Levels Of Physical Functioning Research Articles

Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Is there anything we can do? A review

Introduction Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is considered a global health crisis. It results in injury to the brain from an external impact leading to severe disability, with higher incidence statistics recently observed in young adults and elderly individuals. Purpose The review aims to analyze current research findings explaining the prevalence, incidence, and demographics of such injuries stressing the need for enhanced prevention and management techniques. The pathophysiology involves a complex cascade of biochemical and cellular events, which results in necrotic-apoptotic neuronal cell death. Method The review synthesizes current research on TBI, highlighting epidemiological data, advanced diagnostics, and effective rehabilitation strategies like physical and cognitive therapy. Findings Traumatic Brain Injury is an important public health issue with high morbidity and mortality rates causing extreme damage to a person, such as comas, catatonic states for various years, or lifelong injury or demolition. Early diagnostic imaging techniques include CT, MRI, advanced neuroimaging methods, and blood-based biomarkers. In the acute setting, initial management is directed toward stabilizing and preventing secondary injuries and early mobilization. The goals of rehabilitation are to promote the highest level of functional independence and physical function, cognitive functions, and social integration. Conclusion This review highlights that the use of new rehabilitation technologies, such as VR-based and robot-assisted therapies, might lead to improved recovery. Long-term supportive care combined with community integration is mandatory for enhancing quality of life. A systematic multidisciplinary team approach and family support are needed for traumatic brain injury survivors.

The mediating role of kinesiophobia in pain intensity, physical function, and physical activity level in inflammatory arthritis.

Pain is the main symptom of inflammatory arthritis and it can impair physical functional performance and physical activity level. Some individuals can develop kinesiophobia and experience a vicious circle of worsening health. This study aimed to investigate the association between pain and physical functional performance/physical activity and determine whether kinesiophobia mediates this association. This was a cross-sectional study with individuals diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis or spondyloarthritis) treated at a Rheumatology Outpatient Clinic. We assessed pain (Visual Analogue Scale), physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire - long form), kinesiophobia (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia), and physical functional performance (Handgrip Strength Dynamometry, 30-second Sit-to-Stand test, Static Muscular Endurance test, and Timed Up and Go test). The mediating effect of kinesiophobia on the relationship between pain intensity and physical functional performance/physical activity was analyzed, and the significance of the mediating effect (kinesiophobia) was tested through a bootstrap approach. Thirty-three individuals with inflammatory arthritis (mean age: 48 ± 12 years) participated in the study. Kinesiophobia mediates the relationship between pain intensity and physical functional performance analyzed by the 30-second Sit-to-Stand test [indirect effect (IE)overall = -0.343, bootstrap 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.698 to -0.002] and by knee flexion at 90º of the dominant limb (IEoverall = -1.55, bootstrap 95% CI: -3.43 to -0.237). In conclusion, pain intensity can affect physical functional performance through kinesiophobia in individuals with inflammatory arthritis.

Nutritional Support and Physical Activity Intervention Programs with a Person-Centred Approach in People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a Scoping Review.

The knowledge is sparse in the literature on intervention programs using nutritional support and physical activity for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within a person-centred approach. We aimed to explore and map the existing evidence on intervention programs with a person-centred approach, focusing on nutritional support and physical activity for people with COPD. A scoping review was conducted using Arksey & O'Malley's methodological framework. A search in the databases CINAHL and PubMed, and a grey literature search, was conducted in June 2022 and updated in June 2023. We identified studies published between 2012 and 2023. The PRISMA checklist for scoping reviews, supported by The PAGER framework was used for reporting the method. A total of 15 studies were included. The primary interventions comprised behavior of change or self-management, addressing needs assessment, motivation, personal goals, education, and physical activity. Health-related quality of life and hospital stay displayed no clinically significant variances. However, eight studies demonstrated differences in physical function and activity levels. Nutritional outcomes were addressed in one study, and three studies involved relatives. This scoping review addresses a knowledge gap in nutritional support interventions with a person-centred approach. It indicates that there is a need to increase nutritional support and consider the patient's physical and social environmental resources within Behavior of change or Self-management intervention programs for patients with COPD. The review found no clinical effect on health-related quality of life, although there were some effects on physical activity. The results highlight how the interdisciplinary team can include the patients' resources when structuring the management of COPD by applying a person-centred approach.

