Impacts of COVID-19 on Neuropsychomotor Development From the Perspective of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in a Case Series of Children Aged 4 to 24 Months Assessed in Land and Aquatic Settings.

Mitigation measures the pandemic caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can change neuropsychomotor development (NPMD), diminishing adaptation, learning, and physical and cognitive development skills. Biopsychosocial screening in this scenario requires specific physical therapy assessment for each intervention setting, with validated scales. Hence, the objective of this study was to analyze the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on NPMD based on a case series in 4-to-24-month-old children assessed on land and in water. Case series descriptive study, based on physical therapy assessments with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), Developmental Screening Test (Denver II), and Adaptation of the Aquatic Functional Assessment Scale for Babies (AFAS-BABY©). AIMS classified 8 children as typical NPMD and 5 as suspect NPMD, while Denver II classified 10 children as typical NPMD, 3 as questionable NPMD, and 2 as delayed NPMD. AFAS-BABY© created a qualitative profile, relating it to the land assessments. Thus, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on NPMD were analyzed based on a case series in 4-to-24-month-old children assessed on land and in water.

Cold water immersion in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic-motivating factors

The goal was an attempt to investigate what factors motivate people to take the decision to winter swim during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether there are correlations between the examined predictors Materials and methods: In the research, a questionnaire was used to examine the opinions on cold water immersion (advantages and disadvantages) of people who practice this activity. The research was conducted at the turn of March 2020 and March 2021 on 937 respondents from Poland who practice this sport. Statistical analysis was based on the χ2 test of independence of two qualitative variables. It was examined whether independent variables such as gender, age category and place of residence influence the frequency of winter swimming. Logistic regression was performed to test the influence of various factors on the individuals who winter swim. The influence of individual predictors on the dependent variable and categories of chance and probability of occurrence were assessed. Results: In the present study, gender and age category affect the frequency of winter swimming. The place of residence has no influence on this activity. Women more frequently than men practice this due to: improvement of skin appearance (49.43% of women and 23.86% of men), diseases (12.64% of women and 7.87% of men) aesthetics (10.92% of women and 1.78% of men). Men more often than women winter swim because of: better regeneration of the organism (42.53% of women and 53.30% of men), improvement of the efficiency of the cardiovascular system (25.29% of women and 35.53% of men) and better physical fitness (21.07% of women and 33.76% of men). Conclusions: The majority of people with higher education in the Polish population practice cold water immersion. Men more often take up this activity than women. The age range is larger in the group of men who winter swim than in the group of women. The older the respondents are, the more frequently they practice cold water immersion. The factors which motivated people to take up cold water immersion included: improvement of mood and general health improvement. Most of the respondents who undertook this type of recreation suffered from hypertension or hypothyroidism and had injuries. Respondents mentioned frostbite as a side effect of cold water immersion. © 2022, JPES.

Effects of Aquatic Physical Exercise on Motor Risk Factors for Falls in Older People During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of aquatic training on motor risk factors for falls in older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was carried out with older people, divided into an aquatic training group (ATG) (n = 24) and a control group (CG) (n = 25). Muscle strength was assessed by the 5-Times Sit-to-Stand Test, mobility by the simple and dual-task Timed Up and Go Test, and postural stability through stabilometric data (force platform). The CG received monthly calls to monitor general health. The ATG carried out training lasting 16 weeks, with two 1-hour sessions per week. RESULTS: Both groups improved muscular strength and cognitive-motor tasks, and they performed a dual task with fewer errors in the secondary task after 16 weeks regardless of the pandemic and COVID-19 diagnosis. There was a significant decrease in the area of center of pressure displacement in the tandem posture with eyes closed in the CG. When analyzing participants who adhered at least 50% to the intervention, the ATG significantly reduced the number of steps on the Timed Up and Go Test performance. Both groups improved muscular strength and cognitive-motor tasks and increased the cognitive task cost. In the CG, there was a significant decrease in the mean amplitude of the anteroposterior center of pressure displacement in the feet together with eyes open. CONCLUSION: We found that aquatic physical exercise presented positive effects on some potentially modifiable motor risk factors for falls (mobility and muscle strength) regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 diagnosis, especially among people who adhered to the intervention.

