SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Exercise therapy”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Exercise therapy for arm function in stroke patients: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the available evidence for the effectiveness of exercise therapy to improve arm function in patients who have suffered from a stroke. METHODS: A systematic search of bibliographical databases and reference checking were performed to identify publications on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which evaluated the effect of exercise therapy on arm function in stroke patients. The methodological quality was assessed systematically by two raters, based on a standardized list of methodological criteria. Study characteristics, such as the chronicity and severity of impairment of the patient population, the amount and duration of interventions, and specific methodological criteria, were related to reported effects. RESULTS: Thirteen RCTs were identified, six of which reported positive results on an arm function test. In five of these six studies there was a contrast in amount or duration of exercise therapy between groups. Methodological scores ranged from 5 to 15 (maximum possible score: 19 points). CONCLUSION: Insufficient evidence made it impossible to draw definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of exercise therapy on arm function in stroke patients. The difference in results between studies with and without contrast in the amount or duration of exercise therapy between groups suggests that more exercise therapy may be beneficial.

Arm↗

PubMed2001

Combined spa-exercise therapy is effective in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of combined spa-exercise therapy in addition to standard treatment with drugs and weekly group physical therapy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: A total of 120 Dutch outpatients with AS were randomly allocated into 3 groups of 40 patients each. Group 1 (mean age 48 +/- 10 years; male:female ratio 25:15) was treated in a spa resort in Bad Hofgastein, Austria; group 2 (mean age 49 +/- 9 years; male:female ratio 28:12) in a spa resort in Arcen, The Netherlands. The control group (mean age 48 +/- 10 years; male:female ratio 34:6) stayed at home and continued their usual drug treatment and weekly group physical therapy during the intervention weeks. Standardized spa-exercise therapy of 3 weeks duration consisted of group physical exercises, walking, correction therapy (lying supine on a bed), hydrotherapy, sports, and visits to either the Gasteiner Heilstollen (Austria) or sauna (Netherlands). After spa-exercise therapy all patients followed weekly group physical therapy for another 37 weeks. Primary outcomes were functional ability, patient's global well-being, pain, and duration of morning stiffness, aggregated in a pooled index of change (PIC). RESULTS: Analysis of variance showed a statistically significant time-effect (P < 0.001) and time-by-treatment interaction (P = 0.004), indicating that the 3 groups differed over time with respect to the course of the PIC. Four weeks after start of spa-exercise therapy, the mean difference in PIC between group 1 and controls was 0.49 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-0.82, P = 0.004) and between group 2 and controls was 0.46 (95% CI 0.15-0.78, P = 0.005). At 16 weeks, the difference between group 1 and controls was 0.63 (95% CI 0.23-1.02, P = 0.002) and between group 2 and controls was 0.34 (95% CI--0.05-0.73; P = 0.086). At 28 and 40 weeks, more improvement was found for group 1 compared with controls (P = 0.012 and P = 0.062, respectively) but not for group 2 compared with controls. CONCLUSION: In patients with AS, a 3-week course of combined spa-exercise therapy, in addition to drug treatment and weekly group physical therapy alone, provides beneficial effects. These beneficial effects may last for at least 40 weeks.

Exercise Therapy↗

PubMed2005

Effects of home-based daily exercise therapy on joint mobility, daily activity, pain, and depression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

We investigated the effects of home-based daily exercise on joint mobility, functional capacity, pain, and depression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The patients were randomly assigned to a wait-list control group or to an exercise-therapy group. The exercise-therapy group performed a 20-min exercise program once per day for 8 consecutive weeks. After 8 weeks, compared with the control group, the exercise group showed improvements in joint mobility (cervical flexion, extension, shoulder flexion, abduction, hip abduction, and knee flexion), finger-floor distance, and functional capacity. Pain and depression scores were significantly lower after the exercise program in the exercise group than in the control group. These findings indicate that exercise therapy increases joint mobility and functional capacity, and decreases pain and depression in patients with AS. Home-based exercise, which is easily accessible to patients, might be an effective intervention for AS.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2000

Exercise therapy for low back pain: a systematic review within the framework of the cochrane collaboration back review group.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was performed. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Exercise therapy is a widely used treatment for low back pain. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of exercise therapy for low back pain with regard to pain intensity, functional status, overall improvement, and return to work. METHODS: The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline, Embase, PsycLIT, and reference lists of articles were searched. Randomized trials testing all types of exercise therapy for subjects with nonspecific low back pain with or without radiation into the legs were included. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. Because trials were considered heterogeneous with regard to study populations, interventions, and outcomes, it was decided not to perform a meta-analysis, but to summarize the results using a rating system of four levels of evidence: strong, moderate, limited, or none. RESULTS: In this review, 39 trials were identified. There is strong evidence that exercise therapy is not more effective for acute low back pain than inactive or other active treatments with which it has been compared. There is conflicting evidence on the effectiveness of exercise therapy compared with inactive treatments for chronic low back pain. Exercise therapy was more effective than usual care by the general practitioner and just as effective as conventional physiotherapy for chronic low back pain. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence summarized in this systematic review does not indicate that specific exercises are effective for the treatment of acute low back pain. Exercises may be helpful for patients with chronic low back pain to increase return to normal daily activities and work.

Exercise Therapy↗

PubMed1995

A randomized trial of exercise therapy in patients with acute low back pain. Efficacy on sickness absence.

STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in which patients received either usual care by a general practitioner (information and analgesics), or placebo physiotherapy given by a physiotherapist, or exercise therapy given by a physiotherapist. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of exercise therapy on sickness absence from work in patients with acute low back pain. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Exercise therapy during the nonchronic phase of back pain is considered to reduce sickness absence, but this opinion is controversial. METHODS: Patients with acute nonspecific low back pain and a paid job were included for analysis. Sickness absence (number of days) was checked monthly during the 1-year follow-up period and compliance was also assessed. RESULTS: From 40 general practices 363 patients who were gainfully employed were included. In the exercise therapy group the percentage of patients with sickness absence was higher and the duration of absence was longer than in the placebo and usual care groups, but these differences were not significant. Indications of more absence in the exercise therapy group appeared to be based largely on a greater number of patients with absences during the first 3 months. Patients in the exercise group who had not reported sick at entry had more sickness absences during the follow-up year than patients in the usual care and placebo group. Good compliance did not affect the results. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise therapy for patients with acute low back pain does not reduce sickness absence.

Absenteeism↗

PubMed2005

[Clinical observation on acupuncture by stages combined with exercise therapy for treatment of Bell palsy at acute stage].

OBJECTIVE: To find out a method for increasing clinical therapeutic effect on Bell palsy at acute stage. METHODS: Ninety cases of Bell palsy were randomly divided into an observation group, a control group I and a control group II, 30 cases in each group. They were treated respectively with acupuncture plus exercise therapy, simple acupuncture therapy, and simple exercise therapy, and their therapeutic effects were observed. RESULTS: The cured rate was 66.7% in the observation group, 53.3% in the control group I and 46.70% in the control group II, the observation group being better than the two control groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture by stage combined with exercise therapy can increase the therapeutic effect on Bell palsy at acute stage, and it is a better therapy for Bell palsy.

Acupuncture Therapy↗

PubMed1998

The effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee. METHODS: A randomized single blind, clinical trial was conducted in a primary care setting. Patients with hip or knee OA by American College of Rheumatology criteria were selected. Two intervention groups were compared. Both groups received treatment from the patients' general practitioner, including patient education and medication if necessary. The experimental group also received exercise therapy from a physiotherapist in primary care. The treatment period was 12 weeks. The main outcome measures were pain, medication use (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, NSAID) and observed disability. RESULTS: A total of 201 patients were randomized. Exercise therapy was associated with a reduction of pain in the past week (difference in change -17.0; 95% CI -23.6, -10.4) and observed disability (-0.19; 95% CI -0.38; -0.01). Effect sizes were medium (0.58) and small (0.28), respectively. No effect of exercise therapy was found for the use of NSAID. Additional beneficial effects (p = 0.05) were found for the use of paracetamol (effect size 0.33), global effect as perceived by the patient (effect size 0.68), and muscle strength of the hip (effect size 0.34). CONCLUSION: After 12 weeks, exercise therapy is effective in reducing pain and disability. The size of the effects is medium and small, respectively.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

The PEX study - Exercise therapy for patellofemoral pain syndrome: design of a randomized clinical trial in general practice and sports medicine [ISRCTN83938749].

BACKGROUND: Patellofemoral complaints are frequently seen in younger and active patients. Clinical strategy is usually based on decreasing provoking activities as sports and demanding knee activities during work and leisure and reassuring the patient on the presumed good outcome. Exercise therapy is also often prescribed although evidence on effectiveness is lacking. The objective of this article is to present the design of a randomized clinical trial that examines the outcome of exercise therapy supervised by a physical therapist versus a clinically accepted "wait and see" approach (information and advice about the complaints only). The research will address to both effectiveness and cost effectiveness of supervised exercise therapy in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). METHODS/DESIGN: 136 patients (adolescents and young adults) with patellofemoral pain syndrome are recruited in general practices and sport medicine centers. They will be randomly allocated receiving either 3 months of exercise therapy (or usual care. The primary outcome measures are pain, knee function and perception of recovery after 3 months and 12 months of follow up and will be measured by self reporting. Measurements will take place at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 monthly until 1 year after inclusion in the study. Secondary outcome measurements include an economic evaluation.A cost-utility analysis will be performed that expresses health improvements in Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) and incorporates direct medical costs and productivity costs DISCUSSION: This study has been designed after reviewing the literature on exercise therapy for patellofemoral pain syndrome. It was concluded that to merit the effect of exercise therapy a trial based on correct methodological concept needed to be executed. The PEX study is a randomized clinical trial where exercise therapy is compared to usual care. This trial started in April 2005 and will finish in June 2007. The first results will be available around December 2007.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Association of angiotensin-converting-enzyme gene polymorphism with the depressor response to mild exercise therapy in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.

We studied the association of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism with the depressor response to exercise therapy in 64 Japanese subjects with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Each subject performed 10 weeks of mild (lactate threshold intensity: approximately 50% maximum oxygen consumption) exercise therapy on a bicycle ergometer. Systolic blood pressure (SPB), diastolic blood pressure (DPB), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were significantly decreased by exercise therapy in subjects with the ACE-II and ID genotypes but not in DD subjects. The time-by-genotype interaction effects were significant for DBP and MAP. According to a multiple logistic regression analysis, the age- and baseline plasma renin activity-adjusted relative risk (odds ratio) for the lack of a depressor response conferred by the D allele (assuming an additive effect) was 2.72 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-6.91; p = 0.034]; for DD genotypes, as compared with the DI and II genotypes (assuming that the D allele is recessive), it was 11.7 (95% CI, 2.25-60.6; p = 0.003). ACE gene I/D polymorphism is associated with the depressor response of essential hypertensives to mild exercise therapy, which suggests that genetic features may underlie, at least in part, the heterogeneity of the depressor response in essential hypertensives to mild exercise therapy.