Effect of Mental Health on Level of Injury and Life Satisfaction among Young Elite Athletes-A Barrier or Augment: An Observational Study

Introduction: Sports injuries can have long-term psychological and physical ramifications. For instance, concussions can affect a person's quality of life by causing a variety of cognitive problems and emotional swings. Joint injuries can also make athletes more susceptible to musculoskeletal issues in the future, which could limit their capacity to exercise and lower their level of enjoyment and general well-being. Gaining a thorough grasp of the mental health and psychological well-being unique to top athletes may help to improve models of treatment and management for this group, which might ultimately lead to improved performance, lower risk of injuries and improve quality of life. Sport professionals, such as coaches, medical personnel, and sport psychologists, need to have this understanding in order to help elite athletes improve their mental wellness by helping them build coping mechanisms. Methods: The study was performed in NIMS University, in 2024. The survey contained information about the purpose and objectives of the study, informed consent, sociodemographic questions, questions related to mental health, life satisfaction and level of injury questionnaires concerning various aspects of well-being (stress level, depression, anxiety, satisfaction, and physical health, level of physical, mental and social functioning). Result: In this study, a total of 258 participants were included in the analysis. The average age of the participants was 19.5 years, with 52.7% of the sample being women and 47.3% men. Conclusion: A distinct set of pressures that elite athletes face might make them more susceptible to mental illness. Important elements include coping with continuous performance pressure from competition, the psychological effects of injuries, life satisfaction, overtraining, and burnout, and intensive public and media scrutiny.

Prevalence of Unwanted Loneliness and Associated Factors in People over 65 Years of Age in a Health Area of the Region of Murcia, Spain: HELPeN Project.

Background/Objectives: Population aging poses many challenges to public health, highlighting loneliness and social isolation as severe problems that affect the physical and mental health of older adults. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these became aggravated. The objective of the present study was to assess the prevalence of loneliness and its relationship with social isolation, depression, cognitive deterioration, sleep quality, and the level of physical mobility and functioning of older adults in Health Area 3 of the Region of Murcia. Methods: A descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was performed. The inclusion criteria were age ≥ 65, living in Health Area 3 of the Region of Murcia, and not being institutionalized. The following variables were evaluated: sociodemographic variables, loneliness (UCLA scale), social isolation (DUFSS), depression (GDS), cognitive deterioration (Pfeiffer), sleep quality (PSQI), and mobility (Barthel index). A univariate and multivariate regression model was created to examine how the dependent variable was related to the independent variables. Results: A total of 102 older adults participated in the study. Of these, 31.4% perceived unwanted loneliness and 14.7% low social support. The multivariate regression analysis showed that social isolation, geriatric depression, and cognitive deterioration were significant predictors of loneliness. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of developing multifaceted interventions that address not only social isolation but also other interrelated factors such as depression, cognitive deterioration, and sleep quality. The strategies should be centered on community programs and support networks. It is fundamental to perform longitudinal studies to better understand the causal relationships between these variables.

Associations between loneliness, disease activity, and disease impact in inflammatory arthritis: A nationwide cross-sectional study among > 12,000 patients.

