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Is there a synergy between physical exercise and drug therapies for osteoporosis?

Combining physical exercise with drug therapies for osteoporosis has been attempted with the aim to maximize osteogenic stimulus. Potential synergetic effects may prevent post-menopausal bone loss, or maximise gains during peak bone mass acquisition. However, research studies yielded mixed results, impeding the emergence of a consensus on the effects of exercise and drug therapies for osteoporosis on bone tissue. Independent, additive or synergetic effects of exercise and drug therapies have been reported, but while animal studies offer promising results, human studies are less clear. The aim of this work was to critically review existing data on the subject in an attempt to clarify existing knowledge and to encourage further investigations with a 2 x 2 factorial design, as elucidation of these questions will benefit osteoporosis prevention.

Bone Density Conservation Agents↗

[Sports in the heart rehabilitation group--experiences with ambulatory rehabilitation at home].

Regular physical exercise has shown to be beneficial for patients with cardiovascular disease. Therefore cardiac rehabilitation in Germany is continued for years after hospital discharge in outpatient cardiac exercise groups which meet twice a week under the guidance of a physician and a sports instructor. Before participation cardiac patients have to be examined including exercise tests and echocardiography for assessment of contraindications for exercise therapy as well as individual exercise capacity. Patients are assigned to two groups with different levels of exercise intensity according to their symptom-free work-capacity (cutoff level 1 W/kg). During exercise sessions sports-specific forms of exercise such as stretching, aerobic exercise or ball games are accompanied by psychosocial elements such as stress management. This global approach is intended to improve cardiovascular risk factors, cardiac function, and work capacity as well as to stabilize the patient psychologically in order to accelerate social integration. Recently these groups have opened towards patients after cardiac transplantation or with severe heart failure. Therefore, cardiac exercise groups play a central role in cardiac rehabilitation long after the acute cardiac event.

Ambulatory Care↗

One-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial comparing flexion distraction with an exercise program for chronic low-back pain.

OBJECTIVE: Flexion distraction is a commonly used form of chiropractic care with chiropractor utilization rates of 58%. However, no previous randomized clinical trial has assessed the effectiveness of this form of care. The objective of this investigation was to compare the pain and disability during the year after active care based on treatment group allocation (Flexion Distraction versus Exercise Program). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial, follow-up. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and thirty-five (235) subjects who were previously randomized to either chiropractic care (flexion distraction) or physical therapy (exercise program) within a clinical trial. OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects were followed for 1 year via mailed questionnaires to assess levels of pain (Visual Analog Scale) and dysfunction (Roland Morris). RESULTS: Study subjects had a decrease in pain and disability after intervention regardless of which group they attended (p < 0.002), however, during the year after care, subjects who received chiropractic care (flexion distraction therapy) had significantly lower pain scores than subjects who received physical therapy (exercise program) (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In this first trial on flexion distraction care, flexion distraction was found to be more effective in reducing pain for 1 year when compared to a form of physical therapy.

Adult↗

Influence of various recruitment strategies on the study population and outcome of a randomized controlled trial involving patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of 2 different recruitment methods on the characteristics of participants with osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee and on the efficacy of an exercise program. METHODS: In a clinical trial on the effectiveness of exercise therapy in OA of the hip or knee, 2 groups of patients were recruited: one group through referrals by physiotherapists (PT group, n = 110) and one group invited by newspaper articles (NP group, n = 90). At baseline, demographic, clinical, and psychosocial data were collected and compared between the 2 groups using chi-square and Student's t-tests. After 13 weeks of exercise therapy and followup assessments at weeks 39 and 65, the main outcome measures (pain, physical function, and global perceived effect) were assessed and compared by multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: The NP group reported less pain and tiredness at baseline, although more joints were affected with osteoarthritis. The PT group scored higher on the scale 'powerful-others' of locus of control. After adjusting for baseline differences, the effect of treatment after 13, 39, and 65 weeks was comparable for both groups for all outcome measures. CONCLUSION: Recruitment method affects clinical characteristics and physical functioning of patients recruited for the study. A mix of recruitment strategies does not seem to affect treatment outcome, on the condition that adjustments are made for baseline differences.

