Physical Activity In Patients Research Articles

German translation and linguistic validation of the modified short questionnaire to assess health-enhancing physical activity (mSQUASH) for patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA)

Patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) often experience chronic pain and inflammation, resulting in physical impairments, reduced mobility and decreased physical activity. The modified short questionnaire to assess health-enhancing physical activity (mSQUASH) was developed to assess daily physical activity in patients with axSpA. To translate, cross-culturally adapt and linguistically validate the original mSQUASH into German for patients with axSpA. The original mSQUASH was translated from Dutch into German using amultistep process (Beaton method) with forward-backward translations into German by bilingual Dutch-German lay people and experts. Any remaining discrepancies were resolved by ascientific committee, resulting in aprefinal German version. Field testing with cognitive debriefing interviews with patients with axSpA from diverse backgrounds led to afinal German version. Minor discrepancies, primarily related to formalities, semantic errors and syntax were found during translations. These were addressed, resulting in slight wording modifications. The prefinal German version was validated through cognitive debriefing by 10patients with axSpA, confirming its linguistic validity and equivalence to the Dutch version. Overall, this study confirmed the final German mSQUASH as acomprehensive measurement instrument for daily physical activity. It can now be used as apatient-reported outcome by German patients with axSpA. This can enable cross-linguistic comparisons and expanding its utility across language barriers.

Abstract PO4-12-09: National Physical Activity Guidelines and It’s Association with Fatigue in Patients with Breast Cancer Pre- and Post-Chemotherapy in a Prospective, Nationwide Study

Abstract Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is one of the most pervasive side effects of cancer and its treatment, reported by nearly 90% of patients. Physical activity (PA) during treatment may prevent or lessen CRF burden. Current aerobic PA guidelines for cancer patients recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate PA or 75 minutes of vigorous PA or some equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous PA (MVPA). Many patients have difficulty meeting these guidelines during treatment, however, meeting these guidelines may not be necessary to alleviate CRF. This study evaluated patterns of PA below the recommended guidelines and their association with CRF in cancer patients during treatment. Methods: In a nationwide, prospective cohort study of patients with stage I-IIIC breast cancer (n=580) we assessed the relationship between self-reported PA (Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study PA) and CRF (Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory, MFSI) pre- and post-chemotherapy. Spearman correlations were utilized to evaluate the association of all PA (MET hr/wk) and MVPA (MET hr/wk) with overall CRF (total MFSI) and 5 CRF subdimensions (general, physical, emotional, mental CRF and vigor) at pre- and post-chemotherapy. ANCOVA estimated mean CRF score according to whether patients weekly MVPA (1) met 100% of the PA guidelines, (2) met 50%-99% of the PA guidelines (75-149 minutes), or (3) did not meet 50% of the PA guidelines (< 75 minutes). Results: Pre-chemotherapy, only 34% of participants met the PA guidelines, post-chemotherapy, only 21% of patients met the PA guidelines. At both time points, we observed small to moderate inverse correlations of MVPA with overall CRF and several subdimensions of CRF (Table 1; r = -0.11, -0.19). Pre-chemotherapy, those who did not meet 50% of the PA guidelines report significantly higher total CRF compared to those who met the PA guidelines (12.5 ± 1.2 vs 5.3 ± 1.5; p< 0.001). However, those who met only 50%-99% of the PA guidelines, had comparable total CRF to those who fully met the PA guidelines (7.2 ± 2.2; p=0.474). A similar pattern was observed for the subdimensions general, mental, and physical CRF. Those who met 50% of the guidelines also had significantly lower vigor compared to those who met the guidelines (11.9 ± 0.3 vs 13.8 ± 0.4; p< 0.001), while those who met 50%-99% of the guidelines had comparable vigor to those who fully met guidelines (13.1 ± 0.6; p=0.278). Post-chemotherapy CRF was higher among all patient’s, again there was no significant difference in total, general, physical CRF and vigor between those who met the PA guidelines and those who met 50%-99% of the PA guidelines. Conclusions: All PA was consistently inversely associated with CRF pre- and post-chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer. Current minimum aerobic PA guidelines for patients with cancer are difficult to achieve during treatment. Lower doses of MVPA than the current PA guidelines suggest may provide equal benefit and represent a more achievable goal for patients with cancer. Table 1: Spearman correlations of CRF and physical activity in patients with breast cancer pre- and post-chemotherapy. Table 2: ANCOVA; Mean CRF score according to the PA guidelines. Citation Format: Lindsey Mattick, Hongying Sun, Karen Mustian, Luke Peppone, AnnaLynn Williams, Po-Ju Lin, Evelyn Arana, Jeremy McGuire, Amarinthia Curtis, Alison Conlin, Lora Weiselberg, Michelle Janelsins. National Physical Activity Guidelines and It’s Association with Fatigue in Patients with Breast Cancer Pre- and Post-Chemotherapy in a Prospective, Nationwide Study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO4-12-09.

