Pre-exercise and acute movement-evoked pain trajectories during a 24-week outdoor walking program for knee osteoarthritis (WALK).

Objectives: Exploring (1) pre-exercise and acute movement-evoked pain (AMEP) during an outdoor walking program in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA); and (2) comparing baseline physical performance and AMEP flares initiated by walking between participants with either a higher or lower attendance rate. Methods: Individuals with knee OA were prescribed a 24-week walking program, including one unsupervised walk and two supervised walk classes per week. Participants self-reported knee pain on a numerical rating scale (NRS; 0-10) before and after each supervised class. Mixed-effects models were used to investigate trajectories over time for pre-exercise pain and AMEP change (post-minus pre-exercise pain; positive value indicates flare-up). Baseline physical performance (6 tests) and AMEP flares were compared between participants with higher (attending ≥70% of supervised classes) and lower attendance rates. Results: Of 24 participants commencing the program, 7 (29%) withdrew. Over 24 weeks, pre-exercise pain improved by 1.20 NRS (95% CI -1.41 to -0.99), with estimated largest per class improvements during the first 8 weeks (-0.05 (-0.06 to -0.03) and plateauing around 20-weeks. The AMEP was estimated to improve by 0.19 NRS (95% CI -0.38 to -0.004) over 24-weeks, with improvements plateauing around 12-weeks. Participants with lower attendance (n â€‹= â€‹11) scored poorer on all physical performance tests and experienced a slight increase in AMEP during the first two weeks of the program. Conclusions: Participants improved in pre-exercise pain and AMEP in the first 20 and 12 weeks, respectively. Despite supervision, physical performance and AMEP flares may have contributed to lower attendance. Trial registration number: 12618001097235.

A pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating outdoor community walking for knee osteoarthritis: walk.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) examining outdoor walking on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) clinical outcomes and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) structural changes. METHOD: This was a 24-week parallel two-arm pilot RCT in Tasmania, Australia. KOA participants were randomized to either a walking plus usual care group or a usual care control group. The walking group trained 3 days/week. The primary outcome was feasibility assessed by changes being required to the study design, recruitment, randomization, program adherence, safety, and retention. Exploratory outcomes were changes in symptoms, physical performance/activity, and MRI measures. RESULTS: Forty participants (mean age 66 years (SD 1.4) and 60% female) were randomized to walking (n = 24) or usual care (n = 16). Simple randomization resulted in a difference in numbers randomized to the two groups. During the study, class sizes were reduced from 10 to 8 participants to improve supervision, and exclusion criteria were added to facilitate program adherence. In the walking group, total program adherence was 70.0% and retention 70.8% at 24 weeks. The walking group had a higher number of mild adverse events and experienced clinically important improvements in symptoms (e.g., visual analogue scale (VAS) knee pain change in the walking group: - 38.7 mm [95% CI - 47.1 to - 30.3] versus usual care group: 4.3 mm [- 4.9 to 13.4]). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the feasibility of a full-scale RCT given acceptable adherence, retention, randomization, and safety, and recruitment challenges have been identified. Large symptomatic benefits support the clinical usefulness of a subsequent trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: 12618001097235. Key Points • This pilot study is the first to investigate the effects of an outdoor walking program on knee osteoarthritis clinical outcomes and MRI joint structure, and it indicates that a full-scale RCT is feasible. • The outdoor walking program (plus usual care) resulted in large improvements in self-reported knee osteoarthritis symptoms compared to usual care alone. • The study identified recruitment challenges, and the manuscript explores these in more details and provides recommendations for future studies.

Incidence and circumstances of falls among middle-aged women: a cohort study.

