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PubMed1989

[Arterial pathology of the limbs. Tests for hyperemia].

We consider the walk test on the treadmill (ET), and the postocclusive reactive hyperemia (HR). The determinations are limited to the peripheral pressures measured by the sphygmomanometric-Doppler technique. It is the method of choice for diagnostic purposes, but is necessary only for selected cases. For epidemiology, HR is interesting because it is simple to apply and the sensitivity and specificity to recognise moderate obstructions is good. The determination of the ankle pressure at rest is generally enough in the routine practice. It is reproducible and safe. ET may be applied in certain conditions taking into account some problems of interpretation due the complexity of the phenomenon.

Ankle↗

PubMed1999

The endurance shuttle walk: a new field test for the assessment of endurance capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to develop an externally controlled, constant paced field walking test to assess endurance capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). There were four objectives: (1) to develop a protocol; (2) to compare treadmill and shuttle walk tests of endurance capacity; (3) to examine the repeatability of the endurance shuttle walk test; and (4) to compare the sensitivity to pulmonary rehabilitation of endurance and incremental shuttle walk tests. METHODS: The test was designed to complement the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) using the same 10 m shuttle course and an audio signal to control pace. The intensity of the field endurance test was related to a percentage of each patient's maximum field exercise performance assessed by the ISWT. A number of cassette tapes were pre-recorded with a range of audio signal frequencies to dictate walking speeds between 1.80 and 6.00 km/h. In the first limb of the study 10 patients with COPD (mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) 1.0 (0.36) 1, 35% predicted) performed three endurance shuttle walk tests (ESWTs) and three treadmill endurance tests. The walking speeds were calculated to elicit 75%, 85%, and 95% of each patient's maximum ISWT performance for the field tests and measured peak oxygen consumption for the treadmill tests. In a separate group of patients the repeatability of the ESWT at an intensity of 85% of the ISWT performance was evaluated. Finally, the ESWT (at the 85% intensity) and the ISWT were performed at the start of a five week control period and at the start and end of a seven week pulmonary rehabilitation programme in 21 patients with COPD (mean FEV1 0.80 (0.18) 1). RESULTS: The mean (SE) times achieved during the ESWT were 13.1 (2.3), 10.2 (2.5), and 5.3 (1.7) min for the walks at 75%, 85%, and 95% intensities, respectively. Patients tended to walk for longer on the treadmill than during the field tests at all intensities, but there were no significant differences between the end of test heart rates or Borg ratings of breathlessness or perceived exertion. Following one practice ESWT at the 85% intensity, the mean difference and limits of agreement (2SD) between tests 2 and 3 was +15 (42) s (p > 0.05). There was no significant change in performance on either test following the five week control period prior to rehabilitation. Following rehabilitation the ESWT duration increased by 160 (24)% and the ISWT distance increased by 32 (11)% (effect sizes 2.90 and 0.41, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The ESWT was simple to perform, acceptable to all patients, and exhibited good repeatability after one practice walk. The test showed major improvement following rehabilitation and was more sensitive to change than the field test of maximal capacity.

Exercise Test↗

PubMed2003

One-year outcomes in survivors of the acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: As more patients survive the acute respiratory distress syndrome, an understanding of the long-term outcomes of this condition is needed. METHODS: We evaluated 109 survivors of the acute respiratory distress syndrome 3, 6, and 12 months after discharge from the intensive care unit. At each visit, patients were interviewed and underwent a physical examination, pulmonary-function testing, a six-minute-walk test, and a quality-of-life evaluation. RESULTS: Patients who survived the acute respiratory distress syndrome were young (median age, 45 years) and severely ill (median Acute Physiology, Age, and Chronic Health Evaluation score, 23) and had a long stay in the intensive care unit (median, 25 days). Patients had lost 18 percent of their base-line body weight by the time they were discharged from the intensive care unit and stated that muscle weakness and fatigue were the reasons for their functional limitation. Lung volume and spirometric measurements were normal by 6 months, but carbon monoxide diffusion capacity remained low throughout the 12-month follow-up. No patients required supplemental oxygen at 12 months, but 6 percent of patients had arterial oxygen saturation values below 88 percent during exercise. The median score for the physical role domain of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form General Health Survey (a health-related quality-of-life measure) increased from 0 at 3 months to 25 at 12 months (score in the normal population, 84). The distance walked in six minutes increased from a median of 281 m at 3 months to 422 m at 12 months; all values were lower than predicted. The absence of systemic corticosteroid treatment, the absence of illness acquired during the intensive care unit stay, and rapid resolution of lung injury and multiorgan dysfunction were associated with better functional status during the one-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors of the acute respiratory distress syndrome have persistent functional disability one year after discharge from the intensive care unit. Most patients have extrapulmonary conditions, with muscle wasting and weakness being most prominent.

