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.

Influence of heart failure (HF) comorbidity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and isolated forms of HF and COPD on cardiovascular function during hospitalization.

Introduction: Coexistence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and heart failure(HF) is associated with systemic inflammation, myocardial injury, and arterial stiffening, impacting cardiovascular risk and prognosis in patients. Arterial stiffness, reduced nitric oxide synthesis, and altered cardiac autonomic control further link COPD and HF pathophysiology, emphasizing the need for comprehensive cardiovascular assessment.

Objective: To investigate a cardiovascular profile in patients hospitalized with exacerbation COPD(ECOPD) in coexistence with HF compared with isolated diseases.

Disability after breast cancer surgery: Proposal of linkage between the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and the Grocery Shelving Task Test.

Purpose: To link the concepts measured by the Grocery Shelving Task Test (GST) to the codes and qualifiers of the activity and participation component of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Methods: The linkage was performed by two professionals who applied the 10 standardized binding rules. The linking process was performed through the model of extraction and identification of the concepts that were found in each item of the GST Test.

Wearable Devices to Diagnose and Monitor the Progression of COVID-19 Through Heart Rate Variability Measurement: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Recent studies have linked low heart rate variability (HRV) with COVID-19, indicating that this parameter can be a marker of the onset of the disease and its severity and a predictor of mortality in infected people. Given the large number of wearable devices that capture physiological signals of the human body easily and noninvasively, several studies have used this equipment to measure the HRV of individuals and related these measures to COVID-19.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the utility of HRV measurements obtained from wearable devices as predictive indicators of COVID-19, as well as the onset and worsening of symptoms in affected individuals.

Effect of frailty on physical activity levels and walking capacity in patients with peripheral artery disease: A cross-sectional study.

Background: This study aimed to analyze the effect of frailty on walking capacity and physical activity levels of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Methods: A cross-sectional study including 216 symptomatic PAD patients (e.g.

Evaluation of autonomic modulation of lung function and heart rate in children with cystic fibrosis.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays an important role in modulating bronchial smooth muscle contractility, which is altered in cystic fibrosis (CF). A convenient approach to probe ANS regulation is the quantitative analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). The purpose of this study was to evaluate ANS regulation in children with CF and to investigate the influence of colonization by Pseudonomas aeruginosa via assessment of HRV in colonized CF (CCF) children and noncolonized CF (NCCF) children.

Does Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Increase Postoperative Complications in Patients Submitted to Cardiovascular Surgeries?

Objective: To compare the incidence of postoperative complications (PC) between diabetic and nondiabetic patients undergoing cardiovascular surgeries (CS).

Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study, based on the analysis of 288 medical records. Patients aged ≥ 18 years, admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) between January 2012 and January 2013, and undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or vascular surgeries were included.

Complexity analysis of heart rate variability in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: relationship with severity and symptoms.

Purpose: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) negatively impacts autonomic control of the heart rate, as assessed by time and frequency domains of heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. However, it is unknown whether symbolic dynamic analysis may identify cardiac autonomic impairment, and whether such nonlinear indices may be associated with disease severity, prognostic markers, perceived dyspnea and functional capacity in patients with COPD. The current study assessed cardiac autonomic modulation by symbolic analysis of HRV in patients with COPD compared with healthy controls.

Biofeedback for pelvic floor muscle training in women with stress urinary incontinence: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Several clinical effects have been attributed to the use of biofeedback (BF) as an adjuvant in the treatment of women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Objectives: To determine whether BF is more effective than other interventions for women with SUI in terms of quantification of urine leakage, episodes of urinary loss, quality of life and muscle strength.

Data Sources: Science Direct, Embase, MEDLINE, Pedro, SciELO, CINAHL and LILACS from January 2000 to February 2017.

Physiological responses in different intensities of resistance exercise - Critical load and the effects of aging process.

Aim was to identify critical load (CL) in young and elderly apparently healthy male cohorts. To contrast the metabolic, cardiovascular and perceptual responses on CL according to age. We evaluated 12 young (23 ± 3 years) and 10 elderly (70 ± 2 years) apparently healthy active males, who underwent: (1) 1 repetition maximum (1RM) test on a 45° Leg Press; (2) on different days, three high-intensity resistance exercise constant load tests (60%, 75% and 90% 1RM) until fatigue (Tlim).

Prevalence and severity of syndrome Z in women with metabolic syndrome on waiting list for bariatric surgery: a cross-sectional study.