To investigate the prevalence of loneliness among patients with IA with a specific focus on the associations with disease activity and impact. We used data from a Danish cross-sectional survey comprising information on socio-demographics, mental health status, and social contacts among 12 713 patients with IA (rheumatoid arthritis (RA)/psoriatic arthritis (PsA)/axial spondylarthritis (axSpA)). Data were linked to the DANBIO Rheumatology Registry and the National Patient Registry. Loneliness was measured by asking: "Are you ever alone, although you would prefer to be together with others?". Association with disease activity and disease impact (Patient Global Assessment, pain, fatigue, physical function) was estimated using multivariable logistic regression (age, sex, cohabitation status, educational level, mental health status (depression, anxiety), and co-morbidity). Approximately one-third reported loneliness. Prevalence was lowest for patients with RA (31.6% (95%CI: 30.5; 32.6)) compared with PsA and axSpA (36.0 (34.0; 38.0)) and (36.3 (34.1; 38.4), respectively). It was highest among axSpA patients reporting high levels of depression (66.2% (60.0; 72.8)). A positive association was observed between loneliness and disease activity. For disease impact, prevalence estimates were between 40-60% when patients experienced high levels of pain, fatigue, low levels of physical function, and high Patient Global Assessment. Loneliness was highly prevalent in IA and associated with disease activity and impact. Therefore, loneliness is an important target for future mental health interventions in IA.

Differences in palliative care needs between cancer patients and non-cancer patients at the start of specialized palliative care: A nationwide register-based study

Background: Patients with non-cancer disease are less likely to receive specialized palliative care than cancer patients. To be able to provide the best specialized palliative care, it is important to understand palliative care needs of non-cancer patients and whether the type and level of needs differ from those of cancer patients. Large studies including both cancer and non-cancer patients, using validated needs-assessment-tools, are needed to understand differences in palliative care needs at admittance to specialized palliative care. Aims: To compare palliative care needs at the start of palliative care for cancer and non-cancer disease. Design: Six-year nationwide register-based study. Setting/participants: This study included patients from all Danish specialized palliative care services (hospice care, hospital-based palliative care, home-based palliative care, or consultation) who completed a need-assessment-questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression was performed to study the association between diagnosis and needs. Results: Cancer patients had a higher probability of receiving specialized palliative care. Of the 44,315 palliative care admissions included in this study, 93.3% were on cancer patients. Independent of diagnosis patients experienced on average six needs and high levels of fatigue and impaired physical functioning. Non-cancer patients had significantly higher odds of insomnia, fatigue and impaired emotional functioning, physical functioning, and quality of life whereas cancer patients had higher odds of pain (except for patients with neurological disease). Conclusions: The higher levels of several symptoms/problems among non-cancer patients compared to cancer patients suggests that referral to specialized palliative care should be improved for non-cancer patients perhaps by improving identification of palliative needs.

Causal Associations of Cognitive Reserve and Hierarchical Aging-Related Outcomes: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

Two-sample Mendelian randomization methods were used to explore the causal effects of cognitive reserve proxies, such as educational attainment, occupational attainment, and physical activity (PA), on biological (leukocyte telomere length), phenotypic (sarcopenia-related features), and functional (frailty index and cognitive performance) aging levels. Educational attainment had a potential protective effect on the telomere length (β = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.08-0.11), sarcopenia-related features (β = 0.04-0.24, 95% CI: 0.02-0.27), frailty risk (β = -0.31, 95% CI: -0.33 to -0.28), cognitive performance (β = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.75-0.80). Occupational attainment was causally related with sarcopenia-related features (β = 0.07-0.10, 95% CI: 0.05-0.14), and cognitive performance (β = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.24-0.36). Device-measured PA was potentially associated with one sarcopenia-related feature (β = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.03-0.25). Our findings support the potential causality of educational attainment on biological, phenotypic, and functional aging outcomes, of occupational attainment on phenotypic and functional aging-related outcomes, and of PA on phenotypic aging-related outcomes.

Predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities in Saudi Arabia: An observational study.

