Impact of vertical positioning on lung aeration among mechanically ventilated intensive care unit patients: a randomized crossover clinical trial / Impacto do posicionamento vertical na aeração pulmonar em pacientes de unidades de terapia intensiva ventilados mecanicamente: um estudo clínico transversal randomizado

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the impact of different vertical positions on lung aeration in patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. Methods: An open-label randomized crossover clinical trial was conducted between January and July 2020. Adults receiving invasive mechanical ventilation for > 24 hours and < 7 days with hemodynamic, respiratory and neurological stability were randomly assigned at a 1:1 ratio to the sitting position followed by passive orthostasis condition or the passive orthostasis followed by the sitting position condition. The primary outcome was lung aeration assessed using the lung ultrasound score (score ranges from 0 [better] to 36 [worse]). Results: A total of 186 subjects were screened; of these subjects, 19 were enrolled (57.8% male; mean age, 73.2 years). All participants were assigned to receive at least one verticalization protocol. Passive orthostasis resulted in mean lung ultrasound scores that did not differ significantly from the sitting position (11.0 versus 13.7; mean difference, -2.7; [95%CI -6.1 to 0.71; p = 0.11). Adverse events occurred in three subjects in the passive orthostasis group and in one in the sitting position group (p = 0.99). Conclusion: This analysis did not find significant differences in lung aeration between the sitting and passive orthostasis groups. A randomized crossover clinical trial assessing the impact of vertical positioning on lung aeration in patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation is feasible. Unfortunately, the study was interrupted due to the need to treat COVID-19 patients. ClinicalTrials.gov registry: NCT04176445

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto de diferentes posicionamentos verticais na aeração pulmonar em pacientes em ventilação mecânica invasiva. Métodos: Trata-se de ensaio clínico aberto, randomizado e transversal, realizado entre janeiro e julho de 2020. Adultos em ventilação mecânica invasiva por mais de 24 horas e menos de 7 dias com estabilidade hemodinâmica, respiratória e neurológica foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em uma proporção de 1:1 à postura sentada seguida da condição de ortostatismo passivo ou o ortostatismo passivo seguido de postura sentada. O desfecho primário foi a aeração pulmonar avaliada pelo lung ultrasound score. O escore varia de zero (melhor) a 36 (pior). Resultados: Foram selecionados 186 indivíduos; destes, 19 foram incluídos (57,8% do sexo masculino; média idade de 73,2 anos). Todos os participantes foram selecionados para receber pelo menos um protocolo de verticalização. O ortostatismo passivo resultou em escores médios de aeração pulmonar por ultrassonografia que não diferiram significativamente da postura sentada (11,0 versus 13,7; diferença média, -2,7; IC95% -6,1 a 0,71; p = 0,11). Ocorreram eventos adversos em três indivíduos no grupo ortostatismo passivo e em um no grupo postura sentada (p = 0,99). Conclusão: Esta análise não encontrou diferenças significativas na aeração pulmonar entre os grupos ortostatismo passivo e postura sentada. É factível conduzir um estudo clínico transversal randomizado para avaliar o impacto do posicionamento vertical na aeração pulmonar em pacientes em ventilação mecânica invasiva. Infelizmente, o estudo foi interrompido devido à necessidade de tratar pacientes com COVID-19. Registro ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04176445

Effect of using a spine mat on sagittal spinal alignment in children / 体力科学

Recently, poor posture (hyperkyphosis) has become a problem among children. This study investigated the effectiveness of an intervention (a spine mat) by measuring spinal alignment before and after the intervention in elementary school students. The study included 83 elementary school students. For the intervention, each participant was placed in a supine position on a bed and a spine mat was inserted ensuring that it adhered to the thoracic spine. The primary outcome variables included the thoracic kyphosis angle (TKA), upper thoracic angle, lower thoracic angle, lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), and sacral anteversion angle (SAA) measured in the standing and sitting positions using Spinal Mouse® before and after the intervention. Based on this evaluation, we assigned the participants to two groups: hyperkyphosis (n=25) and non-hyperkyphosis (n=58). Significant differences were observed between the pre-test and post-test TKA in the hyperkyphosis group in the standing position (pre-test: 45.3±4.5° and post-test: 40.8±9.0°, P<0.05). In the non-hyperkyphosis group, significant differences were observed between the pre-test and post-test LLA and SAA in the standing position. However, no significant difference was observed between the pre-test and post-test spinal alignment in the sitting position in both groups. The results of this study indicated that using a spine mat in elementary school children resulted in decreased TKA in the standing position only in the hyperkyphosis group, which exhibited a TKA of 40° or more after the intervention.

Image quality of digital radiography versus neoimaging software technique in imaging of the spine and lower extremities in a standing position / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the image quality of digital radiography (DR) versus neoimaging (NE) technique in imaging of the spine and lower extremities in a standing position. Methods:The clinical data of 163 patients who underwent DR of the thoracolumbar spine and full-length lower extremities in a staining position in June to December 2019 in Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province were retrospectively analyzed. Conventional DR images were designated as pre-processing images. NE software technique-processed images were designated as post-processing images. The image quality between the two techniques were compared.Results:Grade I image quality was observed in 91.41% (149/163) of DR images, and grade II image quality in 8.59% (14/163) of DR images. Grade I image quality was found in 93.87% (153/163) of NE software-treated images, and grade II image quality in 6.14% (10/163) NE software-treated images. There was significant difference in image quality between before and after NE software processing ( χ2 = 10.220, P = 0.001). Conclusion:NE software technique can seamlessly splice conventional DR images of the spine and low extremities in a standing position without being limited by equipment. Thus, high-quality images can be obtained to meet the requirement of clinical diagnosis. This study is innovative.

A Prevalência da Hipotensão Ortostática e a Distribuição da Variação Pressórica no Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde do Adulto / Prevalence of Orthostatic Hypotension and the Distribution of Pressure Variation in the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health

Resumo Fundamento A hipotensão ortostática (HO) tem sido negligenciada na clínica não havendo estudos sobre sua prevalência na população brasileira. Objetivo Determinar a prevalência de HO e a variação da pressão arterial (PA) após manobra postural no Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde do Adulto. Métodos No presente estudo descritivo da linha de base (N = 14.833 indivíduos, 35-74 anos), os participantes ficavam deitados por 20 minutos e então levantavam ativamente, com a medida da PA em supino e aos 2, 3, e 5 minutos de ortostase. A HO foi definida por queda ≥ 20 mmHg na PA sistólica e/ou queda ≥ 10 mmHg na PA diastólica aos 3 minutos, sendo determinada a sua prevalência com intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%). A distribuição da variação da PA após a manobra postural foi determinada numa subamostra (N = 8.011) após remoção de participantes com morbidade cardiovascular e/ou diabetes. Resultados A prevalência de HO foi de 2,0% (IC95%: 1,8 - 2,3), crescente com a idade. Se o critério for a mesma queda pressórica em qualquer das medidas, a prevalência aumenta para 4,3% (IC95%: 4,0 - 4,7). Em presença de HO houve relato de sintomas (tontura, escotomas, náuseas, etc.) em 19,7% dos participantes (IC95%: 15,6 - 24,6) e em apenas 1,4% (IC95%: 1,2 - 1,6) dos sem HO. Os escores-Z −2 das variações da PA antes e após manobra postural na subamostra foram de −14,1 mmHg na PA sistólica e −5,4 mmHg na diastólica. Conclusão A prevalência de HO varia em função do momento da aferição da PA. Os pontos de corte atuais podem subestimar a ocorrência de HO na população. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 114(6):1040-1048)

Abstract Background Orthostatic hypotension (OH) has been neglected in clinical practice, and there are no studies on its prevalence in the Brazilian population. Objective To determine the prevalence of OH and blood pressure (BP) changes after the postural change maneuver in participants of the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health. Methods In this descriptive study of baseline data (N = 14,833 adults, ages 35 - 74 years), participants remained lying down for 20 minutes and subsequently stood up actively. BP measurements were taken while the participants were supine and at 2, 3, and 5 minutes after standing. OH was defined as a reduction of ≥ 20 mmHg in systolic BP and/or a reduction of ≥ 10 mmHg in diastolic BP at 3 minutes, and its prevalence was determined with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The distribution of BP variation after the postural change maneuver was determined in a subsample (N = 8,011) obtained by removing patients with cardiovascular morbidity and/or diabetes. Results The prevalence of OH was 2.0% (95% CI: 1.8 - 2.3), increasing with age. If the criterion applied were a BP reduction during any measurement, the prevalence would increase to 4.3% (95% CI: 4.0 - 4.7). Symptoms (dizziness, scotoma, nausea, etc.) were reported by 19.7% of participants (95% CI: 15.6 - 24.6) with OH and 1.4% (95% CI: 1.2 - 1.6) of participants without OH. The −2 Z-scores of BP variation before and after the postural change maneuver in the subsample were −14.1 mmHg for systolic BP and −5.4 mmHg for diastolic BP. Conclusion Prevalence of OH varies depending on when BP is measured. Current cutoff points may underestimate the actual occurrence of OH in the population. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; 114(6):1040-1048)

