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Results for “Physical Functional Performance”

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PubMed1977

[Physical performance in patients with focal infection ergospirometric stress-testing before and after tonsillectomy (author's transl)].

The diagnosis of a focal infection in 13 patients (6 men and 7 women, aged 18 to 36) was based on the findings of chronic tonsillitis and general complaints interpreted as focal symptoms. The patients underwent symptom-limited maximal stress-testing before and after tonsillectomy to rule out any impairment of physical performance on the basis of computer-assisted processing of ergospirometric data. It can be concluded that the actual data of maximal oxygen uptake (aerobic power), the phenomenon of adaptation to increasing work loads (derived from rating of the increase in oxygen uptake during rectangular-triangular bicycle ergometry), the on-line processed index of anaerobic power and the anaerobic threshold, as well as heart rate and arterial blood pressure regulation did not differ in these patients from findings in healthy subjects. Nor were these parameters altered by tonsillectomy. Tonsillar focal infection is unlikely to cause any impairment of physical performance with respect to parameters of cardio-respiratory and metabolic function.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2004

Effects of active recovery between series on performance during an intermittent exercise model in young endurance athletes.

The purpose of our study was to compare time to exhaustion ( t(lim)) and time spent at a high level of oxygen uptake (V(.)O(2)) during two high-intensity short intermittent exercises (30 s-30 s) realized with or without series. Eleven young endurance-trained athletes [16.6 (0.4) years] took part in three field tests until exhaustion: (1) a maximal graded test to measure their maximal aerobic velocity (MAV) and maximal oxygen uptake (V(.)O(2max)); (2) and (3) two randomized intermittent exercises (30 s at 110% of MAV alternated with 30 s at 50% of MAV): one alternating repetitions non-stop (IE) and another including 4 min recovery every six repetitions (IEs). The mean t(lim) measured during IEs was significantly longer than IE [respectively 960.0 (102.0) s vs 621.8 (56.2) s]. The time spent at V(.)O(2max)( t(V(.)O2max)) and the time spent above 90% of V(.)O(2max)( t(90%V(.)O2max)) did not differ significantly according to the type of exercise: with or without series [respectively t(V(.)O2max) was 158.2 (59.7) s vs 178.0 (56.5) s and t(90% O2max) was 290.4 (84.3) s vs 345.0 (61.6) s] but when expressed as a relative value, t(90% O2max) during IEs was significantly lower than during IE [respectively 36.4 (10.4)% t(lim) vs 58.3 (8.7)% t(lim)]. Despite a significant decrease ( P<0.005) of time to achieve 90% of V(.)O(2max) at the start of each series during IEs [respectively 165.0 (43.1) s for the first series and 82.5 (15.8) s for the second series ( n=6)] the time spent under 90% of V(.)O(2max) limited the t(90%V(.)O2max) during each series. In conclusion, our results showed that intermittent exercise with series does not permit an increase in the time spent at a high level of V(.)O(2); however, the athletes performed more repetitions of short intense exercise.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2004

Effects of anaerobic training in children with cystic fibrosis: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Children's physical activity patterns are characterized by short-term anaerobic activities. Anaerobic exercise performance in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) has received little attention compared to aerobic performance. This study investigated the effects of anaerobic training in children with CF. DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty patients were randomly assigned to the training group (TG) [11 patients; mean (+/- SD) age, 13.6 +/- 1.3 years; mean FEV(1), 75.2 +/- 20.7% predicted] or the control group (CG) [9 patients; mean age, 14.2 +/- 2.1 years; FEV(1), 82.1 +/- 19.1% predicted]. The TG trained 2 days per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting 30 to 45 min. The training program consisted of anaerobic activities lasting 20 to 30 s. The control subjects were asked not to change their normal daily activities. Body composition, pulmonary function, peripheral muscle force, habitual physical activity, aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance, and quality of life were reevaluated at the end of the training program, and again after a 12-week follow-up period. RESULTS: Patients in the TG significantly improved their anaerobic performance, aerobic performance, and quality of life. No significant changes were seen in other parameters, and no improvements were found in CG. After the follow-up period, only anaerobic performance and quality of life in TG were significantly higher compared to pretraining values. CONCLUSIONS: Anaerobic training has measurable effects on aerobic performance (although not sustained), anaerobic performance, and health-related quality of life in children with CF. Therefore, anaerobic training could be an important component of therapeutic programs for CF patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Validation of the PASE in older adults with knee pain and physical disability.