To examine predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities, a cross-sectional design was used. Participants were primary caregivers of children with developmental disabilities. Caregivers completed a demographic form about the child and the family, and the Arabic version of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Profile 29 (PROMIS-29 v2.0). Descriptive statistics were used to report on demographic data, 1-sample Z tests to compare PROMIS domain scores with the general population, and multiple linear regression analyses to identify predictors of each domain. Participants were 111 primary caregivers, mostly mothers (65.8%). Caregivers reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and pain interference, and lower levels of physical function and social participation compared to the general population, P < .05. The regression models for predicting the HRQoL accounted for 12.3% of the variance in the physical function domain (P = .016), 13.9% in the anxiety domain (P = .009), 24.7% in the ability to engage in social activities and roles (P < .001), and 11.4% in the pain interference domain (P = .02). In these models, the severity of the child's disability and/or the child's age were common significant predictors. Specifically, child's age was the only significant predictor in 2 domains, the anxiety domain (β = -.29, P < .01) and ability to participate in social activities and roles domain (β = .42, P < .05). The severity of the child's disability was the only significant predictor in the physical function domain (β = -.52, P < .01). Both the severity of the child's disability and the child's age were significant predictors in the pain interference model (β = .40, P < .05), and (β = -.23, P < .05), respectively. However, the models did not significantly predict depression, fatigue, or sleep disturbance, P > .05. HRQoL is a complex construct and is influenced by multiple child and family factors. Implications of the study emphasize the importance of regular HRQoL screening for caregivers, the development of efficient referral systems for support services, and the exploration of respite care options.

Effect of Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Non-obstructive Disease Congenital Kyphoscoliosis Patient in Kuwait

A case study of a non-COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) patient with congenital kyphoscoliosis to see the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation after 36 sessions given for chest disease in Kuwait with signs and symptoms, physical capacity, functional level, and Quality of life.

The impact of vegetable and fruit consumption on mortality in persons aged 65 years and older: results of a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: High consumption of vegetables and fruits is associated with a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cancer and all — causes mortality. However, most studies on the health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption have traditionally focused on children, adolescents, young and middle-aged people, and only a few of them included older adults, and even more so did not take into account the geriatric status of the study participants. AIM: To assess the effect of fruit and vegetable consumption on mortality in Russian population people 65 years and older. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study of a random sample of individuals aged 65 years and older (n = 383). The main parameters of the study: Mini Nutritional Assessment anthropometry, clinical blood test, albumin, total protein, C-reactive protein, comprehensive geriatric assessment, 2.5 years of follow-up. RESULTS: The average age of the participants was 77.7 ± 5.7 years. The frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption was higher among women, compared with men by 16.7% (95% confidence interval 1.5–33.6%). Consumption of 2 or more portions vegetables and/or fruits per day was associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes with hazard ratio 0.401 (95% confidence interval 0.180–0.896) after adjusting for gender, age of study participants, presence of malnourishment syndrome, protein intake, glasses drunk per day, body mass index, reduced middle arm circumstance, falls, cognitive status, autonomy decline and a decrease in the level of physical function. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of 2 or more portions of vegetables and/or fruits per day was independently associated with a 59.9% reduction in the risk of death from all causes in persons aged 65 years and older.

Trends in Patient-Reported Physical Function After Hip Fracture Surgery.

Background Hip fractures carry significant morbidity and mortality, yet studies assessing post-surgical functional recovery from the patient's perspective are scarce, lacking benchmarks against age-matched populations. This study aimed to identify factors influencing postoperative functional outcomes, compared to the lower 25th percentile of normal age-matched populations, and to compare postoperative physical function with one-year mortality following hip fracture surgery. Methodology A retrospective review of 214 hip fracture patients reporting to the emergency department (ED) from July 2020 to June 2023 was conducted, with all completing a three-month postoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) survey. Primary outcomes included three-month PROMIS-PF scores, with secondary outcomes focusing on one-year mortality. Factors such as demographics, comorbidities, procedures, time to surgery, length of stay, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed for correlation. Multivariate logistic regression assessed predictors of achieving a PROMIS-PF T-score of at least 32.5, representing the bottom 25th percentile for age-matched populations, and the relationship between three-month PROMIS PF T-scores and one-year mortality. Results Surgery was performed within 24 hours of ED arrival in 118 (55.1%) patients, the average length of stay was 5.2 days, and 64 (29.9%) were discharged home. Total hip arthroplasty and home discharge correlated with higher physical function scores. In contrast, older age, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, certain comorbidities, specific surgical procedures, and longer hospital stays were associated with lower scores. Fewer than half (102 [47.7%]) achieved functional levels comparable to the 25th percentile of age-matched populations. Multivariate analysis indicated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and home discharge as predictors of achieving this threshold, while higher PROMIS-PF T-scores were associated with reduced one-year mortality. Conclusions Patients undergoing hip fracture surgery are unlikely to achieve high levels of physical function within the three-month postoperative period. Fewer than half of these patients will reach functional levels, and decreased early function is associated with an increased risk of one-year mortality.

