Analysis Of Variability In Ground Reaction Forces And Electromyography For Runners Of Different Ability

Measures of movement variability have been linked to task performance, adaptability, and injury risk. Further understanding variability in running could help explain training adaptations and injury risks of the sport. This study investigated the variability of vertical, antero-posterior, and medio-lateral ground reaction forces and muscle activity of the medial gastrocnemius (Gn), tibialis anterior (TA), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF) between experienced runners (EXP), recreational runners (REC), and non-runners (NON) at different speeds. It was hypothesized that running experience would affect the amount of variability in all ground reaction force (GRF) components and muscle activation at different speeds. This effect between group and speed did not reach significance for any variables. All groups had less variability as speed increased for all GRF components. This was also true for pre-contact activation of the Gn. Aside from the BF, we found that EXP and REC runners did not have different variability for GRF or electromyography (EMG) measures. Unexpectedly, the pre-contact variability of the RF increased with speed. This highlights the complex nature of EMG variability during running. Though we found consistent variability trends for ground reaction forces, the interactions between EMG variability with speed and group appear to be more complex

Patient-Reported Outcomes Improves the Prediction of In-patient and Emergency Department Readmission Risks in Coronary Artery Disease

Introduction Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients are known to report higher healthcare resource use, such as inpatient [IP] and emergency department [ED] readmissions, than the general population. We investigate if the patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) improve the accuracy of readmissions risk prediction models in CAD. Objectives and Approach Patients enrolled in the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcomes Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease (APPROACH) registry between 1995 and 2014 who received catheterization (CATH) and completed baseline PROMs were linked to discharge abstract data and national ambulatory data. Logistic regression (LR) was used to develop 30-day and 1-year readmissions risk prediction models adjusting for patients’ demographic, clinical, and self-reported characteristics. PROM was measured using the 19-item Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ). The discriminatory performance of each prediction model was assessed using the Harrel’s c-statistic for LR. Results Of the 13,264 patients who completed baseline SAQ, 59 (0.3%) had IP readmissions or ED visits within 30 days, and up to 356 (1.9%) within 1 year of baseline survey. The C-statistics for one-year readmissions risk prediction models that only adjusted for demographic and clinical variables only ranged between 56.4% and 61.2%. The prognostic improvement in the discrimination of these models ranged between 2% to 10% when patient-reported SAQ was included as predictor. The addition of SAQ improves the model discrimination in all types of admission. Conclusion/Implications The addition of PROMs improves the moderate accuracy of readmissions risk prediction models. These findings highlight the need for routine collection of PROMs in clinical settings and their potential use for aiding clinical and policy decision-making and post-discharge outcomes monitoring in the management of cardiovascular diseases

Patient perspectives on engagement in decision-making in early management of non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome: a qualitative study

Abstract Background Surveys of patients suggest many want to be actively involved in treatment decisions for acute coronary syndromes. However, patient experiences of their engagement and participation in early phase decision-making have not been well described. Methods We performed a patient led qualitative study to explore patient experiences with decision-making processes when admitted to hospital with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome. Trained patient-researchers conducted the study via a three-phase approach using focus groups and semi-structured interviews and employing grounded theory methodology. Results Twenty patients discharged within one year of a non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome participated in the study. Several common themes emerged. First, patients characterized the admission and early treatment of ACS as a rapidly unfolding process where they had little control. Participants felt they played a passive role in early phase decision-making. Furthermore, participants described feeling reduced capacity for decision-making owing to fear and mental stress from acute illness, and therefore most but not all participants were relieved that expert clinicians made decisions for them. Finally, once past the emergent phase of care, participants wanted to retake a more active role in their treatment and follow-up plans. Conclusions Patients admitted with ACS often do not take an active role in initial clinical decisions, and are satisfied to allow the medical team to direct early phase care. These results provide important insight relevant to designing patient-centered interventions in ACS and other urgent care situations

Psychometric evaluation of a Canadian version of the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ-CAN)

Abstract Background The Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) is a widely-used patient-reported outcomes measure in patients with heart disease. This study assesses the validity and reliability of the SAQ in a Canadian cohort of individuals with stable angina. Methods and results Data are from the Alberta Provincial Project for Outcome Assessment in Coronary Heart Disease (APPROACH) registry, a population-based registry of patients who received cardiac catheterization in Alberta, Canada. The cohort consists of 4052 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for stable angina and completed the SAQ within 2 weeks. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to assess the factorial structure of the SAQ. Internal and test–retest reliabilities of a new measure (i.e., SAQ-CAN) was measured using Cronbach α and intraclass correlation coefficient, respectively. CFA model fit was assessed using the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) and comparative fit index (CFI). Construct validity of the SAQ-CAN was assessed in relation to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales (HADS), Euro Quality of life 5 dimension (EQ5D), and original SAQ. Of the 4052 patients included in this analysis, 3281 (80.97%) were younger than 75 years old, while 3239 (79.94%) were male. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a four-factorial structure consisting of 16 items that provided a better fit to the data (RMSEA = 0.049 [90% CI = (0.047, 0.052)]; CFI = 0.975). The 16-item SAQ demonstrated good to excellent internal reliability (Cronbach’s α range from 0.77 to 0.90), moderate to strong correlation with the Original SAQ and EQ5D but negligible correlations with HADS. Conclusion The SAQ-CAN has acceptable psychometric properties that are comparable to the original SAQ. We recommend its use for assessing coronary health outcomes in Canadian patients with Coronary Artery Disease