Understanding the Meaning of Recovery to Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery.

Importance: Postoperative recovery is difficult to define or measure. Research addressing interventions aimed to improve recovery after abdominal surgery often focuses on measures such as duration of hospital stay and complication rates. Although these clinical parameters are relevant, understanding patients' perspectives regarding postoperative recovery is fundamental to guiding patient-centered care. Objective: To elucidate the meaning of recovery from the perspective of patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants: This international qualitative study involved semistructured interviews with patients recovering from abdominal surgery from October 2016 to November 2018 in tertiary hospitals in 4 countries (Canada, Italy, Brazil, and Japan). A purposive maximal variation sampling method was used to ensure the recruitment of patients with varying demographic, clinical, and surgical characteristics. Data on race were not collected. Each interview lasted between 1 and 2 hours. Interviews were recorded and then transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were then analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Data analysis was conducted from July 2019 to September 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures: The qualitative analysis revealed themes reflecting the meaning of recovery from the perspective of patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Results: Thirty patients recovering from abdominal surgery were interviewed (15 [50%] female; mean [SD] age, 57 [18] years; 10 [33%] underwent major surgery; 16 [53%] underwent laparoscopic surgery). The interviews revealed that for patients undergoing abdominal surgery, the meaning of recovery embodied 5 overarching themes: (1) returning to habits and routines, (2) resolution of symptoms, (3) overcoming mental strains, (4) regaining independence, and (5) enjoying life. Themes associating the meaning of recovery to traditional parameters, such as earlier hospital discharge or absence of complications, were not identified in the interviews. Conclusions and Relevance: This qualitative study suggests that the meaning of recovery from the perspective of patients undergoing abdominal surgery goes beyond traditional clinical parameters. The elements of recovery identified in this study should be taken into account in patient-surgeon discussions about recovery and when developing patient-centered strategies to improve postoperative outcomes.

Development of a conceptual framework of recovery after abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) with robust measurement properties to assess postoperative recovery and support patient-centered care after abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to establish a conceptual framework of recovery after abdominal surgery to support the development of a conceptually relevant and psychometrically sound PROM. METHODS: Patients from four different countries (Canada, Italy, Brazil, and Japan) participated in qualitative interviews focusing on their lived experiences of recovery after abdominal surgery. Interviews were guided by a previously developed hypothesized conceptual framework established based on a literature review and expert consensus. Interviews were analyzed according to a modified grounded theory approach and transcripts were coded according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Codes for which thematic saturation was reached were classified into domains of health that are relevant to the process of recovery after abdominal surgery. These domains were organized into a structured diagram. RESULTS: 30 Patients with diverse demographics and surgical characteristics were interviewed (50% female, age 57 ± 18 years, 66% major or major extended surgery). 39 Unique domains of recovery emerged from the interviews, 17 falling under the ICF category of "Body Functions" and 22 under "Activities and Participation". These domains constitute the conceptual framework of recovery after abdominal surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides comprehensive insight into patients' perspectives of the recovery process after abdominal surgery. This conceptual framework will support content validity and provide the pivotal basis for the development of a novel PROM to inform quality improvement initiatives and patient-centered research in abdominal surgery.

Measurement properties of the Human Activity Profile questionnaire in hospitalized patients.

OBJECTIVE: To test the measurement properties (reproducibility, internal consistency, ceiling and floor effects, and construct validity) of the Human Activity Profile (HAP) questionnaire in hospitalized patients. METHODS: This measurement properties study recruited one-hundred patients hospitalized for less than 48h for clinical or surgical reasons. The HAP was administered at baseline and after 48h in a test-retest design). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-6) was also administered at baseline, aiming to assess the construct validity. We tested the following measurement properties: reproducibility (reliability assessed by type 2,1 intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1)); agreement by the standard error of measurement (SEM) and by the minimum detectable change with 90% confidence (MDC90), internal consistency by Cronbach's alpha, construct validity using a chi-square test, and ceiling and floor effects by calculating the proportion of patients who achieved the minimum or maximum scores. RESULTS: Reliability was excellent with an ICC of 0.99 (95% CI=0.98-0.99). SEM was 1.44 points (1.5% of the total score), the MDD90 was 3.34 points (3.5% of the total score) and the Cronbach's alpha was 0.93 (alpha if item deleted ranging from 0.94 to 0.94). An association was observed between patients classified by HAP and by IPAQ-6 (χ2=3.38; p=0.18). Ceiling or floor effects were not observed. CONCLUSION: The HAP shows adequate measurement properties for the assessment of the physical activity/inactivity level in hospitalized patients.