PURPOSE: To examine the validity of the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) among individuals with disability. METHODS: A sample of 471 participants (mean age = 71.36) in an epidemiological study of chronic knee pain completed the PASE and self-report measures of knee pain, perceived physical function, satisfaction with physical function, and importance of physical function. A 6-min walk test and an isokinetic assessment of knee strength were also administered. RESULTS: PASE scores were significantly correlated in expected directions with performance on the 6-min walk, knee strength, frequency of knee pain during transfer, and perceived difficulty with physical functioning. Gender and age were identified as significant moderators of PASE scores and the scale's construct validity was supported by testing a conceptually driven hypothesis regarding patterns of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the PASE's validity for the assessment of physical activity among older adults with pain and disability.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Physical activity and anthropometric and functional characteristics of mildly malnourished Senegalese children.

This study examines the effects of chronic malnutrition on the functional capacities and physical activity patterns of a group of 100 healthy Senegalese children between the ages of 10 and 13 years. Anthropometric measurements, a sub-maximal step test, spirometric tests and testing of four motor skills (foot races, jumping, throwing, gripping) were conducted and their physical activity was monitored by recording of heart rate every minute for 6 hours. The weights of two-thirds of these children fell below -1 SD from the WHO/NCHS* norm for their ages, their test results were inferior to those of Western children, and the level of their physical activity appeared also to be low. When these children are divided on the basis of weight deficits for age into well nourished and malnourished groups, malnourished children register poorer functional performances than well nourished children, but no difference exists with respect to the intensity of physical activity. These results highlight the negative effect of malnutrition on children's physical performance. The consequences are disturbing as the subsistence in the Sahelian Region depends on substantial physical labour.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The first camps in Turkey for asthmatic children: six years' experience.

The first asthma camp in Turkey was organized for one week in Iznik in September 1996. The camps were continued annually around the same time of the year in 1997, 1998, 2000, and in the consecutive years thereafter. The camp includes educational, sports and social activities. Children's knowledge about asthma and their attitudes towards physical and social activities were evaluated by a questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests were performed on the first and last day of the camp. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean spirometric values of the first and last day of the camp in spite of a vigorous physical and social program. Children enhanced their skills and knowledge about asthma and gained self-confidence in participating in sportive and social activities during the camp program. They did not experience any emergency room visit in the following year. In conclusion, a summer camping experience is very beneficial for asthmatic children in terms of both self-education and social and physical participation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Quality of life in oncology practice: prognostic value of EORTC QLQ-C30 scores in patients with advanced malignancy.

Quality of life (QL) scores may be used to assess the impact of disease and treatment, and to predict survival of cancer patients in prospective clinical trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic association of QL scores among patients with advanced malignancies in routine practice. Adult patients with advanced malignancy from 12 institutions in 10 countries completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, in their native language, once at study entry. Baseline patient and disease characteristics were recorded. We used a proportional hazards model stratified on diagnostic category to test whether QL scores from the QLQ-C30 were significantly and independently predictive of overall survival duration from the time of QL measurement. In all, 735 eligible patients were entered between November 1989 and September 1995. On 1 October 1995, follow-up information was obtained on 656 patients, of whom 411 had died. Patient and disease factors predictive of worse survival were age and performance status. The global scale and the scales of physical, role, emotional, cognitive and social function were each significantly predictive of subsequent survival duration in univariate analyses. Single-item QL scores for overall physical condition (question 29), overall quality of life (question 30), and the global and social functioning scales remained independently prognostic after allowing for performance status and age, and, among solid tumour patients, metastatic site. QL can be measured in an international setting based on routine oncology practice. QL scores carry prognostic information independent of other recorded factors.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1983

Differential effects of hot-humid and hot-dry environments on mental functions.

Twenty five subjects acclimatised to heat artificially were exposed to "basic effective temperatures" (BET) of 25.0 degrees, 29.6 degrees, 32.2 degrees, 33.3 degrees and 35.0 degrees C BET under conditions of both humid and dry heat. The object of the investigation was to ascertain the nature of effects of varying degrees of heat stress on mental alertness, associative learning, reasoning ability and dual-performance efficiency. A further aim was to determine the temperature levels at which impairment of psychological functions was severe enough to be of practical concern. The duration of each exposure was four hours, during which subjects performed physical exercise followed by rest every 30 min. It was found that all the psychological functions tested were adversely affected under extreme heat, and that a significant drop in various psychological functions was seen at effective temperatures of 32.2 degrees C and 33.3 degrees C in hot-humid and hot-dry conditions respectively. It is concluded that at the same effective temperatures the magnitude of the overall effect on psychological functions under humid conditions is relatively greater than that under dry conditions.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Measurement of activities of daily living in hospitalized elderly: a comparison of self-report and performance-based methods.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of self-reports of physical functioning by hospitalized elderly. DESIGN: Comparison of two measures. PATIENTS AND SETTING: Two-hundred forty-seven medical inpatients (mean age 78.7 years) hospitalized at St. Marys Hospital Medical Center, Madison, WI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measures of five activities of daily living by self-report and by performance. RESULTS: The rate of agreement between self-report and performance ADL measures was the lowest in the areas of bathing and dressing where the agreement was 63% and 64%, respectively. When patients reported needing no help in these two tasks, they were measured lower 32% of the time for dressing and 42% for bathing. When patients reported needing help in an activity the agreement rate between patient and occupational therapist varied widely, from only 42% for toileting to 78% for bathing. The two factors which were statistically associated with poor agreement between the two ADL measurements were cognitive impairment (P less than 0.001) and a decline from the pre-hospital level of ADL functioning which had occurred during hospitalization (P less than 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that there may be significant differences between patient assessments and performance-based measurements of ADL functioning in hospitalized elderly at time of discharge. These differences may have implications for the collection of functional measurements for discharge planning or for geriatric research in the hospital environment.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

