Measuring Spinal Mobility Using an Inertial Measurement Unit System: A Reliability Study in Axial Spondyloarthritis.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the reliability of wearable inertial motion unit (IMU) sensors in measuring spinal range of motion under supervised and unsupervised conditions in both laboratory and ambulatory settings. A secondary aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability of composite IMU metrology scores (IMU-ASMI (Amb)). Forty people with axSpA participated in this clinical measurement study.

Pregnancy in axial spondyloarthropathy: A systematic review & meta-analysis.

Background: Axial spondyloarthropathy (axSpA) is an inflammatory arthritis which affects the sacroiliac joints and the spine. Many females affected are of childbearing age. Studies on effects of pregnancy on axSpA disease activity and medication use have been limited, with divergent conclusions.

Measuring Spinal Mobility Using an Inertial Measurement Unit System: A Validation Study in Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Portable inertial measurement units (IMUs) are beginning to be used in human motion analysis. These devices can be useful for the evaluation of spinal mobility in individuals with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The objectives of this study were to assess (a) concurrent criterion validity in individuals with axSpA by comparing spinal mobility measured by an IMU sensor-based system vs.

Pharmacological treatment for managing bone health in axial spondyloarthropathy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Axial spondyloarthropathy (axSpA) is associated with an increased prevalence of osteoporosis, but no recommendations exist to guide management. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to assess the efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on bone mineral density (BMD) in axSpA. Electronic databases were searched from inception to June 2019 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi (q)-RCTs with pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions.

Benefits of exercise in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized controlled trial of a patient-specific exercise programme.

Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) tend to be more overweight, take less physical exercise, exhibit decreased cardiorespiratory fitness and demonstrate reduced muscle strength compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Impaired cognitive function in RA is an important associated factor, although it has been less well-recognized. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a specifically designed exercise programme on body composition, aerobic capacity, muscle strength and cognition in RA.

Management strategies and future directions for systemic lupus erythematosus in adults.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterised by the loss of self-tolerance and formation of nuclear autoantigens and immune complexes resulting in inflammation of multiple organs. The clinical presentation of SLE is heterogeneous, can involve one or more organs, including the skin, kidneys, joints, and nervous system, and take a chronic or relapsing and remitting disease course. SLE is most common in women and in those of non-white ethnicity.

Behaviour change interventions targeting physical activity in adults with fibromyalgia: a systematic review.

Physical activity (PA) and exercise programmes are recommended for the management of fibromyalgia. Despite positive effects on symptoms and function, PA promotion remains a significant clinical challenge. Behaviour change theories and techniques are recommended as part of complex health interventions; their integration into interventions aimed at PA behaviour in people with fibromyalgia is not known.

Effects of match play and training on circulating S100B concentration in professional rugby players.

Objectives: Examine the effects of match play and a season of training on serum S100B concentration in male professional rugby players. To assess the influence of contact play, values were compared with age- and fitness-matched athletes not involved in a contact sport.

Methods: Over a 2-year period, blood samples were collected from 38 players in pre-season, end of season, and post-matches (within 2 h).

Exercise, orthoses and splinting for treating Achilles tendinopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy of exercise, orthoses and splinting on function, pain and quality of life (QoL) for the management of mid-portion and insertional Achilles tendinopathy, and to compare different types, applications and modes of delivery within each intervention category.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Medline, CINAHL, Embase, AMED, WHO ICTRP, Web of Science, PEDro and Cochrane Library from inception to October 2017.

The use of eHealth to promote physical activity in cancer survivors: a systematic review.

Purpose: Achieving adequate levels of physical activity (PA) and avoiding sedentary behaviour are particularly important in cancer survivors. eHealth, which includes, but is not limited to, the delivery of health information through Internet and mobile technologies, is an emerging concept in healthcare which may present opportunities to improve PA in cancer survivors. The aim of this systematic review was to explore the effects of eHealth in the promotion of PA among cancer survivors.

Exercise and physical activity in systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review with meta-analyses.

Unlabelled: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associates with enhanced cardiovascular (CV) risk frequently unexplained by traditional risk factors. Physical inactivity, common in SLE, likely contributes to the burden of CV risk and may also be a factor in co-morbid chronic fatigue. This systematic review evaluates whether exercise has a deleterious effect on disease activity in SLE, and explores effects on CV function and risk factors, physical fitness and function and health-related measures.

