Test-retest reliability and validity of the timed up and go test and 30-second sit to stand test in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Background: Timed up and go (TUG) and sit to stand (STS) tests that required less space and easier to be performed in respiratory and cardiac diseases for assessing functionality. Aim was to test the reliability of TUG and 30-second STS (30STS) tests and determine the validity of TUG and 30STS tests in patients with Pulmonary Hypertension (PH). Methods: Thirty-eight patients with diagnosed PH were included. We collected TUG, 30STS, quadriceps muscle strength, physical activity level, and 6MWT. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine test-retest reliability and correlations with quadriceps muscle strength, physical activity level and 6MWT for validity of the TUG and 30STS tests. Results: The TUG and 30STS tests were associated with age, functional class, muscle strength, physical activity and functional exercise capacity in patients with PAH (p < 0.05). 6MWT was associated with age, functional class, muscle strength, physical activity and functional exercise capacity (p < 0.05). ICC (95%) for TUG test and 30STS were 0.96 (0.93-0.98) and 0.95 (0.90-0.97), respectively. Conclusions: The TUG and 30STS tests were reliable and valid tests for measuring physical performance in PH. This study supports using the TUG and 30STS tests as practical assessment tools in patients with PH. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Balance performance in patients with heart failure

Background: It has been suggested that patients with heart failure (HF) have an increased fall rate. Although balance is one of the most important risk factors for fall, there is not sufficient information about balance in HF. Objective: To compare static, dynamic and functional balance between patients with HF and healthy controls. Methods: Twenty-seven patients with HF and 22 healthy controls were recruited in this study. The Unilateral Stance (US) and Limits of Stability (LOS) tests were used to measure static and dynamic balance, respectively. Functional balance was assessed with Berg Balance Scale. Results: There was no significant difference in age, gender and body mass index between the groups (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference in US with open eyes between the groups (p < 0.05). Reaction time (backward and left), endpoint excursion (backward), maximum excursion (forward and backward) and directional control (forward and right) variables of LOS were significantly different between the groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Patients with HF have impaired static, dynamic and functional balance. Considering the balance impairment, a comprehensive balance assessment performed and balance training should be included in the management of HF as a part of the cardiac rehabilitation program. © 2020 Elsevier Inc

Comparison of emotional status and quality of life in women with different physical activity levels during covid-19 pandemic

Purpose: It was aimed to compare the effects of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic process on physically active and inactive women under general quarantine conditions. And second aim was to compare physical activity and general well-being in women who were employees and non-employees in a non-governmental organization. Methods: A total of 286 women were included in this study. The research was conducted online via the Google Forms web survey platform. The demographic information of the participants and non-governmental organization volunteering were asked before the questionnaires. Individuals' levels of physical activity were assessed by International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short form (IPAQ), stress level was assessed The Distress Thermometer index, anxiety levels were assessed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), quality of life was evaluated with the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref questionnaire (WHOQOL-Bref). Results: It was found that physically inactive women had significantly higher anxiety and stress levels and lower quality of life (p<0.05). And women who were employees in a non-governmental organization had significantly higher physically activity level and lower anxiety and stress levels and better quality of life (p<0.05). Conclusion: Physical activity has an intensely positive effect on anxiety, stress, and quality of life during COVID-19 pandemic under general quarantine conditions

KRONİK OBSTRÜKTİF AKCİĞER HASTALIĞI B VE C GRUBU: EGZERSİZ KAPASİTESİ VE KAS KUVVETİ BAKIMINDAN GERÇEKTEN BİRBİRLERİNE ZITLAR MI? ARAŞTIRMA MAKALESİ

Purpose: "Combined COPD Assessment" in the classification of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was proposed as a new method by The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (GOLD). The aim of this study was to evaluate exercise capacity, and muscle strength (respiratory and peripheral muscle strength) between two groups (Group B and C) of the new GOLD combined COPD assessment in this study. Methods: Patients were categorized into group B (n=18) and C (n=18) according to the GOLD combined COPD assessment. Patients’ exercise capacity (the six-minute walk test [6MWT]) and the six-minute pegboard and ring test [6PBRT]), respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP] and maximal expiratory pressure [MEP]), and peripheral muscle strength (hand-grip and knee extensor strength) were assessed. Results: The MEP value was significantly higher in group B than in group C (p=0.024). Other values (6MWT distance, 6PBRT score, MIP values, and peripheral muscle strength) were not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that comprehensive assessment is very important to evaluate patients with COPD. The GOLD spirometry measures are not solely enough, symptoms and exacerbation history must be evaluated.Amaç: Kronik obstrüktif akciğer hastalığı (KOAH)’nın sınıflandırılmasında "Bileşik KOAH Değerlendirilmesi" yeni bir yöntem olarak Kronik Obstrüktif Akciğer Hastalığına Karşı Küresel Girişim (GOLD) tarafından önerilmektedir. Bu çalışmada, yeni GOLD bileşik KOAH değerlendirmesine göre iki grup (Grup B ve C) arasındaki egzersiz kapasitesinin ve kas kuvvetinin (solunum ve periferik kas kuvveti) karşılaştırılması amaçlandı. Yöntem: Hastalar, GOLD bileşik KOAH değerlendirmesine göre grup B (n=18) ve C (n=18) olarak kategorize edildi. Hastaların egzersiz kapasitesi (altı dakika yürüme testi [6DYT] ve altı dakika pegboard ve ring testi [6PBRT]), solunum kas kuvveti (maksimal inspiratuar basınç [MIP] ve maksimum ekspiratuar basınç [MEP]) ve ekstremite kas kuvveti (el kavrama ve diz ektansiyon kuvveti) değerlendirildi. Sonuçlar: MEP değeri B grubunda C grubuna göre anlamlı olarak daha yüksekti (p=0,024). Diğer değerler (6DYT mesafesi, 6PBRT skoru, MIP değeri ve ekstremite kas kuvveti) açısından iki grup arasında fark yoktu (p>0,05). Tartışma: Bu çalışma, KOAH'lı hastaları değerlendirmek için kapsamlı değerlendirmenin çok önemli olduğunu göstermektedir. GOLD spirometre değerlendirilmesi tek başına yeterli değildir, semptomlar ve alevlenme hikayeleri de değerlendirilmelidir

The relationship between learning styles and academic performance in TURKISH physiotherapy students

Abstract Background Learning style refers to the unique ways an individual processes and retains new information and skills. In this study, we aimed to identify the learning styles of Turkish physiotherapy students and investigate the relationship between academic performance and learning style subscale scores in order to determine whether the learning styles of physiotherapy students could influence academic performance. Methods The learning styles of 184 physiotherapy students were determined using the Grasha-Riechmann Student Learning Style Scales. Cumulative grade point average was accepted as a measure of academic performance. The Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted to compare academic performance among the six learning style groups (Independent, Dependent, Competitive, Collaborative, Avoidant, and Participant). Results The most common learning style was Collaborative (34.8%). Academic performance was negatively correlated with Avoidant score (p < 0.001, r = − 0.317) and positively correlated with Participant score (p < 0.001, r = 0.400). The academic performance of the Participant learning style group was significantly higher than that of all the other groups (p < 0.003). Conclusions Although Turkish physiotherapy students most commonly exhibited a Collaborative learning style, the Participant learning style was associated with significantly higher academic performance. Teaching strategies that encourage more participant-style learning may be effective in increasing academic performance among Turkish physiotherapy students

Determinants of respiratory muscle strength in adult bronchiectasis

AbstractBackground:&nbsp;Respiratory muscle strength is widely used as an outcome measure in pulmonary rehabilitation programs. It is known that bronchiectasis affects respiratory muscle strength which has a crucial role in the growth of symptoms and functional limitation. Therefore, it is important to identify the determinants of respiratory muscle strength in patients with non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis.Aim:&nbsp;To identify the determinants of respiratory muscle strength in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis.Methods:&nbsp;Forty-one patients with non-CF bronchiectasis were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Demographic and spirometric values were recorded. Maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP] and maximal expiratory pressure [MIP] were evaluated using an electronic mouth pressure device. Fat-free mass, exercise capacity, quadriceps strength, and physical activity were assessed.Results:&nbsp;The mean age of patients was 58.8 y. MIP and MEP were correlated with fat-free mass (MIP: r=0.507, p=0.001; MEP: r=0.669, p&lt;0.001), ISWT distance (MIP: r=0.374, p=0.01; MEP: r=0.396, p=0.01), quadriceps strength (MIP: r =0.511, p=0.001; MEP: r =0.508, p=0.001) and total energy expenditure (MIP: r=0.392, p=0.01; MEP: r=0.476, p=0.002). The multiple regression analysis revealed that fat-free mass and quadriceps strength were independent predictors of MIP, accounted for 32% of the variance. Fat-free mass was independent predictors of MEP, accounted for 45.9% of the variance.Conclusions:&nbsp;Fat-free mass and quadriceps strength were found as determinants of respiratory muscle strength in patients. Respiratory muscle strength may be increased by improving fat-free mass and quadriceps strength in adult non-CF bronchiectasis.</p