Short-term Improvement Research Articles

Comorbidity burden and nutritional status are associated with short-term improvement in functional independence and pain intensity after hip fracture surgery in older adults with in-hospital rehabilitation

PurposeHip fracture is a common condition among older adults. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of nutritional status and comorbidity burden on changes in functionality, fall risk, and pain intensity one month after hip surgery in older adults with in-hospital rehabilitation. MethodsThirty-six hip fracture patients (55.6% female) aged 65 years or older with indication for surgical resolution were recruited. The main outcomes were functional independence (Barthel Index), risk of falls (Downton Falls Risk Index) and pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), assessed preoperatively and one month after discharge. Covariates included age, sex, BMI, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment). For the inferential analysis, a one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied. ResultsSignificant improvements were observed in functional independence (11.0 points, 95% CI: 1.7 to 20.3), risk of falls (-2.8 points, 95% CI: -4.0 to -1.7) and pain intensity (-2.6 points, 95% CI: -3.4 to -1.9). Among the covariates, a significant interaction was found between the CCI and improvements in functional independence (F=7.03, p=0.010, η2p=0.093), while nutritional status showed a significant interaction with pain reduction (F=5.65, p=0.020, η2p=0.075). ConclusionA lower comorbidity burden was associated with greater postoperative functional independence, while better nutritional status was associated with a greater reduction in postoperative pain intensity.

Comparative Efficacy of Neuromodulation and Structured Exercise Program on Autonomic Modulation in Fibromyalgia Patients: Pilot Study.

Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder marked by widespread muscle and joint pain, persistent fatigue, sleep disturbances, and irregularities in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Methods: This study compared the effectiveness of neuromodulation using the EXOPULSE Mollii suit with a structured exercise program in regulating ANS function in fibromyalgia patients. In this randomized, longitudinal crossover study, 10 female patients were randomly assigned to either the Suit + Exercise group or the Exercise + Suit group. Each group participated in two sessions per week for eight weeks, followed by a two-week washout period before switching to the other intervention. We measured cortical arousal, microcirculation, and heart rate variability (HRV) before and after the 1st, 8th, and 16th sessions. Results: The results showed significant improvements in cortical arousal, HRV, and microcirculation with the neuromodulation treatment whereas the exercise program only produced short-term improvements in cortical arousal. Conclusion: The EXOPULSE Mollii suit exhibited cumulative benefits on ANS modulation over time, suggesting potential long-term advantages for managing fibromyalgia. However, further research is needed to explore the delayed effects of both treatments on ANS modulation.

Evaluating the effects of brief mindfulness practice on attentional control and episodic memory

ABSTRACT Mindfulness refers to a mental state of present awareness that involves non-judgmental acceptance of current cognitions and emotions. Building on reported clinical benefits (e.g. reduced anxiety/depression), minfulness engagement may similarly facilitate attention and memory processes as practitioners repetitively inhibit distracting thoughts and direct attention to the present moment. Experiment 1 gauged the relationships between trait mindfulness and practice frequency and performance on attention and episodic memory tasks. Experiment 2 evaluated attention and memory performance following a brief mindfulness intervention consisting of two 5-minute mindfulness sessions. No consistent relationships were found between trait mindfulness and practice frequency and attention and memory performance in Experiment 1. Further, brief engagements in mindfulness failed to benefit attention and memory versus a control group in Experiment 2. Engagement in brief mindfulness sessions do not appear to produce short-term improvements in attention and memory, suggesting that cognitive benefits following mindfulness may only emerge following long-term practice.

Diagnostic and therapeutic insights in individuals with persistent post-dural puncture headache: A cross-sectional study.

Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a frequent complication following lumbar puncture, epidural analgesia, or neuraxial anesthesia. The International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition categorizes PDPH as a self-limiting condition; however, emerging evidence, including our findings, suggests that PDPH can have a prolonged course, challenging this traditional view. To elucidate the diagnostic characteristics and treatment outcomes of persistent PDPH (pPDPH), offering insights into its demographic profiles and diagnostic features. We executed an anonymous, web-based survey targeting individuals aged ≥18 years diagnosed with or suspected of having pPDPH. Recruitment occurred through self-help groups on Facebook. The survey comprised questions regarding diagnostic procedures, treatment regimens, outcomes, and healthcare consultation. The survey achieved a response rate of 179/347 (51.6%) individuals completing the questionnaire. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks were confirmed in nine of 179 (5.0%) cases. Signs of intracranial hypotension without a CSF leak were observed in 70/179 (39.1%) individuals. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain and spine, with computed tomography myelography performed in 113/179 (63.1%) cases. Medications, including analgesics, theophylline, and gabapentin, provided minimal short-term relief. Epidural blood patch treatments resulted in slight-to-moderate short-term improvement in 136/179 (76.0%), significant improvement in 22/179 (12.3%), and complete effectiveness in eight of 179 (4.5%) individuals. For long-term outcomes, slight-to-moderate improvement was reported by 118/179 (66.0%) individuals. Surgical interventions were carried out in 42/179 (23.5%) patients, revealing pseudomeningoceles intraoperatively in 20/42 (47.6%) individuals. After surgery, 21/42 (50.0%) of the participants experienced slight-to-moderate improvement, 12/42 (28.6%) showed more pronounced improvement, and five of the 42 (11.9%) achieved complete effectiveness. This study underscores the complexities of managing pPDPH. The delay in diagnosis can impact the effectiveness of treatments, including epidural blood patch and surgical interventions, resulting in ongoing symptoms. This underscores the importance of tailored and adaptable treatment strategies. The findings advocate for additional research to deepen the understanding of pPDPH and improve long-term patient outcomes.