The relationship between the level of physical activity and lung function

The relationship between the level of physical activity and lung function

Enhancing physical function and activity level in malnourished older adults through oral nutrition supplements: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundMalnutrition of older individuals, leads to significant functional decline, reducing their quality of life. Lifestyle interventions; dietary improvements and supplementation are explored to enhance the physical function of older adults. The current study aimed to assess the impact of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) on the functional and activity levels of Sri Lankan older adults.MethodsThis randomized controlled trial included; an intervention group (IG) receiving 200 mL of ONS providing 247 kcal per serving, for 12 weeks and a control group (CG) receiving an equivalent volume of water. Changes in handgrip strength, knee extension strength, gait speed, functional and activity levels were assessed.ResultsThe IG showed significant improvements in handgrip strength (43.96 ± 18.61 kg vs. 32.81 ± 17.92 kg; p < 0.001) and knee extension strength (23.45 ± 2.29 kg vs. 16.41 ± 2.09 kg; p < 0.001) following 12 weeks compared to the CG. The IG also exhibited significant improvements in gait speed (1.31 ± 0.52 m/s vs. 0.87 ± 0.26 m/s), Barthel index score, (0.30 ± 0.47 vs. -0.18 ± 0.66), PASE score (0.52 ± 17.79 vs. -1.60 ± 21.77) and IPAQ categories.ConclusionsONS was found to be effective in improving the functional and physical activity levels of malnourished older adults.Trial registration.Sri Lanka Clinical Trial Registry SLCTR/2022/021. Registered on 06/10/2022.

Can Older Adult Patients with Hip Fractures Have Their Discharge Destination Predicted by Physical Performance Measures?

Background and Objectives: The majority of patients who undergo hip fracture surgery do not recover their former level of physical function; hence, it is essential to establish a specific rehabilitation strategy for maximal functional recovery of patients after a hip fracture. Knowing which indicators of physical function in hip fracture patients have a significant impact on the decision regarding the place or timing of discharge would make it possible to plan and prepare for discharge as soon as possible. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical function and discharge destination for older adult patients with hip fracture. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 150 hip fracture patients (mean age 78.9 ± 10.6 years) between January 2019 and June 2021 were enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups according to their discharge destination, either home or facility. Demographic and disease-related characteristic data were collected from the medical records. All the patients completed performance-based physical function tests including the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Koval's grade, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) at the start of rehabilitation and at discharge. A backward stepwise binary logistic regression analysis was then performed to determine the independent factors of the discharge destination. Results: The home discharge group had a significantly lower Koval's grade, lower TUG, higher BBS both at baseline and discharge, and younger age. Backward stepwise logistic binary regression analysis showed that TUG, BBS, and 10MWT at baseline and discharge were significant variables affecting the discharge destination after hip fracture. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that balance and gait in older adult patients with hip fractures are highly influential factors in the determining the discharge destination.

