Rehabilitation – ABC CARDIOL

IJCS

Original Article

Virtual Reality and Physical Activity in Patients with Heart Failure: Technology Validation and User Satisfaction – Pilot Study

Ariele dos Santos Costa et al. Caroline Bublitz Barbosa Solange Guizilini Vagner Rogério dos Santos … Carla Roberta Miura Múcio Tavares de Oliveira Junior Anabela Gonçalves da Silva Rita Simone Lopes Moreira

Abstract

Background

Digital health uses innovative information technology for healthcare needs. Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly adopted in healthcare, including cardiovascular rehabilitation (CVR), to improve performance and adherence. However, digital interventions must consider users’ perspectives to prevent VR from becoming a barrier.

Objective

This study aimed to assess the usability and enjoyment of physical activity associated with VR among inpatients with heart failure (HF).

Method

A prospective pilot study was conducted with ten patients diagnosed with HF. Participants completed an exercise program on a cycle ergometer with immersive VR for lower limb training. Anxiety and depression symptoms, physical activity enjoyment, and system usability were evaluated. Statistical analysis included descriptive and inferential analyses with a 5% significance level (p<0.05). Pearson's test was used for correlation analysis.

Results

The population’s tendency to experience anxiety and depression was evaluated, and the sample favorably assessed the system’s usability, with a mean score of 68.2 (standard deviation ±17.8); exercise enjoyment scored 79.6 (±7.7). No significant correlations were found between anxiety and depression profiles and usability or exercise enjoyment, suggesting further study phases.

Conclusions

VR can complement rehabilitation programs for HF patients, potentially improving performance and adherence. Additional research is required to evaluate the effectiveness of VR-associated physical activity on clinical outcomes in HF patients.

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IJCS

Original Article

Effectiveness of Early Mobilization in Prevention and Rehabilitation of Functional Impairment After Myocardial Revascularization Surgery: A Systematic Review

Marcia Cristina Lacerda das Judas et al. Rodrigo de Freitas Fontes Renata de Moura Larissa dos Santos … Mônica de Almeida Vinicius Gomes

Abstract

Introduction

Myocardial revascularization surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality, due to factors like the general anesthesia and the surgical procedure itself. Physiotherapy, combined with early mobilization (EM), can provide the patient with better functional parameters.

Objective

To review, identify and describe the effectiveness of EM in the prevention and rehabilitation of functional parameters of coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Methodology

This is a systematic review conducted between February 2020 and 2021 of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) published in the Cochrane databases Library, LILACS, Scielo and Medline / PubMed. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used for assessment of the methodological quality of studies included.

Results

Four studies were reviewed. Two articles assessed functional capacity, one using the cycle ergometer and one with inspiratory muscle training (IMT) together with active exercises and early walking. One article reported a reduction in the incidence of atelectasis and pleural effusion with EM and one article reported improvements in the alveolus-artery gradient and inspiratory muscle power using an inspiratory muscle trainer combined with EM.

Conclusion

EM is effective in the prevention and rehabilitation of functional parameters after CABG surgery, by improving functional capacity, respiratory muscle power, quality of life and gas exchange, and reducing the incidence of atelectasis and pleural effusion.

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IJCS

Original Article

Continuous Aerobic Training and High Intensity Interval Training Increase Exercise Tolerance in Heart Failure Patients: A Retrospective Study

Diego Busin et al. Alexandre M. Lehnen Olga S. Tairova Eduardo P. Comparsi … Daniela Carneiro Micael Potter Luís F. Deresz Pedro Dal Lago Ramiro B. Nunes

Abstract

Background:

Conventional aerobic training is the first choice in cardiac rehabilitation for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may be an alternative, although it has little evidence.

Objectives:

To evaluate the effect of continuous aerobic training (CAT) or HIIT on exercise tolerance in CHF patients.

Methods:

Retrospective study with 30 patients, of both genders, members of a 10-week CAT or HIIT program. The control group (CON) consisted of patients who did not participate voluntarily in the program. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), thresholds (LV1 and LV2), and ventilatory efficiency in the production of dioxide (VE/VCO2 slope), oxygen uptake efficiency (OUES), and VO2 recovery kinetics were analyzed. A two-way or repeated measures ANOVA was used, followed by Fisher’s post-hoc test (p<0.05).

Results:

After 10 weeks of training, the CAT group increased the treadmill speed at LV1 (p=0.040), while the HIIT increased both the speed (p=0.030) and incline of the treadmill (p<0.001) for VO2peak and LV2, as well as the total time of the cardiopulmonary test. The VE/VCO₂ slope was lower than that predicted for CAT (p=0.003) and HIIT (p=0.008). There was no change in VO₂peak, recovery of heart rate (HR), and VO₂, VE/VCO₂, and OUES in both groups.