Relationship among Falls, Fear of Falling, and Physical Activity Level in Patients on Hemodialysis.

Patients on hemodialysis are highly susceptible to falls and fractures. Amplified apprehension regarding the fear of falling (FOF) constitutes a risk factor that restricts physical activity and escalates the probability of falls among the elderly population. This study aimed to elucidate the association between falls and FOF and physical activity in patients on hemodialysis. A prospective cohort study was conducted across 9 centers. FOF was assessed using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). Physical activity was assessed using the Japanese version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form. Subsequently, falls were monitored over a duration of 1year. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between falls and FOF and physical activity. In addition, in the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the cutoff value of FES-I that predicts falls was determined using the Youden Index. A restricted cubic spline curve was utilized to analyze the nonlinear association between falls and the FES-I. A total of 253 patients on hemodialysis (70.0 [59.0-77.0] years old; 105 female [41.5%]) were included in the analysis. During the 1-year observation period, 90 (35.6%) patients experienced accidental falls. The median FES-I score was 36.0 (24.0-47.0) points, and patients with higher FES-I scores had more falls. Following adjusted logistic regression analysis, FES-I exhibited an independent association with falls (OR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.01-1.06), but physical activity was not. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.70 (95% CI = 0.64-0.77), and the FES-I threshold value for distinguishing fallers from non-fallers was determined as 37.5 points (sensitivity 65.6%, specificity 35.0%). A nonlinear relationship between falls and FES-I was observed. FOF was associated with the incidence of falls in patients on hemodialysis. The evaluation and implementation of interventions targeting the FOF may mitigate the risk of falls.

ACTIVE-FIT program: Assessment of sleep quality and its relationship with physical activity in patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

ACTIVE-FIT program: Assessment of sleep quality and its relationship with physical activity in patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Impact of Effectiveness of Physical Activity in a Virtual Environment on the Regulation of Sclerostin and Interleukin 6 Levels in Haemodialysis Patients.

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a significant public health issue associated with reduced physical activity. This can lead to mineral and bone disorders and increased levels of inflammatory markers. One innovative solution that can significantly contribute to increasing patient motivation is the combination of physical training with virtual reality technology during haemodialysis sessions. The aim of this study is to comprehensively assess the impact of regular virtual reality-based physical activity on plasma sclerostin and interleukin 6 levels, as well as on physical performance and the level of physical activity in patients undergoing renal replacement therapy through haemodialysis. Methods: This study is a prospective cohort study. Patients included in the study were randomly assigned to two groups: the study group and the control group. The study group consisted of patients who were entrusted with the task of conducting training using the prototype of the NefroVR system. The duration of the study period for both the study and control groups was 3 months. Results: One hundred and two (102) patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease who underwent haemodialysis as a renal replacement therapy participated in the study. Patients from the study group were characterized by higher physical activity compared to the control group. There was a significant difference in the level of IL-6 and SOST between the study and control groups in the second measurement. Conclusions: Regular physical activity, especially using approaches such as virtual reality, contributes to improving physical fitness and overall activity levels in patients undergoing haemodialysis. The study demonstrated that regular exercise may be associated with a reduction in inflammatory parameters and positive effects on bone metabolism in patients undergoing haemodialysis.