Behaviour change intervention increases physical activity, spinal mobility and quality of life in adults with ankylosing spondylitis: a randomised trial.

Questions: Does a 3-month behaviour change intervention targeting physical activity (PA) increase habitual physical activity in adults with ankylosing spondylitis (AS)? Does the intervention improve health-related physical fitness, AS-related features, and attitude to exercise? Are any gains maintained over a 3-month follow-up?

Design: Parallel-group, randomised, controlled trial with concealed allocation, assessor blinding and intention-to-treat analysis.

Participants: Forty adults with a diagnosis of AS, on stable medication, and without PA-limiting comorbidities.

Intervention: Over a 3-month period, the experimental group engaged in individually-tailored, semi-structured consultations aiming to motivate and support individuals in participating in PA.

The emerging role of respiratory physiotherapy: A profile of the attitudes of nurses and physicians in Saudi Arabia.

Context: Respiratory physiotherapy plays a key role in the management and treatment of patients with respiratory diseases worldwide, yet this specialty is not well established in Saudi Arabia.

Aims: To profile the attitudes among physicians and nurses toward physiotherapists working in respiratory care settings in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted.

Health effects of smoke from planned burns: a study protocol.

Background: Large populations are exposed to smoke from bushfires and planned burns. Studies investigating the association between bushfire smoke and health have typically used hospital or ambulance data and been done retrospectively on large populations. The present study is designed to prospectively assess the association between individual level health outcomes and exposure to smoke from planned burns.

Physical Activity and Exercise: Perspectives of Adults With Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Background: Exercise is a key component of the management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Despite numerous benefits, compliance with exercise programs is low. Little attention has been accorded to the experiences of individuals with AS toward physical activity (PA).

Decreased physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in adults with ankylosing spondylitis: a cross-sectional controlled study.

The health benefits of physical activity (PA) in the general population are numerous; however, few studies have measured PA among adults with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aims of this study were to: (1) objectively measure the PA levels and cardiorespiratory fitness of adults with AS and compare these to population controls, and (2) examine the relationships between PA, cardiorespiratory function and condition-specific outcomes. This cross-sectional study included participants (>18 years) meeting the modified New York criteria for AS, and matched population controls.

Decreased health-related physical fitness in adults with ankylosing spondylitis: a cross-sectional controlled study.

Objectives: (1) Assess the health-related physical fitness of adults with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and compare these to the general population, and (2) examine the relationships between physical fitness and condition-specific outcomes.

Design: Cross-sectional, controlled study.

Setting: Exercise research laboratory.

A Low-Power, Dual-Wavelength Photoplethysmogram (PPG) SoC With Static and Time-Varying Interferer Removal.

This paper presents a low-power, reflectance-mode photoplethysmogram (PPG) front end with up to 100 μA of static interferer current removal and 87 dB attenuation of time-varying interferers. The chip nominally consumes 425 μW including signal chain circuits, red and IR LED drive power, clocks, digitization and I/O. Measured data shows the noise of the PPG signal to be dominated by the photodiode sensor photon shot noise.

Physical activity in spondyloarthritis: a systematic review.

Physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous health-related benefits among adults with chronic diseases and the general population. As the benefits are dose-dependent, this review aims to establish the PA levels of adults with spondyloarthritis and to compare these to the general population. Electronic databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, PEDro, AMED, CINAHL) were systematically searched from inception to May 2014 using medical subject headings and keywords.

Physical activity guidelines: is the message getting through to adults with rheumatic conditions?

Objectives: This study examines the awareness and self-report knowledge of physical activity (PA) guidelines among adults with rheumatic conditions and evaluates rates of adherence to PA recommendations. Secondary aims include (i) investigating perceived benefits and barriers to exercise and (ii) exploring correlates associated with PA.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved adults attending an outpatient rheumatology clinic completing a questionnaire.

Exercise therapy for spondyloarthritis: a systematic review.

To evaluate the effects of therapeutic exercise on pain, stiffness, quality of life, physical function, disease activity, health-related fitness and cardiovascular risk factors in adults with spondyloarthritis (SpA). Electronic databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, PEDro, AMED, CINAHL) were systematically searched from inception to October 2013 using medical subject headings and keywords. This was supplemented by searching conference abstracts and a hand search of reference lists of included studies.