Effects of Speed-Based Interventions to Reduce Bradykinesia in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review Protocol.

Background/objectives: Bradykinesia is considered one of the most disabling motor symptoms in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). Speed-based interventions are promising for reducing bradykinesia in this population. This systematic review aims to describe speed-based interventions that have been employed for reducing bradykinesia in individuals with PD and verify their effects.

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.

Predictors of muscle strength assessed with the modified sphygmomanometer test.

Objectives: To investigate the best predictor of muscle strength assessed with both Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST) methods (bag adaptation and non-adapted) and to provide normative values for these two MST methods for the strength assessment of the trunk, upper, and lower limb muscles.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: The strength of 42 muscle groups were assessed with the MST in the bag adaptation and non-adapted methods in 120 healthy individuals, 50 % males, divided into three age groups (20-39, 40-59, 60-79) with 40 subjects per group.

Trunk biomechanical changes between the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit performed at self-selected and fast speeds in stroke survivors.

Purpose: To compare the trunk biomechanical characteristics between the sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit performed at self-selected and fast speeds in stroke survivors and healthy-matched controls.

Methods: Thirty individuals (15 stroke survivors and 15 healthy-matched controls) were included. The following biomechanical characteristics were determined: peak of trunk forward flexion and time until the peak of trunk forward flexion, total duration, phase I (sit-to-stand: time spent from the beginning to seat-off; stand-to-sit: time spent from the beginning to seat-on) and II durations (sit-to-stand: time spent from seat-off to the end of the task; stand-to-sit: time spent from the seat-on to the end of the task).

Effects of high-intensity respiratory muscle training on respiratory muscle strength in individuals with Parkinson's disease: Protocol of a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of high-intensity respiratory muscle training (combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle training) in improving inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength, inspiratory muscle endurance, peak cough flow, dyspnea, fatigue, exercise capacity, and quality of life in this population.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial, concealed allocation, blinded assessments, and intention-to-treat analysis will be carried out. Altogether, 34 individuals with PD (age ≥ 50 years old, with maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) <80cmH2O or maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) <90cmH2O) will be recruited.

Measurement properties of outcome measures used in neurological telerehabilitation: A systematic review using COSMIN checklist.

Objective: To summarize the measurement properties (reliability, validity, and responsiveness) and the clinical utility of measurement tools used in telerehabilitation in individuals with neurological conditions.

Design: Systematic review.

Subjects: Individuals with neurological conditions

Intervention: Not applicable.

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.

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.

Knee extensor muscles strength indicates global lower-limb strength in individuals who have suffered a stroke: A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: This study had three aims: (1) to evaluate the relationships between the paretic knee extensor muscle strength and global lower-limb strength in individuals who had suffered a sub-acute/chronic stroke, (2) to determine whether global lower-limb strength, sex, body mass index, or age could predict knee extensor muscle strength, and 3) to investigate whether the results obtained via a Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST) would be similar to those obtained using a hand-held dynamometer.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, performed at a research laboratory, at participants' homes, or at outpatient clinics. Forty-two individuals with a sub-acute stroke and 45 individuals with a chronic stroke participated.

A Single Trial May Be Used for Measuring Muscle Strength With Dynamometers in Individuals With Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The mean of 3 trials is commonly employed to report measures of muscle strength after a stroke. However, consistent and reliable results have been found for single trial dynamometric measures of grip, pinch, and trunk strength in individuals with stroke. Nevertheless, no studies were found that investigated whether only a single trial could be used for the assessment of the strength of both the upper and lower limb muscles.

Reference values for muscle strength: a systematic review with a descriptive meta-analysis.

Background: Muscle strength is an important component of health.

Objective: To describe and evaluate the studies which have established the reference values for muscle strength on healthy individuals and to synthesize these values with a descriptive meta-analysis approach.

Methods: A systematic review was performed in MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO databases.