Physical activity in patients with non-small cell lung cancer after lung resection

BackgroundLung resection is the standard of care for patients with clinical stage I/II non-small cell lung cancer. This surgery reduces both the duration and quality of patients' daily ambulatory activities 1 month after surgery. However, little is known about physical activity after lung resection in patients with lung cancer. To evaluate the recovery process of physical activity with pulmonary rehabilitation in patients after lung resection and examine whether physical activity is affected by age. MethodsIn this prospective, observational study, we measured and analysed participants' postoperative physical activity using a uniaxial accelerometer daily from postoperative day 1 to 30. FindingsWe analysed 99 patients who underwent thoracic surgery. The number of walking steps significantly increased until day 4 and then reached a plateau thereafter. The duration of exercise at <3 metabolic equivalents significantly increased until day 3, and no significant difference was observed thereafter. Exercise at >3 metabolic equivalents significantly increased until day 4 and reached a plateau thereafter. A significant correlation was observed between age and number of steps after day 4. Compared with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, thoracotomy significantly decreased the number of steps from day 3 to 4. InterpretationWe found that the level of physical activity varied by index in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent lung resection. Age and surgical procedure affect different periods with the increase in post-operative walking steps.

Minimal clinically important difference in physical activity in patients with stroke

Background Estimates of the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for stroke-related outcomes are needed, but the MCID for physical activity is unknown. Objective To provide an anchor-based estimate of the MCID for physical activity in patients with stroke. Methods This study included 31 patients with stroke admitted to a hospital and discharged home. Physical activity, including the daily number of steps and metabolic equivalents (METs), was evaluated shortly after informed consent was obtained following admission (baseline) and discharge using an Active-style Pro HJA-750C with a triaxial accelerometer. We calculated the number of steps and time rate (%) of sedentary behavior (SB), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day. After discharge, the physical therapist rated each participant’s perceived amount of physical activity recovery on the Global Rating of Change scale (GRC). The mean change in each physical activity data point from baseline to after discharge in the group of participants who answered “a little better, meaningful” in the GRC was considered the MCID. Results Eighteen participants were included in the analysis. Participants’ physical function improved from baseline to at discharge during hospitalization, although mild motor paralysis persisted. MCID values for the step activity, SB, LPA, and MVPA were 1828 steps, -11.2%, 6.9%, 4.3% per day, respectively. Conclusion For researchers and clinicians, this study’s MCIDs provide a benchmark for interpreting changes in the effects of intervention studies, and specific guidelines for interventions in clinical practice. Further research with larger sample sizes is required to confirm these findings.

Dispositional mindfulness: Is it related to knee osteoarthritis population's common health problems?

A growing body of research supports dispositional mindfulness as important in influencing physical and mental health as well as physical activities in patients with chronic illnesses. Knee osteoarthritis (OA), which often causes health problems, is one of the most common chronic illnesses, but less is known about dispositional mindfulness in relation to this condition. To explore possible associations between dispositional mindfulness and physical and mental health as well as physical activity in knee OA patients. For this cross-sectional study, we recruited a purposive sample of orthopedic clinic patients in hospitals in Southern Taiwan. Instruments included the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Health-related characteristics were also measured. Demographic statistics, bivariate correlations, and multiple linear regression informed our exploration of potentially related factors for dispositional mindfulness. Participants with knee OA (N = 250) were mostly elderly (88%), female (70.5%), and married (84%). Marital status, perceived health status, depression, and physical activity were associated with dispositional mindfulness. Better perceived health, lower depression, and greater physical activity were significantly associated with greater dispositional mindfulness. However, the severity of symptoms, fear of falling, and exercise self-efficacy did not reach statistical significance in relation to dispositional mindfulness. Greater emphasis should be placed on the cultivation of mindfulness to enhance individuals' perceived health, decrease their depressive mood, and promote their engagement in physical activity, which could indirectly alleviate their experience of pain and improve their physical function, yielding better quality of life and well-being. Future research should focus on interventions to apply dispositional mindfulness in order to determine whether dispositional mindfulness can effectively improve physical and mental health as well as physical activity in those with knee OA.