Blood Pressure↗

PubMed2026

[Effect of electroacupuncture combined with suspension exercise therapy on lower limb motor function in elderly patients with post-stroke spastic hemiplegia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with suspension exercise therapy in elderly patients with post-stroke spastic hemiplegia and its effect on lower limb motor function. METHODS: A total of 120 elderly patients with post-stroke spastic hemiplegia were enrolled. Using a 2×2 factorial design, all the patients were assigned to a group A (conventional treatment), a group B (conventional treatment combined with suspension exercise therapy), a group C (conventional treatment combined with EA at Jiaji [EX-B2] and limb acupoints), and a group D(conventional treatment combined with suspension exercise therapy and EA at Jiaji [EX-B2] and limb acupoints), with 30 patients in each group. The main acupoints were bilateral Jiaji (EX-B2) points at the C2-C7, T2-T12, L1-L5, and S1 segments. The adjunct acupoints included Jianyu (LI15), Binao (LI14), Huantiao (GB30), Chengfu (BL36), etc. on the affected side.Continuous wave was applied at a frequency of 100 Hz with a current intensity of 1.5-3.0 mA, and needles were retained for 30 min, once daily for 4 weeks. Before treatment and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the modified Ashworth scale (MAS),Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), Berg balance scale (BBS), and Barthel index scores were evaluated in the four groups. Root mean square (RMS) values of surface electromyography (sEMG) of the erector spinae and rectus abdominis muscles on the affected side, as well as balance function indexes, including the mean pressure symmetry index (SI), contact area SI, ellipse area, and displacement distances of the center of pressure in the anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions, were measured. Clinical efficacy was also compared among the four groups. RESULTS: After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, MAS scores in all groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), whereas FMA, BBS, and Barthel index scores were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, MAS scores were lower than those after 2 weeks of treatment (P<0.05), whereas FMA, BBS, and Barthel index scores were higher than those after 2 weeks of treatment (P<0.05) in the four groups. At both 2 and 4 weeks after treatment, group D had lower MAS scores (P<0.05) and higher FMA,BBS, and Barthel index scores (P<0.05) than the other three groups. After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, RMS values of sEMG of the erector spinae and rectus abdominis muscles on the affected side at all tested angles were higher than those before treatment in all groups (P<0.05), and the values after 4 weeks of treatment were higher than those after 2 weeks of treatment(P<0.05). At both 2 and 4 weeks after treatment, all these indexes in the group D were higher than those in the other three groups (P<0.05). After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the mean pressure SI, contact area SI and ellipse area of each group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05). After 4 weeks of treatment, the mean pressure SI, contact area SI and ellipse area of each group were lower than those after 2 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the AP displacement distances of groups A, C and D were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and after 4 weeks of treatment, the AP displacement distances of groups A, C and D were lower than those after 2 weeks of treatment (P<0.05);after 2 weeks of treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in AP displacement distance in the group B compared with before treatment (P>0.05), and after 4 weeks of treatment, the AP displacement distance of group B was lower than that before treatment (P<0.05). After 2 weeks of treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in ML displacement distance in group A compared with before treatment (P>0.05); after 4 weeks of treatment, the ML displacement distance of group A was lower than that before treatment (P<0.05). After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in ML displacement distance in the group B compared with that before treatment (P>0.05).After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the ML displacement distances of groups C and D were lower than those before treatment(P<0.05), and after 4 weeks of treatment, the ML displacement distances of groups C and D were lower than those after 2 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). At both 2 and 4 weeks after treatment, mean pressure SI, contact area SI, ellipse area, and AP and ML displacement distances in the group D were lower than those in the other three groups (P<0.05). Factorial analysis of variance showed that EA had the strongest main effect on FMA score (F=6.243, P<0.05), suspension exercise therapy had the strongest main effect on BBS score (F=6.292, P<0.05), and the interaction effect was most significant for MAS score (F=5.941, P<0.05), indicating that the combined therapy produced a greater synergistic effect on reducing muscle tone than on the other outcome measures. The total effective rate in the group D was 93.3% (28/30), which was higher than those in the group A (53.3% [16/30]), group B (56.7% [17/30]), and group C (66.7% [20/30], P<0.05). CONCLUSION: EA combined with suspension exercise therapy could effectively promote the recovery of lower limb function in elderly patients with post-stroke spastic hemiplegia, improve motor and balance functions, and enhance activities of daily living.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Effect of combined spa-exercise therapy on circulating TGF-beta1 levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the axial joints with no satisfactory therapy. Reduction of joint pain has been reported after a course of therapy at a spa, Gasteiner Heilstollen, in Badgastein in Austria. The mechanism underlying this beneficial effect is not clearly understood and objective evidence for the biological response to therapy is lacking. The aim of this study was to find evidence for a biological response to speleotherapy in patients with AS and to study the involvement of the antiinflammatory cytokine TGF-beta1 in this response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 83 patients with AS were treated in Badgastein for 3-4 weeks. Therapy included active exercises, hyperthermia and exposure to low doses of radon in a former mine. Response to therapy was assessed from measurement of morning pain and immunoassay of serum levels of TGF-beta1 before and after therapy. Ten AS patients who received conventional therapy and 10 patients with low back pain (LBP) served as controls. RESULTS: A significant increase in TGF-beta1 (total and active) was found in AS patients after spa therapy. Mean concentration of total TGF-beta1 increased from 28,715 pg/ml to 43,136 pg/ml, (P<0.01) and active TGF-beta1 increased from 77 pg/ml to 1096 pg/ml (P<0.001). When the AS patients were divided into two groups according to pain reduction, group 1 (decrease in morning pain, responders: n=46) exhibited a 17-fold increase of active TGF-beta1 levels (96 pg/ml to 1654 pg/ml, P<0.0001) whereas group 2 (no change or an increase in morning pain: nonresponders: n=37), showed only 7-fold increase (53 pg/ml to 402 pg/ml, P<0.01). There was a moderate increase in active TGF-beta1 from 31 pg/ml to 42 pg/ml (P<0.05) in patients with LBP and no significant change was observed in the patients treated with conventional therapy. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate a significant increase in circulating TGF-beta1 in patients with AS after the combined spa-exercise therapy in Badgastein. The results also provide evidence for a biological response to speleotherapy and suggest that TGF-beta, through its antiinflammatory function, may play a role in this response.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