The Impact Of Tele-Rehabilitation Nursing On The Daily Living Abilities Of Children With Cerebral Palsy

The objective of this study is to delve into the influence of tele-rehabilitation nursing on children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. To achieve this, we conducted a thorough search across multiple databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, ScienceDirect, CNKI, and WanFang Data, aiming to gather evidence on the efficacy of tele-rehabilitation for cerebral palsy. Subsequently, a comparative analysis was performed to assess the differences in physical structure, function, activities, and participation in daily living activities between children receiving tele-rehabilitation nursing and those undergoing home-based care. For the purpose of this investigation, a total of 30 subjects were divided into two groups: a control group that received tele-rehabilitation nursing, and an observation group that underwent traditional home-based rehabilitation. The findings of our data analysis revealed that tele-rehabilitation nursing significantly improved the daily living abilities of children with cerebral palsy, with statistical significance (P&lt;0.05). Notably, children in the tele-rehabilitation group exhibited a significantly higher level of participation in daily activities compared to the home-based rehabilitation group, while no significant differences were observed in terms of physical structure, function, and activity levels.

Impact of a Multidisciplinary Supportive Care Model Using Distress Screening at an Asian Ambulatory Cancer Center: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

The Accessible Cancer Care to Enable Support for Cancer Survivors (ACCESS) program adopts a multidisciplinary supportive care model with routine distress screening to triage newly diagnosed cancer survivors for additional support on the basis of distress levels. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of ACCESS over 1 year. We performed cluster random assignment at the oncologist level in a 1:1 ratio to receive ACCESS or usual care. Participants 21 years and older, newly diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancer, and receiving care at National Cancer Centre Singapore were included. Outcomes assessed every 3 months for 1 year included quality of life (QoL) (primary), functioning, physical and psychological symptom burden, and activity levels. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects models. Participants from 16 clusters (control = 90, intervention = 83) were analyzed. The ACCESS program did not significantly improve QoL (primary outcome). However, compared with usual care recipients, ACCESS recipients reported higher physical functioning (P = .017), role functioning (P = .001), and activity levels (P < .001) at 9 months and lower psychological distress (P = .025) at 12 months. ACCESS recipients screened with high distress had poorer QoL, lower role and social functioning, and higher physical symptom distress at 3 months but had comparable scores with ACCESS recipients without high distress after 12 months. Compared with usual care, participation in the ACCESS program did not yield QoL improvement but showed earlier functioning recovery related to activities of daily living and reduced psychological distress. Routine distress screening is a promising mechanism to identify survivors with poorer health for more intensive supportive care.

Physiotherapists’ Use of Outcome Measure Tools in the Assessment of Neuro-Musculoskeletal Injuries for Short-Term Functional Rehabilitation Domains to Minimize Impairments and Disability following Commercial Motorcycle Road-Related Accident, Eldoret, Kenya

Bed immobilization remains a core intervention to stabilize neuro-musculoskeletal injuries following commercial motorcycle-related road traffic accidents. Despite timely operative and conservative management, most patients remain handicapped, requiring short- and long-term physical therapy. That calls for physiotherapists to assess and make use of outcome measure tools to determine the level of impairments and disability and make informed decisions when developing management goals. The objective of the study was to determine short-term functional rehabilitation domains, the use of outcome measure tools, and physiotherapy interventions used to minimize impairments and disability following a commercial motorcycle road-related accident in Eldoret, Kenya. Biopsychosocial theory guided the study. A prospective cohort study was adopted. Purposive sampling was used for the selection of 79 participants for 6 months between March 2021 and July 2021 in level 5 hospitals in Eldoret, Kenya. The target population included post-operative patients in both male and female orthopedics wards, physiotherapists, and social workers in the orthopedic department of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. The study population was 150 patients. A self-administered, structured questionnaire was used. The data collected was entered and analyzed with SPSS 20. The findings of this study revealed that forty-four percent (44%) of total participants were bedridden for fracture immobilization and spinal cord injuries for more than 3 days before and after orthopedic and neurological surgery. The majority (100%) of the participants had been referred for physiotherapy rehabilitation. All 100 participants were assessed with different outcome measure tools for neuro-musculoskeletal injuries to determine the level of physical function. Forty-three percent (43%) had lost functional abilities of the upper extremity (19 males, 15 females). Fifty-one-point nine percent (51.9%) had lost physical function due to lower extremity fractures (39% (26 males, 15 females) and 24% (15 males, 4 females) with spinal cord injuries. Four participants (5%) reported lost days to school, and 94.9% reported lost days to income-generating activities (27 females, 48 males). The majority (100%) of the participants pre- and post-operatively were assessed with standardized outcome measure tools that remain significant for prompt best evidence-based physiotherapy practices. Pain (100%) and impaired physical functions (100%) were the main rehabilitation domains that posed the biggest challenge to patients’ post-trauma. Multicomponent physiotherapy interventions ranging from stretching, strengthening, breathing exercises, bed positioning, mobility and transfers, balance and coordination, and gait training tailored to patients’ physical function levels, prevention of muscle atrophy and strength, and joint stiffness were core. This study recommended short-term physiotherapy rehabilitation on early bed mobilization and ambulation for patients, which remains core for the restoration of physical functional levels and a return formula to socioeconomic status.