This was the first study assessing falls prospectively in middle-aged women. The 1-year incidence was 42% for any fall, which suggest falls are a major issue in middle-aged women. Middle-aged women, particularly those sustaining a fall, could be a target group for fall-prevention strategies. PURPOSE: Incidence and circumstances of falls in middle-aged people are poorly understood. This cohort study aimed to elucidate the incidence and circumstances of falls over 1 year in middle-aged women. METHODS: Falls were recorded monthly for 1 year by questionnaire in 2017-2019 in a population-based sample of women aged 41-62 years. The incidence of falls and injurious falls and related circumstances were descriptively analysed. RESULTS: Of 273 women, 115 sustained 209 falls. The 1-year incidence was 42% for any fall, 17% for multiple (two or more) falls, and 24% for injurious falls. The incidence was greater in older age groups for any fall (33, 45, and 44% for people aged < 50, 50-55, and > 55 years, respectively), multiple falls (7, 14, and 22%) and injurious falls (15, 20, and 28%), although only the incidence of multiple falls was significantly increased across the three age groups (P = 0.01). Most falls occurred outdoors (71%) and were attributed to tripping and slipping (60%) CONCLUSIONS: Falls are a major issue in middle-aged women, a group that has been largely ignored in the prevention of falls. Middle-aged women, in particular those sustaining a fall, could be a target group for fall-prevention strategies. Future studies are needed to identify risk factors for falling in this population so as inform the development of strategies for preventing falls in middle-aged women.

Associations of health literacy with diabetic foot outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: People with diabetes have low health literacy, but the role of the latter in diabetic foot disease is unclear. AIM: To determine, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, if health literacy is associated with diabetic foot disease, its risk factors, or foot care. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus and Science Direct. All studies were screened and data extracted by two independent reviewers. Studies in English with valid and reliable measures of health literacy and published tests of association were included. Data were extracted on the associations between the outcomes and health literacy. Meta-analyses were performed using random effects models. RESULTS: Sixteen articles were included in the systematic review, with 11 in the meta-analysis. In people with inadequate health literacy, the odds of having diabetic foot disease were twice those in people with adequate health literacy, but this was not statistically significant [odds ratio 1.99 (95% CI 0.83, 4.78); two studies in 1278 participants]. There was no statistically significant difference in health literacy levels between people with and without peripheral neuropathy [standardized mean difference -0.14 (95% CI -0.47, 0.18); two studies in 399 participants]. There was no association between health literacy and foot care [correlation coefficient 0.01 (95% CI -0.07, 0.10); seven studies in 1033 participants]. CONCLUSIONS: There were insufficient data to exclude associations between health literacy and diabetic foot disease and its risk factors, but health literacy appears unlikely to have a role in foot care. The contribution of low health literacy to diabetic foot disease requires definitive assessment through robust longitudinal studies.

The association between ambulatory activity, body composition and hip or knee joint replacement due to osteoarthritis: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between ambulatory activity (AA), body composition measures and hip or knee joint replacement (JR) due to osteoarthritis. DESIGN: At baseline, 1082 community-dwelling older-adults aged 50-80 years were studied. AA was measured objectively using pedometer and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The incidence of primary (first-time) JR was determined by data linkage to the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR). Log binomial regression with generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the risk of JR associated with baseline AA and body composition measures, adjusting for age, sex, X-ray disease severity, and pain. RESULTS: Over 13 years of follow-up, 74 (6.8%) participants had a knee replacement (KR) and 50 (4.7%) a hip replacement (HR). AA was associated with a higher risk of KR (RR 1.09/1000 steps/day, 95% CI 1.01, 1.16) and a lower risk of HR (RR 0.90/1000 steps/day, 95% CI 0.81, 0.99). Body mass index (BMI) (RR 1.07/kg/m2, 95% CI 1.03, 1.12), total fat mass (RR 1.03/kg, 95% CI 1.01, 1.06), trunk fat mass (RR 1.05/kg, 95% CI 1.00, 1.09), and waist circumference (RR 1.02/cm, 95% CI 1.00, 1.04) were associated with a higher risk of KR. Body composition measures were not associated with HR. CONCLUSIONS: An objective measure of AA was associated with a small increased risk of KR and a small reduced risk of HR. Worse body composition profiles were associated with KR, but not HR. Altogether this may suggest different causal pathways for each site with regard to habitual activity and obesity.

