Immediate effects of upper limb exercises with and without deep breathing on lung function after cardiac surgery - a randomized crossover trial.

Background: Open heart surgery, involving median sternotomy, may cause diminished chest wall motion and restrictive pulmonary function in the early postoperative period. Thoracic and upper extremity range of motion (ROM) exercises are often recommended after surgery but have not been evaluated regarding effect on lung volumes and oxygenation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immediate effect of upper limb elevations, with or without simultaneous deep breathing, on lung function after cardiac surgery.

Patient-reported physical activity, pain, and fear of movement after cardiac surgery: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Objectives: After cardiac surgery, there may be barriers to being physically active. Patients are encouraged to gradually increase physical activity, but limited knowledge exists regarding postoperative physical activity levels. This study aimed to assess patient-reported physical activity six months after cardiac surgery, determine adherence to WHO's physical activity recommendations, and explore potential relationships between pain, dyspnea, fear of movement, and activity levels.

First initiation of mobilization out of bed after cardiac surgery - an observational cross-sectional study in Sweden.

Background: Cardiac surgery is associated with a period of postoperative bed rest. Although early mobilization is a vital component of postoperative care, for preventing complications and enhancing physical recovery, there is limited data on routine practices and optimal strategies for early mobilization after cardiac surgery. The aim of the study was to define the timing for the first initiation of out of bed mobilization after cardiac surgery and to describe the type of mobilization performed.

Factors Associated with Patient Education in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - A Primary Health Care Register-Based Study.

Purpose: Patient education in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is recommended in treatment strategy documents, since it can improve the ability to cope with the disease. Our aim was to identify the extent of and factors associated with patient education in patients with COPD in a primary health care setting.

Patients And Methods: In this nationwide study, we identified 29,692 COPD patients with a registration in the Swedish National Airway Register (SNAR) in 2019.

First mobilisation after abdominal and cardiothoracic surgery: when is it actually performed? A national, multicentre, cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Knowledge of clinical practice regarding mobilisation after surgery is lacking. This study therefore aimed to reveal current mobilisation routines after abdominal and cardiothoracic surgery and to identify factors associated with mobilisation within 6 hours postoperatively.

Design: A prospective observational national multicentre study.

Effectiveness of reducing bacterial air contamination when covering sterile goods in the operating room setting: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Postoperative surgical site infection is a serious problem. Coverage of sterile goods may be important to protect the goods from bacterial air contamination while awaiting surgery.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of this practice in a systematic review covering five databases using search terms related to bacterial contamination in the operating room and on surgical instruments.

Physiotherapy provided for patients undergoing thoracic surgery in Sweden - a national survey of practice.

Introduction: Patients undergoing thoracic surgery commonly receive perioperative physio-therapy, typically consisting of education, mobilization, breathing exercises, and mobility exercises. To date, no study has described physiotherapy practice for patients undergoing thoracic surgery in Sweden.

Purpose: To investigate physiotherapy interventions for patients undergoing thoracic surgery in Sweden.

One additional educational session in inhaler use to patients with COPD in primary health care - A controlled clinical trial.

Objective: To investigate whether one additional educational session about inhaler use, delivered to patients with COPD in primary healthcare, could affect the patients' skills in inhaler use. Specifically, to study the effects on errors related to handling the device, to inhalation technique, and to both.

Methods: This nonrandomized controlled clinical trial included 64 patients who used devices and made errors.

Effect of Automated Oxygen Titration during Walking on Dyspnea and Endurance in Chronic Hypoxemic Patients with COPD: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

The need for oxygen increases with activity in patients with COPD and on long-term oxygen treatment (LTOT), leading to periods of hypoxemia, which may influence the patient's performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of automated oxygen titration compared to usual fixed-dose oxygen treatment during walking on dyspnea and endurance in patients with COPD and on LTOT. In a double-blinded randomised crossover trial, 33 patients were assigned to use either automated oxygen titration or the usual fixed-dose in a random order in two walking tests.

Validation of two self-reported physical activity instruments against accelerometer data in patients undergoing lung cancer surgery.

Introduction: Finding ways of identifying patients with low levels of physical activity after lung cancer surgery would be beneficial when planning and providing interventions aimed at increasing physical activity.

Purpose: To validate two self-reported physical activity instruments against accelerometer data.

Methods: Self-reported physical activity was assessed with the four category One Month Physical Activity Question (OMPAQ) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire modified for the elderly (IPAQ-E).

Pulmonary Function and Respiratory Muscle Strength in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), there is a decline in muscle strength and physical capacity due to demyelination and axonal loss in the central nervous system. In patients with advanced MS or in a later stage of the disease, also respiratory impairment may occur. The degree of pulmonary dysfunction in the earlier stages of MS has not been thoroughly described.