Development of Prediction Model for 1-year Mortality after Hip Fracture Surgery.

Hip fractures are associated with increased mortality. The identification of risk factors of mortality could improve patient care. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors of mortality after surgery for a hip fracture and construct a mortality model. A cohort study was conducted on patients with hip fractures at two institutions. Five hundred and ninety-seven patients with hip fractures that were treated in the tertiary hospital, and another 147 patients that were treated in a secondary hospital. The perioperative data were collected from medical charts and interviews. Functional Assessment Measure score, Short Form-12 and mortality were recorded at 12 months. Patients and surgery variables that were associated with increased mortality were used to develop a mortality model. Mortality for the whole cohort was 19.4% at one year. From the variables tested only age >80 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists category, time to surgery (>48 hours), Charlson comorbidity index, sex, use of anti-coagulants, and body mass index <25 kg/m2 were associated with increased mortality and used to construct the mortality model. The area under the curve for the prediction model was 0.814. Functional outcome at one year was similar to preoperative status, even though their level of physical function dropped after the hip surgery and slowly recovered. The mortality prediction model that was developed in this study calculates the risk of death at one year for patients with hip fractures, is simple, and could detect high risk patients that need special management.

Defining the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) for PROMIS After Total Ankle Replacement.

Although patient-reported outcomes (PROs), such as the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), are a key element of evaluating success after total ankle replacement (TAR), many do not explicitly state a key factor of postoperative success: is the patient satisfied with their outcome after TAR? The patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) represents the symptom threshold beyond which patients consider themselves well. This study aimed to establish the PROMIS thresholds for the PASS in a primary cohort of TAR patients. This single-institution study included 127 primary TAR patients with preoperative and 2-year postoperative PROMIS scores. At 2 years postoperatively, patients answered 2 PASS anchor questions (Satisfaction, Delighted-Terrible scale) with Likert-scale responses. PASS thresholds with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated from PROMIS scores using an anchor-based method. Using a bootstrapping technique with 1,000 iterations, the Youden index was calculated to determine the best specificity and sensitivity coordinates to maximize their combination. Finally, preoperative variables associated with the likelihood of achieving the PASS were assessed. There was a strong association between PASS thresholds and PROMIS domains, especially Pain Interference (PASS threshold of <56.0, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.940), Pain Intensity (<48.4, AUC = 0.936), and Physical Function (>44.7, AUC = 0.883). The likelihood of achieving the PASS was not affected by age, race, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, body mass index, or severity of ankle deformity. Patients with worse preoperative Physical Function and Global Mental Health scores were less likely to meet the PASS threshold for Physical Function postoperatively (p = 0.028 and 0.041). The ability to reach the PASS after TAR was most strongly associated with postoperative PROMIS pain scores. However, PASS thresholds were generally poorer than population means. This demonstrates that patients do not need to reach normal pain or physical function levels to have an acceptable symptom state after TAR. Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.