Imaging changes in spinal-pelvic sagittal alignment in sitting and standing positions in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis patients / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Spinal-pelvic sagittal alignment is important for the diagnosis and treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. However, the current study of the spine-pelvic sagittal alignment in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is limited to the standing position. There is no relevant report on the spine-pelvic sagittal alignment under the sitting position. OBJECTIVE: To analyze imaging data of sitting-standing spine-pelvic sagittal alignment in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, and to determine the sagittal alignment of spine change in degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis patients from standing position to sitting position. METHODS: Totally 44 patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (12 males, 32 females; age, 50-84 years) were enrolled from Tianjin Hospital from March to September 2019. All patients took X-rays of the spine in standing and sitting positions. Through the hospital image archiving and communication system, spinal and pelvic parameters were measured, including pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, and sagittal vertical axis. The parameters were compared between standing posture and sitting posture. By using Pearson’s correlation test, differences of relationship between spinal and pelvic parameters in standing versus sitting position were discussed. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tianjin Hospital. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) When moving from standing to sitting position, in 44 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis patients, pelvic tilt increased [(21.3±10.1)°, (34.0±10.4)°, P 0.05). (2) Whether standing or sitting position, lumbar lordosis was correlated with other parameters (P 0.05), but lumbar lordosis was also correlated with sagittal vertical axis (P < 0.05). (3) When the degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis patients change from standing position to sitting position, the sagittal configuration of spine pelvis shows that the pelvis rotates back around the bilateral femoral heads; the pelvis shows a backward leaning state; the physiological curvature of lumbar spine becomes shallow; and the sagittal balance axis of spine moves forward.

Influences on the Functional Behavior of Great Arteries during Orthostasis / Gravidade Influencia o Comportamento Funcional das Grandes Artérias Durante a Ortostase

Abstract Background: Arterial compliance reduction has been associated with aging and hypertension in supine position. However, the dynamic effects of orthostatism on aortic distensibility has not been defined. Objective: We sought to determine the orthostatic influence and the interference of age, blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) on the great arteries during gravitational stress. Methods: Ninety-three healthy volunteers (age 42 ± 16 years). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) assumed as aortic stiffness was assessed in supine position (basal phase), during tilt test (TT) (orthostatic phase) and after return to supine position (recovery phase). Simultaneously with PWV acquisition, measures of BP and HR rate were recorded. Results: PWV during TT increased significantly compared to the basal and recovery phases (11.7 ± 2.5 m/s vs. 10.1 ± 2.3 m/s and 9.5 ± 2.0 m/s). Systolic BP (r = 0.55, r = 0.46 and r = 0.39) and age (r = 0.59, r = 0.63 and r = 0.39) correlated with PWV in all phases. The significance level for all tests was established as α = 0.05. Conclusion: We conclude that there is a permanent increase in PWV during orthostatic position that was returned to basal level at the recovery phase. This dynamic pattern of PWV response, during postural changes, can be explained by an increase in hydrostatic pressure at the level of abdominal aorta which with smaller radius and an increased elastic modulus, propagates the pulse in a faster way. Considering that it could increase central pulse reflection during the orthostatic position, we speculate that this mechanism may play a role in the overall adaptation of humans to gravitational stress.

Resumo Fundamento: A redução da complacência arterial tem sido associada ao envelhecimento e à hipertensão na postura supina. Entretanto, os efeitos dinâmicos do ortostatismo na distensibilidade aórtica não foram definidos. Objetivo: Determinar a influência ortostática e a interferência da idade, pressão arterial (PA) e frequência cardíaca (FC) sobre as grandes artérias durante o estresse gravitacional. Métodos: Noventa e três voluntários saudáveis (idade de 42 ± 16 anos). A velocidade da onda de pulso carotídeo-femoral (VOP), assumida como rigidez aórtica, foi avaliada na posição supina (fase basal) durante o teste de inclinação (TT) (fase ortostática) e após o retorno à posição supina (fase de recuperação). Simultaneamente à aquisição da PWV, registrou-se as medidas de PA e FC. Resultados: A VOP durante o TT aumentou significativamente em comparação com as fases basal e de recuperação (11,7 ± 2,5 m/s vs. 10,1 ± 2,3 m/se 9,5 ± 2,0 m/s). PA sistólica (r = 0,55, r = 0,46 e r = 0,39) e idade (r = 0,59, r = 0,63 e r = 0,39) correlacionaram-se com a VOP em todas as fases. O nível de significância para todos os testes foi estabelecido como = 0,05. Conclusão: Observou-se um aumento permanente da VOP durante a postura ortostática, que retornou ao nível basal na fase de recuperação. Esse padrão dinâmico de resposta da VOP, durante as alterações posturais, pode ser explicado pelo aumento da pressão hidrostática no nível da aorta abdominal que, com raio menor e aumento do módulo de elasticidade, propaga o pulso de maneira mais rápida. Considerando-se que poderia aumentar a reflexão do pulso central durante a posição ortostática, podemos especular que esse mecanismo pode desempenhar um papel na adaptação global do humano ao estresse gravitacional.