Open versus closed kinetic chain exercises in patellofemoral pain: a 5-year prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Today, no clinical studies have been undertaken to examine the long-term effects of an open kinetic chain or closed kinetic chain program. HYPOTHESIS: The long-term follow-up results after a conservative exercise protocol are significantly worse than the short-term results. The long-term effect of closed kinetic chain training is significantly better compared to the effect of open kinetic chain training. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomized into a 5-week conservative program, consisting of only closed kinetic chain exercises or only open kinetic chain exercises. Assessment of muscular characteristics, subjective symptoms, and functional performance was evaluated in this study at the time of initial physical examination, at the end of the treatment period, and 5 years later. RESULTS: At the 5-year follow-up, both groups demonstrated maintenance of good subjective and functional outcomes achieved immediately after the conservative treatment. No significant difference between both groups was observed at the 5-year follow-up for the majority of the examined parameters. However, on 3 of the 18 visual analog scales, the open kinetic chain group showed significantly less complaints compared to the closed kinetic chain group. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results, the authors conclude that both open kinetic chain and closed kinetic chain programs lead to an equal long-term good functional outcome.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of partial-thickness facial burns on social functioning.

The impact of partial-thickness facial burns on the behavior of adults was investigated. Burn injuries of the face often have a deleterious effect on the psychologic well-being of the patient. Even when no skin grafting is performed, there seems to be significant deterioration of the physical and emotional function of adults after they have incurred partial-thickness burns of the face.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Assessing mobility in older adults: the UAB Study of Aging Life-Space Assessment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Study of Aging Life-Space Assessment (LSA) is a relatively new instrument to measure mobility. The purpose of this report is to describe the relationships between LSA and traditional measures of physical function, sociodemographic characteristics, depression, and cognitive status. SUBJECTS: Subjects were a stratified random sample of 998 Medicare beneficiaries aged > or =65 years. The sample was 50% African American, 50% male, and 50% from rural (versus urban) counties. METHODS: In-home interviews were conducted. Mobility was measured using the LSA, which documents where and how often subjects travel and any assistance needed during the 4 weeks prior to the assessment. Basic activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), cognitive status, income level, presence of depressive symptoms, and transportation resources were determined. The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) was used to assess physical performance. RESULTS: Simple bivariate correlations indicated a significant relationship between LSA and all variables except residence (rural versus urban). In a regression model, physical function (ADL, IADL) and physical performance (SPPB) accounted for 45.5% of the variance in LSA scores. An additional 12.7% of the variance was explained by sociodemographic variables, and less than 1% was explained by cognition and depressive symptoms. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The LSA can be used to document patients' mobility within their home and community. The LSA scores are associated with a person's physical capacity and other factors that may limit mobility. These scores can be used in combination with other tests and measures to generate clinical hypotheses to explain mobility deficits and to plan appropriate interventions to address these deficits.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1998

The dynamics of dimensions of age-related disability 1982 to 1994 in the U.S. elderly population.

Declines in chronic disability were observed in the National Long Term Care Survey (NLTCS) 1982 to 1994. We analyzed the 1982, 1984, 1989, and 1994 NLTCS to identify the dimensions of chronic disability from multivariate analyses of a rich battery of measures of the ability (or inability) to perform specific activities. Changes over time in the prevalence of individual disability dimensions can be tracked to evaluate the rate of age-related losses of specific functions, 1982-1994. Seven dimensions described changes in the age dependence of 27 activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and physical performance measures in community and institutional resident elderly individuals over the 12 year period. Adjusted for age, the healthiest dimension with the best physical function experienced the largest increase in prevalence (3.3%) implying a decline in age-related disability. Disability declines were correlated with reductions in select health conditions (e.g., dementia and circulatory disease) over the study period.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Percutaneous vertebroplasty improves pain and physical functioning in elderly osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture patients.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures are being recognized increasingly often in the elderly. They frequently cause severe and prolonged back pain and physical decline. Bed rest, narcotic analgesia, and external bracing were the only therapeutic modalities available in the past and had limited success. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine the efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty in treating osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the elderly. METHODS: Twenty-two vertebroplasties were performed in 16 elderly patients. Pain relief, medication requirements, and physical functioning were evaluated before and 24 h and 6 months after vertebroplasty. RESULTS: There was 81% improvement in pain intensity 24 h after operation, and 94% improvement was noted at the 6-month follow-up checkup. Physical functioning improved 69% 24 h after vertebroplasty and 63% 6 months later. Medication requirements also decreased in 75% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures is safe and effective and should not be withheld from the elderly.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Memory complaint, memory performance, and psychiatric diagnosis: a community study.

