Fatigue can influence the development of late-onset pain in post-COVID-19 syndrome: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Late-onset pain is frequent following COVID-19, and many pathogenetic mechanisms have been proposed. Identifying the main features of patients may help in designing tailored rehabilitative interventions. METHODS: We enrolled post-COVID-19 patients with an increase in pain intensity of two points on the COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRS) at 52 weeks compared to the pre-COVID-19 condition. All subjects were retrospectively monitored at 12, 26, and 52 weeks. A specific pain assessment was performed to determine the characteristics and mechanisms of pain. Catastrophizing, kinesiophobia, and other psychological symptoms were evaluated. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) and temporal summation (TS) were measured and compared in age- and sex-matched healthy controls to analyse pain characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients were recruited, with 20 of them presenting an increase in pain at 52 weeks. Subjects of the two subgroups were similar in demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline; significant differences in fatigue, anxiety, mobility, ability to perform daily activities, and general health perception were recorded at 26 weeks. Fatigue significantly predicted pain onset (ß = 0.54, p = 0.002). Sixteen different body regions were identified as painful, with a pain intensity of 6.0 ± 1.9. Most of the samples did not show neuropathic or nociplastic mechanisms. No differences in PPT and TS were recorded between patients and healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Almost one out of three patients hospitalized for COVID-19 developed pain 1 year later, and fatigue seems responsible for chronicity. An overlapping of conditions may explain late-onset post-COVID-19 pain, and a comprehensive approach must be considered for patient management. SIGNIFICANCE: Late-onset pain is frequent in post-COVID-19 syndrome and an overlapping of different mechanisms seems to be responsible for its development. Among many predisposing factors, fatigue in the months before seems to be one of the primary causes of pain one year following infection and its management may help to identify new strategies for prevention and treatment of late-onset pain.

From intensive care to rehabilitation: survey on the satisfaction with care received during prolonged hospitalization for COVID-19 at a northern Italian university hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Investigating the experiences perceived by COVID-19 inpatients is a fundamental research area that is starting to be explored. For this reason, our objective was to provide the first Italian survey on COVID-19 inpatients' satisfaction, obtained through a self-completed questionnaire previously used in a reference study in a UK cohort of COVID-19 patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients (>20 days) admitted to Ferrara University Hospital who underwent rehabilitation during their hospital stay were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire. The survey's questions explored the patients' satisfaction with the health services received, and their completion took place approximately one year after hospitalization. Information on sex, number of wards, ICU stays, and hospital discharge dates was collected. RESULTS: Sixty-two completed questionnaires were analyzed. The average overall satisfaction score obtained from the answers indicated by the participants in the tenth question was 4.7 out of 5.0. Very positive responses were observed for information about discharge plans, privacy, management of pain, sleep quality, and feeling of safety. The possibility of being consulted about medications and side effects received a very low satisfaction score. Considering overall satisfaction, no significant differences were noted for sex or ICU stay. The obtained results were almost superimposable to those reported in the cohort of COVID-19 patients of the reference study. CONCLUSIONS: This survey suggested that COVID-19 patients' healthcare satisfaction was high. Nevertheless, some areas must be improved, such as the communication and involvement of the patients in the decision-making of care and the discussion about medications or possible side effects.

Fuerza muscular y parámetros espaciotemporales de la marcha en personas con enfermedad de Parkinson. Un estudio piloto / Muscle strength and spatiotemporal gait parameters in people with Parkinson´s disease. A pilot study

Introducción: La debilidad muscular en personas con enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) ha sido frecuentemente reconocida como un síntoma inespecífico. En otras patologías neurológicas, la debilidad de las extremidades inferiores, específicamente la debilidad de los cuádriceps, es el factor que causa mayor incapacidad para caminar. Pocas investigaciones han evaluado la relación entre la fuerza muscular de los miembros inferiores, utilizando herramientas objetivas en personas con EP y el desempeño de la marcha. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la correlación entre la fuerza muscular de los miembros inferiores, utilizando un dinamómetro isocinético, y los parámetros espaciotemporales de la marcha en la EP, en comparación con controles sanos emparejados por edad y sexo. Sujetos y métodos: El estudio se llevó a cabo con siete personas con EP –Hoehn y Yahr (HY) entre II y III– y siete controles sanos. Se realizaron pruebas isocinéticas de rodilla y tobillo a 60 y 120°/s y la prueba de marcha de 10 metros, a velocidad de marcha cómoda y rápida, en todos los sujetos reclutados. Resultados: Se observaron diferencias significativas en las medidas relacionadas con la fuerza de las extremidades inferiores y en los parámetros de la marcha entre las personas con EP y los controles. Los parámetros de la marcha mostraron excelentes correlaciones (rho = 0,7) para ambas extremidades inferiores: trabajo de flexión plantar de tobillo/desgaste corporal a 180°/s con número de pasos (indirecto) y zancada (directa) a ambas velocidades, y entre pico de torsión de flexión plantar de tobillo/desgaste corporal a 180°/s con número de pasos (indirecto) y zancada (directa) a velocidad máxima; y entre trabajo de extensión de rodilla/desgaste corporal a 60°/s con zancada (directa) a velocidad autoseleccionada. Conclusiones: La fuerza muscular de las extremidades inferiores de las personas con EP (estadios de HY II-III) se...(AU)