Feasibility of a multi-modal exercise program on cognition in older adults with Type 2 diabetes - a pilot randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is associated with increased risk of dementia. We aimed to determine the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) examining the efficacy of exercise on cognition and brain structure in people with T2D. METHODS: A 6-month pilot parallel RCT of a progressive aerobic- and resistance-training program versus a gentle movement control group in people with T2D aged 50-75 years (n = 50) at the University of Tasmania, Australia. Assessors were blinded to group allocation. Brain volume (total, white matter, hippocampus), cortical thickness and white matter microstructure (fractional anisotrophy and mean diffusivity) were measured using magnetic resonance imaging, and cognition using a battery of neuropsychological tests. Study design was assessed by any changes (during the pilot or recommended) to the protocol, recruitment by numbers screened and time to enrol 50 participants; randomisation by similarity of characteristics in groups at baseline, adherence by exercise class attendance; safety by number and description of adverse events and retention by numbers withdrawn. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 66.2 (SD 4.9) years and 48% were women. There were no changes to the design during the study. A total of 114 people were screened for eligibility, with 50 participants with T2D enrolled over 8 months. Forty-seven participants (94%) completed the study (23 of 24 controls; 24 of 26 in the intervention group). Baseline characteristics were reasonably balanced between groups. Exercise class attendance was 79% for the intervention and 75% for the control group. There were 6 serious adverse events assessed as not or unlikely to be due to the intervention. Effect sizes for each outcome variable are provided. CONCLUSION: This study supports the feasibility of a large scale RCT to test the benefits of multi-modal exercise to prevent cognitive decline in people with T2D. Design changes to the future trial are provided. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ANZCTR 12614000222640 ; Registered 3/3/2014; First participant enrolled 26/6/2014, study screening commenced 1/9/2014; Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry.

Prospective Associations of Low Muscle Mass and Function with 10-Year Falls Risk, Incident Fracture and Mortality in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES: Purpose: To compare the performance of low muscle mass and function with falls risk, incident fracture and mortality over 10 years. METHODS: 1041 participants (50% women; mean age 63±7.5 years) were prospectively followed for 10 years. Falls risk was measured using the Physiological Profile Assessment, fractures were self-reported and mortality was ascertained from the death registry. Appendicular lean mass (ALM) was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Four anthropometric: (ALM/height2, ALM/body mass index, ALM/weight×100, a residuals method of ALM on height and total body fat) and four performance-based measures: (handgrip strength, lower-limb muscle strength, upper and lower-limb muscle quality) were examined. Participants in the lowest 20% of the sex-specific distribution for each anthropometric and performance-based measure were classified has having low muscle mass or function. Regression analyses were used to estimate associations between each anthropometric and performance-based measure at baseline and 10-year falls risk, incident fractures and mortality. RESULTS: Mean falls risk z-score at 10 years was 0.64 (SD 1.12), incident fractures and mortality over 10 years were 16% and 14% respectively. All baseline performance-based measures were significantly associated with higher falls risk score at 10 years. Low handgrip (RR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.20) and ALM/body mass index (RR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.08) were the only significant predictors of fracture and mortality respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Low handgrip strength, a simple and inexpensive test could be considered in clinical settings for identifying future falls and fractures. ALM/ body mass index could be most suitable in estimating 10-year mortality risk, but requires specialised equipment.

Test-retest reliability of measurements of abdominal and multifidus muscles using ultrasound imaging in adults aged 50-79 years.

