Comparison of the effectiveness of the helmet interface using flow meters versus the mechanical ventilator for non-invasive ventilation in patients with coronavirus disease 2019. Controlled and randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two methods for non-invasive mechanical ventilation in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) - using a helmet interface with a flow meter and positive end-expiratory pressure valve versus a traditional mechanical ventilator.

Material And Methods: We conducted a single-center randomized clinical trial involving 100 adult SARS-CoV-2 patients in a specialized private hospital. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: one using the helmet interface with a flow meter and positive end-expiratory pressure valve and the other employing conventional mechanical ventilation.

Heart rate variability: A biomarker of frailty in older adults?

Frailty is a state of critical loss of physiological complexity resulting in greater vulnerability to stressors and has been characterized as a debility syndrome in the older adult. Changes in functional capacity and the cardiovascular system during aging are the most significant and relevant for this population, including the clinically healthy. In this sense, this review aims to investigate methods to monitor the performance of older adults, such as heart rate variability and verify how it can be related to frailty.

Shuttle walk test categorization according to the qualifiers of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: proposal for use in patients with difficult-to-treat asthma, a cross-sectional study.

Aim: To classify functional capacity of people with difficult-to-treat asthma based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Methods: Fifty-seven patients underwent the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT) to assess functional capacity, in order to categorize them functionally we used the ICF qualifiers. To qualify ISWT results the individual's impairment (i.

Early Life Microbial Exposure and Immunity Training Effects on Asthma Development and Progression.

Asthma is the most common inflammatory disease affecting the lungs, which can be caused by intrauterine or postnatal insults depending on the exposure to environmental factors. During early life, the exposure to different risk factors can influence the microbiome leading to undesired changes to the immune system. The modulations of the immunity, caused by dysbiosis during development, can increase the susceptibility to allergic diseases.

Emerging Cell-Based Therapies in Chronic Lung Diseases: What About Asthma?

Asthma is a widespread disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation. It causes substantial disability, impaired quality of life, and avoidable deaths around the world. The main treatment for asthmatic patients is the administration of corticosteroids, which improves the quality of life; however, prolonged use of corticosteroids interferes with extracellular matrix elements.

Acute Effects Using Light-Emitting Diode Therapy (LEDT) for Muscle Function during Isometric Exercise in Asthma Patients: A Pilot Study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acute application of LEDT in improving peripheral muscle performance during isometric exercise in patients with asthma. Eleven patients, with a mean age 38 ± 10, underwent a single LEDT and sham application in the femoral quadriceps' dominant member (cluster with 50 LED = 850 nm, 50 mW, 15 s; 37.5 J), 48 h apart in a randomized crossover design.

Reliability of the Shuttle Walk Test With Controlled Incremental Velocity in Patients With Difficult-to-Control Asthma.

Purpose: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by bronchial hypersensitivity to endogenous or exogenous agents and variable airflow limitation, which is reversible either spontaneously or with the use of medication. The evaluation of functional capacity in these patients is commonly performed using field tests to gauge activity of daily living. However, the reliability of the symptom-controlled shuttle walk test has not yet been determined for individuals with difficult-to-control asthma.

Influence of bilevel positive airway pressure on autonomic tone in hospitalized patients with decompensated heart failure.

[Purpose] This study evaluated the effect of Bilevel Positive Airway (BiPAP) on the autonomic control of heart rate, assessed by heart rate variability (HRV), in patients hospitalized with decompensated heart failure. [Subjects and Methods] This prospective cross-sectional study included 20 subjects (age: 69±8 years, 12 male, left ventricular ejection fraction: 36 ±8%) diagnosed with heart failure who were admitted to a semi-intensive care unit with acute decompensation. Date was collected for HRV analysis during: 10 minutes spontaneous breathing in the resting supine position; 30 minutes breathing with BiPAP application (inspiratory pressure = 20 cmH2O and expiratory pressure = 10 cmH2O); and 10 minutes immediately after removal of BiPAP, during the return to spontaneous breathing.

Peripheral muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with moderate to severe asthma.

Background: The adequate control of asthma includes the absence of nocturnal symptoms, minimal use of medication, normal or nearly normal lung function and no limitations to physical activity. The choice of a more sedentary lifestyle can lead to physical de-conditioning, thereby aggravating asthma symptoms and increasing the risk of obesity.

Methods: This study aimed at performing a battery of function-related assessments in patients with asthma and comparing them to a healthy control group.

Analysis of heart rate variability in individuals subjected to different positive end expiratory pressure levels using expiratory positive airway pressure.

Introduction: The increase in the number of studies has led to greater security in the application of this method and the determination of its effectiveness in adults.. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate heart rate variability in healthy individuals submitted to different levels of positive expiratory pressure using an expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) device.

Analysis of autonomic modulation during maximal and submaximal work rate and functional capacity in asthmatic children.

Background: Children with asthma experience changes in functional capacity and autonomic control. The literature suggests that this imbalance is responsible for bronchial hyperresponsiveness, primarily during physical effort.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate variables of autonomic modulation and functional capacity in asthmatic children after maximum and submaximum work rate.

Cardiorespiratory coupling during sleep in difficult-to-control asthmatic patients.

Heart rate variability (HRV) and respiration recorded during sleep from 8 patients suffering from difficult-to-control asthma were studied to investigate autonomic nervous system control of cardiac and respiratory activities, and of cardio-respiratory coupling during different sleep stages.