Conclusions:

After 10 weeks, both CAT and HIIT increased the tolerance to physical exercise. However, HIIT showed improvement in more parameters, differently from CAT.

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IJCS

Original Article

Acute Blood Pressure Response to Different Resistance Programs in Trained Men

Ariani França Conceição et al. Daniell Lima Muniz Clarcson Plácido Conceição dos Santos Ciro Oliveira Queiroz

Abstract

Background

Resistance training is used in different exercise programs, with different objectives and different levels of physical fitness. Training-related variables, such as volume, rest time and intensity, can affect the response of blood pressure (BP), but studies on the effect of these variables on BP are still needed.

Objective

To evaluate the acute response of BP in trained individuals undergoing two different methods of resistance training.

Methods

The sample was divided into three groups: (1) the German volume training (GVT) (n= 15), which consisted of 10 series of 10 repetitions at 50% of 1-repetition maximum (RM) with intervals of 30 seconds; (2) the sarcoplasm stimulating training (SST) (n= 16), performed at 8 RM and 85% of 1-RM and interval of 10 seconds until failure, followed by removal of 20% of weight and repetition of the whole series (total of three sets), and the control group (CG) (n= 15) who underwent BP measurements only. The two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used for analysis of variations, and a p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

In the within-group analysis, a significant lowering of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was found at 10 minutes (125.4±10.8 mmHg, p= 0.045) and 20 minutes (124.5±8.5 mmHg, p= 0.044) post-training compared with immediately after training. In the between-group comparison, higher SBP values were observed immediately after training in the SST group (142.1±28.2, p= 0.048) compared with the CG.

Conclusion

High-volume and high-intensity resistance training programs did not cause abnormal changes in blood pressure. (Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2021; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

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IJCS

Original Article

Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training Using an Electronic Device on Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

João Vyctor Silva Fortes et al. Mayara Gabrielle Barbosa Borges Maria Jhany da Silva Marques Rafaella Lima Oliveira … Liana Rodrigues da Rocha Érica Miranda de Castro Mateus Souza Esquivel Daniel Lago Borges

Abstract

Background

Cardiac surgery causes pathophysiological changes that favor the occurrence of pulmonary and functional complications.

Objective

To investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) with an electronic device on patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 30 adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. A control group (CG) received conventional physical therapy care, and an intervention group (IG) received IMT using the POWERbreathe K5® electronic device. Two daily sessions of physical therapy were performed at the intensive care unit and one daily session at the ward until the sixth postoperative day. The following variables were measured preoperatively and on the sixth postoperative day, in both groups: inspiratory muscle strength, dynamic inspiratory muscle strength, and peak inspiratory flow. Data distribution was evaluated by the Shapiro-Wilk test. Analysis of variance was used, and the results were considered statistically significant when p < 0.05.

Results

Maximal inspiratory pressure (71.7 ± 17.1 cmH2O vs 63.3 ± 21.3 cmH2O; p = 0.11], S-index (52.61 ± 18.61 vs 51.08 ± 20.71), and peak inspiratory flow [(2.94 ± 1.09 vs 2.79 ± 1.26)] were maintained in the IG but had a significant reduction in the CG.

Conclusion

IMT performed with an electronic device was effective at maintaining inspiratory muscle strength, dynamic inspiratory muscle strength, and peak inspiratory flow when compared to conventional physical therapy. Int J Cardiovasc Sci. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0

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IJCS

Review Article

Effects of Exercise Training on Cardiovascular and Autonomic Parameters in Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review

Bruno Bavaresco Gambassi et al. Fabiano de Jesus Furtado Almeida Ana Eugênia Araújo Furtado Almeida João Alberto Ribeiro … Tânia Maria Gaspar Novais Paulo Adriano Schwingel Ciro Oliveira Queiroz Clarcson Plácido Conceição dos Santos Bruno Rodrigues

Abstract

Negative changes in cardiovascular and autonomic variables in stroke survivors have encouraged the global scientific community to focus on investigating therapeutic strategies to mitigate stroke damage. The objective of the present study was to describe the effects of exercise training on cardiovascular and autonomic variables in stroke survivors. We used the PICO (population, intervention, control/comparison, and outcome variables) model for the search of articles in PubMed and Physiotherapy Evidence Databases from 2009 to December 2018. The following data were also recorded: type of study, author, year of publication, participants (time after stroke, sample size, and age) and benefits of exercise training. A total of 544 articles were initially selected, of which nine peer-reviewed articles met the search criteria. These nine studies enrolled 611 participants (middle-aged or elderly), and pointed to positive effects of training on maximal oxygen uptake, peak aerobic capacity, 6-minute walk test and resting heart rate. However, more well-controlled studies are needed to confirm the benefits of exercise training on cardiovascular and autonomic variables in this population.

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