Evaluación de la capacidad física equilibrio en adultos mayores / Evaluation of Physical Capacity Balance in Older Adults

RESUMEN Fundamento: las alteraciones de la marcha y el equilibrio en la tercera edad son la causa principal de caídas. Son necesarios métodos de valoración válidos y fiables para identificar el riesgo de caídas. Objetivo: determinar las relaciones de algunos indicadores del test escala de equilibrio avanzado de Fullerton y la edad, en adultos mayores. Métodos: se realizó un estudio exploratorio, descriptivo y transversal entre septiembre y diciembre de 2017 en los círculos de abuelos del combinado deportivo 5 del municipio Cienfuegos. Para ello se seleccionaron 115 adultos mayores. Fueron seleccionadas como variables generales: la edad y el sexo. Se tomaron cuatro de los diez incisos que conforman el test de Fullerton. Se aplicaron el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman y el coeficiente Gamma, se trabajó al 95 % de confianza. Los resultados se expusieron mediante el uso de tablas. Resultados: el grupo de edades más representado fue el de 71-75 años (40,9 %), con una prevalencia del sexo masculino (16 %). En la aplicación del test de Fullerton los adultos mayores lograron mantener el equilibrio en bipedestación, en más del 25 % de los casos; pudieron o bien tomar el objeto sin mover los pies o bien mediante un paso; en el control ortostático los valores más altos se concentran en el grupo de 71-75 años (40 %). Conclusiones: predominaron los adultos mayores que lograron mantener el equilibrio en bipedestación con los ojos cerrados, pudieron o bien tomar el objeto sin mover los pies o bien mediante un paso con supervisión, en el control ortostático los valores más altos se concentran en el grupo de 71-75 años.

ABSTRACT Foundation: alterations in gait and balance in the elderly are the main cause of falls. Valid and reliable valuation methods are necessary to identify the risk of falls. Objective: to determine the relationships between some indicators of the Fullerton advanced equilibrium scale test and age in older adults. Methods: a descriptive cross sectional exploratory study was conducted between September and December 2017 in elder Day Care Centers of the Combined Sports Center N0 5 of the Cienfuegos Municipality. For this, 115 elderly adults were selected. The general variables were: age and sex. Four of the ten items that make up the Fullerton test were taken. The Spearman correlation coefficient and the Gamma coefficient were applied, with 95 % confidence. The results were exposed through the use of tables. Results: the most represented age group was 71-75 years (40.9 %), with a prevalence of males (16 %). In the application of the Fullerton test older adults managed to maintain balance in standing, in more than 25 % of cases, could take the object either without moving the feet or by a step, in the orthostatic control the highest values they are concentrated in the group of 71-75 years (40 %). Conclusions: older adults who managed to maintain balance in standing with their eyes closed, could either take the object without moving the feet or through a step with supervision, in the orthostatic control the highest values are concentrated in the group of 71-75 years.

Comparison of Segmental Mobility in Lumbar Extension Radiographs between a New Technique (“Fulcrum Bending Position”) and Conventional Standing Position in Spondylolisthesis Patients