Physical Activity Detection for Diabetes Mellitus Patients Using Recurrent Neural Networks.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a persistent metabolic disorder associated with the hormone insulin. The two main types of DM are type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 (T2DM). Physical activity plays a crucial role in the therapy of diabetes, benefiting both types of patients. The detection, recognition, and subsequent classification of physical activity based on type and intensity are integral components of DM treatment. The continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) signal provides the blood glucose (BG) level, and the combination of CGMS and heart rate (HR) signals are potential targets for detecting relevant physical activity from the BG variation point of view. The main objective of the present research is the developing of an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm capable of detecting physical activity using these signals. Using multiple recurrent models, the best-achieved performance of the different classifiers is a 0.99 area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. The application of recurrent neural networks (RNNs) is shown to be a powerful and efficient solution for accurate detection and analysis of physical activity in patients with DM. This approach has great potential to improve our understanding of individual activity patterns, thus contributing to a more personalized and effective management of DM.

Exploring Physical Activity Levels in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease-A Preliminary Study.

Increased physical activity may prevent disease onset and severity in individuals with cardiovascular disease. However, studies evaluating physical activity in people with cardiovascular disease are limited. This prospective observational study aimed to objectively assess the level of physical activity in patients with cardiovascular disease and determine the actual extent of physical activity in their daily lives. Participants aged 20 years or older with cardiovascular disease at a cardiology clinic were included. Physical activity was measured using an activity meter with a three-axis acceleration sensor. Overall, 58 patients were included in the study. Household activities were found to be more frequent sources of physical activity. The step count was related to age and housework, while total physical activity and household activity were related to age and work. Locomotive activity was related to sex and housework. Total physical and household activities tended to decrease with age. These findings indicate the influence of work and household chores on physical activity and suggest that physical activity may be underestimated if household activity is not also assessed. These fundamental findings may provide clinical evidence to underpin physical activity for patients with cardiovascular disease.

Onco'sport à l’épreuve des patients : expérience vecue des patients atteints d’un cancer pratiquant de l’activité physique adaptée dans le cadre du programme Onco'sport, une étude qualitative

Physical activity is a major determinant in the prevention of chronic diseases, equally on the side effects of treatments and the consequences of the disease. It improves quality of life, but also reduces morbidity and mortality, and therefore health expenses. A sedentary lifestyle is the fourth cause of premature death in the world, in the context of chronic non-communicable diseases. In France, the prescription for adapted physical activity (APA) has been included in the law since 2016. With the development of "Maisons Sport santé", the Onco'sport program was developed to enable people affected by cancer to participate in adapted physical activity. The objective of our work is to explore the lived experience of cancer patients practicing adapted physical activity as part of the Onco'sport program. This is a qualitative study of 10semi-directed individual interviews with patients participating in the Onco'sport program, recruited from the "Maison Sport Santé" from Nîmes and the association "Les Roses du Gard". A phenomenological analysis was carried out with a semiopragmatic approach. For all participants, the APA through a program provides professional supervision of Physical Activity, influences adherence and builds confidence. This program is at the origin of changes in lifestyle habits and improves the relationship with illness and their cancer thanks to the physical and psychological benefits felt. Thus, APA appears as a full-fledged supportive care which requires informing patients and promoting it so that access is facilitated and becomes a standard. Health professionals including general practitioners do not currently have an important place in the promotion of APA, and patients most often obtain documentation on their own or through associations of patient. An APA program like Onco'sport is often the cause of a return to physical activity in patients, brings overall well-being and changes lifestyle habits. It seems important to promote physical activity to patients but also to the general population, given the benefits. This promotion involves easier access to this type of supervised program, financial support and better training of health professionals.