Short communication: Five ways UK European Capitals and cities of culture have connected cultural activities with nature and their impacts on health and wellbeing, wider determinants of health and inequality

ObjectiveTo rapidly synthesise evidence for local practice on what initiatives UK European Capitals and Cities of Culture (UKEUCoCs) have implemented connecting cultural activities with green, blue, or outdoor space (culture-nature initiatives) and their impacts on planetary health outcomes: personal health and wellbeing, wider determinants of health particularly the environment, and existing inequality. Study designRapid evidence review. MethodsA rapid review of published articles and evaluation reports. Published articles were identified through database searches (Proquest, OVID, Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE) in January–February 2024. Data was extracted directly into a table and findings synthesised narratively by theme. ResultsPublished evidence about UKEUCoC culture-nature initiatives was limited but five initiative types were identified: 1) growing-focused activities; 2) activities exploring human-nature relationships; 3) targeted nature-based wellbeing activities; 4) activities connecting cultural engagement with environmental activism; and 5) use of outdoor spaces for artworks, performances and festivals. UKEUCoC culture-nature initiatives may contribute to short-term improvements in mental health and wellbeing (confidence, self-esteem, subjective wellbeing), community health (community relations, civic pride), cultural participation, and local environmental quality and use, but risk widening existing inequalities. Co-creating initiatives at hyper-local levels with marginalised groups and trusted Community Champions, active involvement, and creating equitable access to livelihood opportunities may mitigate inequality risks. ConclusionsEvidence is limited but suggests UKEUCoC culture-nature initiatives could positively support planetary health outcomes in the short-term. Equity in these outcomes appears to rely however, on action to ensure the involvement of and sustainable livelihood creation for marginalised groups. It is unclear how outcomes are generated across the initiative types identified, including through interactions between them, where they are implemented. The five initiative types identified in this work could be targeted for further investigation in research and practice on culture-nature initiatives for health more generally, using a complex systems approach to evaluation.

Comparative Study between Ultrasound Guided Intraarticular Injection of Corticosteroids and Ultrasound Guided Genicular Nerve Block in Patients with Chronic Knee Pain

