Is exercise and electrostimulation effective in improving muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in children with cystic fibrosis and mild-to-moderate pulmonary impairment?: Randomized controlled trial.

Background: Evidence on resistance-training programs for cystic fibrosis (CF) is limited and the possible benefits of the addition of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) are unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a supervised resistance-training program, associated or not with NMES, on muscle strength, aerobic fitness, lung function and quality of life in children with CF presenting mild-to-moderate pulmonary impairment.

Methods: This is a randomized controlled trial including CF patients aged between 6 and 17years.

Comparison of physical fitness between healthy and mild-to-moderate asthmatic children with exercise symptoms: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: Asthma is a chronic disease that may affect physical fitness, although its primary effects on exercise capacity, muscle strength, functionality and lifestyle, in children and adolescents, are still poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, lifestyle, lung function, and functionality between asthmatics with exercise symptoms and healthy children. In addition, we have analyzed the association between clinical history and the presence of asthma.

Effects of a Short-Term Resistance-Training Program on Heart Rate Variability in Children With Cystic Fibrosis-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and exercise in healthy children modulates the interaction between sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a short-term resistance exercise program on heart rate variability (HRV) in children and adolescents with CF. A randomized controlled trial was carried out in children diagnosed with CF aged 6-18 years.

Effect of a combined exercise program on physical fitness, lung function, and quality of life in patients with controlled asthma and exercise symptoms: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Asthmatic patients may benefit from exercise training, although the effects of a combined aerobic and resistance training program are still poorly investigated in children and adolescents.

Objective: To analyze the effects of a combined exercise training (resistance and aerobic) program on aerobic fitness, lung function, asthma control and quality of life in a group of mild-moderate asthmatic children with exercise symptoms.

Methods: This was a 12-week randomized controlled trial including children and adolescents diagnosed with mild-moderate asthma and presenting exercise-induced symptoms.

Bacteria from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from children with suspected chronic lower respiratory tract infection: results from a multi-center, cross-sectional study in Spain.

Unlabelled: This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of bacteria isolated from Spanish children with suspected chronic lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) for whom bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was indicated. BAL fluid (BALF) was collected from 191 children (aged ≥ 6 months to < 6 years, with persistent or recurrent respiratory symptoms, non-responders to usual treatment) and cultured. Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPSs) were also obtained and cultured to assess concordance of BALF and NPS findings in the same patient.

National trends in hospital admissions for asthma exacerbations among pediatric and young adult population in Spain (2002-2010).

Objective: To assess the changes in incidence, use of mechanical ventilation, length of stay (LOS), costs and mortality of children (0-15 years) and young adults (16-45 years) hospitalized for asthma exacerbations.

Methods: We included patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbations in Spain from 2002 to 2010 (ICD9-CM codes 493.0x-493.

Assessing the measurement of airway resistance by the interrupter technique.

Introduction: Pulmonary function tests allow an objective assessment of the degree of bronchial obstruction in collaborative subjects. The measurement of airway resistance using passive methods is very helpful in non-collaborative subjects. The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of measuring airway resistance by the interrupter technique (Rint) in pediatric subjects, determining its reproducibility, reliability and accuracy versus other techniques to measure airway resistance.

Aerobic fitness is associated with lower risk of hospitalization in children with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) often have to be hospitalized because of acute exacerbation of their respiratory symptoms. Given the fact that improved peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak ) is positively associated with lung function and overall health in children with CF, this study examined the association between VO2peak and the need for hospitalization in a cohort of pediatric CF patients.

Methods: In a 3-year study, 77 CF children with mild-to-moderately severe CF (forced expiratory volume in 1 sec [FEV1 ] ≥ 50%) underwent a maximal exercise test to determine VO2peak .

Benefits of combining inspiratory muscle with 'whole muscle' training in children with cystic fibrosis: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: The purpose of this study (randomised controlled trial) was to assess the effects of an 8-week combined 'whole muscle' (resistance+aerobic) and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on lung volume, inspiratory muscle strength (PImax) and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 peak) (primary outcomes), and dynamic muscle strength, body composition and quality of life in paediatric outpatients with CF (cystic fibrosis, secondary outcomes). We also determined the effects of a detraining period.

Methods: Participants were randomly allocated with a block on gender to a control (standard therapy) or intervention group (initial n=10 (6 boys) in each group; age 10±1 and 11±1 years).

Right ventricular dysfunction in adolescents with mild cystic fibrosis.

Background: In cystic fibrosis (CF) patients the right ventricle (RV) suffers a progressive deterioration, but it is not clear when these changes begin. The aim of this study was to analyze the RV function in CF patients with mild respiratory disease.

Methods: Color-Doppler-Echocardiographic studies were prospectively performed in CF adolescent patients and an age-matched control group.

Intrahospital weight and aerobic training in children with cystic fibrosis: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: The purpose of our study was to assess the effects of an 8-wk intrahospital combined circuit weight and aerobic training program performed by children with cystic fibrosis (of low-moderate severity and stable clinical condition) on the following outcomes: cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) and muscle strength (five-repetition maximum (5RM) bench press, 5RM leg press, and 5RM seated row) (primary outcomes) and pulmonary function (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s), weight, body composition, functional mobility (Timed Up and Down Stairs and 3-m Timed Up and Go tests), and quality of life (secondary outcomes). We also determined the effects of a detraining period (4 wk) on the aforementioned outcomes.

Methods: We performed a randomized controlled trial design.

[External assessment of the GEMA2009 recommendations by a multidisciplinary expert panel on asthma].

Objectives: To assess the level of agreement on the GEMA 2009 clinical recommendations by a Spanish expert panel on asthma.

Materials And Methods: The study was divided into four stages: 1) establishment of a 9 member scientific committee (GEMA authors) for selection of GEMA recommendations to use in the survey; 2) formation of a panel of 74 professionals with expertise in this field (pulmonologists, allergists, family doctors, ear, nose and throat and paediatric specialists); 3) Delphi survey in two rounds, sent by mail, with intermediate processing of opinions and a report to the panel members; and 4) analysis and discussion of results for the Scientific Committee.

Results: Seventy four participants completed the two rounds of survey.

Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in children with Down syndrome: polygraphic findings in 108 children.

Study Objectives: To assess the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in a nonselected group of children with Down syndrome and to determine significant predisposing factors for this condition.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Tertiary care university hospital in Madrid, Spain.