ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the characteristics of individuals with asthma who are responsive to aerobic training. Methods: This post hoc analysis of pooled data from previous randomized controlled trials involved 101 individuals with moderate to severe asthma who underwent aerobic training. Participants underwent a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test and completed the Asthma Control Questionnaire and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire before and after a 24-session aerobic training program. Better and worse responders to aerobic training were identified by cluster analysis. Results: Two clusters were identified according to the improvement in peak VO2 after aerobic training (better and worse responders). Characteristics of the better responder group were being older, being female, having higher BMI, and having higher cardiac reserve at baseline when compared with the worse responder group. Also, better responders had worse clinical control, worse quality of life, and lower physical capacity at baseline. After training, worse responders, in comparison with better responders, showed half the improvement in Δpeak VO2 (7.4% vs. 13.6%; 95% CI, −12.1 to −0.92%; p < 0.05) and worse asthma control. A weak, negative, but significant association (r = −0.35; p < 0.05) was observed between clinical control and aerobic fitness only in the better responder group. Both groups showed significant improvement in quality of life. Conclusions: Obese individuals with worse exercise capacity, clinical control, and quality of life showed improvement with aerobic training. Moreover, worse responders also improved with training, but to a lesser extent.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar as características de indivíduos com asma responsivos a treinamento aeróbio. Métodos: Esta análise post hoc de dados agrupados provenientes de ensaios clínicos controlados randomizados anteriores envolveu 101 indivíduos com asma moderada a grave submetidos a treinamento aeróbico. Os participantes foram submetidos a um teste de exercício cardiopulmonar máximo e responderam ao Asthma Control Questionnaire e ao Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire antes e depois de um programa de treinamento aeróbio de 24 sessões. Melhores e piores respondedores ao treinamento aeróbio foram identificados por análise de conglomerados. Resultados: Foram identificados dois conglomerados de acordo com a melhora do VO2 de pico após o treinamento aeróbio (melhores e piores respondedores). As características do grupo melhor respondedor foram maior idade, sexo feminino, IMC mais elevado e maior reserva cardíaca basal em comparação com o grupo pior respondedor. Os melhores respondedores também apresentavam pior controle clínico, pior qualidade de vida e menor capacidade física basal. Após o treinamento, os piores respondedores, em comparação com os melhores respondedores, apresentaram metade da melhora no ΔVO2 de pico (7,4% vs. 13,6%; IC95%: -12,1 a -0,92%; p < 0,05) e pior controle da asma. Observou-se uma associação negativa fraca, mas significativa (r = −0,35; p < 0,05) entre controle clínico e aptidão aeróbia apenas no grupo melhor respondedor. Ambos os grupos apresentaram melhora significativa da qualidade de vida. Conclusões: Os indivíduos obesos com pior capacidade de exercício, controle clínico e qualidade de vida apresentaram melhora com o treinamento aeróbio. Além disso, os piores respondedores também melhoraram com o treinamento, mas em menor grau.

Abstract Background: Elderly patients are more susceptible to Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and are more likely to develop it in severe forms, (e.g., Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome [ARDS]). Prone positioning is a treatment strategy for severe ARDS; however, its response in the elderly population remains poorly understood. The main objective was to evaluate the predictive response and mortality of elderly patients exposed to prone positioning due to ARDS-COVID-19. Methods: This retrospective multicenter cohort study involved 223 patients aged ≥ 65 years, who received prone position sessions for severe ARDS due to COVID-19, using invasive mechanical ventilation. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio was used to assess the oxygenation response. The 20-point improvement in PaO2/FiO2 after the first prone session was considered for good response. Data were collected from electronic medical records, including demographic data, laboratory/image exams, complications, comorbidities, SAPS III and SOFA scores, use of anticoagulants and vasopressors, ventilator settings, and respiratory system mechanics. Mortality was defined as deaths that occurred until hospital discharge. Results: Most patients were male, with arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus as the most prevalent comorbidities. The non-responders group had higher SAPS III and SOFA scores, and a higher incidence of complications. There was no difference in mortality rate. A lower SAPS III score was a predictor of oxygenation response, and the male sex was a risk predictor of mortality. Conclusion: The present study suggests the oxygenation response to prone positioning in elderly patients with severe COVID-19-ARDS correlates with the SAPS III score. Furthermore, the male sex is a risk predictor of mortality.

OBJECTIVE:Patients undergoing abdominal surgery are at risk for pulmonary complications. The principal cause of postoperative pulmonary complications is a significant reduction in pulmonary volumes (FEV1 and FVC) to approximately 65-70% of the predicted value. Another frequent occurrence after abdominal surgery is increased intra-abdominal pressure. The aim of this study was to correlate changes in pulmonary volumes with the values of intra-abdominal pressure after abdominal surgery, according to the surgical incision in the abdomen (superior or inferior).METHODS:We prospectively evaluated 60 patients who underwent elective open abdominal surgery with a surgical time greater than 240 minutes. Patients were evaluated before surgery and on the 3rd postoperative day. Spirometry was assessed by maximal respiratory maneuvers and flow-volume curves. Intra-abdominal pressure was measured in the postoperative period using the bladder technique.RESULTS:The mean age of the patients was 56±13 years, and 41.6% 25 were female; 50 patients (83.3%) had malignant disease. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical incision (superior or inferior). The lung volumes in the preoperative period showed no abnormalities. After surgery, there was a significant reduction in both FEV1 (1.6±0.6 L) and FVC (2.0±0.7 L) with maintenance of FEV1/FVC of 0.8±0.2 in both groups. The maximum intra-abdominal pressure values were similar (p= 0.59) for the two groups. There was no association between pulmonary volumes and intra-abdominal pressure measured in any of the groups analyzed.CONCLUSIONS:Our results show that superior and inferior abdominal surgery determines hypoventilation, unrelated to increased intra-abdominal pressure. Patients at high risk of pulmonary complications should receive respiratory care even if undergoing inferior abdominal surgery.

Background:Falls are a geriatric syndrome that is considered a significant public health problem in terms of morbidity and mortality because they lead to a decline in functional capacity and an impaired quality of life in the elderly. Lower limb muscle strengthening seems to be an effective intervention for preventing falls; however, there is no consensus regarding the best method for increasing lower limb muscle strength.Objectives:To analyze the effectiveness of lower limb muscle strengthening and to investigate and describe the protocols used for preventing falls in elderly subjects.Method:We performed a systematic review of randomized and controlled clinical trials published between 2002 and 2012 in the databases PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and PEDro that cited some type of lower limb muscle strengthening protocol and that evaluated the incidence of falls as the primary outcome exclusively in elderly subjects. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Qualitative analysis was performed by independent reviewers applying the PEDro scale.Results:The data obtained from the selected studies showed lower fall rates in the intervention groups compared to controls. Six studies described the lower limb muscle strengthening protocol in detail. High methodological quality was found in 6 studies (PEDro score ≥7/10 points).Conclusions:The methodological quality of the studies in this area appears to leave little doubt regarding the effectiveness of lower limb strengthening exercises for preventing falls in elderly subjects, however the interventions in these studies were poorly reported.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A avaliação clínica objetiva e estruturada (OSCE) é considerada um método confiável para avaliar as competências clínicas de estudantes na área de saúde, entretanto tem sido pouco aplicada no ensino de fisioterapia. OBJETIVO: Analisar o uso da OSCE como uma ferramenta para avaliar as habilidades dos alunos de graduação em fisioterapia respiratória e verificar sua consistência interna. MÉTODOS: Quarenta e sete alunos foram avaliados por meio de dois exames: tradicional e OSCE. As provas foram elaboradas por educadores independentes. Para cada questão (tradicional) ou estação (OSCE), atribuiu-se uma pontuação de 0 a 2. A pontuação máxima possível em ambos os exames foi de 10. As relações entre as pontuações obtidas nos dois exames foram analisadas por meio de Bland-Altman e Correlação de Pearson. A consistência interna das estações da OSCE foi avaliada por quatro fisioterapeutas experientes e foi testada pelo Alfa de Cronbach. RESULTADOS: A pontuação média dos estudantes na OSCE oscilou entre 4,4 e 9,6. A consistência interna das estações da OSCE foi considerada boa (0,7). A concordância entre os exames foi analisada, e determinou-se que os exames não são comparáveis. Os examinadores também observaram uma baixa concordância entre os dois exames (r=-0,1, p=0,9). CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados mostraram que a OSCE e o exame tradicional não são intercambiáveis. O exame da OSCE teve uma boa consistência interna, sendo capaz de avaliar aspectos que o exame tradicional não avalia.