Test-retest reliability of the combined process of ultrasound imaging (USI) and image measurement of thickness of abdominal and upper lumbar multifidus (MF) muscles and MF cross sectional area (CSA) of older adults has not been established. Imaging muscles of older adults can be challenging due to age-related changes in the spine and skeletal muscle so establishing test-retest reliability in this population is important. This study aimed to evaluate test-retest reliability of USI of abdominal and MF muscle thickness and MF CSA for adults aged 50-79 years. One operator took single sets of ultrasound images of abdominal and MF muscles of 23 adults aged 50-79 years participating in a clinical trial of vitamin D supplementation for knee osteoarthritis, on two occasions, one week apart. Images were subsequently measured by a single examiner. Test-retest reliability for abdominal muscle thickness and MF CSA was substantial (intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) > 0.81) and for MF thickness ranged from fair to substantial (ICC 0.55-0.86). The standard error of measurement (SEM) was low (0.02-0.21) in every case. ICCs were low and SEM values were high for percentage thickness change. The substantial test-retest reliability of abdominal and MF (L4-L5) muscle thickness and of MF CSA supports the use of USI as a clinical and research tool to assess abdominal and MF muscle thickness and MF CSA of older adults.

The assessment of abdominal and multifidus muscles and their role in physical function in older adults: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Age-related changes in the trunk (abdominal and lumbar multifidus) muscles and their impact on physical function of older adults are not clearly understood. OBJECTIVES: To systematically summarise studies of these trunk muscles in older adults. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane Library, Pubmed, EMBASE and CINAHL were searched using terms for abdominal and MF muscles and measurement methods. STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently assessed studies and included those reporting measurements of abdominal muscles and/or MF by ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or electromyography of adults aged ≥50 years. DATA SYNTHESIS: A best evidence synthesis was performed. RESULTS: Best evidence synthesis revealed limited evidence for detrimental effects of ageing or spinal conditions on trunk muscles, and conflicting evidence for decreased physical activity or stroke having detrimental effects on trunk muscles. Thicknesses of rectus abdominis, internal oblique and external oblique muscles were 36% to 48% smaller for older than younger adults. Muscle quality was poorer among people with moderate-extreme low back pain and predicted physical function outcomes. LIMITATIONS: Study heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Overall, the evidence base in older people has significant limitations, so the role of physiotherapy interventions aimed at these muscles remains unclear. The results point to areas in which further research could lead to clinically useful outcomes. These include determining the role of the trunk muscles in the physical function of older adults and disease; developing and testing rehabilitation programmes for older people with spinal conditions and lower back pain; and identifying modifiable factors that could mitigate age-related changes.

"FIND Technology": investigating the feasibility, efficacy and safety of controller-free interactive digital rehabilitation technology in an inpatient stroke population: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Stroke results in significant disability, which can be reduced by physical rehabilitation. High levels of repetition and activity are required in rehabilitation, but patients are typically sedentary. Using clinically relevant and fun computer games may be one way to achieve increased activity in rehabilitation. METHODS/DESIGN: A single-blind randomized controlled trial will be conducted to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of novel stroke-specific rehabilitation software. This software uses controller-free client interaction and inertial motion sensors. Elements of feasibility include recruitment into the trial, ongoing participation (adherence and dropout), perceived benefit, enjoyment and ease of use of the games. Efficacy will be determined by measuring activity and using upper-limb tasks as well as measures of balance and mobility. The hypothesis that the intervention group will have increased levels of physical activity within rehabilitation and improved physical outcomes compared with the control group will be tested. DISCUSSION: Results from this study will provide a basis for discussion of feasibility of this interactive video technological solution in an inpatient situation. Differences in activity levels between groups will be the primary measure of efficacy. It will also provide data on measures of upper-limb function, balance and mobility. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12614000427673 . Prospectively registered 17 April 2014.

Lower limb muscle strength is associated with poor balance in middle-aged women: linear and nonlinear analyses.