Effect of anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy on the efficacy of aerobic exercise in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Background: This study aims to evaluate the effects of aerobic exercise on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients' clinical outcomes when combined with anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatments. Methods: Fifty patients diagnosed with AS participate in the study, with 25 on anti-TNF treatment and 25 off anti-TNF treatment. Patients' age, education, body mass index, smoking habits, symptom duration, date of diagnosis, medication use, comorbidities, and surgical history were assessed. Patients receive instructions to walk for 30 minutes, three times per week for twelve weeks and receive evaluation at weeks 0, 6, and 12. Disease activity is evaluated using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), while sleep quality is assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The Ankylosing Spondylitis Life Quality (ASQoL) is used to measure the quality of life and physical activity is measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: During week 6, VAS, BASDAI, PSQI, and IPAQ scores were significantly lower in both groups, one taking anti-TNF and the other anti-TNF-free, in comparison to baseline and week 12 scores. After undergoing six weeks of aerobic exercise treatment, those taking anti-TNF displayed greater improvements in ASQoL scores in contrast to those who were not taking anti-TNF. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise is an effective intervention for enhancing disease activity, quality of life, sleep quality, and physical activity in patients with AS. Additionally, anti-TNF treatment appears to amplify the clinical benefits associated with exercise and facilitate patients' physical activity.

The effects of kinesiophobia, fatigue, and quality of life on physical activity in patients with stroke

ABSTRACT Background Physical activity decreases after stroke due to various factors and the causes and effects of these factors remain unclear. Objectives This study aimed todetermine the effects of kinesiophobia, fatigue, and quality of life on physical activity in patients with stroke. Methods The study included 32 patients (13 females/19 males), all evaluated using the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement, Barthel Index, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale-fatigue, Fatigue Impact Scale and Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale. The SenseWear multisensory activity monitor was worn on the arm of the patients for 1 week to evaluate active energy expenditure, step count, and rest periods in relation to physical activity. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the effects of the independent variables kinesiophobia, fatigue, and quality of life on the dependent variables of active energy expenditure, step count, and rest periods. Results The mean age of the patients was 52.31 ± 14.76 years. According to the multiple regression analysis results, kinesiophobia (p = 0.011) and quality of life (p = 0.009) are significant determinants of active energy expenditure and quality of life (p = 0.001) is a significant determinant of the step count in patients with stroke. Kinesiophobia, fatigue, and quality of life were not determinants of rest periods (p > 0.05). Conclusions The study results showed that kinesiophobia and quality of life are important determinants of physical activity in patients with stroke. Combined evaluation in the clinic of motor findings and non-motor factors, which are often ignored, and the application of target-oriented approaches to these problems will make a significant contribution to the success of stroke rehabilitation.

Peri-articular Dextrose Prolotherapy: Investigating the Effect of Injection Site on Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Clinical Trial

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It not only causes pain and physical limitations but also impacts mental health, sleep, work participation, and even mortality. Peri-articular dextrose prolotherapy has been shown to reduce knee osteoarthritis pain; however, the effect of injection sites on its effectiveness is not clear. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of injection points on pain intensity, joint stiffness, and physical activity in patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent peri-articular dextrose prolotherapy. Methods: This double-blind clinical trial involved 26 patients with grade 2 and 3 bilateral knee osteoarthritis. Three times every one week, dextrose and lidocaine were injected as interventions. Injection sites were positioned within acupuncture points on one knee, but were relocated by 1.5 centimeters to the medial side of the same acupuncture points on the other knee. Pain intensity, joint stiffness, and physical activity were evaluated using the Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS) and the Persian version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) before the intervention and at each follow-up visit at 1 and 2 months post-injection. Results: Pain intensity score, joint stiffness, physical performance, and WOMAC were significantly decreased one and two months after the intervention in both groups (P = 0.0001). The improvement in the patients of both groups was similar, and the two study groups did not have a statistically significant difference in terms of study outcomes (P = 0.37). Conclusions: Prolotherapy with dextrose is an effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis.

Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation of Physical Capasity and Quality of Life in Patients After Open Heart Surgery Complicated by Sternomediastinitis

The article aims to evaluate safety and effects CR program on physical capacity and QoL in patients after open-heart surgery complicated with sternomediastinitis. This observational cohort study included 104 patients, of them 58 were males and 34 females, who underwent cardiac surgery made by sternotomy. We divided the cohort into two groups: 1st group clustered of 92 patients, who did not have sternomediastinitis complications after the surgery; 2nd group clustered of 12 patients, who had sternomediastinitis complications after the surgery. We assessed following variables: physical capacity using 6-minute walk test (6MWT ) and the metabolic equivalent (MET) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), QoL using SF36 survey. Statistical analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics software (version 19). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests were used to check the normality of distributions. Then, the Mann-Whitney U test was performed to compare not normally distributed independent variables, in order to see the difference (significance level was accepted at p&lt;0.05). After that, the Pearson’s two tailed correlation test was used to find the connection between variables of two groups. Properly selected physical exercises during CR improve the fitness and physical activity of patients after sternomediastinitis, as well as, QoL mesures - general health and mental status.&#x0D; Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 23 No. 02 April’24 Page : 527-538

Physical Activity After Heart Surgery: Associations With Psychosocial and Sleep Factors.

Heart surgery is an effective intervention for managing heart disease, the leading cause of death globally. After surgery, physical activity is key to improving patients' quality of life and decreasing mortality, but patients are frequently physically inactive after heart surgery. This cross-sectional pilot study aimed to examine how psychosocial and sleep factors influenced physical activity in patients after heart surgery. The mediating role of sleep factors between psychosocial factors and physical activity was also examined. Thirty-three patients who had undergone heart surgery were recruited. Psychosocial and sleep factors and physical activity were measured using an online survey and a wrist-worn ActiGraph for 7 days and nights. The participants had heart surgery an average of about 7 years previously. They exceeded the recommended 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity for Americans; however, 64% of them showed poor sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index >5). Higher anxiety and depressive symptoms, lower self-efficacy, and greater sleep disturbances were associated with lower physical activity. Moreover, self-efficacy, sleep duration, sleep disturbance, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset were predictors for physical activity. No mediating role of sleep factors was observed between psychosocial factors and physical activity. Psychosocial and sleep factors should be considered when developing and implementing physical activity strategies for patients after heart surgery. Researchers should examine the relationships among the study variables with larger samples of postsurgical cardiac patients during different periods after heart surgery.

The amount of lower leg muscle and physical activity in patients with postural tachycardia syndrome

Background: Resistance training for leg muscles is recommended for patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). However, no study has characterized the relationships between orthostatic symptoms, heart rate (HR) increase, and the mass of the lower leg muscle in patients with POTS. We sought to determine the relationships between the mass of the lower leg muscle, HR increase during the head-up tilt (HUT) test, and orthostatic symptoms in patients with POTS.Methods: We prospectively enrolled 42 patients with POTS who were older than 16 years. The muscle mass was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. We used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form to measure self-reported physical activity. All patients were asked to complete the Korean version of the Orthostatic Grading Scale (KOGS).Results: The HR increased during the HUT test by 38.7±7.88 beats/minutes. Both the HR increase during the HUT test and the total KOGS score were negatively correlated with the total metabolic equivalent of the task. The leg circumference and muscle mass were not correlated with the HR increase during the HUT test or the KOGS score.Conclusions: The leg circumference and muscle mass were not related to orthostatic symptoms in patients with POTS. Cardiac remodeling or blood volume increase may be responsible for improvement in POTS after physical activity.