Effect of conventional physical therapy and Pilates in functionality, respiratory muscle strength and ability to exercise in hospitalized chronic renal patients: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of conventional physical therapy and Pilates on function, restoration, and exercise ability in hospitalized chronic renal patients. METHODS: A total of 56 inpatients were randomized into two groups: Conventional physical therapy and Pilates. The primary outcomes were functionality (Barthel Index), respiratory muscle strength (manovacuometry), and ability to exercise (step test) evaluated in the following periods: preintervention, after the 5th session, and after the 10th session or at discharge. Three months after randomization, the Barthel Index was applied over the phone. At the end of the 10 sessions or at discharge, the length of hospital stay was calculated and the level of satisfaction with physical therapy care was assessed (MedRisk). Linear mixed models were used for the primary outcomes and the Student's t-test was used for length of stay and satisfaction. RESULTS: There was no significant between-group difference in functionality (MD -1.3; 95% CI -2.8 to 5.4), inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength (MD -1.3; 95% CI -7.3 to 4.5/MD -4.5; 95% CI -0.7 to 9.7, respectively), performance in the step test (MD -3.3; 95% CI -6.2 to 12.8), patient satisfaction with physical therapy care (MD -2.0; 95% CI -5.1 to 9.1), and length of stay (MD 4.5; 95% CI -15.9 to 6.8). CONCLUSION: Both interventions, conventional physical therapy and Pilates, showed improvements and there is no difference between them. Therefore both can be used in chronic renal patients.

Effects of nephrectomy on respiratory function and quality of life of living donors: a longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: A living donor transplant improves the survival and quality of life of a transplant patient. However, the impact of transplantation on postoperative lung function and respiratory muscular strength in kidney donors remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, quality of life and the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in kidney donors undergoing nephrectomy. METHOD: This prospective cohort enrolled 110 consecutive kidney donors undergoing nephrectomy. Subjects underwent pulmonary function (using spirometry) and respiratory muscular strength (using manovacuometry) assessments on the day prior to surgery and 1, 2, 3 and 5 days postoperatively. Quality of life (measured by the SF-36) was evaluated preoperatively and 30 days postoperatively. PPCs were assessed daily by a blinded assessor. RESULTS: Donors exhibited a decrease of 27% in forced vital capacity, 58% in maximum inspiratory capacity and 51% in maximum expiratory pressure on the 1stpostoperative day (p<0.001) but this improved over days 2, 3 and 5 but had not returned to preoperative levels. Patient quality of life was still impaired at 30 days with regards to functional capacity, physical role, pain, vitality and social functioning (p<0.05) but these parameters improved slowly. None of the patients developed PPCs. CONCLUSION: Kidney donors submitted to nephrectomy exhibited a reduction in pulmonary function, respiratory muscular strength and quality of life, most of which were improving toward pre-surgical levels.

Effects of nephrectomy on respiratory function and quality of life of living donors: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND: A living donor transplant improves the survival and quality of life of a transplant patient. However, the impact of transplantation on postoperative lung function and respiratory muscular strength in kidney donors remains unknown.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, quality of life and the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in kidney donors undergoing nephrectomy.METHOD: This prospective cohort enrolled 110 consecutive kidney donors undergoing nephrectomy. Subjects underwent pulmonary function (using spirometry) and respiratory muscular strength (using manovacuometry) assessments on the day prior to surgery and 1, 2, 3 and 5 days postoperatively. Quality of life (measured by the SF-36) was evaluated preoperatively and 30 days postoperatively. PPCs were assessed daily by a blinded assessor.RESULTS: Donors exhibited a decrease of 27% in forced vital capacity, 58% in maximum inspiratory capacity and 51% in maximum expiratory pressure on the 1stpostoperative day (p<0.001) but this improved over days 2, 3 and 5 but had not returned to preoperative levels. Patient quality of life was still impaired at 30 days with regards to functional capacity, physical role, pain, vitality and social functioning (p<0.05) but these parameters improved slowly. None of the patients developed PPCs.CONCLUSION: Kidney donors submitted to nephrectomy exhibited a reduction in pulmonary function, respiratory muscular strength and quality of life, most of which were improving toward pre-surgical levels.

Oxygen delivery-utilization mismatch in contracting locomotor muscle in COPD: peripheral factors.

Central cardiorespiratory and gas exchange limitations imposed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) impair ambulatory skeletal muscle oxygenation during whole body exercise. This investigation tested the hypothesis that peripheral factors per se contribute to impaired contracting lower limb muscle oxygenation in COPD patients. Submaximal neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES; 30, 40, and 50 mA at 50 Hz) of the quadriceps femoris was employed to evaluate contracting skeletal muscle oxygenation while minimizing the influence of COPD-related central cardiorespiratory constraints. Fractional O2 extraction was estimated by near-infrared spectroscopy (deoxyhemoglobin/myoglobin concentration; deoxy-[Hb/Mb]), and torque output was measured by isokinetic dynamometry in 15 nonhypoxemic patients with moderate-to-severe COPD (SpO2 = 94 ± 2%; FEV1 = 46.4 ± 10.1%; GOLD II and III) and in 10 age- and gender-matched sedentary controls. COPD patients had lower leg muscle mass than controls (LMM = 8.0 ± 0.7 kg vs. 8.9 ± 1.0 kg, respectively; P < 0.05) and produced relatively lower absolute and LMM-normalized torque across the range of NMES intensities (P < 0.05 for all). Despite producing less torque, COPD patients had similar deoxy-[Hb/Mb] amplitudes at 30 and 40 mA (P > 0.05 for both) and higher deoxy-[Hb/Mb] amplitude at 50 mA (P < 0.05). Further analysis indicated that COPD patients required greater fractional O2 extraction to produce torque (i.e., ↑Δdeoxy-[Hb/Mb]/torque) relative to controls (P < 0.05 for 40 and 50 mA) and as a function of NMES intensity (P < 0.05 for all). The present data obtained during submaximal NMES of small muscle mass indicate that peripheral abnormalities contribute mechanistically to impaired contracting skeletal muscle oxygenation in nonhypoxemic, moderate-to-severe COPD patients.

The quality and reporting of randomized trials in cardiothoracic physical therapy could be substantially improved.

BACKGROUND: While the number of reports of randomized controlled trials in physical therapy has increased substantially in the last decades, the quality and reporting of randomized trials have never been systematically investigated in the subdiscipline of cardiothoracic physical therapy. The primary aim was to determine the methodological quality and completeness of reporting of cardiothoracic physical therapy trials. Secondary aims were to investigate the range of clinical conditions investigated in these trials and the degree of association between trial characteristics and quality. METHODS: All reports of randomized trials indexed on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) and coded as being relevant to cardiothoracic physical therapy were surveyed. PEDro scale individual items and total score were downloaded, and some characteristics included in the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement were extracted for each trial report. RESULTS: The mean ± SD total PEDro score for the 2,970 included reports of cardiothoracic trials was 4.7 ± 1.4, with 27% being of moderate to high quality. The clinical conditions studied included chronic lung diseases (32% of the trials), cardiac diseases (20%), cardiovascular surgical conditions (5%), sleep disorders (5%), peripheral vascular disease (4%), acute lung disease (4%), critical illness (3%), and other surgical conditions (3%). The multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that endorsement of the CONSORT statement by the publishing journal, time since publication, evidence of trial registration, sources of funding, description of the sample size calculation, and identification of the primary outcome(s) had associations with the total PEDro score. CONCLUSIONS: There is great potential to improve the quality of the conduct and reporting of trials evaluating the effects of cardiothoracic physical therapy.

Analysis of reporting of systematic reviews in physical therapy published in Portuguese.

BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews are considered the best design to synthesize all existing information of a given research topic. To date, there is no study that investigated the quality of reporting of systematic reviews relevant to physical therapy published in Portuguese. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the quality of reporting of systematic reviews in the field of physical therapy published in Portuguese by using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) checklist. METHOD: All systematic reviews published in Portuguese that were indexed on PEDro database up to August 2011 were included. The quality of reporting of the eligible papers was analysed by using the PRISMA checklist. Each quality assessment was performed by two independent reviewers with arbitration of a third reviewer if necessary. RESULTS: A total of 37 systematic reviews were identified. These studies were published between 2003 and 2010. Less than 30% of the PRISMA checklist items were satisfied, being most of the items related to the introduction and discussion sections. No improvements over time were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the studies did not satisfy the items from the PRISMA Checklist. It seems that most of authors did not know the existence of this checklist. The implementation of reporting statements such as the PRISMA statement by Portuguese-written journals is likely to help authors to write their systematic reviews in a more transparent and clear way.

Analysis of reporting of systematic reviews in physical therapy published in Portuguese / Análise da apresentação textual de revisões sistemáticas em fisioterapia publicadas no idioma português

BACKGROUND: Systematic reviews are considered the best design to synthesize all existing information of a given research topic. To date, there is no study that investigated the quality of reporting of systematic reviews relevant to physical therapy published in Portuguese. Objective: To analyse the quality of reporting of systematic reviews in the field of physical therapy published in Portuguese by using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) checklist. METHOD: All systematic reviews published in Portuguese that were indexed on PEDro database up to August 2011 were included. The quality of reporting of the eligible papers was analysed by using the PRISMA checklist. Each quality assessment was performed by two independent reviewers with arbitration of a third reviewer if necessary. RESULTS: A total of 37 systematic reviews were identified. These studies were published between 2003 and 2010. Less than 30% of the PRISMA checklist items were satisfied, being most of the items related to the introduction and discussion sections. No improvements over time were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the studies did not satisfy the items from the PRISMA Checklist. It seems that most of authors did not know the existence of this checklist. The implementation of reporting statements such as the PRISMA statement by Portuguese-written journals is likely to help authors to write their systematic reviews in a more transparent and clear way.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: As revisões sistemáticas são consideradas a melhor forma de sintetizar toda a informação existente sobre um determinado tópico, porém não se conhece, até o momento, a qualidade da apresentação textual das revisões sistemáticas em fisioterapia publicadas no idioma português. Objetivo: Analisar a apresentação textual de revisões sistemáticas em fisioterapia publicadas no idioma português utilizando as recomendações PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). MÉTODO: Foram analisadas todas as revisões sistemáticas apresentadas na base de dados PEDro até o mês de agosto de 2011. Para a análise da descrição textual foi utilizada a lista de verificação PRISMA. Cada revisão foi avaliada por pares de revisores independentes e, em caso de discordância entre os pares, um terceiro avaliador fez a arbitragem final. RESULTADOS: Foram identificadas 37 revisões sistemáticas que foram publicadas entre os anos de 2003 e 2010. Menos de 30% dos itens da lista de verificação PRISMA foram descritos pelos autores, sendo que a maioria dos itens satisfeitos se refere às seções de introdução e discussão. Observou-se que não houve um aumento na adesão aos itens recomendados para a apresentação textual com o passar do tempo. CONCLUSÕES: A adesão aos critérios preconizados pela lista de verificação da PRISMA é baixa para revisões sistemáticas publicadas no idioma português, o que pode ser reflexo do desconhecimento da existência de tais recomendações. A implementação de recomendações aos autores pelos periódicos nacionais poderá auxiliar os autores na redação de seus artigos, melhorando a clareza com que reportam seus estudos.

Pulmonary function and exercise capacity in metal industry workers.

This article intends to evaluate the lung function and capacity to exercise and correlate both of them in metal industry workers.

Utilization of positive-pressure devices for breathing exercises in the hospital setting: a regional survey in São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: The use of breathing exercises with positive-pressure devices during hospitalization aims to prevent the development of nosocomial pulmonary complications or to facilitate recovery from pulmonary conditions already present. Although this type of intervention has potential benefits and theoretical advantages over more conventional respiratory physiotherapy techniques, the literature on the effects of breathing exercises with positive-pressure is controversial and inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extension of the use of breathing exercises with positive-pressure devices by physiotherapists in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A list of hospitals located in the city of São Paulo was obtained through the Municipal Secretary of Health. Physiotherapists at 43 hospitals were surveyed about their use of exercises with positive-pressure devices in: patients after abdominal, thoracic, and cardiac surgery; patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; patients with pneumonia; and patients with neuromuscular disease. RESULTS: 120 physiotherapists responded to the questionnaire. All the respondents used breathing exercises with positive-pressure devices in their clinical practice, with all types of patients addressed in the questionnaire. The devices most frequently used were continuous positive airway pressure (78%) and intermittent positive-pressure breathing (73%). The most frequently cited indications for positive-pressure breathing exercises were atelectasis and oxygenation impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a lack of evidence of benefit from breathing exercises with positive-pressure in the hospital setting, this type of intervention is used extensively in clinical practice for a wide variety of patients and conditions.

Do directed cough maneuvers improve cough effectiveness in the early period after open heart surgery? Effect of thoracic support and maximal inspiration on cough peak expiratory flow, cough expiratory volume, and thoracic pain.

BACKGROUND: Directed cough maneuvers are often included in physiotherapy management aimed at preventing postoperative pulmonary complications after open heart surgery, but there is little scientific evidence of the effectiveness of directed cough maneuvers. METHODS: We conducted a randomized intra-subject crossover trial to evaluate the effect of thoracic support (patient holds his or her hands over the incision) and maximal inspiration on cough peak expiratory flow (CPEF), cough expiratory volume (CEV), and incision pain during cough in the early period after open heart surgery. Cough evaluation was undertaken on the first and second morning after surgery. On both measurement days the subject did a baseline cough (baseline cough 1) then, in a random sequence, performed 3 cough conditions: an additional baseline cough (baseline cough 2), supported cough, and supported cough preceded by maximal inspiration. In these test conditions a P < .008 was deemed to indicate a statistically significant difference. RESULTS: Twenty-one subjects participated. Thoracic support alone did not significantly affect CPEF or CEV (Bonferroni adjusted P > .008). With a maximal inspiration and thoracic support, CPEF and CPEV were significantly higher than in all other cough conditions (Bonferroni adjusted P < .008). Pain during cough was not influenced by the different cough conditions (P > .05). There was no significant difference in the cough variables or pain during the different cough conditions on the first day versus the second measurement day. CONCLUSIONS: Maximal inspiration increased CPEF and CEV, but the method of thoracic support we used did not reduce pain during cough or influence the cough values we measured.