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.PURPOSE: This was carried out to evaluate the benefit of a ‘fulcrum bending position’ compared with the standing position for evaluation of sagittal translation and sagittal rotation in symptomatic patients with spondylolisthesis.OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: In lumbar X-ray, the standing position is the most common position used in determining abnormalities in lumbar movement. Lack of standardized method is one of the pitfalls in this technique. We hypothesized that the new technique, that is, fulcrum bending position, may reveal a higher translation and rotation in spondylolisthesis patients.METHODS: The extension lumbar radiographs of 36 patients with low-grade spondylolisthesis were included in the analysis and measurement. Sagittal translation and sagittal rotation were measured in both the routine standing position and in our new technique, the fulcrum bending position, which involves taking lateral cross-table images in the supine position wherein the patient lies on a cylindrical pipe to achieve maximum passive back extension by the fulcrum principle.RESULTS: Results of the measurement of sagittal translation in both positions revealed that compared with the extension standing position, the fulcrum bending position achieved a statistically significant increase of 1.57 mm in translation of the vertebra position (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.52–2.61; p=0.004). The measurement of sagittal rotation in both positions revealed that when compared with the extension standing position, the fulcrum bending position achieved a statistically significant increase of 3.47° in the rotation of the vertebra (95% CI, 1.64–5.30; p<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: For evaluation of both sagittal translation and sagittal rotation in symptomatic patients with spondylolisthesis, compared with the extension standing position, the fulcrum bending position can achieve an increased change in magnitude. Our technique, that is, the fulcrum bending position, may offer an alternative method in the detection or exclusion of pathological mobility in patients with spondylolisthesis.

Reliability of Posturographic Parameters Assessing Standing Ability in Different Positions and Walking Activity in Healthy Participants / 中国康复理论与实践

@#Objective In the recovery process of stroke patients, the ability of maintaining standing and sitting position might have a great effect on the improvement of activity of daily living. There are few the methods which evaluate quantitatively and effectively the ability of position control ability in clinical practice. The aim of the study is to quantitatively evaluate the reliability of posturographic parameters based on the center of pelvis in different standing positions and walking activity.Methods From May to June, 2018, Seventy-nine healthy participants were enrolled. They were evaluated with iReGo, a walking assisstant robot, in three conditions: normal standing position, left/right standing position and walking 10 meters at an appropriate speed. The computer calculated the posturographic parameters automatically. The participants completed their second test one day after the first one.Results During normal standing position, the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) of average sway in coronal plane, average sway in sagittal plane, path length, and covered area were more than 0.70. During left standing position, ICC of all the above parameters were more than 0.70. During right standing position, ICC of all the above parameters were more than 0.49. When walking 10 meters at an appropriate speed, ICC of path length and covered area were more than 0.75. Comparing different standing positions, the normal standing position was more stable than the left/right standing position, and there was no difference between the left and the right standing positions.Conclusion Posturographic parameters based on the center of pelvis might be a reliable way to assess the position control ability in different standing positions and walking process.

Does Patient Position Influence the Results of Three-dimension High Resolution Ano-rectal Manometry?.

Aims: Anorectal manometry is the current gold standard to explore anorectal functional disorders. Recently, three-dimensional high-resolution anorectal manometry (3DHRAM) was developed. However, although procedures are usually performed in the left lateral decubitus position, anorectal symptoms usually occur in the erect or in the sitting position. Our aim was to prospectively compare the values obtained with 3DHRAM in the left lateral decubitus position versus the erect position. Study Design and Setting: A monocentric prospective study was conducted at a tertiary referral center, in the Department of Gastroenterology, Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France. Study Duration: Study was conducted from June 2013 to March 2014. Methodology: All patients referred to our center for 3DHRAM and endoanal ultrasonography to explore faecal incontinence or constipation were eligible. The 3DHRAM was successively performed by the same operator in the left lateral decubitus and then in the erect position. For each patient, the body mass index, the values of the KESS score or of the Wexner score were systematically rated. Results: Forty patients were included in this prospective study (20 with constipation, 20 with faecal incontinence). The median anal resting pressure was the only significantly different parameter between the left lateral decubitus and the erect position, both in patients suffering from constipation or from faecal incontinence (p=0.02 and p<0.001 respectively). All pressures values, as well as anismus diagnosis, were well correlated between the two positions, except the high-pressure zone, the sensation threshold and the need to defecate. Conclusion: In this study, only the median anal resting pressure was significantly different between the two positions. The good correlation between anal pressures values obtained in the two positions allows achieving 3DHRAM in the left lateral decubitus.

<b>Proposal of New Method for Abdominal Diagnosis in a Standing Position</b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

The abdominal diagnosis plays an essential role in Japanese Kampo medicine. Moreover, this diagnostic method is a characteristic practice in Kampo medicine. The conventional method of abdominal diagnosis is performed with the patient in a supine position. However, the author has found that several patients have presented with tenderness of the epigastrium or hypochondrium in a standing position, which was not detected in a conventional supine position. This paper is intended to announce the significance of a new method of abdominal diagnosis named “Ritsuishin”. In this paper, the author describes the utility of this method via a case of saikokeishikankyoto and of hontonto (Chugoho).