Aerobic exercise prescription for patients after stroke: Current scenario and barriers perceived by Brazilian physical therapists.

Background: Guidelines recommend incorporating aerobic exercise into stroke rehabilitation. However, implementing this is challenging due to safety concerns, institutional and patient characteristics, and unfamiliarity with aerobic exercise guidelines. No study has assessed the parameters used and perceived barriers among Brazilian physical therapists when prescribing aerobic exercise for individuals after stroke.

Validity and reliability of the modified sphygmomanometer test for assessing upper limb and trunk muscle strength in adolescents.

The Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST) is a method for assessing muscle strength that offers objective measures similar to those of a portable dynamometer, while also being cost-effective. However, previous studies have not investigated the measurement properties of the MST in adolescents. Thus, the objectives of the study were (1) to examine the concurrent criterion validity, test-retest and interrater reliability of the Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (TMS) for assessing muscle strength in adolescents, (2) to calculate the Standard Error of Measurement (EPM) and the smallest real difference (SRD) of muscle strength values; and (3) analyze the different forms of operationalization and their influence on the results obtained.

Maximum heart rate prediction equations based on field-tests with adequate clinical applicability for aerobic exercise prescription to individuals after stroke.

Objectives: 1) to develop two maximum heart rate (HR) prediction equations for individuals after stroke; 2) to investigate its validity.

Methods: The HR was obtained by a Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET). Participants also completed the Six-minute Walking Test (6MWT) and the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT).

Decannulation protocol in pediatric patients: case series study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the phases of a decannulation protocol and the results from its application in hospitalized children.

Methods: This is a retrospective, observational study. Data were collected from medical records of decannulated patients followed up in a pediatric hospital in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais between 2011 and 2021.

Fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis: Is there a relationship with walking speed and mobility?

Background: Fatigue is a common symptom in patients with multiple sclerosis and it can lead to activity limitations. Thus, it is important to analyze the relationship between fatigue and activity outcomes, such as walking speed and mobility.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between fatigue and walking speed and mobility in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

A single trial of the five-repetition sit-to-stand test provides adequate measures in community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To investigate whether the number of trials would affect the results of the Five-Repetition Sit-to-Stand Test (5STSt) and its measurement properties in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: Three trials of the 5STSt, after familiarization, were performed by 50 older adults (69.9 ± 5.

The telephone-based application of the modified fatigue impact scale in individuals with multiple sclerosis: An investigation of measurement properties.

Background: Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms reported by individuals with multiple sclerosis and it contributes to the reduction of the functionality. Therefore, it is important to assess the impact of fatigue on daily living of individuals with multiple sclerosis. The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) is an instrument to assess the perception of the impact of fatigue.

Are age-predicted equations valid in predicting maximum heart rate in individuals after stroke?

Purpose: To investigate the validity of six age-predicted maximum heart rate (HR) equations after stroke.

Material And Methods: Sixty individuals (54 (12) years; 64 (69) months after stroke) were included. A Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) performed on a treadmill obtained the HR The most used age-predicted equations were investigated: (1) 220-age, proposed by Fox; (2) 206.

Validity of the two-minute walk test to assess exercise capacity and estimate cardiorespiratory fitness in individuals after stroke: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the construct validity of the 2-minute walk test (2MWT) to assess the exercise capacity and the criterion-concurrent validity of the 2MWT and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) to estimate the cardiorespiratory fitness of ambulatory individuals with chronic stroke. In addition, to provide an equation to predict the distance covered in the 6MWT and another to predict the peak oxygen consumption (VO) for these individuals.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional and prospective study.

An Equation With Clinical Applicability and Adequate Validity to Predict the Maximum Oxygen Consumption of Individuals Post-stroke.

Objective: To develop an equation with clinical applicability and adequate validity to predict the maximum oxygen consumption (V̇o) of individuals post-stroke.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: A university laboratory.

How to Score the Peak Oxygen Consumption Obtained Through Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test in Individuals after Stroke?

Objectives: To compare five distinct methods to score the peak of oxygen consumption (VO2peak) obtained through the cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in individuals after stroke.

Materials And Methods: The VO was obtained through the CPET with five methods: method-1: the highest value of the test; method-2: the highest value of the last 30 seconds at peak exercise; method-3: the mean of the last 30 seconds at peak exercise; method-4: the mean of the last 20 seconds at peak exercise; method-5: the highest value averaged of the 3 last blocks of 10 seconds at peak exercise. The coefficient of variance (CV) and the mean differences with 95% confidence interval (CI) between the scoring methods were calculated.

Assessment of V̇o and Exercise Capacity After Stroke: A Validity Study of the Human Activity Profile Questionnaire.

Objective: To investigate the concurrent validity of the Human Activity Profile (HAP) in individuals after stroke to provide the peak oxygen uptake (V̇o) and the construct validity of the HAP to assess exercise capacity, and to provide equations based on the HAP outcomes to estimate the distance covered in the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test (ISWT).

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University laboratory.

Stroke survivors with the same levels of exercise as healthy individuals have lower levels of physical activity.

Background: Physical activity and exercise are different constructs. However, professionals usually employ heterogeneous definitions for these distinct constructs, resulting in nonspecific and inaccurate assessments, which compromise clinical decision making.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to verify if the levels of physical activity behave similarly between individuals with stroke and healthy-control individuals with the same levels of exercise.

The Distance Covered in Field Tests is more Explained by Walking Capacity than by Cardiorespiratory Fitness after Stroke.

Objectives: To investigate if the distance covered in the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and in the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT) is most strongly explained by walking capacity or cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) measures in individuals after chronic stroke.

Materials And Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Individuals after chronic stroke aged at least 20 years old and able to walk at least 10 minutes independently were included.

Perspectives, satisfaction, self-efficacy, and barriers to aerobic exercise reported by individuals with chronic stroke in a developing country.

Purpose: To describe the perspectives, satisfaction, and self-efficacy towards aerobic exercise and to investigate the barriers to aerobic exercise identified by individuals with stroke in a developing country.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed with 15 individuals (55 ± 12 years, 69 ± 77 months post-stroke), who received a 12-week vigorous intensity aerobic treadmill training (three 30-min sessions/week). To assess participants' perspectives, satisfaction, self-efficacy, and barriers to aerobic exercise, a standardized interview and the Short Self-Efficacy for Exercise scale were employed.

Efficacy of task-specific circuit training on physical activity levels and mobility of stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Impaired mobility is related to low physical activity (PA) levels observed after stroke. Therapeutic approaches, such as task-specific circuit training (TSCT), used to improve mobility in individuals with stroke, could also improve PA levels.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of TSCT, focused on both upper (UL) and lower (LL) limbs, in improving PA levels and mobility (primary outcomes), as well as muscle strength, exercise capacity, and quality of life (secondary outcomes) in subjects with stroke.

Reliability and validity of the incremental shuttle walking test in individuals after stroke.

Background: There are limitations to perform the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and the six-minute walking test (6MWT) in clinical settings. The incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT) might be an alternative assessment of exercise capacity and an estimation of cardiopulmonary fitness after stroke.

Objectives: To investigate the test-retest and inter-rater reliabilities, the standard error of measurement (SEM) and the minimal detectable change (MDC) of the ISWT, its construct validity to assess exercise capacity and its concurrent validity to estimate cardiopulmonary fitness after stroke.

Effects of detraining on cardiorespiratory fitness of individuals with chronic stroke.

Background: Aerobic training can improve cardiorespiratory fitness in individuals after stroke. However, the effects of short-term and long-term detraining are not well known.

Objective: To determine the effects of short-term (1-month) and long-term (6-month) detraining on cardiorespiratory fitness (VO) of individuals after stroke, who participated in aerobic training.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and aerobic treadmill training after stroke: Feasibility of a controlled trial.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility and safety of a randomized controlled trial that performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing and 12 weeks of aerobic treadmill training in individuals in the chronic phase after stroke.

Methods: The following data were recorded: number of individuals contacted to participate, that attended in the evaluation session, and that were included (recruited) in the study; retention, attendance and adherence rates; reasons for exclusion, withdrawal, non-attendance and non-completing exercise; adverse events.

Results: From 230 individuals that were contacted, 39 (17%) attended the evaluation session and 22 (9.

The modified sphygmomanometer test for assessment of muscle strength of community-dwelling older adults in clinical practice: reliability and validity.

Purpose: (a) to investigate the test-retest and inter-rater reliabilities and the criterion-related validity of the modified sphygmomanometer test (MST) for the assessment of muscle strength in community-dwelling older adults, (b) to calculate the standard error of measurement (SEM) and the smallest real difference (SRD); (c) to verify whether the number of trials affect the results.

Methods: Bilateral strength of lower limbs (LL) and grip muscles were evaluated with the MST and with portable dynamometers in 50 older adults (69.92 ± 5.

Effects of aerobic training on physical activity in people with stroke: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Individuals with stroke have low physical activity levels and spend high amount of time in low-energy expenditure activities.

Objective: To investigate the effects of aerobic treadmill training on physical activity levels and time spent in low-energy expenditure activities (primary outcomes), as well as on cardiorespiratory fitness, endurance, depression, mobility, quality of life and participation (secondary outcomes) after stroke.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial, with 22 adults with chronic stroke was performed.

Measurement properties of self-report physical activity assessment tools for patients with stroke: a systematic review.

Background: Individuals with stroke demonstrate low levels of physical activity. Self-report measures of physical activity are frequently used and the choice of the best one to use for each purpose and context should take into account the measurement properties of these instruments.

Objective: To summarize the measurement properties and clinical utility of self-report measures of physical activity of post-stroke subjects and to evaluate both the methodological quality of the studies and the quality of the measurement properties.

Efficacy of interventions aimed at improving physical activity in individuals with stroke: a systematic review.

To identify interventions employed to increase post-stroke physical activity, evaluate their efficacy, and identify the gaps in literature. Randomized controlled trials published until March 2018 were searched in MEDLINE, PEDro, EMBASE, LILACS, and SCIELO databases. The quality of each study and overall quality of evidence were assessed using the PEDro and the GRADE scales.