This study examined the prevalence of memory complaint and poor memory performance on brief screening measures within a community sample of 810 adults. All individuals received an extensive household interview and a clinical psychiatric evaluation. Overall, 22% indicated that they currently had trouble with their memory. This percentage increased with age, rising to 43% for those 65 to 74 years old, 51% for those 75 to 84 years old, and 88% for those 85 years of age and older; the percentage indicating memory problems decreased with educational attainment. The prevalence of poor memory performance was 11%, also increasing with less education and increased age, rising to 26% for those 65 to 74 years old and to 40% for those older then 75. Those who complained of memory trouble were twice as likely to show poor memory performance (29%) compared with those who did not complain (15%). Multivariate analysis found age, emotional distress, and physical illness to be independent predictors of memory complaint; age, functional disability, education, and physical illnesses proved to be independently associated with poor memory performance. A higher prevalence of complaints of memory trouble was found not only for those with affective disorders, as might be expected, but also among those with schizophrenic, cognitive, anxiety, and adjustment disorders. However, only individuals with cognitive disorders showed a higher prevalence of poor memory performance.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

Pain expectancies, pain, and functional self-efficacy expectancies as determinants of disability in patients with chronic low back disorders.

This study tested the relative predictive power of self-efficacy expectations of physical capabilities (functional self-efficacy [FSE]), expectations of pain, and expectations of reinjury on physical function in chronic back patients. Before behavioral assessment of function, 85 patients rated their abilities to perform essential job tasks (FSE) and the likelihood that their performances would be accompanied by pain and reinjury. Partial correlations revealed that FSE was significantly related to function when reinjury and pain were partialed out. Neither reinjury nor pain expectancies correlated significantly with function when FSE was partialed out. Further support for an FSE approach came from regression analyses that found pain intensity, gender, and FSE--not expected pain or reinjury--related consistently with physical performance. Thus, performance-specific cognitions may have greater explanatory power over disability than pain-specific ones.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2006

The efficacy of a medical virtual reality simulator for training phlebotomy.

OBJECTIVE: The present study compared the effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR) simulator for training phlebotomy with that of a more traditional approach using simulated limbs. BACKGROUND: Phlebotomy, or drawing blood, is one of the most common medical procedures; yet, there are no universal standards for training and assessing performance. The absence of any standards can lead to injuries and inaccurate test results if the procedure is improperly performed. METHOD: Twenty 3rd-year medical students were trained under one of the two methods and had their performance assessed with a 28-item checklist. RESULTS: The results showed that performance improvements were limited to those who trained with the simulated limbs, and a detailed comparison of the two systems revealed several functional and physical differences that may explain these findings. CONCLUSION: Participants trained with simulated limbs performed better than those trained with a VR simulator; however, the metrics recorded by the VR system may address some aspects of performance that could eventually prove beneficial. APPLICATION: The present study highlights the potential for medical simulators to improve patient safety by enabling trainees to practice procedures on devices instead of patients. Applications of this research include training, performance assessment, and design of simulator systems.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Physical function and health related quality of life: analysis of 2-year data from randomized, controlled studies of leflunomide, sulfasalazine, or methotrexate in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether improvements in physical function and health related quality of life (HRQOL) are sustained over 2 years of blinded treatment with leflunomide (LEF), methotrexate (MTX), or sulfasalazine (SSZ) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Three phase III randomized, controlled trials compared LEF, MTX, and SSZ in patients with active RA. Improvements in physical function were assessed by Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) and Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ); monthly MHAQ and mean HAQ scores were used to calculate American College of Rheumatology responses; HAQ-DI was assessed at baseline and 6-month intervals. In US301, the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form questionnaire (SF-36) assessed treatment-associated changes in HRQOL at baseline and 6-month intervals. RESULTS: Mean and median improvements in HAQ-DI after 12 and 24 months of active treatment in all phase III protocols significantly exceeded -0.22 or a minimum clinically important difference (MCID). These improvements closely reflected positive changes in SF-36 that met or exceeded MCID in all domains with LEF and MTX treatment. Problem Elicitation Technique Top 5 scores reflected improvements in performance of physical activities most important to patients. CONCLUSION: Improvements in physical function were sustained over 24 months of successful treatment with LEF, MTX, and SSZ, and reflected improvements in mental as well as physical domains of HRQOL.

Antirheumatic Agents↗