[Perspective of dietary management and exercise therapy in diabetes mellitus].

Diet and exercise are basic measures of treatment of diabetes mellitus. To prevent the development and progression of atherosclerotic disease as well as microangiopathy, diet management should be focused on the reductions of conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis such as hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. To control the these risk factors, both total energy and fat intake should be reduced. A diet high in mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids, and dietary fibers are recommended to diabetic patients, but the ideal ratio of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids should be determined from clinical and epidemiological studies in the future. A high concentration of plasma homocysteine is a new risk factor for atherosclerotic disease in diabetic patients. To reduce plasma homocysteine, diet enriched in folate and vitamin B12 may be recommended. A high intake of flavonoid, one of antioxidants, may be also recommended in diabetic patients because of its counteraction against increased oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus. Exercise therapy is an effective measure for improving glycemic control in Type 2 diabetic patients. However, the most appropriate kinds and strength of exercise in diabetic patients with complications or elderly diabetic patients still remain unknown. The dietary regimen or exercise of diabetic patients should be determined individually according to the risk factors, complications, and psychological and socioeconomic conditions.

Diabetes Mellitus↗

PubMed1999

Short- and long-term outcomes of children with complex regional pain syndrome type I treated with exercise therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To report the initial and long-term outcome after an intensive exercise therapy program for childhood complex regional pain syndrome, type I (CRPS). DESIGN: Prospective follow-up. SETTING: A children's hospital. SUBJECTS: We followed 103 children (87 girls; mean age = 13.0 years) with CRPS. Forty-nine subjects were followed for more than 2 years (mean = 5 years 3 months). INTERVENTIONS: An intensive exercise program (most received a daily program of 4 hours of aerobic, functionally directed exercises, 1-2 hours of hydrotherapy, and desensitization). No medications or modalities were used. All had a screening psychological evaluation, and 79 (77%) were referred for psychological counseling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outcomes included pain, presence of physical dysfunction, or recurrent episodes of CRPS or other disproportional musculoskeletal pain. RESULTS: The mean duration of exercise therapy was 14 days, but over the past 2 years has decreased to 6 days. Ninety-five children (92%) initially became symptom free. Of those followed for more than 2 years, 43 (88%) were symptom free (15, or 31 %, of these patients had had a reoccurrence), 5 (10%) were fully functional but had some continued pain, and 1 (2%) had functional limitations. The median time to recurrence was 2 months; 79% of the recurrences were during the first 6 months after treatment. CONCLUSION: Intense exercise therapy is effective in initially treating childhood CRPS and is associated with low rate of long-term symptoms or dysfunction.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

[Exercise therapy of atherosclerosis].

The effect of exercise on the progression of atherosclerotic diseases is reviewed. Prospective studies have reported that a low daily physical activity is associated with a lower incidence of coronary artery disease. Mild aerobic exercise improves survival in patients with coronary artery disease, lowers blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension, improves insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus, lowers weight in obesity and increases HDL-cholesterol and decrease triglyceride in patients with dyslipidemia. Mild exercise therapy may be beneficial in the management of atherosclerotic diseases.