Abstract Background Chronic knee pain represents a major cause of disability and a burden on healthcare systems worldwide, being more prevalent in middle-aged and elderly patients. It can take a toll on patients’ daily life, keeps them from their favorite activities, saps of productivity, and diminishes overall quality of life. It can be caused by degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis (the most common cause), rheumatoid arthritis, crystalline arthritis and gout. lifestyle modification, pharmacologic management, and injections are the mainstay of therapy for elderly patients having chronic symptomatic knee pain with multiple medical comorbidities who do not wish/fit for surgical options. Intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IACSI) was commonly adopted to alleviate chronic knee pain and was traditionally performed blindly depending only on anatomical land marks. Recently, Genicular nerve block (GNB) has recently emerged as a novel alternative treatment for chronic knee pain. Both Intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IACSI) and Genicular nerve block (GNB) can be carried out under Ultrasound guidance as a safer, cheaper and more feasible imaging modality for guidance as it provides real-time imaging for the knee structures in a dynamic manner giving the ability to do interventional procedures and providing more effective clinical results when compared to blind injections. Aim of the Work Illustrate the technical aspects, the indications and the methodology of local therapies for chronic knee pain performed by interventional radiologists and provide current evidence. Assess the efficacy of Ultrasound (US) guided intraarticular corticosteroids injection and Genicular nerve block to control moderate and advanced chronic knee pain. Compare the immediate and short-term symptomatic and functional improvement obtained after both techniques. Patients and Methods The study was carried out on 30 patients of symptomatic chronic knee pain with radiologically proven knee joint arthritis (26 of them had osteoarthritis, 3 had gout arthritis and one patient had rheumatoid arthritis), all of them were not responding to medical treatment. They were divided into two groups (intraarticular corticosteroids injection group and Genicular nerve block one) both procedures were performed under ultrasound guidance to identify target points for injection. GNB target points for injection where close to the superior lateral, superior medial and inferior medial genicular arteries while target point for the IACSI group was the suprapatellar bursa. All procedures were performed with a spinal needle (22 G) introduced under ultrasound guidance till reaching the desired target points at both groups. Then injection of a mixture of Lidocaine, Bupivacaine hydrochloride and Triamcinolone Acetonide was done. Results In our study, in IACSI group the mean of initial VAS was 80.7±10.3 compared to 81.3±7.7 in GNB group. The mean VAS significantly dropped to be 20.7±5.3 in IACSI group compared to 18.3±5.9 in GNB group. After 2 weeks, it was 34.3±8.4 and 27.7±8.2 respectively. After 4 weeks, it increased to 40±8.7 and 33.7±9.3 respectively. At 8 weeks, it was obviously increased to 75.3±10.3 and 66.7±11.4 respectively and the effect returned gradually till nearly the baseline at 8 weeks. In our study, in IACSI group the mean of initial OKS was 48.6±7.4 compared to 50.1±7.6 in GNB group. After 2 weeks, it was markedly decreased to 25.5±3.9 and 22.7±6.8 respectively. After 4 weeks, it increased to 31.1±3.5 and 27.±6.9 respectively. At 8 weeks, it was obviously increased to 44.1±7.1 and 39.3±6.1 respectively and the effect returned gradually till nearly the baseline at 8 weeks. Conclusion Ultrasound guided genicular nerve block with a mixture of corticosteroid and local anesthetic is an effective, radiation free method to alleviate chronic knee pain and improve knee joint function. US guided intra-articular corticosteroid injection through suprapatellar approach is also an effective method to relive chronic knee pain and inflammation and to improve knee joint functional capacity. Both procedures are effective in alleviation of chronic knee pain for up to 4 weeks with marked decrease in VAS score after 2 weeks and slight increasing trend towards 4 weeks. The favorable effect returned gradually till nearly the baseline at 8 weeks. Genicular nerve block is more effective than intra-articular corticosteroid injection in both pain alleviation and improving knee joint function. The earlier the Kellgren- Lawrence score is, the more reduction in chronic knee pain and the more improvement of joint function is achieved after both procedures.

Theory-Based Digital Intervention for Low-Income Caregivers of Young Children Encourages Short-Term Improvements in Diet Quality and Dental Health Behaviors

Theory-Based Digital Intervention for Low-Income Caregivers of Young Children Encourages Short-Term Improvements in Diet Quality and Dental Health Behaviors

Chronic breathlessness in fibrotic interstitial lung diseases-patient centered assessment and management in outpatient settings.

Chronic breathlessness (CB) or dyspnea is prevalent in fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (F-ILD). It is the main driver of a poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Timely and accurate assessment and management of CB are paramount in F-ILD care. This is reflected in latest American and European guidelines that recommend early integration of symptom-targeted therapies. Despite calls for improved CB care, evidence indicates that it remains under recognized and under treated. This narrative review focuses on the current evidence for CB assessment and management in F-ILD and proposes an algorithm for patient-centered management of CB in an outpatient setting. An overview of CB assessment tools is provided along with recommendations from guidelines and experts. The limited evidence base for CB interventions in ILD is reviewed; existing dyspnea guidelines recommend a hierarchical approach to therapies starting with the implementation of nonpharmacologic interventions (NPI). Pulmonary rehabilitation is the most common NPI in F-ILD, that improves function, dyspnea, and HRQOL. Oxygen can be prescribed to treat CB associated with exertional hypoxemia early in the course of F-ILD, with evidence suggesting short-term improvements in CB and HRQOL. For patients with severe, persistent CB despite optimization of NPI and oxygen, opioids can be prescribed, initially as short-acting, low-dose oral morphine with prophylactic doses for exertion and as needed for crises. Self-management education and written action plans may help improve patient confidence and control. Development of competency in symptom management and fostering a professional and institutional culture prioritizing CB will advance patient care and should be a priority for F-ILD patients.

Corticosteroid burst therapy in patients with acute heart failure: Design of the CORTAHF pilot study.

