Assessment of muscle fatigability using isometric repetitive handgrip strength in frail older adults. A cross-sectional study.

Background: Fatigue has a significant impact on physical performance and quality of life in older adults, but is subjectively assessed in the Fried phenotype, so early deterioration may be overlooked. This study explores whether repetitive handgrip strength (HGS) provides an objective method of differentiating levels of frailty by comparing fatigue and recovery ratios with subjective measures and their correlations with frailty indicators.

Methods: Participants (n = 217) were included based on mobility and cognitive function (MMSE > 17), with exclusions for neuromuscular disease or hand injury.

Association of Self-Perceived Fatigue, Muscle Fatigue, and Sleep Disorders with Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Fatigue and sleep disorders are common geriatric conditions and are associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline. This study aimed to examine the relationships among self-perceived fatigue, objective muscle fatigue, sleep apnea risk, insomnia, and cognitive function, focusing on their associations with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Assessing the effects of spontaneous intracranial hypotension on quality of life, work ability and disability.

Background: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), characterized by headaches due to cerebrospinal fluid leaks or low pressure, is a challenging condition to diagnose and treat and affects the quality of life.

Methods: An 8‑week online survey was conducted to assess the impact of SIH on symptoms, sociodemographics and quality of life. The cohort was comprised of patients who had a self-reported diagnosis of SIH and were divided into two groups: those with radiological evidence of SIH and those with clinical suspicion but no radiological evidence.

Diagnostic and therapeutic insights in individuals with persistent post-dural puncture headache: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a frequent complication following lumbar puncture, epidural analgesia, or neuraxial anesthesia. The International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition categorizes PDPH as a self-limiting condition; however, emerging evidence, including our findings, suggests that PDPH can have a prolonged course, challenging this traditional view.

Objectives: To elucidate the diagnostic characteristics and treatment outcomes of persistent PDPH (pPDPH), offering insights into its demographic profiles and diagnostic features.

Health-related quality of life, work ability and disability among individuals with persistent post-dural puncture headache.

Background And Objectives: Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is an acknowledged consequence of procedures like lumbar punctures, epidural analgesia, and neurosurgical interventions. Persistence over more than three months, however has been poorly studied. In particular, little is known about the impact of persistent PDPH (pPDPH) on health related quality of life (HRQoL), disability and ability to work.

Perceptions of Therapeutic Climbing for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Neurorehabilitation: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Therapeutic climbing (TC) has emerged as a prospective rehabilitation approach for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The existing literature primarily focuses on the physical and psychological benefits of TC across diverse populations but is limited concerning its application and efficacy for patients with MS.

Objectives: This study aimed to delineate the experiences, subjective effects, and perceptions of both individuals with MS and therapists regarding TC, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges of this therapeutic approach.

Concurrent Validity and Test-Retest Reliability of the 3-Meter Backward Walk Test in Stroke Survivors.

In the context of evaluating physical function in individuals with stroke, the 3-Meter Backward Walk Test (3MBWT) emerges as a potential tool of interest. The purpose of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the 3MBWT and its correlation with falling incidents. Conducted in a neurological rehabilitation center, 35 ambulatory individuals with stroke were enrolled within a month post-stroke onset.

Characteristics and Effectiveness of Co-Designed Mental Health Interventions in Primary Care for People Experiencing Homelessness: A Systematic Review.

People experiencing homelessness (PEH) face a disproportionately high prevalence of adverse mental health outcomes compared with the non-homeless population and are known to utilize primary healthcare services less frequently while seeking help in emergency care facilities. Given that primary health services are more efficient and cost-saving, services with a focus on mental health that are co-designed with the participation of users can tackle this problem. Hence, we aimed to synthesize the current evidence of such interventions to assess and summarize the characteristics and effectiveness of co-designed primary mental healthcare services geared towards adult PEH.

Adherence Is More Than Just Being Present: Example of a Lay-Led Home-Based Programme with Physical Exercise, Nutritional Improvement and Social Support, in Prefrail and Frail Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Background: Little is known about the implementation of lifestyle interventions in frail, community-dwelling people. This study highlights different domains of adherence to explain an effectively delivered home-based intervention.