Arteriosclerosis↗

PubMed1999

Effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: To review the effectiveness of exercise therapy in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee. METHODS: A computerized literature search of Medline, Embase, and Cinahl was carried out. Randomized clinical trials on exercise therapy for OA of the hip or knee were selected if treatment had been randomly allocated and if pain, self-reported disability, observed disability, or patient's global assessment of effect had been used as outcome measures. The validity of trials was systematically assessed by independent reviewers. Effect sizes and power estimates were calculated. A best evidence synthesis was conducted, weighting the studies with respect to their validity and power. RESULTS: Six of the 11 assessed trials satisfied at least 50% of the validity criteria. Two trials had sufficient power to detect medium-sized effects. Effect sizes indicated small-to-moderate beneficial effects of exercise therapy on pain, small beneficial effects on both disability outcome measures, and moderate-to-great beneficial effects according to patient's global assessment of effect. CONCLUSION: There is evidence of beneficial effects of exercise therapy in patients with OA of the hip or knee. However, the small number of good studies restricts drawing firm conclusions.

Exercise Therapy↗

PubMed2006

Exercise therapy as a treatment for psychopathologic conditions in obese and morbidly obese adolescents: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a proof-of-concept, randomized, controlled trial to investigate the effects of a supervised exercise therapy intervention on psychopathologic outcomes in obese adolescents. METHODS: The participant sample consisted of 81 adolescents (age: 11-16 years) who had been referred to a children's hospital for evaluation of obesity or who responded to a community advertisement. Participants were assigned randomly to exercise therapy, an equal-contact exercise placebo intervention, or usual care. Intervention participants attended 3 one-on-one sessions per week for 8 weeks and then completed a home program for another 6 weeks. Outcomes included self-perceptions (self-esteem), depression, affect, physical activity, aerobic fitness, and BMI. RESULTS: A total of 18 of 81 participants were categorized as morbidly obese (BMI SD score: > 3.5; adult equivalent BMI: > or = 40). At baseline, 30.3% of participants had a Children's Depression Inventory score of > or = 13, and 27% reported recent suicidal ideation. Repeated-measures mixed analysis of covariance (controlling for baseline scores) revealed significant changes in physical self-worth, associated measures of self-esteem, and physical activity over time, consistently favoring exercise therapy. There were no significant changes in BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Findings confirmed psychopathologic conditions as a serious health concern in obese and morbidly obese adolescents. Our study is the first randomized, controlled trial to demonstrate that a brief supervised exercise therapy intervention has the potential to improve psychopathologic outcomes significantly and to increase physical activity in obese adolescents, relative to usual care.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Exercise therapy for trismus in head and neck cancer.

The aim of this study was to analyze retrospectively effects of exercise therapy on trismus related to head and neck cancer or as a consequence of its treatment, and to compare these effects with trismus not related to head and neck cancer. Medical records of patients referred to the department of physical therapy with the diagnosis trismus were retrieved and analyzed. Data of 27 patients with trismus related to head and neck cancer and data of eight patients with trismus not related to cancer were found. The number and type of exercises were registered from the records, as was the extent of mouth opening before and after exercise therapy. The median (IQR) number of exercise treatments was 4 (3-9.3). Exercises included active range of motion exercises, hold relax techniques, manual stretching and joint distraction. The increase in mouth opening was significantly (p<or= 0.05) less in the group of patients with trismus related to head and neck cancer (mean increase: 5.5, sd: 6.0) as compared to the increase in mouth opening in the group with trismus not related to cancer (mean increase: 17.1, sd: 9.0). The mean number of treatments given to the group with trismus related to head and neck cancer (7.7) and the group with trismus not related to head and neck cancer (6.1) did not differ significantly. It is concluded that trismus related to head and neck cancer is difficult to treat with exercise therapy.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Physical and exercise therapy in aged patients with peripheral arterial circulatory disorders].

Today the mean part of conservative treatment is the physical exercise therapy. This physical-therapy should be carried out through exercise in intervals. This training is programmed according to localisation and compensation of the occlusion and the age of the patients. The aims of the exercise-therapy are the adaptation of the motoric stressform coordination and improvement of local aerobic endurance. According to the location of the occlusion the muscles are trained: arm/exercise with dumb-bell; pelvis and thigh/exercise with knee-bendings; foot and calf/exercise with toestandings. This exercise therapy can also be successfully carried out by older patients suffering from vascular disorders.

Aged↗