Inflammation has emerged as a potential key pathophysiological mechanism in heart failure (HF) in general and acute HF (AHF) specifically, with inflammatory biomarkers shown to be highly predictive of adverse outcomes in these patients. The CORTAHF study builds on both these data and the fact that steroid burst therapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of respiratory diseases and COVID-19. Our hypothesis is that in patients with AHF and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels without symptoms or signs of infection, a 7-day course of steroid therapy will lead to reduced inflammation and short-term improvement in quality of life and a reduced risk of worsening HF (WHF) events. The study, which is currently ongoing, will include 100 patients with AHF ages 18-85, regardless of ejection fraction, screened within 12h of presentation. Patients will be included who have NT-proBNP>1500pg/mL and CRP>20mg/L at screening. Exclusion criteria include haemodynamic instability and symptoms and signs of infection. After signed consent, eligible patients will be randomized according to a central randomization scheme stratified by centre 1:1 to either treatment once daily for 7days with 40mg prednisone orally or to standard care. Patients will be assessed at study day 2, day 4 or at discharge if earlier, and at days 7 and 31 at the hospital; and at day 91 through a telephone follow-up. The primary endpoint is the change in CRP level from baseline to day 7, estimated from a mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) including all measured timepoints, in patients without a major protocol violation. Secondary endpoints include the time to the first event of WHF adverse event, readmission for HF, or death through day 91; and changes to day 7 in EQ-5D visual analogue scale score and utility index. Additional clinical and laboratory measures will be assessed. The results of the study will add to the knowledge of the role of inflammation in AHF and potentially inform the design of larger studies with possibly longer duration of anti-inflammatory therapies in AHF.

Prognostic value of tissue bridges in cervical spinal cord injury: a longitudinal, multicentre, retrospective cohort study

The accuracy of prognostication in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) needs to be improved. We aimed to explore the prognostic value of preserved spinal tissue bridges-injury-spared neural tissue adjacent to the lesion-for prediction of sensorimotor recovery in a large, multicentre cohort of people with SCI. For this longitudinal study, we included patients with acute cervical SCI (vertebrae C1-C7) admitted to one of three trauma or rehabilitation centres: Murnau, Germany (March 18, 2010-March 1, 2021); Zurich, Switzerland (May 12, 2002-March 2, 2019); and Denver, CO, USA (Jan 12, 2010-Feb 16, 2017). Patients were clinically assessed at admission (baseline), at discharge (3 months), and at 12 months post SCI. Midsagittal tissue bridges were quantified from T2-weighted images assessed at 3-4 weeks post SCI. Fractional regression and unbiased recursive partitioning models, adjusted for age, sex, centre, and neurological level of injury, were used to assess associations between tissue bridge width and baseline-adjusted total motor score, pinprick score, and light touch scores at 3 months and 12 months. Patients were stratified into subgroups according to whether they showed better or worse predicted recovery. The cohort included 227 patients: 93 patients from Murnau (22 [24%] female); 43 patients from Zurich (four [9%] female); and 91 patients from Denver (14 [15%] female). 136 of these participants (from Murnau and Zurich) were followed up for up to 12 months. At 3 months, per preserved 1 mm of tissue bridge at baseline, patients recovered a mean of 9·3% (SD 0·9) of maximal total motor score (95% CI 7·5-11.2), 8·6% (0·8) of maximal pinprick score (7·0-10·1), and 10·9% (0·8) of maximal light touch score (9·4-12·5). At 12 months post SCI, per preserved 1 mm of tissue bridge at baseline, patients recovered a mean of 10·9% (1·3) of maximal total motor score (8·4-13·4), 5·7% (1·3) of maximal pinprick score (3·3-8·2), and 6·9% (1·4) of maximal light touch score (4·1-9·7). Partitioning models identified a tissue bridge cutoff width of 2·0 mm to be indicative of higher or lower 3-month total motor, pinprick, and light touch scores, and a cutoff of 4·0 mm to be indicative of higher and lower 12-month scores. Compared with models that contained clinical predictors only, models additionally including tissue bridges had significantly improved prediction accuracy across all three centres. Tissue bridges, measured in the first few weeks after SCI, are associated with short-term and long-term clinical improvement. Thus, tissue bridges could potentially be used to guide rehabilitation decision making and to stratify patients into more homogeneous subgroups of recovery in regenerative and neuroprotective clinical trials. Wings for Life, International Foundation for Research in Paraplegia, EU project Horizon 2020 (NISCI grant), and ERA-NET NEURON.

How Does Osteoarthritis Education Influence Knowledge, Beliefs, and Behavior in People With Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis? A Systematic Review.