Technical Aspects of Devices and Equipment for Positive Expiratory Pressure With and Without Oscillation.

Background: Breathing exercises with positive expiratory pressure (PEP) and oscillating PEP are common treatments for patients with respiratory impairments. There are several trials evaluating the clinical effects of a variety of commercially available and self-made devices. There is a lack of evaluation concerning technical aspects and construction of the devices.

Postoperative Physical Therapy to Prevent Hospital-acquired Pneumonia in Patients Over 80 Years Undergoing Hip Fracture Surgery-A Quasi-experimental Study.

Background: Hip fracture requiring surgical fixation is a common condition with high mortality and morbidity in the geriatric population. The patients are usually frail, and vulnerable to postoperative complications and delayed recovery. Few studies have investigated physical therapy methods to prevent hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) after hip fracture surgery.

Self-efficacy corresponds to wrist function after combined plating of distal radius fractures.

Study Design: A prospective cohort single-center study.

Introduction: Self-efficacy (SE) refers to beliefs in ones capabilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to produce given goals. High SE is an important factor for recovery from injury/illness; people who believe in their capability will more likely reach a good outcome.

Errors in inhaler use related to devices and to inhalation technique among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in primary health care.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe inhaler use in primary health care patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to categorize these patients into those making errors related to devices, those making errors related to inhalation technique and those making errors related to both.

Design: Observational study.

Methods: COPD nurses used a checklist to assess the use of inhalers by patients with spirometry-verified COPD ( = 183) from primary healthcare centres.

In-Hospital Physiotherapy and Physical Recovery 3 Months After Lung Cancer Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

. Lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer deaths. Surgery is the primary approach for curative treatment.

Spirometry to increase smoking cessation rate: A systematic review.

Introduction: Addressing tobacco use is an important issue in general health care. In order to improve smoking cessation advice, spirometry values can be displayed to the smoker to demonstrate possible lung function impairment. The estimate of so-called lung age may show a decrease in lung function associated with smoking.

Airway clearance techniques for patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Physical therapy practice in Sweden.

There is considerable global variability in clinical practice regarding the prescription of airway clearance techniques (ACTs) for patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Little is known about the physical therapy practice, and no international guidelines are available. The aim of this survey was to identify current physical therapy practice regarding ACT prescription for patients with AECOPD in Sweden.

In-hospital physiotherapy improves physical activity level after lung cancer surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Patients undergoing lung cancer surgery are routinely offered physiotherapy. Despite its routine use, effects on postoperative physical recovery have yet not been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether physiotherapy could improve postoperative in-hospital physical activity level and physical capacity.

Engagement in performing clinical physiotherapy research: Perspectives from leaders and physiotherapists.

Objective: The recent increase in physiotherapy research has led to more physiotherapists being involved in research. Consequently, leaders must make a standpoint on whether the department should engage in research, whereas individual physiotherapists have to decide if they want to play an active role in carrying out a research project. The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions and experiences of both participating physiotherapists and their leaders regarding taking part in clinical physiotherapy research projects.

Inspiratory Muscle Training in High-Risk Patients Following Lung Resection May Prevent a Postoperative Decline in Physical Activity Level.

Objectives: To describe postoperative self-reported physical activity (PA) level and assess the effects of 2 weeks of postoperative inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in patients at high risk for postoperative pulmonary complications following lung resection.

Methods: This is a descriptive study reporting supplementary data from a randomized controlled trial that included 68 patients (mean age = 70 ± 8 years), randomized to an intervention group (IG; n = 34) or a control group (CG; n = 34). The IG underwent 2 weeks of postoperative IMT added to a standard postoperative physiotherapy given to both groups.

Decrease in pulmonary function and oxygenation after lung resection.

Respiratory deficits are common following curative intent lung cancer surgery and may reduce the patient's ability to be physically active. We evaluated the influence of surgery on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and physical performance after lung resection. Pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory/expiratory pressure) and 6-min walk test (6MWT) were assessed pre-operatively, 2 weeks post-operatively and 6 months post-operatively in 80 patients (age 68±9 years).

Deep breathing exercises with positive expiratory pressure in patients with multiple sclerosis - a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Breathing exercises with positive expiratory pressure are often recommended to patients with advanced neurological deficits, but the potential benefit in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with mild and moderate symptoms has not yet been investigated in randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: To study the effects of 2 months of home-based breathing exercises for patients with mild to moderate MS on respiratory muscle strength, lung function, and subjective breathing and health status outcomes.

Methods: Forty-eight patients with MS according to the revised McDonald criteria were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial.