Improving real-life functioning is the main goal of the most advanced integrated treatment programs in people with schizophrenia. The Italian Network for Research on Psychoses used network analysis ...in a four-year follow-up study to test whether the pattern of relationships among illness-related variables, personal resources and context-related factors differed between patients who were classified as recovered at follow-up versus those who did not recover. In a large sample (N=618) of clinically-stable, community-dwelling subjects with schizophrenia, the study demonstrated a considerable stability of the network structure. Functional capacity and everyday life skills had a high betweenness and closeness in the network at both baseline and follow-up, while psychopathological variables remained more peripheral. The network structure and connectivity of non-recovered patients were similar to those observed in the whole sample, but very different from those in recovered subjects, in which we found few connections only. These data strongly suggest that tightly coupled symptoms/dysfunctions tend to maintain each other’s activation, contributing to poor outcome in subjects with schizophrenia. The data suggest that early and integrated treatment plans, targeting variables with high centrality, might prevent the emergence of self-reinforcing networks of symptoms and dysfunctions in people with schizophrenia.
Disclosure
Honoraria, advisory board, or consulting fees from Angelini, Astra Zeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gedeon Richter Bulgaria, Innova-Pharma, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Lundbeck, Otsuka, Pfizer, and Pierre Fabre, for services not related to this abstract
Postural sway and physical capacity had not previously been compared between people with long COVID and people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Therefore, this study ...determined postural sway and physical capacity in people with long COVID (∼16 month illness duration; n=21) and ME/CFS (∼16 year illness duration; n=20), versus age-matched healthy controls (n=20).
Postural sway was during a 30 s static stand test. Physical capacity was determined using the timed up and go test and five times sit to stand test. Throughout, participants wore isoinertial measurement units.
Postural sway was worse (i.e. greater) in people with long COVID and ME/CFS than controls, but not different between long COVID and ME/CFS. Performance of the timed up and go test and five times sit to stand test were worse in long COVID and ME/CFS than controls, but not different between long COVID and ME/CFS. 87% and 13% of long COVID and ME/CFS participants exceeded the threshold for muscle weakness in the five times sit to stand test and timed up and go test, respectively.
These data suggest that both people with long COVID and people with ME/CFS have similarly impaired balance and physical capacity. Therefore, there is an urgent need for interventions to target postural sway and physical capacity in people with ME/CFS, and given the current pandemic, people with long COVID.
Objective:To evaluate change in higher-level functional capacity of older Japanese individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods:Four hundred older Japanese individuals completed an online ...questionnaire in early May 2021. Participants were asked retrospectively about their higher-level functional capacity and lifestyle before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher-level functional capacity was determined as total score on the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-IC). Total TMIG-IC score ranges from 0 to 13. A decline in higher-level functional capacity was defined as a decrease in TMIG-IC score of more than 2 points during the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in higher-level functional capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed by paired t-test and a general linear model. Results:Decreased TMIG-IC scores were found in 43 (21.5%) men and 61 (30.5%) women. Among those with higher-level functional capacity, scores for total TMIG-IC and Social Role decreased significantly in both sexes (all p<0.005). Conclusion:The findings suggest an association of the COVID-19 pandemic with a decrease in higher-level functional capacity, especially in Social Role, among older adults living in Japan. J. Med. Invest. 71 : 66-74, February, 2024
The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of two resistance strength training (RST) programs in two groups of adults aged 60 to 75 years. One group trained with a load of 70% of 1RM ...(G70%, n = 10); and another with a load of 40% of 1RM (G40%, n = 9). The RST lasted eight weeks and a frequency of 3 sessions per week, lasting one hour. Maximum strength (1RM), mean propulsive velocity (MPV), functional capacity, and neuromuscular activation were evaluated before and after RST. The results show a better post-intervention performance in G40%, in functional capacity: agility (13.8% vs. 8.38%), 2-minute march (17.5% vs. 11.7%), squats for 30 seconds (44.6% vs. 33.9%), gait speed (27.4% vs. 20.1%), maximum strength (1RM: 46.3% vs. 40.1%), MPV with 40% of 1RM (38.9% vs. 37.3%), MPV with 70% of 1RM (43.2% vs. 36.4%) and MPV with 1RM (92% vs. 62.1%). No statistically significant differences in neuromuscular activation for both groups. The present study suggests that strength training in a population of older adults performed at high speed is more efficient in variables such as functional capacity, maximum strength, speed of execution, and neuromuscular activation.