Our goal was to inform the design and implementation of osteoarthritis (OA) education for people with knee and hip OA. This review investigated the impact of OA education on knowledge, beliefs, and behavior and how and why these changes occur. Five databases-MEDLINE, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scopus, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)-were searched in August 2023. Eligible studies were quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods, involving OA education interventions and assessing knowledge, beliefs, and/or behavioral outcomes. An interpretivist analytic process guided data evaluation, synthesis, and description of meta-themes. Ninety-eight studies were included (80 quantitative, 12 qualitative, 6 mixed-methods). OA education was heterogeneous in content and delivery. Outcome measures varied, with poor distinction among knowledge, beliefs, and behavior constructs. Trends toward short-term knowledge improvement were observed, but there were no clear trends in beliefs or behavior change. Intrinsic factors (eg, pre-existing beliefs) and extrinsic factors (eg, socioeconomic factors) appeared to influence change. Three meta-themes described how and why changes may occur: (i) engagement: how individuals relate with education content and delivery; (ii) embodiment: the role of experiential factors in learning, and (iii) empowerment: the level of agency education generates. Beyond the provision of information and instruction, OA education is a complex, relational process influenced by multidimensional factors. This review identifies potentially important strategies at individual, interpersonal, and community levels to support the design and delivery of engaging education that promotes holistic, embodied learning and facilitates meaningful, empowering change.

EFFECTS OF CARDIAC REHABILITATION IN PATIENTS WITH VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES: A SCOPING REVIEW

Introduction Ventricular assist devices represent a treatment option for patients with advanced heart failure, offering control over various haemodynamic variables. Similarly, the prescription of exercise within a cardiac rehabilitation programme for heart failure patients is recommended to reduce symptoms, hospitalisations, improve cardiorespiratory fitness, and increase exercise tolerance. Therefore, exercise prescription can impact those with ventricular assist devices. Given the limited evidence on exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation programmes for this population, this review aims to describe the most commonly used strategies and their health benefits when physical exercise is included in a cardiac rehabilitation programme for patients with ventricular assist devices. Materials and Methods An exploratory review was conducted through searches in the databases: PubMed, SCOPUS, PeDro, and ScienceDirect. The search was limited to studies published between 2013 and 2023. Filters were applied independently by title, abstract, and full text. The included articles were analysed based on the description of the types of cardiac rehabilitation strategies used in patients with ventricular assist devices. Results Seven articles were included. Each programme employed a cardiopulmonary exercise test before prescribing physical exercise. The most commonly used strategy was aerobic exercise, predominantly high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with intensities close to 90% of peak VO2, followed by continuous moderate-intensity exercise. Limb strength exercises were included in three programmes. Conclusions The analysed literature suggests that cardiac rehabilitation in patients with ventricular assist devices is safe and can provide benefits in cardiorespiratory fitness and exercise tolerance. High-intensity interval training is identified as an appropriate strategy for achieving results, offering short-term improvements.

Conditioning of Motor Evoked Responses After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Effects of Stimulus Intensity.

Operant conditioning of motor evoked torque (MEPTORQUE) can directly target the corticospinal pathway in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, it remains unclear whether operant conditioning can elicit short-term improvements in corticospinal excitability and whether these improvements are influenced by stimulus intensity. Quadriceps MEPTORQUE responses can be upconditioned in a single session and will elicit short-term adaptations in corticospinal excitability, with higher stimulus intensities eliciting greater effects. Randomized controlled laboratory study. Level 2. Thirty-six participants were assessed during a single session of an operant conditioning protocol. Participants were randomized into 1 of 3 groups for stimulus intensity used during operant conditioning based on the participant's active motor threshold (AMT: 100%, 120%, and 140%). Quadriceps MEPTORQUE amplitude was evaluated during a block of control transcranial magnetic stimulation trials (CTRL) to establish baseline corticospinal excitability, and 3 blocks of conditioning trials (COND) during which participants trained to upcondition their MEPTORQUE. MEPTORQUE recruitment curves were collected to evaluate the effect of operant conditioning on acute corticospinal adaptations. Participants with ACL reconstruction could upcondition their MEPTORQUE in a single session (P < 0.01; CTRL, 17.27 ± 1.28; COND, 21.35 ± 1.28 [mean ± standard error [SE] in N·m]), but this ability was not influenced by the stimulus intensity used during training (P = 0.84). Furthermore, significant improvements in corticospinal excitability were observed (P = 0.05; PRE, 687.91 ± 50.15; POST, 761.08 ± 50.15 [mean ± SE in N·m %AMT]), but stimulus intensity did not influence corticospinal adaptations (P = 0.67). Operant conditioning can elicit short-term neural adaptations in ACL-reconstructed patients. Future operant conditioning paradigms may effectively use any of the 3 stimulus intensities studied herein. Operant conditioning may be a feasible approach to improve corticospinal excitability after ACL reconstruction.

CLINICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL OUTCOMES OF REVISION TOTAL ANKLE ARTHROPLASTY USING THE INBONE II PROSTHESIS

BackgroundThe literature on the outcome of revision total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) remains limited. We aim to report the clinical and radiological outcomes of revision TAA at a high-volume centre in the UK.MethodsRetrospective review of 28 patients that underwent 29 revision TAA procedures using INBONE II prosthesis. Demographic, radiological, and patient reported outcome measures data were analysed.ResultsThe mean (range) duration from primary TAA to revision was 87.5 (16–223) months. The main indication for the revision was aseptic loosening of the primary TAA (82.8%). Additional procedures were required in 75.9% of patients. At mean (range) follow-up of 40 (24- 60) months, the infection, re-operation, and implant survival rates were 6.9%, 6.9% and 96.5% respectively. A significant postoperative improvement in the component alignment radiographic measures was observed. Osteolysis, subsidence, loosening and heterotopic ossification rates were comparable to other reports and did not influence the clinical outcome. A significant improvement was observed in the MOXFQ (all domains) and the EQ-5D (three domains) at 24 months postoperatively.ConclusionsRevision TAA using INBONE II was associated with good short-term survival and improvement in the postoperative scores at 2 years. Maintenance of the postoperatively improved alignment was documented at follow up. The relatively high survival rate in this series supports the notion that revision TAA is a satisfactory option for failed primary TAA.

#1677 Initiation of Vericiguat and short-term cardiovascular function improvement in heart failure patients with worsened renal function

Abstract Background and Aims Vericiguat, a novel soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator, is approved for treating heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). This study aims to assess the short-term improvement in cardio-function resulting from in-hospital initiation of Vericiguat among patients with chronic kidney dysfunction (CKD), utilizing real-world data from a single-center experience in western China. Method Data were obtained from the Biobank of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, spanning from January 2023 to December 2023. A total of 213 HF patients with Vericiguat initiation were screened for eligibility. Echocardiography was employed to evaluate cardio-function after 1- and 3-month short-term follow-up in each patient. Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way ANOVA (followed by Geisser-Greenhouse correction and Tukey's multiple comparison) to assess significance between different timepoints. Results Among the 213 patients randomized in this study, baseline characteristics were compared based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≤ 30 (worsened renal function group, WRF, n = 20) and &amp;gt;30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 193). No significant differences were observed in age, gender, and other biochemical parameters expect hemoglobin and creatine between the two groups (Table 1). Analysis of cardiac function after 1- and 3-month follow-up revealed a promising increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) (37.2% vs. 43.9%, Mean diff −6.7, 95% CI −12.78 to −0.62, p = 0.03), fractional shortening (FS) (20.9% vs. 25.3%, Mean diff −4.42, 95% CI −8.57 to −0.27, p = 0.04), and a significant decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD) (65.0 mm vs. 60.6 mm, Mean diff 4.35, 95% CI 0.33 to 8.38, p = 0.03) after 3-month follow-up compared to Vericiguat initiation in WRF patients. However, no significant changes were observed between the beginning and 1-month follow-up in echocardiographic measurements (Fig. 1). Conclusion In this real-world single-center study, Vericiguat demonstrated effectiveness in short-term improvement of cardiac function among HF patients with worsened renal function. The long-term efficacy in reducing major cardiovascular events in this subgroup, based on real-world experience, warrants further exploration.

Effects of Modified Ramadan Fasting on Mental Well-Being and Biomarkers in Healthy Adult Muslims - A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Ramadan fasting has seen increased attention in research, often with inconsistent findings. This study aims to investigate whether dietary and lifestyle modifications during Ramadan can improve well-being and health in healthy adult Muslims. A randomised controlled trial with two parallel groups was conducted in an outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Essen, Germany, in 2016. Healthy adult Muslims (n = 114) aged 18-60years were randomised to a modified fasting group; i.e., they received educational material prompting dietary and lifestyle modifications pre-Ramadan, and a control group who undertook Ramadan fasting as usual. Primary outcome was quality of life (WHO-5 Well-Being Index). Secondary outcomes included sleep quality, spirituality, and mindfulness (all self-report), body weight, body mass index, body fat, waist circumference, hip circumference, blood pressure, and heart rate, as well as blood serum biomarkers. Safety was examined via adverse events. The modified fasting group reported significantly higher quality of life (WHO-5) compared to the control after Ramadan (MD 5.9; 95% CI, 0.02-11.8; p < 0.05). Group differences in favour of the modified fasting were also found for satisfaction with health (MD 5.9, 95% CI 0.19-11.67), ease of life (MD 4.1, 95% CI 0.38-7.80) and mindfulness (MD 7.6, 95% CI 2.68-12.52), reductions in weight (MD, - 0.9kg; 95% CI - 1.39 to - 0.42), BMI (MD - 0.3kg/m2, 95% CI - 0.50 to - 0.15), hip circumference (MD - 0.3kg/m2, 95% CI - 0.50 to - 0.15), and diastolic blood pressure (MD - 2.8mmHg, 95% CI - 5.15 to - 0.43). About 60% of participants reported adverse events, mostly headaches/migraines, dizziness/fatigue, common cold, and gastrointestinal symptoms, with no group differences. One serious non-related adverse event each occurred in both groups. Pre-Ramadan dietary and lifestyle advice can lead to short-term improvements in mental and physical well-being of adult Muslims observing Ramadan. As such, this study demonstrates the potential benefits of culturally appropriate health interventions in a religious context. ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT02775175).