Accelerometer-based measures in Friedreich ataxia: a longitudinal study on real-life activity.

Quantitative measurement of physical activity may complement neurological evaluation and provide valuable information on patients' daily life. We evaluated longitudinal changes of physical activity in patients with Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) using remote monitoring with wearable sensors. We performed an observational study in 26 adult patients with FRDA and 13 age-sex matched healthy controls (CTR). Participants were asked to wear two wearable sensors, at non-dominant wrist and at waist, for 7days during waking hours. Evaluations were performed at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. We analysed the percentage of time spent in sedentary or physical activities, the Vector Magnitude on the 3 axes (VM3), and average number of steps/min. Study participants were also evaluated with ataxia clinical scales and functional tests for upper limbs dexterity and walking capability. Baseline data showed that patients had an overall reduced level of physical activity as compared to CTR. Accelerometer-based measures were highly correlated with clinical scales and disease duration in FRDA. Significantly changes from baseline to l-year follow-up were observed in patients for the following measures: (i) VM3; (ii) percentage of sedentary and light activity, and (iii) percentage of Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA). Reduction in physical activity corresponded to worsening in gait score of the Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia. Real-life activity monitoring is feasible and well tolerated by patients. Accelerometer-based measures can quantify disease progression in FRDA over 1 year, providing objective information about patient's motor activities and supporting the usefulness of these data as complementary outcome measure in interventional trials.

The Wearable Activity Tracker Checklist for Healthcare (WATCH): a 12-point guide for the implementation of wearable activity trackers in healthcare

Increasing physical activity in patients offers dual benefits, fostering improved patient health and recovery, while also bolstering healthcare system efficiency by minimizing costs related to extended hospital stays, complications, and readmissions. Wearable activity trackers offer valuable opportunities to enhance physical activity across various healthcare settings and among different patient groups. However, their integration into healthcare faces multiple implementation challenges related to the devices themselves, patients, clinicians, and systemic factors. This article presents the Wearable Activity Tracker Checklist for Healthcare (WATCH), which was recently developed through an international Delphi study. The WATCH provides a comprehensive framework for implementation and evaluation of wearable activity trackers in healthcare. It covers the purpose and setting for usage; patient, provider, and support personnel roles; selection of relevant metrics; device specifications; procedural steps for issuance and maintenance; data management; timelines; necessary adaptations for specific scenarios; and essential resources (such as education and training) for effective implementation. The WATCH is designed to support the implementation of wearable activity trackers across a wide range of healthcare populations and settings, and in those with varied levels of experience. The overarching goal is to support broader, sustained, and systematic use of wearable activity trackers in healthcare, therefore fostering enhanced physical activity promotion and improved patient outcomes.

Illness beliefs relation to physical activity and quality of life in patients with peripheral arterial disease

ABSTRACT Intermittent claudication is the most common symptom of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and is associated with decreased quality of life (QoL) due to walking impairment. The level of threat attributed to the disease affects QoL and physical activity. This study explores beliefs and illness drawings, and their relationship with quality of life and physical activity in patients undergoing conservative treatment for PAD. A cross-sectional study was carried out including 119 patients with PAD and Intermittent Claudication, in which patients were asked to freely draw their disease and 33 agreed to participate. The profile of beliefs about PAD is characterized by a low level of threat. Belief in the emotional impact of the disease, representations about the consequences and concern about the disease were associated with worse quality of life; the belief of having a high personal control over the disease was associated with more physical activity. The analysis of the disease drawings revealed three categories: extension of the disease (category 1), location and representations of the disease (category 2), and level of detail and complexity of the drawings (category 3). Greater disease extent was associated with more disease symptoms (IPQ 6) (r s = 0.399, p = .021). It is necessary to address beliefs and representations about the disease in consultations with patients with PAD. Patient drawings are a useful, practical, and free tool that does not require a lot of time and can facilitate the approach of health professionals to patient training and education.