UNLABELLED: This was the first study investigating both linear associations between lower limb muscle strength and balance in middle-aged women and the potential for thresholds for the associations. There was strong evidence that even in middle-aged women, poorer LMS was associated with reduced balance. However, no evidence was found for thresholds. INTRODUCTION: Decline in balance begins in middle age, yet, the role of muscle strength in balance is rarely examined in this age group. We aimed to determine the association between lower limb muscle strength (LMS) and balance in middle-aged women and investigate whether cut-points of LMS exist that might identify women at risk of poorer balance. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of 345 women aged 36-57 years was done. Associations between LMS and balance tests (timed up and go (TUG), step test (ST), functional reach test (FRT), and lateral reach test (LRT)) were assessed using linear regression. Nonlinear associations were explored using locally weighted regression smoothing (LOWESS) and potential cut-points identified using nonlinear least-squares estimation. Segmented regression was used to estimate associations above and below the identified cut-points. RESULTS: Weaker LMS was associated with poorer performance on the TUG (ß -0.008 (95 % CI: -0.010, -0.005) second/kg), ST (ß 0.031 (0.011, 0.051) step/kg), FRT (ß 0.071 (0.047, 0.096) cm/kg), and LRT (ß 0.028 (0.011, 0.044) cm/kg), independent of confounders. Potential nonlinear associations were evident from LOWESS results; significant cut-points of LMS were identified for all balance tests (29-50 kg). However, excepting ST, cut-points did not persist after excluding potentially influential data points. CONCLUSIONS: In middle-aged women, poorer LMS is associated with reduced balance. Therefore, improving muscle strength in middle-age may be a useful strategy to improve balance and reduce falls risk in later life. Middle-aged women with low muscle strength may be an effective target group for future randomized controlled trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) NCT00273260.

Gait phenotype from mild cognitive impairment to moderate dementia: results from the GOOD initiative.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The differences in gait abnormalities from the earliest to the later stages of dementia and in the different subtypes of dementia have not been fully examined. This study aims to compare spatiotemporal gait parameters in cognitively healthy individuals, patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and non-amnestic MCI, and patients with mild and moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-Alzheimer's disease (non-AD). METHODS: Based on a cross-sectional design, 1719 participants (77.4 ± 7.3 years, 53.9% female) were recruited from cohorts from seven countries participating in the Gait, Cognition and Decline (GOOD) initiative. Mean values and coefficients of variation of spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured during normal pace walking with the GAITRite system at all sites. RESULTS: Performance of spatiotemporal gait parameters declined in parallel with the stage of cognitive decline from MCI status to moderate dementia. Gait parameters of patients with non-amnestic MCI were more disturbed compared to patients with amnestic MCI, and MCI subgroups performed better than demented patients. Patients with non-AD dementia had worse gait performance than those with AD dementia. This degradation of gait parameters was similar between mean values and coefficients of variation of spatiotemporal gait parameters in the earliest stages of cognitive decline, but different in the most advanced stages, especially in the non-AD subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Spatiotemporal gait parameters were more disturbed in the advanced stages of dementia, and more affected in the non-AD dementias than in AD. These findings suggest that quantitative gait parameters could be used as a surrogate marker for improving the diagnosis of dementia.

Risk of falls in older people during fast-walking--the TASCOG study.

AIMS: To investigate the relationship between fast-walking and falls in older people. METHODS: Individuals aged 60-86 years were randomly selected from the electoral roll (n=176). Gait speed, step length, cadence and a walk ratio were recorded during preferred- and fast-walking using an instrumented walkway. Falls were recorded prospectively over 12 months. Log multinomial regression was used to estimate the relative risk of single and multiple falls associated with gait variables during fast-walking and change between preferred- and fast-walking. Covariates included age, sex, mood, physical activity, sensorimotor and cognitive measures. RESULTS: The risk of multiple falls was increased for those with a smaller walk ratio (shorter steps, faster cadence) during fast-walking (RR 0.92, CI 0.87, 0.97) and greater reduction in the walk ratio (smaller increase in step length, larger increase in cadence) when changing to fast-walking (RR 0.73, CI 0.63, 0.85). These gait patterns were associated with poorer physiological and cognitive function (p<0.05). A higher risk of multiple falls was also seen for those in the fastest quarter of gait speed (p=0.01) at fast-walking. A trend for better reaction time, balance, memory and physical activity for higher categories of gait speed was stronger for fallers than non-fallers (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Tests of fast-walking may be useful in identifying older individuals at risk of multiple falls. There may be two distinct groups at risk--the frail person with short shuffling steps, and the healthy person exposed to greater risk.