Evaluating the effects of two different kinesiology taping techniques on shoulder range of motion and proprioception in patients with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a common group of inherited connective tissue disorders with a prevalence as high as 0.75%-2% of the population. Physical manifestations include pain and decreased proprioception, especially in more mobile joints, such as the shoulder. The kinesiology tape (K-Tape) is often used to treat patients with shoulder dysfunction. The effectiveness of the K-Tape is uncertain, and there is a lack of studies specifically studying the K-Tape in an EDS population. The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term effects of two different K-Tape procedures on shoulder active joint reposition (AJR) and active range of motion (AROM) in patients with hypermobile EDS (hEDS) and shoulder pain. All participants were recruited from the EDS support groups and presented with shoulder pain. Baseline demographic information was obtained for each participant, after which AROM and AJR were assessed. The participants were randomized to receive one of two K-Tape procedures. Testing was repeated immediately post-taping and 48 h post-taping. Significant improvements in shoulder external (F = 10.917, p < 0.001) and internal (F = 11.736, p < 0.001) rotations were seen from baseline to immediately post-taping and baseline to 48 h post-taping in the experimental K-Tape group. There were no significant differences in the shoulder rotation in the control K-Tape group and no significant differences in either group for shoulder flexion or AJR at any time point (p > 0.05). K-Tape may offer short-term improvements in shoulder rotation AROM in patients with hEDS and shoulder pain.

Unlocking the full potential of mesenchymal stromal cell therapy for osteoarthritis through machine learning-based in silico trials

Despite the potential of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in osteoarthritis (OA) treatment, the challenge lies in addressing their therapeutic inconsistency. Clinical trials revealed significantly varied therapeutic outcomes among patients receiving the same allogenic MSCs but different treatment regimens. Therefore, optimizing personalized treatment strategies is crucial to fully unlock MSCs’ potential and enhance therapeutic consistency. We employed the XGBoost algorithm to train a self-collected database comprising 37 published clinical reports to create a model capable of predicting the probability of effective pain relief and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index improvement in OA patients undergoing MSC therapy. Leveraging this model, extensive in silico simulations were conducted to identify optimal personalized treatment strategies and ideal patient profiles. Our in silico trials predicted that the individually optimized MSC treatment strategies would substantially increase patients’ chances of recovery compared to the strategies used in reported clinical trials, thereby potentially benefiting 78.1%, 47.8%, 94.4% and 36.4% of the patients with ineffective short-term pain relief, short-term WOMAC index improvement, long-term pain relief and long-term WOMAC index improvement, respectively. We further recommended guidelines on MSC number, concentration, and the patients’ appropriate physical (body mass index, age, etc.) and disease states (Kellgren-Lawrence grade, etc.) for OA treatment. Additionally, we revealed the superior efficacy of MSC in providing short-term pain relief compared to platelet-rich plasma therapy for most OA patients. This study represents the pioneering effort to enhance the efficacy and consistency of MSC therapy through machine learning applied to clinical data. The in silico trial approach holds immense potential for diverse clinical applications.

Impressive Short-Term Improvement in Functional Outcome and Quality of Life after Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) in the Orthogeriatric Patient in a Prospective Monocentric Trial.

