Feasibility of a prehabilitation program before major abdominal surgery: a pilot prospective study.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of a prehabilitation program and its effects on physical performance and outcomes after major abdominal surgery.

Methods: In this prospective pilot study, patients underwent prehabilitation involving three training sessions per week for 3 weeks preoperatively. The feasibility of delivering the intervention was assessed based on recruitment and adherence to the program.

Effect of intradialytic resistance band exercise on physical function in patients on maintenance hemodialysis: a pilot study.

Although physical activity is recommended in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), randomized controlled trials testing the effects of exercise in this population have given conflicting results. In general, aerobic exercises mostly failed to produce improvements in physical function, whereas resistance exercises, although less studied, appeared to be more promising. The use of sophisticated materials such as leg press and free weights may preclude widespread application of resistance training in patients on MHD.

Appropriateness of respiratory care: evidence-based guidelines.

Principles: Respiratory care is universally recognised as useful, but its indications and practice vary markedly. In order to improve the appropriateness of respiratory care in our hospital, we developed evidence-based local guidelines in a collaborative effort involving physiotherapists, physicians and health service researchers.

Methods: Recommendations were developed using the standardised RAND appropriateness method.

[3rd degree chronic venous insufficiency: physiotherapy treatment].

A venous ulcer is the end result of a long pathological process where venous hypertension represents the principal cause of a number of complications. The physiotherapist by adapting various different therapeutic approaches improves the vascular, joint and respiratory problems of these patients.