Exercise Therapy↗

Physical therapy treatment effectiveness for osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized comparison of supervised clinical exercise and manual therapy procedures versus a home exercise program.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Manual therapy and exercise have not previously been compared with a home exercise program for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes between a home-based physical therapy program and a clinically based physical therapy program. SUBJECTS: One hundred thirty-four subjects with OA of the knee were randomly assigned to a clinic treatment group (n=66; 61% female, 39% male; mean age [+/-SD]=64+/-10 years) or a home exercise group (n=68, 71% female, 29% male; mean age [+/-SD]=62+/-9 years). METHODS: Subjects in the clinic treatment group received supervised exercise, individualized manual therapy, and a home exercise program over a 4-week period. Subjects in the home exercise group received the same home exercise program initially, reinforced at a clinic visit 2 weeks later. Measured outcomes were the distance walked in 6 minutes and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). RESULTS: Both groups showed clinically and statistically significant improvements in 6-minute walk distances and WOMAC scores at 4 weeks; improvements were still evident in both groups at 8 weeks. By 4 weeks, WOMAC scores had improved by 52% in the clinic treatment group and by 26% in the home exercise group. Average 6-minute walk distances had improved about 10% in both groups. At 1 year, both groups were substantially and about equally improved over baseline measurements. Subjects in the clinic treatment group were less likely to be taking medications for their arthritis and were more satisfied with the overall outcome of their rehabilitative treatment compared with subjects in the home exercise group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although both groups improved by 1 month, subjects in the clinic treatment group achieved about twice as much improvement in WOMAC scores than subjects who performed similar unsupervised exercises at home. Equivalent maintenance of improvements at 1 year was presumably due to both groups continuing the identical home exercise program. The results indicate that a home exercise program for patients with OA of the knee provides important benefit. Adding a small number of additional clinical visits for the application of manual therapy and supervised exercise adds greater symptomatic relief.

Exercise Therapy↗

Effects of oral magnesium therapy on exercise tolerance, exercise-induced chest pain, and quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease.

Previous studies have demonstrated that magnesium supplementation improves endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the impact on clinical outcomes, such as exercise-induced chest pain, exercise tolerance, and quality of life, has not been established. In a multicenter, multinational, prospective, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial, 187 patients with CAD (151 men, 36 women; mean +/- SD age 63 +/- 10 years, range 42 to 83) were randomized to receive either oral magnesium 15 mmol twice daily (Magnosolv-Granulat, total magnesium 365 mg provided as magnesium citrate) (n = 94) or placebo (n = 93) for 6 months. Symptom-limited exercise testing (Bruce protocol) and responses given on quality-of-life questionnaires were the outcomes measured. Magnesium therapy significantly increased intracellular magnesium levels ([Mg]i) in a substudy of 106 patients at 6 months compared with placebo (35.5 +/- 3.7 vs 32.6 +/- 2.9 mEq/L, p = 0.0151). Magnesium treatment significantly increased exercise duration time compared with placebo (8.7 +/- 2.1 vs 7.8 +/- 2.9 minutes, p = 0.0075), and lessened exercise-induced chest pain (8% vs 21%, p = 0.0237). Quality-of-life parameters significantly improved in the magnesium group. These findings suggest that oral magnesium supplementation in patients with CAD for 6 months results in a significant improvement in exercise tolerance, exercise-induced chest pain, and quality of life, suggesting a potential mechanism whereby magnesium could beneficially alter outcomes in patients with CAD.

Administration, Oral↗

Education by general practitioners or education and exercises by physiotherapists for patients with whiplash-associated disorders? A randomized clinical trial.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of education and advice given by general practitioners (GPs) with education, advice, and active exercise therapy given by physiotherapists (PTs) for patients with whiplash-associated disorders. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Available evidence from systematic reviews has indicated beneficial effects for active interventions in patients with whiplash-associated disorders. However, it remained unclear which kind of active treatment was most effective. METHODS: Whiplash patients with symptoms or disabilities at 2 weeks after accident were recruited in primary care. Eligible patients still having symptoms or disabilities at 4 weeks were randomly allocated to GP care or physiotherapy. GPs and PTs treated patients according to a dynamic multimodal treatment protocol primarily aimed to increase activities and influence unfavorable psychosocial factors for recovery. We trained all health care providers about the characteristics of the whiplash problem, available evidence regarding prognosis and treatment, and protocol of the interventions. The content of the information provided to patients during treatment depended on the treatment goals set by the GPs or PTs. Also, the type of exercises chosen by the PTs depended on the treatment goals, and it was not explicitly necessary that exercise therapy was provided in all patients. Primary outcome measures included neck pain intensity, headache intensity, and work activities. Furthermore, an independent blinded assessor measured functional recovery, cervical range of motion, disability, housekeeping and social activities, fear of movement, coping, and general health status. We assessed outcomes at 8, 12, 26, and 52 weeks after the accident. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients were randomized to either GP care (n = 42) or physiotherapy (n = 38). At 12 and 52 weeks, no significant differences were found concerning the primary outcome measures. At 12 weeks, physiotherapy was significantly more effective than GP care for improving 1 of the measures of cervical range of motion (adjusted mean difference 12.3 degrees ; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.7-21.9). Long-term differences between the groups favored GP care but were statistically significant only for some secondary outcome measures, including functional recovery (adjusted relative risk 2.3; 95% CI 1.0-5.0), coping (adjusted mean difference 1.7 points; 95% CI 0.2-3.3), and physical functioning (adjusted mean difference 8.9 points; 95% CI 0.6-17.2). CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant differences for the primary outcome measures. Treatment by GPs and PTs were of similar effectiveness. The long-term effects of GP care seem to be better compared to physiotherapy for functional recovery, coping, and physical functioning. Physiotherapy seems to be more effective than GP care on cervical range of motion at short-term follow-up.

