A proof of concept for continuous, non-invasive, free-living vital signs monitoring to predict readmission following an acute exacerbation of COPD: a prospective cohort study.

Background: The use of vital signs monitoring in the early recognition of an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) post-hospital discharge is limited. This study investigated whether continuous vital signs monitoring could predict an AECOPD and readmission.

Methods: 35 people were recruited at discharge following hospitalisation for an AECOPD.

The Impact of a Baseline Exercise Test on Confidence to Perform Subsequent Incremental Shuttle Walk Tests, Walk at Home, and Manage Breathlessness.

Purpose: Incremental shuttle walk tests (ISWTs) are routinely conducted as outcome measures in pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) assessments and in clinical trials; however, there is a paucity of data describing the impact of simply conducting an exercise test and the change produced in the perceived ability of the individual to perform exercise subsequently, which may in turn influence therapy and study outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK (University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust). At initial PR assessment, we asked patients pre- and post-practice ISWT to report confidence in three areas (walking at home [Q1], managing breathlessness [Q2], and performing an ISWT [Q3]) based on a visual analog scale (0-10).

Cognitive function following pulmonary rehabilitation and post-discharge recovery from exacerbation in people with COPD.

Background: Cognitive impairment (CI) is prevalent in COPD and is associated with poor health-related quality of life. Recovery of cognition following an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD), the impact of CI on pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) uptake and the effect of PR on CI are not fully understood.

Methods: This 6-week prospective study analysed 67 people with stable COPD symptoms who completed PR (PR group) and the recovery of 45 people admitted for AECOPD (AECOPD group).

Experiences of patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation during an exacerbation of chronic respiratory disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized in the later stages by acute exacerbations that often require hospitalization. Pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended for patients with COPD to aid symptom control, improve quality of life and increase physical activity. We have previously reported a large intervention trial commenced during a hospital admission.

Bedside assessment of quadriceps muscle by ultrasound after admission for acute exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease.

Rationale: Hospitalization represents a major event for the patient with chronic respiratory disease. There is a high risk of readmission, which over the longer term may be related more closely to the underlying condition of the patient, such as skeletal muscle dysfunction.

Objectives: We assessed the risk of hospital readmission at 1 year, including measures of lower limb muscle as part of a larger clinical trial.

An early rehabilitation intervention to enhance recovery during hospital admission for an exacerbation of chronic respiratory disease: randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate whether an early rehabilitation intervention initiated during acute admission for exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease reduces the risk of readmission over 12 months and ameliorates the negative effects of the episode on physical performance and health status.

Design: Prospective, randomised controlled trial.

Setting: An acute cardiorespiratory unit in a teaching hospital and an acute medical unit in an affiliated teaching district general hospital, United Kingdom.

Neuromuscular stimulation of quadriceps in patients hospitalised during an exacerbation of COPD: a comparison of low (35 Hz) and high (50 Hz) frequencies.

Background: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has shown to improve skeletal muscle strength and exercise capacity in stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Variations in NMES protocols are considerable. We aimed to compare changes in muscle strength after high-frequency and low-frequency NMES in patients admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of COPD.