APACHE↗

PubMed2002

Tibolone does not affect muscle power and functional ability in healthy postmenopausal women.

Maintenance of neuromuscular function into old age is critical to maintain normal daily activity and functional independence. Maximal muscle strength declines with age, and the age-related loss in power might be even greater. An accelerated loss of muscle strength and power has been observed in women around the time of the menopause. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of tibolone, a synthetic steroid with oestrogenic, progestogenic and androgenic activities, on muscle power, endurance and functional ability. A total of 85 healthy women, between 1 and 15 years postmenopausal, were recruited from local paper advertisements. Participants were randomly assigned to 2.5 mg of tibolone or to placebo pills of identical appearance; pills were taken daily for 12 months, orally in the morning. Muscle power was assessed as explosive leg extensor power. Endurance was measured on a 2 min walk test and a 3.5 m walk. Functional ability was determined with the timed Get Up and Go test and a Postural/Locomotor/Manual test. No significant between-group differences were observed for any of the parameters. Possible explanations for this lack of effect are either the absence of an effect of tibolone on muscle power and functional ability, or that our participants were too far above their strength-related functional limits to derive benefit from intervention. Further research is required to resolve this issue.

Anabolic Agents↗

PubMed1987

Reliability of walking endurance with an incremental treadmill test.

Treadmill walking endurance is the major outcome measure for intervention studies on patients with intermittent claudication. The measurement properties of this test have not, however, been well documented. We assessed the test-retest reliability of treadmill walking endurance in 10 normal subjects with a mean (+/- 1SD) age of 27.5 (+/- 3.3) years. On four occasions, at intervals of at least one week, each subject walked on a motorized treadmill to the limits of his or her capabilities. With the standard protocol, subjects began at a very low exercise intensity (0.25 m/sec, 0% grade), which increased in either speed or grade at ninety-second intervals through a maximum of fifteen stages to 2.75 m/sec and 20% grade. On the final occasion, 5 of the subjects were tested twice with a fifteen-minute interval, using a truncated protocol starting at stage five (1.25 m/sec, 0% grade). Within-subject standard deviations were low, averaging twenty-three seconds (2.1%). Reliability was very high for the first three tests with the standard protocol (r greater than or equal to 0.98, p less than 0.0001) and for the 5 subjects tested and retested with the short interval and truncated protocol (r = 0.99, p less than 0.0002), while the correlation between the standard protocol and the truncated protocol was somewhat lower (r greater than 0.81, p less than 0.01). For young normal subjects the measurement of walking endurance with an incremental treadmill test is highly reliable, but the limits of reliability need to be considered when conclusions are drawn from such measures.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Effect on spasticity after performance of dynamic-repeated-passive ankle joint motion exercise in chronic stroke patients.

Spasticity associated with abnormal muscle tone is a common motor disorder following stroke, and the spastic ankle may affect ambulatory function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term effect of dynamic-repeated-passive ankle movements with weight loading on ambulatory function and spastic hypertonia of chronic stroke patients. In this study, 12 chronic stroke patients with ankle spasticity and inefficient ambulatory ability were enrolled. Stretching of the plantar-flexors of the ankle in the standing position for 15 minutes was performed passively by a constant-speed and electrically powered device. The following evaluations were done before and immediately after the dynamic-repeated-passive ankle movements. Spastic hypertonia was assessed by the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS; range, 0-4), Achilles tendon reflexes test (DTR; range, 0-4), and ankle clonus (range, 0-5). Improvement in ambulatory ability was determined by the timed up-and-go test (TUG), the 10-minute walking test, and cadence (steps/minute). In addition, subjective experience of the influence of ankle spasticity on ambulation was scored by visual analog scale (VAS). Subjective satisfaction with the therapeutic effect of spasticity reduction was evaluated by a five-point questionnaire (1 = very poor, 2 = poor, 3 = acceptable, 4 = good, 5 = very good). By comparison of the results before and after intervention, these 12 chronic stroke patients presented significant reduction in MAS and VAS for ankle spasticity, the time for TUG and 10-minute walking speed (p < 0.01). The cadence also increased significantly (p < 0.05). In addition, subjective satisfaction with the short-term therapeutic effect was mainly good (ranging from acceptable to very good). In conclusion, 15 minutes of dynamic-repeated-passive ankle joint motion exercise with weight loading in the standing position by this simple constant-speed machine is effective in reducing ankle spasticity and improving ambulatory ability.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Reliability of gait performance tests in men and women with hemiparesis after stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability of 6 gait performance tests in individuals with chronic mild to moderate post-stroke hemiparesis. DESIGN: An intra-rater (between occasions) test-retest reliability study. SUBJECTS: Fifty men and women (mean age 58+/-6.4 years) 6-46 months post-stroke. METHODS: The Timed "Up & Go" test, the Comfortable and the Fast Gait Speed tests, the Stair Climbing ascend and descend tests and the 6-Minute Walk test were assessed 7 days apart. Reliability was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC(2,1)), the Bland & Altman analysis, the standard error of measurement (SEM and SEM%) and the smallest real difference (SRD and SRD%). RESULTS: Test-retest agreements were high (ICC(2,1) 0.94-0.99) with no discernible systematic differences between the tests. The standard error of measurement (SEM%), representing the smallest change that indicates a real (clinical) improvement for a group of individuals, was small (< 9%). The smallest real difference (SRD%), representing the smallest change that indicates a real (clinical) improvement for a single individual, was also small (13-23%). CONCLUSION: These commonly used gait performance tests are highly reliable and can be recommended to evaluate improvements in various aspects of gait performance in individuals with chronic mild to moderate hemiparesis after stroke.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2006

Long-term outcome of acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS): an observational study.

OBJECTIVE: We examined long-term outcome of pulmonary function, exercise capacity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). METHODS: 59 critically ill patients with ARDS caused by SARS between March and July 2003 were studied prospectively and followed up for 1 year. Thirty-six underwent pulmonary function testing and a 6-minute walk test, and 35 underwent HRQoL evaluation by Short Form-36 questionnaire at 3, 6, and 12 months after illness onset. RESULTS: Mean age was 47 (SD, 15.7) years. Median APACHE II score was 10 (interquartile range [IQR], 7-12). Only 47% required invasive mechanical ventilation. Median admission and worst PaO2/FIO2 ratio were 142 (IQR, 94-177) mmHg and 86 (IQR, 66-122) mmHg, respectively. Median stay in ICU and hospital were 9 (IQR, 5-20) and 31 (IQR, 20-54) days, respectively. Mortality was 24% at hospital discharge and at 1 year. Mean lung volumes and spirometric measurements were nearly normal by 6 months. Except for diffusion capacity adjusted for haemoglobin concentration (DLCO) measured at 12 months, there was no significant difference in pulmonary function measurement between those who had mechanical ventilation and those who did not. The 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) improved from 3 to 6 months, with no further significant change. Younger patients had near normal HRQoL by 6 months. Those aged over 40 years had impaired HRQoL at multiple domains even at 12 months. At 12 months, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity and 6MWD correlated significantly with multiple SF-36 domain scores. DLCO correlated significantly only with domain scores reflecting physical function. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality of SARS-related ARDS is similar to the mortality of ARDS from other causes. A substantial number of patients with SARS-related ARDS survived without receiving mechanical ventilation. Patients had good recovery of pulmonary function and HRQoL.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Association between recombinant human erythropoietin and quality of life and exercise capacity of patients receiving haemodialysis. Canadian Erythropoietin Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether recombinant human erythropoietin improves the quality of life and exercise capacity of anaemic patients receiving haemodialysis. DESIGN: A double blind, randomised, placebo controlled study. SETTING: Eight Canadian university haemodialysis centres. PATIENTS: 118 Patients receiving haemodialysis aged 18-75 with haemoglobin concentrations less than 90 g/l, no causes of anaemia other than erythropoietin deficiency, and no other serious diseases. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomised to three groups to receive placebo (n = 40), erythropoietin to achieve a haemoglobin concentration of 95-110 g/l (n = 40), or erythropoietin to achieve a haemoglobin concentration of 115-130 g/l (n = 38). Erythropoietin was given intravenously thrice weekly, initially at 100 units/kg/dose. The dose was subsequently adjusted to achieve the target haemoglobin concentration. All patients with a serum ferritin concentration less than 250 micrograms/l received oral or intravenous iron for one month before the study and as necessary throughout the trial. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores obtained with kidney disease questionnaire, sickness impact profile, and time trade off technique; and results of six minute walk test and modified Naughton stress test. RESULTS: The mean (SD) haemoglobin concentration at six months was 74 (12) g/l in patients given placebo, 102 (10) g/l in those in the low erythropoietin group, and 117 (17) g/l in those in the high erythropoietin group. Compared with the placebo group, patients treated with erythropoietin had a significant improvement in their scores for fatigue, physical symptoms, relationships, and depression on the kidney disease questionnaire and in the global and physical scores on the sickness impact profile. The distance walked in the stress test increased in the group treated with erythropoietin, but there was no improvement in the six minute walk test, psychosocial scores on the sickness impact profile, or time trade off scores. There was no significant difference in the improvement in quality of life or exercise capacity between the two groups taking erythropoietin. Patients taking erythropoietin had a significantly increased diastolic blood pressure despite an increase in either the dose or number of antihypertensive drugs used. Eleven of 78 patients treated with erythropoietin had their sites of access clotted compared with only one of 40 patients given placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving erythropoietin were appreciably less fatigued, complained of less severe physical symptoms, and had moderate improvements in exercise tolerance and depression compared with patients not receiving erythropoietin. At the doses used in this trial there was a higher incidence of hypertension and clotting of the vascular access in patients treated with erythropoietin.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

The course of the patellar tendon after reharvesting its central third for ACL revision surgery: a long-term clinical and radiographic study.

The choice of the optimal graft for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) revision surgery is still controversial. Reharvesting the patellar tendon has been suggested as one graft alternative. Our hypothesis was that in the long-term, ACL revision surgery using reharvested patellar tendon autografts would render a good clinical outcome and a normal patellar tendon at the donor site as seen on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fourteen consecutive patients (five women, nine men), who underwent ACL revision surgery using reharvested ipsilateral patellar tendon grafts, were included in the study. They underwent bilateral MRI evaluations of the patellar tendon and were tested for clinical outcome 26 (20-35) and 115 months (102-127) after the revision procedure. On the second occasion, they also underwent standard weight-bearing X-ray examinations. The serial MRI evaluations revealed that the thickness of the patellar tendon at the donor site was significantly increased compared with the non-harvested, normal contralateral side and that the donor-site gap was still visible after 10 years. No significant differences were seen between the 2- and 10-year MRI evaluations. Standard weight-bearing X-ray examinations revealed signs of mild degenerative changes in all patients. Clinical results in terms of the Lysholm score, IKDC evaluation system, one-leg-hop test, KT-1000 laxity test and the knee-walking test revealed no significant differences between the 2- and 10-year assessments. In overall terms, the clinical results were considered to be poor on both occasions. The patellar tendon at the donor site had not normalised 10 years after the reharvesting procedure, as seen on MRI. Furthermore, the clinical results were poor after ACL revision surgery using reharvested patellar tendon autograft.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Paced visual serial addition test in multiple sclerosis.

The paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT), a subtest of the multiple sclerosis functional composite score (MSFC), is increasingly used in the evaluation of cognitive function in multiple sclerosis (MS). While patient acceptance for the PASAT is low, its visual version, the paced visual serial addition test (PVSAT), is perceived to be better tolerated. The aim of this study was to investigate the interchangeability of PVSAT and PASAT in the evaluation of cognitive function in MS. Twenty-one normal controls and 50 patients with clinically definite MS were tested with PASAT and PVSAT. Both for PASAT and PVSAT, 3 and 2-second versions of two parallel test forms were used. In the PVSAT, the PASAT stimuli were shown on a computer screen. Patients were also tested with the other two MSFC subtests, i.e. the nine-hole pegboard test and timed 25-foot walk test, to calculate MSFC scores. PASAT-3 correlated highly with both PVSAT-3 and PVSAT-2. MSFC-v scores calculated with PVSAT-2 and PVSAT-3 values correlated highly with MSFC scores calculated with PASAT-3 results. The results suggest that the PVSAT can be used as an alternative for the PASAT in the MSFC.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Interval training compared with continuous training in patients with COPD.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of interval training (3-min intervals) with continuous training on peak exercise capacity (W peak), physiological response, functional capacity, dyspnoea, mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with moderate or severe COPD. Sixty patients exercised twice weekly for 16 weeks after randomisation to interval- or continuous training. Target intensity was 80% of baseline W peak in the interval group (I-group) and 65% in the continuous group (C-group). Patients were tested by spirometry, ergometer cycle test, cardiopulmonary test and a 12 min walk test. Dyspnoea was measured by the dyspnoea scale from Chronic Obstructive Disease Questionnaire (CRDQ), mental health by Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD) and HRQoL by the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36). After training, W peak, peak oxygen uptake (VO(2) peak) and exhaled carbon dioxide (VCO(2) peak) increased significantly in both groups, no significant differences between the groups. Minute ventilation (V(E) peak) increased only in the C-group. At identical work rates (isotime) VO(2), VCO(2) and V(E) were significantly more decreased in the I-group than in the C-group (p<0.05). Functional capacity, dyspnoea, mental health, and HRQoL improved significantly in both groups, no difference between the groups. Interval training and continuous training were equally potent in improving peak exercise capacity, functional exercise capacity, dyspnoea, mental health and HRQoL in patients with moderate or severe COPD. At isotime, the physiological response to training differed between the groups, in favour of the interval training.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Submaximal exercise in persons with stroke: test-retest reliability and concurrent validity with maximal oxygen consumption.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity with maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) for 3 submaximal exercise tests in persons with chronic stroke: (1) submaximal treadmill test, (2) submaximal cycle ergometer test, and (3) 6-minute walk test (6MWT). DESIGN: Prospective study using a convenience sample. SETTING: Free-standing tertiary rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: A volunteer sample of 12 community-dwelling individuals who had a stroke with moderate motor deficits. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption (VO2) were assessed during the exercise tests. RESULTS: Test-retest reliability was good to excellent for the exercise tests (maximal and submaximal tests). VO2 for all submaximal measures related to VO2max (r range, .66-.80). Neither the 6MWT distance, self-selected gait speed, nor hemodynamic measures related to VO2max. CONCLUSION: The VO2 measures of the submaximal exercise tests had excellent reliability and good concurrent validity with VO2max. Submaximal exercise tests may be a method by which to monitor the effects of interventions after a screening test (eg, symptom-limited graded exercise test, dobutamine stress echocardiograph).

Aged↗

PubMed1998

A 3-year follow-up of asthmatic patients participating in a 10-week rehabilitation program with emphasis on physical training.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if asthmatic patients who had participated in a 10-week rehabilitation program with emphasis on physical training (1) continued with physical training, (2) maintained their improved cardiovascular condition and lung function, and (3) retained their good asthma control through the following 3 years. DESIGN: A descriptive 3-year follow-up study. PATIENTS AND SETTING: A convenience sample of 58 patients who had previously undergone a 10-week outpatient rehabilitation program were followed up 6 months and 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 years after the start of the program at a lung clinic in a university hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A training log was kept by each patient to record frequency, intensity, and mode of training. Physical condition was evaluated with a submaximal 6-minute ergometry test and a 12-minute walking test, respiratory function with static and dynamic spirometry, and bronchial hyperreactivity with a metacholine provocation test. Asthma symptoms and asthma control were measured with a study-specific questionnaire. RESULTS: Thirty-nine subjects (68%) exercised regularly during all 3 years. The cardiovascular condition and lung function values remained almost unchanged in all 58 patients. There was a significant decrease in number of emergency room visits the year after the 10-week rehabilitation program compared to the year before. It remained stable throughout the following 2 years. There was also a decrease in asthma symptoms in all patients, but the decrease was significant only in a subgroup of 26 patients, who exercised one or two times a week. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible for asthmatic subjects to exercise at a moderate intensity level on a long-term basis without deleterious effects. Moreover, the high compliance rate might indicate that inactive asthmatic patients who are taught how to exercise choose to continue to be physically active.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Psychomotor effects of dopamine infusion under decreased glutathione conditions.