Adult↗

Joint position sense and rehabilitation in the anterior cruciate ligament deficient knee.

BACKGROUND: Impaired joint position sense (JPS) has been shown in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient and osteoarthritic knees. The relation between JPS and function is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine further if ACL deficient knees show abnormal JPS and the effect of exercise therapy on JPS, and also to assess the relation between JPS, functional stability, and strength. METHODS: Fifty patients (46 men and four women, mean age 26.3 years) with unilateral ACL deficient knees were assessed on admission and after rehabilitation (5 hours a day for four weeks). JPS was assessed by reproduction of passive positioning using a visual analogue incorporating a goniometer. Knee stability was analysed by self report questionnaire (score 0-280) and functional activity test (single leg hop and figure of eight run). Isokinetic dynamometry was performed to evaluate quadriceps and hamstring peak torque strength. Controls were either age and sex matched individuals or the contralateral knee. Statistical analysis was by Wilcoxon signed rank test and Spearman rank order correlation coefficient. RESULTS: JPS was impaired in ACL deficient knees. The mean (SD) errors in reproducing angles were 9.4 (3.1) degrees and 7.1 (2.3) degrees for the ACL deficient knee and control knee respectively (P < 0.0005). There was no improvement in JPS after rehabilitation (9.4 (3.1) degrees and 8.5 (3.2) degrees before and after rehabilitation respectively, P = 0.14). There was improvement as ascertained from the questionnaire (on admission 202 (32.1), after rehabilitation 243 (25.4), P < 0.0001) and functional activity testing (hop: on admission 148.7 (37.3) cm, after rehabilitation 169.8 (31.1) cm, P < 0.0005; figure of eight: on admission 48.4 (16.6) seconds, after rehabilitation 41.6 (3.4) seconds, P < 0.0001). Quadriceps strength improved (peak torque on admission 198.5 (58.9) Nm, after rehabilitation 210.5 (54.2) Nm, P < 0.05), but not hamstring strength (peak torque on admission 130.6 (28.1) Nm, after rehabilitation 135.5 (27.7) Nm, P = 0.24). JPS did not correlate with the functional activity tests (hop and figure of eight run), the responses to the questionnaire, or strength. There was no correlation between the responses to the questionnaire and functional activity tests or muscle strength. CONCLUSIONS: JPS was impaired in ACL deficient knees. Although knee stability improved with exercise therapy, there was no improvement in JPS. The role of JPS in the stability of ACL deficient knees remains unclear.

Adult↗

Exercise combined with continuous passive motion or slider board therapy compared with exercise only: a randomized controlled trial of patients following total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine which method of mobilization - (1) standardized exercises (SE) and continuous passive motion (CPM), (2) SE and slider board (SB) therapy, using an inexpensive, nontechnical device that requires minimal knee active range of motion (ROM), or (3) SE alone-achieved the maximum degree of knee ROM in the fIrst 6 months following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The secondary purpose was to compare health-related quality of life among these 3 groups. SUBJECTS: The subjects were 120 patients (n=40/group) who received a TEA at a teaching hospital between June 1997 and July 1998 and who agreed to participate in the study. METHODS: Subjects were examined preoperatively, at discharge, and at 3 and 6 months after surgery. The examination consisted of measurement of knee ROM and completion of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: The 3 treatment groups were similar with respect to age, sex, and diagnosis at the start of the study. There were no differences in knee ROM or in WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index or SF-36 scores at any of the measurement intervals. The rate of postoperative complications also was not different among the groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: When postoperative rehabilitation regimens that focus on early mobilization of the patient are used, adjunct ROM therapies (CPM and SB) that are added to daily SE sessions are not required. Six months after TEA, patients attain a satisfactory level of knee ROM and function.