El presente estudio tuvo como propósito identificar los efectos de dos programas de entrenamiento de fuerza (EF), en dos grupos de adultos de 60 a 75 años. Un grupo entrenó con una carga de 70% de 1RM (G70%, n =10); y otro con una carga de 40% de 1RM (G40%, n = 9). El EF tuvo una duración de ocho semanas y una frecuencia de 3 sesiones por semana, con una hora de duración. Se evaluó la fuerza máxima (1RM), velocidad media propulsiva (VMP), la capacidad funcional y la activación neuromuscular antes y después del EF. Los resultados muestran un mejor desempeño post intervención en el G40%, en la capacidad funcional: agilidad (13,8% vs. 8,38%), marcha de 2 minutos (17,5% vs. 11,7%), sentadillas durante 30 segundos (44,6% vs. 33,9%), velocidad de la marcha (27,4% vs. 20,1%); en la fuerza máxima de 1RM (46,3% vs. 40,1%), la VMP con 40% de 1RM (38,9% vs. 37,3%), VMP con 70% de 1RM (43,2% vs. 36,4%) y VMP con 1RM (92% vs. 62,1%). Sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la activación neuromuscular para ambos grupos. El presente estudio sugiere que el entrenamiento de fuerza en una población de adultos mayores realizado a alta velocidad es más eficiente en variables como la capacidad física funcional, fuerza máxima, velocidad de ejecución y activación neuromuscular.
To analyze progression of changes in kinematics and work physiology during progressive lifting in healthy adults.
Healthy participants were recruited. A standardized lifting test from the WorkWell ...Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) was administered, with five progressive lifting low series of five repetitions. The criteria of the WorkWell observation protocol were studied: changes in muscle use (EMG), heart rate (heart rate monitor), base of support, posture and movement pattern (motion capture system). Repeated measures ANOVA's were used to analyze changes during progressive workloads.
18 healthy young adults participated (8 men, 10 women; mean age 22 years). Mean maximum weight lifted was 66 (±3.2) and 44 (±7.4) kg for men and women, respectively. With progressive loads, statistically significant (p < 0.01) differences were observed: increase in secondary muscle use at moderate lifting, increase of heart rate, increase of base of support and movement pattern changes were observed; differences in posture were not significant.
Changes in 4 out of 5 kinematic and work physiology parameters were objectively quantified using lab technology during progressive lifting in healthy adults. These changes appear in line with existing observation criteria.
•Using lab technology we objectified 4 out of 5 kinematic and work physiology parameters from an FCE observation protocol.•Measured and observed physiological increases (muscle use and heart frequency) corresponded during progressive lifting loads.•Measured and observed kinematic changes (base of support and movement pattern) corresponded during progressive lifting loads.
Hemodialysis-associated neuromuscular dysfunction appears to be counteracted by resistance training (RT) in older patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Thus, the aim of the present study was to ...evaluate the impact of cluster-set RT protocol on anthropometric parameters, functional capacities, and biochemical variables in older patients with CKD.
Seventy-eight older patients (age: 57.55 ± 4.06 years) with CKD undergoing maintenance hemodialysis participated, and were randomly divided into control group (CG, N = 26), traditional RT (RT, N = 26) and cluster-set RT (RT-CS, N = 26) groups. Participants completed 24 weeks of RT three times per week, 1 h and 30 min before the hemodialysis session. Patients from the RT-CS group displayed increased adherence as compared to the RT group (66.35 % versus 61.73 %, p < 0.0001). There was an improvement of all anthropometric variables, handgrip strength, timed up and-go (TUG) and six-minute walking test (6MWT) following both training protocols when compared to control group and pre-intervention values. Fasting blood glucose decreased for both RT and RT-CS groups as compared with pre-intervention, without differences between training protocols and CG. Glycated hemoglobin, inflammatory cytokines, and triglycerides decreased in RT and RT-CS groups as compared with pre-intervention and CG, without differences between them. Furthermore, the RT-CS protocol resulted in a greater number of people who were responsive to training when compared to traditional training.
RT-CS is a clinically valuable tool to improve anthropometric parameters, handgrip strength, TUG, 6MWT, fasting blood glucose, and cytokines in CKD older patients.
•RT-CS displayed a higher quantity of responders when compared to RT.•Chronic RT-CS and RT promote similar changes on functional capacities and biochemical variables.•RT-CS and RT can be considered as non-pharmacological tools for the treatment of CKD patients.
Introduction
Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are a group of rare diseases caused by an intralysosomal accumulation of glycosaminoglycans, resulting in a multisystemic clinical condition characterized by ...variable degrees of physical‐functional impairment.
Objective
To evaluate the functional capacity (FC) of MPS patients and compare with a healthy control group.
Methods
This is a cross‐sectional study of 6‐ to 39‐year‐old patients followed at a medical reference center and compared with their control peers, matched by age and sex. FC was assessed using the Sit‐to‐Stand Test (SST) and Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT). Heart rate (HR) and Borg rating of perceived exertion were measured before and after ISWT. HR recovery (HRR) was defined as the HR at the end of the test minus the HR in the second minute after ISWT.
Results
Nineteen (19) MPS patients, 69% with type II MPS and mean age 17 ± 11 years were evaluated. Every patient was under enzyme replacement therapy. The time to perform the SST was longer in the MPS group (10.6 ± 2.5 s vs. 6.7 ± 1.2 s; p < .01). The MPS group achieved lower values of distance covered on the ISWT (407.6 ± 329.8 m vs. 1131.9 ± 183.3 m; p < .01), with a significantly higher Borg (6 5–8 vs. 2 1–4; p = .02). The MPS group's HRR was slower than the controls (32.9 ± 20.2 beats per minute bpm vs. 69.1 ± 25.9 bpm; p < .001).
Discussion
We observed a pronounced reduction in the MPS group's FC compared to their healthy peers and a worse HRR after completing the test.
Objective. The objective of this study was to analyze the correlation between functional capacity with quality of life in patients diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG). Method. This cross-sectional ...study included 23 patients with MG between July and August 2021 (7 men,16 women; mean age: 46.78 ± 6.24 years; range: 33-56 years). Using a 2-minute walking test (2MWT) for 2-minute walking distance (2MWD), maximum oxygen uptake (VO2Max), and metabolic equivalents (METs), the functional capacity was determined. The quality of life can be evaluated by the Myasthenia Gravis Quality of Life 15 (MG-QL15). Result. Functional capacity was not significantly correlated with quality of life: (2MWD and MG-QoL15 r=-0.002, p=0.992), (VO2Max and MG-QoL15 r=0.190, p=0.386), and (METs and MG-QoL15 r=0.188, p=0.391). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that 2MWD, VO2Max, and METs of functional capacity have no significant effect on MG-QoL15 of quality of life but 2MWD, METs, and VO2Max had a stronger relationship strength with MG-QoL15 domain ranging from VO2Max, MET, and 2MWD. Quality of life and functional capacity of myasthenia gravis patients showed no regression relationship partially of current age, age at onset, length of medication, severity of disease using myasthenia gravis composite (MGC) score, and body mass index (BMI). Conclusion. In MG patients, no significant correlation was observed between functional capacity and quality of life, and further research is required to determine the factors that influence functional capacity and quality of life.
A general consensus has not yet been reached regarding the role of disorganization symptoms in real-world functioning in schizophrenia.
We used structural equations modeling (SEM) to analyze the ...direct and indirect associations between disorganization and real-world functioning assessed through the Specific Levels of Functioning Scale (SLOF) in 880 subjects with schizophrenia.
We found that: 1) conceptual disorganization was directly and strongly connected with SLOF daily activities; difficulty in abstract thinking was associated with moderate strength to all SLOF domains, and poor attention was connected with SLOF work skills; 2) grandiosity was only related with poor work skills, and delusions were associated with poor functioning in all SLOF domains; interpersonal relationships were weakly indirectly influenced by hallucinatory behavior, delusions and unusual thought contents through the mediation of social cognition (SC); 3) among the negative symptoms, avolition had only direct links with SLOF work skills and SLOF activities; anhedonia had direct links with SLOF work skills and SLOF interpersonal and indirect link with SLOF work skills through functional capacity (FC); asociality with SLOF interpersonal; blunted affect had direct links with SLOF activities and indirect links with SLOF interpersonal relationships mediated by SC. Lastly, alogia had only indirect links mediated by SC, FC, and neurocognition (NC).
Overall conceptual disorganization is the symptom that contributed more (both directly and indirectly) to the activities of community living in real-world. Thus, it should be considered as a treatment target in intervention programs for patients with schizophrenia.
PDF
