functional capacity levels of 69 patients who underwent an interlaminar (Group A, n = 27), a translaminar (Group B, n = 22), or an endoscopic transforaminal procedure (Group C, n = 20). Results. Median VAS scores for leg pain decreased significantly from before to after surgery in all groups. Surgical revisions were required in thirteen cases (five in Group A, one in Group B, and seven in Group C; P = 0.031). After six weeks, there were significant differences in back pain and functional outcome scores and in the results for the MacNab criteria but not in leg pain scores. Conclusions. The interlaminar and translaminar techniques were the safest and fastest ways of gaining access to cranially migrated disc material and the most effective approaches over a period of six weeks.

Anemia and functional capacity in elderly Brazilian hospitalized patients

This study evaluated the association between anemia and physical functional capacity in a cross-sectional population-based sample of 709 hospitalized elderly patients aged 60 years and over admitted to the Madre Teresa Hospital, Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Mann-Whitney or "t" test, and chi-square or Fisher exact test were used for quantitative and categorical variables, respectively, and hierarchical binary logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors. The presence of anemia was found in 30% of participants and was significantly associated with decreased functionality according to the two measures which were used - ADL (activities of daily living) and IADL (instrumental activities of daily living). Anemia was also independently associated with older age. The results of this study demonstrate a strong association between the presence of anemia and lower levels of functional capacity. Further investigations are needed to assess the impact of anemia treatment on the functionality and independence of older people.

Anemia and functional capacity in elderly Brazilian hospitalized patients

This study evaluated the association between anemia and physical functional capacity in a cross-sectional population-based sample of 709 hospitalized elderly patients aged 60 years and over admitted to the Madre Teresa Hospital, Belo Horizonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Mann-Whitney or "t" test, and chi-square or Fisher exact test were used for quantitative and categorical variables, respectively, and hierarchical binary logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors. The presence of anemia was found in 30% of participants and was significantly associated with decreased functionality according to the two measures which were used - ADL (activities of daily living) and IADL (instrumental activities of daily living). Anemia was also independently associated with older age. The results of this study demonstrate a strong association between the presence of anemia and lower levels of functional capacity. Further investigations are needed to assess the impact of anemia treatment on the functionality and independence of older people.

AB0293 Changes in glucocorticoid treatment in the first year of biological therapy in RA patients

BackgroundGlucocorticoids (GC) are very commonly used in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment; however their potential risks warrants a rational use. 1,2ObjectivesEvaluate the impact of biological therapies on GC use in...