Background/Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) represents the most frequent chronic joint disease worldwide. Facing an aging population, resulting from the demographic change, the number of primary total hip arthroplasties (THA) will further increase. Although the geriatric patient strongly differs from the younger one, the current literature on elective orthopedic surgery in the geriatric patient is scarce. This work analyses, whether geriatric patients receiving primary THA significantly improve in terms of their (1) mobility and functional outcome and (2) health-related quality of life at four to six weeks as well as three months postoperatively. Methods: In a prospective study design, we analyzed 101 geriatric patients with osteoarthritis of the hip receiving primary THA. The study is part of the ongoing "Special Orthopaedic Geriatrics" (SOG) trial, which is funded by the German Federal Joint Committee (GBA). In addition to a preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) and the EQ5D-5L were imposed preoperatively (t0), at four to six weeks (t1), and at three months (t2) postoperatively. Results: The 101 enrolled patients had a mean age of 78.1 ± 4.9 years. The total WOMAC score and almost all subcategories significantly improved at four to six weeks as well as three months postoperatively in comparison to the preoperative results (p < 0.001). The same was observed for the EQ-5D-5L, showing significant improvement in overall health at both time points (p < 0.001) and all subcategories (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study implies that a geriatric patient benefits as much from elective primary THA as a younger patient. However, the preoperative comprehensive geriatric assessment with screening for risk factors is of utmost importance. Regarding the aging population, a lot of effort is needed to obtain more knowledge about geriatric patients receiving elective orthopedic surgery.

Abstract PO2-22-12: Patient-reported outcomes 3 and 18 months after prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction: Results from the UK Pre-BRA multicentre prospective cohort study

Abstract Background: Prepectoral implant-based reconstruction (PPBR) with and without mesh is becoming the standard of care for prosthetic reconstruction in the UK. In addition to being easier and quicker to perform, the procedure is perceived to be associated with better patient-centred outcomes including decreased post-operative pain, avoidance of animation deformity and improved cosmesis. Evidence to support these benefits, however, is lacking. The UK PreBRA prospective multicentre cohort study (ISRCTN11898000) aimed to assess patient-reported outcomes (PROs) before and 3 and 18 months following PPBR to provide much needed evidence to support the effectiveness of the technique. Methods: Women aged 18 or over undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer or risk-reduction who opted to have PPBR between July 2019 and December 2020 were eligible to participate in the study. Demographic, operative, oncology and three-month complication data were collected. Participants were asked to complete the validated BREAST-Q questionnaire at before surgery and at 3 and 18 months following the procedure. Questionnaires were scored according to the developers’ instructions and scores compared over time. Exploratory analysis of covariance, adjusting for baseline scores was performed to explore factors impacting PROs following PPBR. Results: 347 women underwent PPBR at 40 centres across the UK. Of these, 334 (96.3%) completed PROMs at baseline with 237 (68.3%) completing at least two of the three main BREAST-Q scales at both 3 and 18 months. The median age of the cohort was 49 (range 23-74). Most women (n=291, 87.1%) had mastectomy for malignancy with a quarter (n=82, 24.6%) undergoing bilateral surgery. Approximately a fifth (n=68, 20.4%) had a body mass index &amp;gt;30 and 12% (n=40) were active smokers at the time of surgery. At 3 months, 68 (20.4%) had experienced a complication requiring readmission and/or re-operation and 27 (8.1%) experienced an implant loss. In the cohort overall, women undergoing PPBR reported slight increases in their ‘Satisfaction with Breasts’ scores from baseline to 3 months after surgery but by 18 months, their scores had fallen below baseline values (Table 1). ‘Physical well-being’ scores decreased from baseline to 3 months but then remained stable. No changes were seen in ‘Psychosocial well-being’ scores across the three timepoints. At 18 months, after adjusting for baseline BREAST Q scores, women having surgery for risk-reduction reported scores that were 10-16 points lower than those having surgery for malignancy across all four main domains for the BREAST-Q. This exceeded the minimum clinically meaningful difference and was highly statistically significant. Women with high mastectomy weights ( &amp;gt;600g) reported lower scores for ‘Physical’, ‘Psychosocial’ and ‘Sexual’ well-being but not ‘Satisfaction with Breasts’. Smoking adversely impacted ‘Psychosocial well-being’ and ‘Satisfaction with Breasts’ and women with BMI &amp;gt;30 reported lower ‘Physical well-being’ scores at 18 months. Having a major complication requiring readmission/re-operation did not affect BREAST-Q scores, but when considered separately, implant loss dramatically impacted all BREAST-Q domains Conclusions: Women having PPBR report short-term improvements in ‘Satisfaction with Breasts’ scores but these are not maintained over time and decrease to below baseline 18 months after surgery. ‘Physical well-being’ also decreased after PPBR despite no disruption to the pectoralis muscle. Women having surgery for risk-reduction reported the worse PROs. Further work is needed to establish the long-term patient-reported outcomes of PPBR and factors impacting these. Citation Format: Leigh Johnson, Kate Harvey, Parisa Sinai, Nicola Mills, Paul White, Chris Holcombe, Shelley Potter. Patient-reported outcomes 3 and 18 months after prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction: Results from the UK Pre-BRA multicentre prospective cohort 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 PO2-22-12.