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES IN AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS IN THE NORTH WEST OF ENGLAND. AN ASSIGNW BENCHMARKING SURVEY

Background/Aims The physiotherapist's role in the assessment and management of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is evolving. The axSpA Specialist Interest Group North-West (ASSIGNw) surveyed practices of its members in 2016. This reports on a 5-year follow-up survey, exploring how our North-West physiotherapy axSpA services are running following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim is to benchmark practice of physiotherapists working with axSpA, identifying discrepancies between services and recommending ways forward. Methods In June 2021, members of ASSIGNw identified areas of practice to benchmark;questions were formulated to elucidate these, creating a SmartSurveyTM sent to ASSIGNw members August-September 2021. Results Sixteen Trusts replied, two more than the 2016 survey. Ratios of physiotherapy:medical staffing range from 1:1 to 1:8. All centres intended to offer virtual appointments as a long-term option. The majority of centres (60%) offered yearly follow up;40% offered 6- monthly follow up. The median appointment duration had reduced from 45 minutes in 2016 to 30 minutes in 2021. The number of centres offering 60 minute slots reduced from 36% in 2016 to 20% in 2021. The vast majority of consults were undertaken independently by the physiotherapist (86%), a small number offering combined appointments with medical colleagues (7.1%). Half of centres surveyed had no access to onsite hydrotherapy, most of these actively signpost to local pools for self-led water-based exercise (62.5%). A dedicated flare/ emergency access service was not offered by 60% of centres. Most centres undertake patient education on a one-to-one basis (94%);formal axSpA education programmes are only offered in one centre surveyed. Conclusion This survey, as in 2016, has highlighted a large inter-trust variation in physiotherapy:medic staffing ratio. A broad collection of outcome measures was collected and there is an unchanged general consensus that the BASMI and BASDAI are essential. The average and maximum appointment durations have both reduced. Urgent/flare and hydrotherapy access remains limited. Formal patient education is yet to be adopted, one-to-one education remains the prevalent model. Further work on standardising axSpA physiotherapy-led services is warranted. As we drive forwards best-care, the enhanced use of the full rheumatology multi-disciplinary team and standardisation of staffing levels is recommended.

Evidenced-based natural therapies and immune-enhancing strategies to control, prevent, and treat co-morbidities COVID-19 and cancer

The purpose of this research is to provide evidence-based natural therapies and foods that will enhance the immune system to fight the virus SARS CoV-2 and cancer. Minority populations that include Black African Americans and Hispanics are experiencing higher mortality rates due to both socioeconomic and lifestyle factors in the US and globally. Successful lessons learned from controlling previous 1918 pandemic flu will be discussed. Hypotheses: We hypothesize that targeting lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and hydrothermal therapy that enhance the immune system can effectively control and reduce the risk to COVID-19 disease and cancer simultaneously. The target cells for the SARS CoV-2 virus contain the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 receptors which serve as portals of entry. They are expressed throughout the body including the nose, lungs, heart, bladder, pancreas, kidneys and brain found on the epithelial and vascular tissue cells of these organs. Covid-19 affects multiple organs in the body and disrupts the innate immune system, especially the natural killer cells, monocytes, and neutrophils. Studies have shown that countries where BCG was used have less than 10% of COVID-19 cases and countries that do not use the BCG vaccine such as the US and Italy had high cases. It was also seen that people who had higher natural killer cell activity had 100% survival rates. Enhancing the innate immune system through natural therapies has shown to enhance immune cells to fight COVID-19 as well as cancer and destroy it. Methodology: Our research is exploratory and is based on recently published literature on COVID-19 diseases. The following databases were searched: CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, EBSCOHost, Google Scholar, Academic Search Complete, AccessMedicine, MedlinePlus, Nutrition Care Manuel, JSTOR and Publons. Results: During the Spanish flu pandemic death rates of those who received the best medical care was 6.7% compared with those who received hydrotherapy at 1.34%. Hydrotherapy will increase the body temperature and stimulate the activity of the immune cells, which can kill the viruses. Increasing the body temperature to 39.5 degrees centigrade was shown to kill the virus. Following the hot water bath with cold treatment was shown to be even more effective. Many foods have been found to enhance the immune system and to fight the flu virus. Foods such as blueberries, garlic, and probiotics were shown to improve natural killer activity. Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, and selenium play a role in immunity. Foods rich in antioxidants such as kale, blueberries, red bell peppers, and all citrus fruits also help enhance the immune system. During the 1918 flu pandemic that received hydrotherapy and other natural remedies, out of the 120 students and staff exposed, there were 90 patients, none very sick, and there were no deaths. Natural remedies used in the Spanish flu pandemic and should be instituted to help enhance immunity and lessen the deadly impact of COVID-19 cancer patients.

Feature Article-Continuing Education Module-International Water-Birth Practices With Recommendations During a Global Pandemic.

The number of hospitals globally that offer water birth has increased exponentially during the past 10 years. This article examines some of the reasons for this increase as well as the objections to water birth by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, raised in their 2014 and 2016 opinion statements. The amount of research has also increased as more hospitals are keeping track of their data and publishing both prospective studies and retrospective analyses. The effects of water birth on the neonate are discussed through three meta-analyses from 2015, 2016, and 2018. The challenges and recommendations on continuing the use of water during labor and birth as a nonpharmacologic comfort measure even during a global pandemic are highlighted and supported by the best available evidence.

Aquatic exercise for persons with MS: Patient-reported preferences, obstacles and recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Many persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) have difficulties engaging in traditional land-based physical activity due to heat sensitivity and physical disability. Aquatic exercise may be a suitable alternative for these individuals, preventing overheating and enabling a range of movements that were otherwise difficult on land. The objective of the current study was to understand why some persons with MS prefer aquatic exercise while others prefer non-aquatic exercise, which will inform recommendations. METHODS: A total of 179 persons with MS completed a brief online survey (∼10 min) about their exercise routines between October 2020 and April 2021. RESULTS: Fifty-sex percent of respondents reported that they only engaged in non-aquatic exercise (i.e., land-based activities such as jogging), followed by 36% of respondents who reported that they engaged in both aquatic and non-aquatic exercise, and 7% of respondents who participated in aquatic exercise only. The most frequently reported barriers for aquatic exercise were lack of access to pools and its associated expense. Among individuals who had tried aquatic exercise, aquatic exercise was preferred over non-aquatic exercise, and 100% reported that they would recommend aquatic exercise to other persons with MS. Finally, the majority of respondents reported exercising less during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. CONCLUSION: Aquatic exercise is well liked among persons with MS who have tried it; however, it may not be feasible for economically disadvantaged persons with MS. Local charities and health organizations may consider financially sponsoring aquatic exercise programs to encourage participation in physical activity for the MS population. Due to the negative impact of the pandemic on exercise routines, MS clinicians should encourage their patients to resume their exercise routines once the pandemic subsides.

Health management of patients with COVID-19: is there a room for hydrotherapeutic approaches?

With highly variable types of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms in both severity and duration, there is today an important need for early, individualized, and multidisciplinary strategies of rehabilitation. Some patients present persistent affections of the respiratory function, digestive system, cardiovascular function, locomotor system, mental health, sleep, nervous system, immune system, taste, smell, metabolism, inflammation, and skin. In this context, we highlight here that hydrothermal centers should be considered today as medically and economically relevant alternatives to face the urgent need for interventions among COVID-19 patients. We raise the potential benefits of hydrotherapy programs already existing which combine alternative medicine with respiratory care, physical activity, nutritional advice, psychological support, and physiotherapy, in relaxing environments and under medical supervision. Beyond the virtues of thermal waters, many studies reported medical benefits of natural mineral waters through compressing, buoyancy, resistance, temperature changes, hydrostatic pressure, inhalations, or drinking. Thermal institutions might offer individualized follow-up helping to unclog hospitals while ensuring the continuity of health care for the different clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in both post-acute and chronic COVID-19 patients. Our present review underlines the need to further explore the medical effectiveness, clinical and territorial feasibility, and medico-economic impacts of the implementation of post-COVID-19 patient management in hydrotherapeutic establishments.

Public interest in spa therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: analysis of Google Trends data among Turkey.

In Turkey, spas are widely used and preferred by patients who are seeking relief from their disability and pain. The spa therapy program is partly reimbursed by the national health insurance system. The objective of the present study was to leverage Google Trends to elucidate the public interest in spas in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic. Google Trends was queried to analyze search trends within Turkey for the Turkish term representing a spa (i.e., kaplica) from January 01, 2016, to September 30, 2020. The relative search volume of "kaplica" was statistically significantly decreased in the March 15-May 30, 2020 (- 73.04%; p < 0.001); May 31-July 25, 2020 (- 41.38%; p < 0.001); and July 26-September 19, 2020 (- 29.98%; p < 0.001) periods compared to similar periods of preceding 4 years (2016-2019). After June 1, 2020, the relative search volume was shown to have a moderate recovery, without reaching the level of 2016-2019. Public interest in spas showed an initial sharp decline between mid-March and May, with a moderate increase during the June-August period. This finding might be indicative of public preference in undertaking spa therapy during the COVID-19 period. In Turkey, spas might be used to increase places providing rehabilitation for both non-COVID-19 patients and survivors of COVID-19 with long-term symptoms during the pandemic.

Hydrothermotherapy in prevention and treatment of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is a new contagious disease caused by a new coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is a disease that has reached every continent in the world; it has overloaded the medical system worldwide and it has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Currently there is no definite treatment for COVID-19. We realize that host immunity is a critical factor in the outcome of coronavirus 2 infection. Here, however, we review the pathophysiology of the disease with a focus on searching for what we can do to combat this new disease. From this, we find that coronavirus is sensitive to heat. We have thus focused on this area of vulnerability of the virus. The emphasis of this hypothesis is on the action of body heat-internal (fever) and external (heat treatment)-in activating the immune system and its antiviral activities, and specifically related to the coronavirus. We hypothesize from this review that heat treatments has the potential to prevent COVID-19 and to decrease the severity of mild and moderate cases of Coronavirus. We propose heat treatments for this uncontrolled worldwide coronavirus pandemic while studies are being done to test the effectiveness of heat treatments in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.