Methods: Eighty prefrail and frail persons (≥65 years) participated in a physical training, nutritional, and social support intervention over 24 weeks.

Factors Associated with Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Patients with Seropositive Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease, which is associated with low levels of physical activity (PA). However, the factors related to low physical activity levels have rarely been studied. In this cross-sectional study, 70 seropositive RA patients were included.

[Determinants of Exercise, Fulfilling the Recommendations for Aerobic Physical Activity and Health Status: Results of a Correlation Study in the Federal States of Austria].

Study Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the association between the proportion of the population that fulfilled the endurance-based recommendations for health-enhancing physical activity and the proportion with correct knowledge of these recommendations, exercise-friendly culture and environment, and health status in the federal states of Austria.

Methods: The analysis is based on data from the Austrian Physical Activity Monitoring 2017, the Austrian Health Interview Survey 2014, the Austrian Mortality Register 2015, the database of Fit Sports Austria, the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, the Federal Ministry for Traffic, and an online platform for running events. Correlation coefficients (Pearson) for the various parameters and the proportion of the population that fulfilled the endurance-based recommendations for health-enhancing physical activity are presented.

Behavior changes by a buddy-style intervention including physical training, and nutritional and social support.

Aim: Previous research suggests that multicomponent interventions including physical training, and nutritional and social support are required to improve a person's behavior. As a pre-specified secondary outcome, this analysis aimed to ascertain whether a "buddy-style" intervention could produce physical activity and nutritional behavior changes in older adults.

Methods: A 12-week, home-based, randomized controlled trial was carried out with 80 older persons, who were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 39), including physical training and nutritional support, and a control group (n = 41).

Changes in health parameters in older lay volunteers who delivered a lifestyle-based program to frail older people at home.

Objective: To measure health effects in lay volunteers who made home visits consisting of social interaction, nutritional and physical exercise interventions to pre-frail and frail older people (trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01991639).

Methods: After baseline, participants were followed-up at 12 (V1) and 24 (V2) weeks.

Change in inflammatory parameters in prefrail and frail persons obtaining physical training and nutritional support provided by lay volunteers: A randomized controlled trial.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of home visits with physical training and nutritional support on inflammatory parameters to home visits with social support alone within a randomized controlled trial. Prefrail and frail persons received home visits from lay volunteers twice a week for 12 weeks. Participants in the physical training and nutritional intervention group (PTN, n = 35) conducted two sets of six strength exercises and received nutritional support.

Associations between daily physical activity, handgrip strength, muscle mass, physical performance and quality of life in prefrail and frail community-dwelling older adults.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between daily physical activity (DPA), handgrip strength, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) and physical performance (balance, gait speed, chair stands) with quality of life in prefrail and frail community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: Prefrail and frail individuals were included, as determined by SHARE-FI. Quality of life (QoL) was measured with WHOQOL-BREF and WHOQOL-OLD, DPA with PASE, handgrip strength with a dynamometer, ASMM with bioelectrical impedance analysis and physical performance with the SPPB test.

Effects of a Home-Based and Volunteer-Administered Physical Training, Nutritional, and Social Support Program on Malnutrition and Frailty in Older Persons: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a home-based and volunteer-administered physical training and nutritional intervention program compared with social support intervention on nutritional and frailty status in prefrail and frail community-dwelling older persons.

Design: This was a randomized controlled trial in which community-dwelling persons (mean age = 83 years) were recruited and randomly assigned to the physical training and nutritional intervention group (PTN, n = 39) and the social support group (SoSu, n = 41). The study was conducted by trained lay nonprofessionals.

Nutritional intervention and physical training in malnourished frail community-dwelling elderly persons carried out by trained lay "buddies": study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: In elderly persons frailty and malnutrition are very common and can lead to serious health hazards such as increased mortality, morbidity, dependency, institutionalization and a reduced quality of life. In Austria, the prevalence of frailty and malnutrition are increasing steadily and are becoming a challenge for our social system. Physical training and adequate nutrition may improve this situation.