Activities of Daily Living↗

[Pathogenetic rationale for the treatment of obesity].

On the basis of experience gained in prolonged follow-up of 1095 obese patients, studies of their hormonal homeostasis using computer-aided cluster analysis the author comes to a conclusion that division of obesity cases into constitutional exogenous and hypothalamic is conditional. The hypothalamic syndrome develops in 100% of obesity cases. A course of pathogenetic therapy paralleled by a subcaloric diet and exercise therapy is suggested. Bitemporal inductothermy proved to be effective. The new complex for obesity treatment includes low-caloric diets combined with pathogenetic drug therapy and physiotherapeutic exposure of the mid-brain.

Body Constitution↗

Four-year efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy on exercise tolerance and disease progression: the importance of performing atrioventricular junction ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in heart failure patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) and the role of atrioventricular junction (AVJ) ablation. BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy has been proven effective in heart failure patients with sinus rhythm (SR). However, little is known about the effects of CRT in heart failure patients with permanent AF. METHODS: Efficacy of CRT on ventricular function, exercise performance, and reversal of maladaptive remodeling process was prospectively compared in 48 patients with permanent AF in whom ventricular rate was controlled by drugs, thus resulting in apparently adequate delivery of biventricular pacing (>85% of pacing time), and in 114 permanent AF patients, who had undergone AVJ ablation (100% of resynchronization therapy delivery). The clinical and echocardiographic long-term outcomes of both groups were compared with those of 511 SR patients treated with CRT. RESULTS: Both SR and AF groups showed significant and sustained improvements of all assessed parameters (model p < 0.001 for all parameters). However, within the AF group, only patients who underwent ablation showed a significant increase of ejection fraction (p < 0.001), reverse remodeling effect (p < 0.001), and improved exercise tolerance (p < 0.001); no improvements were observed in AF patients who did not undergo ablation. CONCLUSIONS: Heart failure patients with ventricular conduction disturbance and permanent AF treated with CRT showed large and sustained long-term (up to 4 year) improvements of left ventricular function and functional capacity, similar to patients in SR, only if AVJ ablation was performed.

Aged↗

The Reconditioning Exercise and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Trial II (REACT II): rationale and study design for a clinical trial of physical activity among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of mortality in the United States. In addition, persons with COPD are at risk for lower levels of physical activity, leading to further morbidity and mortality. Several studies have demonstrated that long-term exercise therapy confers benefits upon physical functioning among patients with COPD, and some studies indicate that embedding cognitive-behavioral interventions into group-mediated exercise programs is useful in promoting compliance to activity recommendations. However, compliance to long-term activity is low among COPD patients, and the effectiveness of behavioral interventions to enhance long-term activity among these patients has not been extensively explored. Thus, the primary objective of the Reconditioning Exercise and COPD Trial II (REACT II) trial is to determine whether a group-mediated cognitive-behavioral intervention will result in increased physical activity after 12 months, compared to a standard exercise therapy experience among older adults with COPD. The cognitive-behavioral intervention is designed to promote independent physical activity by encouraging participants to self-regulate physical activity with minimal dependence upon staff. The primary study outcome is kcal expended per week in moderate physical activity, and the study is designed to provide 90% power to detect a 400 kcal/week difference in moderate energy expenditure between the two intervention groups. Other outcomes to be compared between the two interventions include physical function, self-reported physical disability, health-related quality of life, exercise capacity, body composition and inflammatory mediators.

Body Composition↗

Effective training for patients with intermittent claudication.

OBJECTIVE: Current guidelines for treatment of intermittent claudication (IC) do not include a specific recommendation for the intensity of exercise therapy. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of high versus low intensity exercise for patients with IC, and further to study the effect of such training on blood flow to the legs during exercise. DESIGN: The effect of eight weeks of supervised endurance training was examined in 16 patients with IC. The patients were randomly assigned to training at intensities corresponding to either 60% or 80% of their peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), respectively. RESULTS: VO2peak and time to exhaustion increased significantly (9% and 16%, respectively) more in the high intensity group (p<0.05). Blood flow to the legs did not change after training in any of the groups. CONCLUSION: High intensity training gave larger improvements in VO2peak and time to exhaustion than low intensity training. As blood flow did not change after the exercise program, it is likely that the observed different increase of VO2peak was due to changed mitochondrial oxidative capacity and/or skeletal muscle diffusive capacity.

Aged↗