Background: In recent years, obesity has become one of the most important public health problems in the world, with a growing prevalence in both developed and developing countries. Recent studies show that sleep disturbances, especially obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) may be a manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Although the association of OSA with the MetS is largely attributed to obesity, the exact pathophysiological mechanisms and their individual characteristics still need to be identified.

Does Virtual Reality-based Kinect Dance Training Paradigm Improve Autonomic Nervous System Modulation in Individuals with Chronic Stroke?

Background: Physical inactivity and low resting heart rate variability (HRV) are associated with an increased cardiovascular deconditioning, risk of secondary stroke and mortality. Aerobic dance is a multidimensional physical activity and recent research supports its application as a valid alternative cardiovascular training. Furthermore, technological advances have facilitated the emergence of new approaches for exercise training holding promise, especially those methods that integrate rehabilitation with virtual gaming.

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.

Maximum inspiratory pressure and rapid shallow breathing index as predictors of successful ventilator weaning.

[Purpose] To investigate the predictive value of maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and the rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) in a ventilator weaning protocol and to evaluate the differences between clinical and surgical patients in the intensive care unit. [Subjects and Methods] Patients aged ≥15 years who underwent orotracheal intubation for mechanical ventilation and who met the criteria of the weaning protocol were included in the study. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated for the analysis of each index.

Active Video Game Exercise Training Improves the Clinical Control of Asthma in Children: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine whether aerobic exercise involving an active video game system improved asthma control, airway inflammation and exercise capacity in children with moderate to severe asthma.

Design: A randomized, controlled, single-blinded clinical trial was carried out. Thirty-six children with moderate to severe asthma were randomly allocated to either a video game group (VGG; N = 20) or a treadmill group (TG; n = 16).

Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation improves clinical features and systemic inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease characterized by chronic airflow limitation that leads beyond the pulmonary changes to important systemic effects. COPD is characterized by pulmonary and systemic inflammation. However, increases in the levels of inflammatory cytokines in plasma are found even when the disease is stable.

Reproducibility of the incremental shuttle walk test for women with morbid obesity.

Objective: The incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) is a valuable tool for the assessment of functional capacity. However, few studies have used the ISWT in individuals with obesity or have determined its reproducibility in this population.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the ISWT in women with morbid obesity.

Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a multidisciplinary program of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with the goal of improving the functional capacity and quality of life, as well as maintaining the clinical stability of COPD sufferers. However, not all patients are available for such a program despite discomfort with their condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a home-based PR (HBPR) program on functional ability, quality of life, and respiratory muscle strength and endurance.

Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with gait and mobility training on functionality in children with cerebral palsy: study protocol for a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: The project proposes three innovative intervention techniques (treadmill training, mobility training with virtual reality and transcranial direct current stimulation that can be safely administered to children with cerebral palsy. The combination of transcranial stimulation and physical therapy resources will provide the training of a specific task with multiple rhythmic repetitions of the phases of the gait cycle, providing rich sensory stimuli with a modified excitability threshold of the primary motor cortex to enhance local synaptic efficacy and potentiate motor learning.

Methods/design: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled, analytical, clinical trial will be carried out.

Cardiovascular risk and mortality in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing dialysis: sleep study, pulmonary function, respiratory mechanics, upper airway collapsibility, autonomic nervous activity, depression, anxiety, stress and quality of life: a prospective, double blind, randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most serious public health problems. The increasing prevalence of CKD in developed and developing countries has led to a global epidemic. The hypothesis proposed is that patients undergoing dialysis would experience a marked negative influence on physiological variables of sleep and autonomic nervous system activity, compromising quality of life.

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.

Clinical significance in COPD patients followed in a real practice.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important public health issue in many countries which is estimated to become the fifth cause of disability and the third cause of mortality in the world within 2020.The objective of this study was to identify the clinical characteristics in the real clinical practice of a sample of patients with COPD followed in a pulmonology clinic.

Methods: The initial sample contained 207 subjects with respiratory claims that searched for specialized treatment and initiated regular monitoring between 2004 and 2009 in a private clinic localized in Cascavel, in the state of Parana, Brazil.

Effects of CPAP on clinical variables and autonomic modulation in children during an asthma attack.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) causes changes in alveolar and intrathoracic pressure and the activation of pulmonary stretch receptors affects the balance of the autonomic nervous system. The acute effects of CPAP on autonomic modulation have been demonstrated in different diseases, but no studies have been carried out addressing CPAP in patients with asthma. The hypothesis tested in the present study is that CPAP can produce an autonomic effect beyond a mechanical effect of bronchial dilatation in children with asthma.

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.