BACKGROUND: The Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE) has been considered a reliable method for the evaluation of students' clinical skills in health sciences, but it has been rarely applied in the teaching of physical therapy. OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of the OSCE as a tool to evaluate the abilities of undergraduate chest physical therapy students and to verify the internal consistency of the OSCE exam. METHODS: Forty-seven students were evaluated using two types of exams: the traditional exam and the OSCE. Independent educators elaborated the exams. Each question (traditional) or station (OSCE) was given a score ranging from 0.0 to 2.0; being 10.0 the highest possible score of both exams. The relationship between the total score that were obtained from both exams was analyzed using Bland-Altman analysis and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The internal consistency of the OSCE stations was evaluated by four experienced chest physical therapists and it was tested using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: The students' average score on the OSCE ranged from 4.4 to 9.6. The internal consistency of the OSCE stations was considered good (0.7). The agreement between exams was analyzed, and it was determined that the exams are not comparable. Examiners also observed a low agreement between the two exams (r=-0.1; p=0.9). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that OSCE and traditional exams are not interchangeable. The OSCE exam had good internal consistency and is able to evaluate aspects that the traditional exam fails to evaluate.

OBJETIVO: Realizar um levantamento da literatura para avaliar as evidências do uso do incentivador respiratório (IR) na prevenção de complicações pulmonares pós-operatórias (CPPs) e recuperação da função pulmonar em pacientes submetidos a cirurgias abdominal, cardíaca e torácica. MÉTODOS: Esta revisão sistemática utilizou as bases de dados Medline, Embase, Web of Science, PEDro e Scopus para selecionar ensaios clínicos randomizados, nos quais o IR foi utilizado nos período pré e/ou pós-operatório, visando prevenir CPP e/ou recuperar função pulmonar após cirurgias abdominal, cardíaca ou torácica. Dois revisores analisaram independentemente os estudos. Além disso, a qualidade dos estudos foi avaliada segundo a escala PEDro. RESULTADOS: Trinta estudos foram incluídos (14 de cirurgia abdominal, 13 de cardíaca e três de torácica; n=3370 pacientes). Na análise de qualidade, os estudos obtiveram média de 5,6, 4,7 e 4,8 pontos nas cirurgias abdominais, cardíacas e torácicas, respectivamente. Cinco estudos (três de cirurgia abdominal, um de cardíaca e um de torácica) compararam o efeito do IR com grupo controle (sem intervenção) e não se verificou diferença nos desfechos estudados. CONCLUSÃO: Não se encontraram evidências que subsidiem o uso do IR no manejo de pacientes cirúrgicos. Apesar disso, o uso do IR continua não-padronizado e amplamente difundido na prática clínica.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review to evaluate the evidence of the use of incentive spirometry (IS) for the prevention of postoperative pulmonary complications and for the recovery of pulmonary function in patients undergoing abdominal, cardiac and thoracic surgeries. METHODS: Searches were performed in the following databases: Medline, Embase, Web of Science, PEDro and Scopus to select randomized controlled trials which the IS was used in pre- and/or post-operative in order to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications and/or recover lung function after abdominal, cardiac and thoracic surgery. Two reviewers independently assessed all studies. In addition, the studies quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. RESULTS: Thirty studies were included (14 abdominal, 13 cardiac and 3 thoracic surgery; n=3,370 patients). In the analysis of the methodological quality, studies achieved a PEDro average score of 5.6, 4.7 and 4.8 points in abdominal, cardiac and thoracic surgeries, respectively. Five studies (3 abdominal, 1 cardiac and 1 thoracic surgery) compared the effect of the IS with control group (no intervention) and no difference was detected in the evaluated outcomes. CONCLUSION: There was no evidence to support the use of incentive spirometry in the management of surgical patients. Despite this, the use of incentive spirometry remains widely used without standardization in clinical practice.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A esofagectomia apresenta a maior taxa de complicações pulmonares pós-operatórias dentre as cirurgias abdominais altas. Os benefícios da fisioterapia respiratória em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia abdominal alta convencional têm sido mostrados na literatura, porém esse efeito na esofagectomia tem sido pouco investigado. OBJETIVOS: Comparar a frequência de complicações respiratórias em dois grupos de pacientes submetidos à esofagectomia, tendo um recebido fisioterapia respiratória e o outro não. MÉTODOS: Setenta pacientes consecutivos (nenhuma exclusão) foram avaliados retrospectivamente e divididos em dois grupos: controle (GC=sem fisioterapia; n=30) e fisioterapia respiratória (GFT; n=40). O PTG recebeu manobras para expansão pulmonar e higiene das vias aéreas. Nenhum deles foi submetido à ventilação não-invasiva ou a exercícios com pressão positiva. Todos os pacientes foram orientados à mobilização ativa, progressiva e precoce. Foram coletadas informações sobre o perioperatório e complicações respiratórias. A frequência de complicações respiratórias entre os grupos foi analisada pelo teste z, considerando p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Pacientes de ambos os grupos foram similares quanto à idade, IMC, tabagismo e etilismo, doença maligna, tempos cirúrgico e anestésico e tipos de esofagectomia (p>0,05). Nossos resultados mostram que pacientes que receberam fisioterapia respiratória após a esofagectomia tiveram uma frequência menor de complicações respiratórias (15% vs. 37%, p<0,05). O PTG precisou de menos tempo de antibioticoterapia e de drenagem torácica, assim como teve menos reintubação, comparado com o controle (p<0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados sugerem que a fisioterapia respiratória após esofagectomia reduz as complicações respiratórias e a necessidade de cuidados clínicos, mas não reduz o tempo de hospitalização.

BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy presents the highest rate of postoperative pulmonary complications among all types of upper abdominal surgery. The benefits of chest physical therapy in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery have been shown by many studies; however, its specific effect in patients receiving esophagectomy has been seldom investigated. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the frequency of respiratory complications in patients undergoing esophagectomy receiving chest physical therapy compared to no treatment. METHODS: 70 consecutive patients were evaluated retrospectively and allocated to two groups: control group (CG=no physical therapy; n=30) and chest physical therapy group (PTG; n=40). Patients received chest physical therapy which includes lung re-expansion and airway clearance maneuvers. They were not submitted to either noninvasive ventilation or exercises with devices that generate airways positive pressure. All patients were instructed to early mobilization. Information about pre-operative and respiratory complications were collected. Statistic analysis to compare the frequency of respiratory complications was performed by the Z test. The significance level was set to 5%. RESULTS: Patients in the CG and PTG were similar in terms of age, BMI, smoking and drinking status, malignant diseases, surgical and anesthesia duration and types of esophagectomy (p>0.05). Our results show that patients received chest physical therapy after esophagectomy had a lower frequency of respiratory complications (15% vs. 37%, p<0.05). In addition, the PTG needed a shorter duration of antibiotic treatment and thoracic drainage as well as less re-intubation compared with the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that chest physical therapy treatment reduces respiratory complications and the need for care but does not influence on hospital length of stay.