Administration of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) selectively inhibits glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis, thereby inducing a GSH deficiency. Because GSH plays a critical role in intracellular antioxidant defense, decreased GSH levels in the brain may result in less oxidative stress (OS) protection. Thus, the pro-oxidant effects of dopamine (DA), which rapidly oxidizes to form reactive oxygen species, may increase. In this study, the behavioral consequences of reduced OS protection were examined by administering BSO (3.2 mg in 30 microl Ringer's solution, intracerebroventricularly) every other day for 12 d to male Fischer 344 rats. In addition, DA (15 microl of 500 microM) was administered every day; when given on the same day as BSO, it was either 1 h after BSO (BSO + DA group) or 1 h before BSO (DA + BSO group). Tests of psychomotor behavior--rod walking, wire suspension, and plank walking--were performed five times during the experiment. BSO + DA administration, but not DA + BSO, impaired performance by decreasing latency to fall in the rod and plank walk tests compared to a vehicle only (Ringer's) group. Therefore, depletion of GSH with BSO, followed by DA treatment, produced deficits in psychomotor behavior. These deficits are similar to those seen in aged rats, suggesting that the oxidation of DA coupled with a reduced capacity to respond to OS may be responsible for the induction of age-related motor behavioral deficits.

Aging↗

PubMed2005

Gait training regimen for incomplete spinal cord injury using functional electrical stimulation.

STUDY DESIGN: Case series, and repeated assessments of the same individuals. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of a multiweek intervention on walking function in people with chronic, incomplete spinal cord injuries. SETTING: Rehabilitation hospital for spinal cord injury (SCI) in Toronto, Canada. METHODS: A convenience sample of five subjects with chronic, incomplete SCI trained for 12-18 weeks using a new multichannel neuroprosthesis for walking. The following outcome measures were recorded throughout the training period: walking speed, step frequency and average stride length based on a 2-min walk test. Also identified were which walking aids and orthoses subjects preferred to use, and whether they employed a step-to or step-through gait strategy. Follow-up measurements of three subjects were made up to 10 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: All subjects demonstrated significant improvements in walking function over the training period. Four of the subjects achieved significantly increased walking speeds, which were due to increases in both stride length and step frequency. The fifth subject experienced a significant reduction in preferred assistive devices. Follow-up measurements revealed that two subjects walked slightly slower several weeks after treatment, but they still walked significantly faster than at the start of treatment. CONCLUSION: The gait training regimen was effective for improving voluntary walking function in a population for whom significant functional changes are not expected. This application of functional electrical therapy is viable for rehabilitation of gait in incomplete SCI.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Gas exchange and exercise tolerance following bullectomy.

This study evaluates the physiological responses to giant bullectomy. A 42-year-old female with bilateral giant bullae presented with dyspnoea and exercise limitation. At baseline and 3 months after bullectomy she had tests of lung function; exercise capacity via a symptom-limited cycle test and a 6-min walk test (6MWT). Quality of life (QoL) and gas exchange using the multiple inert gas elimination technique (MIGET) were also assessed. There were significant improvements in pulmonary function following surgery with the FEF(25-75%) predicted increasing from 16 to 96. The 6MWT increased by 10% and the peak leg work capacity by 48%. A MIGET measure of the distribution of perfusion (Log SDQ) fell from 0.52 to 0.36. There was also radiological improvement in hyperinflation and diaphragmatic configuration. The QoL total score decreased from 56 to 25. This patient demonstrated significant improvements in exercise tolerance, gas exchange and QoL following bullectomy.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Acute neurobehavioural toxicity of trichothecene T-2 toxin in the rat.

The acute effects of single oral doses, 0.4 and 2.0 mg/kg, of trichothecene T-2 mycotoxin on behaviour, motor performance and nociception were studied in male Wistar rats. Both doses are sublethal and did not cause overt acute signs of intoxication. In the open field test, 2.0 mg/kg of T-2 toxin increased motionlessness and decreased sniffing (P less than 0.05) 4 hr after the administration. The higher dose shortened step-through latencies in the test trial of the 24-hr passive avoidance test (two-way shuttle box). The exponential data analysis showed that, in those rats that did not learn to avoid the dark (unsafe) compartment of the box, the retention after 2.0 mg/kg of T-2 toxin was only 25% of that in controls (P less than 0.001). T-2 toxin had no effect on motor coordination in the rotarod test and in the bridge walking test 7-8 hr after administration. T-2 toxin had no effect on nociception in the hot place test 8.5 hr after administration. The results suggest that T-2 toxin has some inactivating effects on behaviour of rats, and it seems to cause an impairment in the passive avoidance test at dose 2.0 mg/kg.

Animals↗