ABSTRACT
RESUMO Este artigo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da eletroestimulação neuromuscular (EENM) sobre a funcionalidade de idosos frágeis e pré-frágeis hospitalizados. Trata-se de um ensaio clínico randomizado com 17 idosos hospitalizados. Foram avaliados dados antropométricos, socioeconômicos e clínicos, seguido da escala proposta por Fried para identificação da síndrome da fragilidade. Além disso, foram avaliados a perimetria da coxa e a força de membros inferiores pelo Medical Research Council (MRC) e teste de sentar e levantar (TSL). Os pacientes foram randomizados em grupo-controle (GC; n=9), com idade de 67,7±6,9 anos e grupo intervenção (GI; n=8), com idade de 71,2±5,6 anos. Ambos os grupos receberam atendimento de fisioterapia convencional. O protocolo de EENM foi aplicado somente no grupo intervenção. Os grupos foram semelhantes quanto ao perfil sociodemográfico, antropométrico, quanto às características clínicas e quanto ao uso contínuo de medicamentos. Houve efeitos significativos da EENM quando comparados ao GC para perimetria da coxa direita (p=0,03); para o número de repetições no TSL (p=0,004) e para a força muscular do quadríceps (p=0,01), avaliados pela escala MRC. O treinamento muscular de quadríceps com a EENM foi efetivo nos idosos frágeis e pré-frágeis hospitalizados, promovendo aumento da força e do desempenho funcional.
RESUMEN Este artículo tuvo como objetivo evaluar los efectos de la electroestimulación neuromuscular (EENM) sobre la funcionalidad de ancianos frágiles y prefrágiles hospitalizados. Es un ensayo clínico aleatorizado en el cual participaron 17 ancianos hospitalizados. Se evaluaron los datos antropométricos, socioeconómicos y clínicos, seguidos de la escala propuesta por Fried para identificar el síndrome de fragilidad. Además, se evaluaron la perimetría del muslo y la fuerza de las extremidades inferiores utilizando el Medical Research Council (MRC) y el test de sentarse y levantarse (TSL). Los pacientes se asignaron aleatoriamente a un grupo de control (GC; n=9), con promedio de 67,7±6,9 años, y al grupo de intervención (GI; n=8), con 71,2±5,6 años. Ambos grupos recibieron fisioterapia convencional. El protocolo de EENM se aplicó solo al grupo de intervención. Los resultados de los grupos fueron similares en relación a las características sociodemográficas, antropométricas, clínicas y de uso continuo de medicamentos. Hubo efectos significativos de la EENM en comparación al GC para la perimetría del muslo derecho (p=0,03); para el número de repeticiones en el TSL (p=0,004) y para la fuerza muscular del cuádriceps (p=0,01), evaluados por la escala MRC. El entrenamiento muscular del cuádriceps con la EENM fue eficaz en los ancianos frágiles y prefrágiles hospitalizados, pues promovió un aumento de la fuerza y el rendimiento funcional.
ABSTRACT This work aimed to evaluate the effects of neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) on the functionality of frail and pre-frail hospitalized older adults. It is a randomized clinical trial that dealt with 17 hospitalized people. Anthropometric, socioeconomic and clinical data were evaluated, followed by the scale proposed by Fried to identify the frailty syndrome. In addition, we evaluated thigh perimetry and lower limb strength according to the Medical Research Council (MRC) as well as conducted the sit-to-stand test (STST). Patients were allocated to the control group (CG; n=9), aged 67.7±6.9 years and intervention group (IG; n=8), aged 71.2±5.6 years. Both groups received conventional physiotherapy care. The NMES protocol was applied only in the intervention group. The groups were similar in terms of sociodemographic, anthropometric profile, clinical characteristics and continuous use of medications. There were significant effects of NMES when compared to CG for right thigh perimetry (p=0.03); number of repetitions in STST (p=0.004) and quadriceps muscle strength (p=0.01) evaluated by the MRC scale. The quadriceps muscle training with the aid of NMES was effective in frail and pre-frail hospitalized people, promoting increased strength and functional performance.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may be a precursor to dementia; however, its progression may be prevented or slowed with exercise. This study aimed at determining the effects of group aerobic and strength training on cognition, conditioning, muscle endurance, and balance in underprivileged community-dwelling older adults with MCI. METHODS: This was a single-blind, randomized, and matched-pair controlled (gender, age, body mass index, and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised for MCI diagnosis) clinical trial. It was developed in 4 community centers. Fifty-two sedentary, functionally independent individuals, aged 60 years or more, with MCI were randomized into intervention group (n = 26) and control group (n = 26). Participants were tested before and after a 24-week exercise program. Sociodemographic characteristics, cognition (Mini-Mental State Examination), conditioning (2-minute stationary walk test), lower-limb endurance (30-second sit/stand test), and balance data (Functional Reach test) were collected. The intervention group walked and exercised twice weekly (60 minutes each) using ankle weights, latex resistance bands, and dumbbells. The exercise load and intensity were regularly increased on the basis of a preestablished incremental number of sets and repetitions and on the basis of the participants' correct movement execution with a given load. Data were analyzed with Pearson χ test, Fisher exact test, Student t test, Mann-Whitney U test, 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance, and the Cohen d. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Before the intervention, no significant differences were found between groups for any of the variables. Postintervention, significant differences were observed in cognition, conditioning, muscle endurance, and balance. Significant time-by-group interactions were detected in all the intergroup analyses. The improvements observed in the intervention group had medium to large effect sizes (0.35-1.15). The control group's decrease in cognition (13.9%) had a large effect size, while its Functional Reach test decrease (11.4%) had a medium effect size, with no significant change in conditioning or muscle endurance. CONCLUSION: The training program improved cognitive function, muscle endurance, aerobic conditioning, and balance in older adults with MCI.
Subject(s)
Cognitive Dysfunction/physiopathology , Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology , Resistance Training , Walking/physiology , Walking/psychology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Body Mass Index , Cognition , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Physical Endurance , Physical Fitness , Postural Balance , Single-Blind Method , Walk TestABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:: To determine the effects of group exercises on balance, mobility, and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment. DESIGN:: Single blinded, randomized, matched pairs clinical trial. SETTING:: Four primary healthcare units. SUBJECTS:: Fifty-two sedentary subjects with mild cognitive impairment were paired (age, sex, body mass index, and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Revised score), tested, and then randomized into an intervention group ( n = 26) and a control group ( n = 26). INTERVENTION:: The intervention group performed strength (ankle weights, elastic bands, and dumbbells) and aerobic exercises (walking) in their communities' public spaces, twice a week (60 minutes each), during 24 weeks. The control group maintained its usual routine. MAIN MEASURES:: Balance (Berg Balance Scale (BBS)), mobility (Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)), and depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale-15) were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS:: Before the intervention, the two groups did not differ statistically. After, the intervention group showed significant improvement ( P < 0.05) in balance (before: 53 ± 3; after: 55.1 ± 1.1 points), mobility (before: 10.7 ± 2.9 seconds; after: 8.3 ± 2 seconds), and depressive symptoms (median punctuation (interquartile range) before: 4 (1.8-6); after: 2.5 (1-4)). The control group presented a significant increase in their depressive symptoms (median before: 3.5 (2-7.3); after: 4 (2-5.3)), while their balance and mobility showed no significant modification. Small effect sizes were observed in the intervention group and control group depressive symptoms, as well as in the control group's mobility and balance. Large effect sizes were observed the intervention group's mobility and balance. CONCLUSION:: Group exercises improved balance, mobility, and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