Introduction: Muscle weakness in persons with Parkinson disease (PD) has been frequently recognized as a nonspecific symptom. In other neurological conditions, lower limb weakness, specifically quadriceps weakness, is the factor that causes greater gait disability. Little research has evaluated the relationship between lower limb muscle strength, using objective tools, in PD persons and gait performance. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between lower limb muscle strength, using an isokinetic dynamometer, and the spatiotemporal gait parameters in PD, compared with age- and sex- matched healthy controls. Subjects and methods: The study was conducted with 7 persons with PD –Hoehn and Yahr (HY) between II-III– and 7 healthy controls. Isokinetic knee and ankle tests at 60 and 120°/s and the 10-meter walking test at comfortable and fast walking speed, were performed on all recruited subjects. Results: Significant differences in lower limb strength-related measures and gait parameters were observed between persons with PD and controls. Gait parameters showed excellent correlations (rho ≥ 0.7) for both lower limb: ankle plantar flexion work/body wearing at 180°/s with number of steps (indirect) and stride (direct) at both speeds, and between the ankle plantar flexion peak torque/ body wearing at 180°/s with number of steps (indirect) and stride (direct) at maximum speed; and between knee extension work/body wearing at 60°/s) with stride (direct) at self-selected speed. Conclusions: Persons with PD (HY II-III stages) lower limb muscle strength correlates excellently with gait pattern, showing lower isokinetic strength than healthy subjects of the same age and sex. This protocol showed safety to be performed in a larger sample.(AU)

Muscle strength and spatiotemporal gait parameters in people with Parkinson´s disease. A pilot study. / Fuerza muscular y parámetros espaciotemporales de la marcha en personas con enfermedad de Parkinson. Un estudio piloto.

INTRODUCTION: Muscle weakness in persons with Parkinson disease (PD) has been frequently recognized as a nonspecific symptom. In other neurological conditions, lower limb weakness, specifically quadriceps weakness, is the factor that causes greater gait disability. Little research has evaluated the relationship between lower limb muscle strength, using objective tools, in PD persons and gait performance. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between lower limb muscle strength, using an isokinetic dynamometer, and the spatiotemporal gait parameters in PD, compared with age- and sex- matched healthy controls. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with 7 persons with PD -Hoehn and Yahr (HY) between II-III- and 7 healthy controls. Isokinetic knee and ankle tests at 60 and 120°/s and the 10-meter walking test at comfortable and fast walking speed, were performed on all recruited subjects. RESULTS: Significant differences in lower limb strength-related measures and gait parameters were observed between persons with PD and controls. Gait parameters showed excellent correlations (rho = 0.7) for both lower limb: ankle plantar flexion work/body wearing at 180°/s with number of steps (indirect) and stride (direct) at both speeds, and between the ankle plantar flexion peak torque/ body wearing at 180°/s with number of steps (indirect) and stride (direct) at maximum speed; and between knee extension work/body wearing at 60°/s) with stride (direct) at self-selected speed. CONCLUSIONS: Persons with PD (HY II-III stages) lower limb muscle strength correlates excellently with gait pattern, showing lower isokinetic strength than healthy subjects of the same age and sex. This protocol showed safety to be performed in a larger sample.

TITLE: Fuerza muscular y parámetros espaciotemporales de la marcha en personas con enfermedad de Parkinson. Un estudio piloto.Introducción. La debilidad muscular en personas con enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) ha sido frecuentemente reconocida como un síntoma inespecífico. En otras patologías neurológicas, la debilidad de las extremidades inferiores, específicamente la debilidad de los cuádriceps, es el factor que causa mayor incapacidad para caminar. Pocas investigaciones han evaluado la relación entre la fuerza muscular de los miembros inferiores, utilizando herramientas objetivas en personas con EP y el desempeño de la marcha. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la correlación entre la fuerza muscular de los miembros inferiores, utilizando un dinamómetro isocinético, y los parámetros espaciotemporales de la marcha en la EP, en comparación con controles sanos emparejados por edad y sexo. Sujetos y métodos. El estudio se llevó a cabo con siete personas con EP ­Hoehn y Yahr (HY) entre II y III­ y siete controles sanos. Se realizaron pruebas isocinéticas de rodilla y tobillo a 60 y 120°/s y la prueba de marcha de 10 metros, a velocidad de marcha cómoda y rápida, en todos los sujetos reclutados. Resultados. Se observaron diferencias significativas en las medidas relacionadas con la fuerza de las extremidades inferiores y en los parámetros de la marcha entre las personas con EP y los controles. Los parámetros de la marcha mostraron excelentes correlaciones (rho = 0,7) para ambas extremidades inferiores: trabajo de flexión plantar de tobillo/desgaste corporal a 180°/s con número de pasos (indirecto) y zancada (directa) a ambas velocidades, y entre pico de torsión de flexión plantar de tobillo/desgaste corporal a 180°/s con número de pasos (indirecto) y zancada (directa) a velocidad máxima; y entre trabajo de extensión de rodilla/desgaste corporal a 60°/s con zancada (directa) a velocidad autoseleccionada. Conclusiones. La fuerza muscular de las extremidades inferiores de las personas con EP (estadios de HY II-III) se correlaciona excelentemente con el patrón de la marcha, mostrando una fuerza isocinética inferior a la de sujetos sanos de la misma edad y sexo. Este protocolo mostró seguridad para ser realizado en una muestra mayor.

Plasma levels of protein C pathway proteins and brain magnetic resonance imaging volumes in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The involvement of protein C (PC) pathway components in multiple sclerosis (MS) has scarcely been explored. The aim was to investigate their levels in relation to clinical and neurodegenerative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes in patients. METHODS: In all, 138 MS patients and 42 healthy individuals were studied. PC, protein S (PS) and soluble endothelial protein C receptor (sEPCR) were evaluated by multiplex assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Regression analyses between 3 T MRI outcomes and PC pathway components were performed. ancova was used to compare MRI volumes based on protein level quartiles. Partial correlation was assessed amongst levels of PC pathway components and hemostasis protein levels, including soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), heparin cofactor II (HCII), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and factor XII (FXII). The variation of PC concentration across four time points was evaluated in 32 additional MS patients. RESULTS: There was an association between PC concentration, mainly reflecting the zymogen PC, and MRI measures for volumes of total gray matter (GM) (P = 0.003), thalamus (P = 0.007), cortex (P = 0.008), deep GM (P = 0.009) and whole brain (P = 0.026). Patients in the highest PC level quartile were characterized by the lowest GM volumes. Correlations of PC-HCII, PC-FXII and sEPCR-sTM values were detectable in MS patients, whilst PC-PS and PS-PAI-1 correlations were present in healthy individuals only. CONCLUSIONS: Protein C plasma concentrations might be associated with neurodegenerative MRI outcomes in MS. Several differences in correlation amongst protein plasma levels suggest dysregulation of PC pathway components in MS patients. The stability of PC concentration over time supports a PC investigation in relation to GM atrophy in MS.

Does robot-assisted gait training ameliorate gait abnormalities in multiple sclerosis? A pilot randomized-control trial.

BACKGROUND: Gait disorders are common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and lead to a progressive reduction of function and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: Test the effects of robot-assisted gait rehabilitation in MS subjects through a pilot randomized-controlled study. METHODS: We enrolled MS subjects with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores within 4.5-6.5. The experimental group received 12 robot-assisted gait training sessions over 6 weeks. The control group received the same amount of conventional physiotherapy. Outcomes measures were both biomechanical assessment of gait, including kinematics and spatio-temporal parameters, and clinical test of walking endurance (six-minute walk test) and mobility (Up and Go Test). RESULTS: 16 subjects (n = 8 experimental group, n = 8 control group) were included in the final analysis. At baseline the two groups were similar in all variables, except for step length. Data showed walking endurance, as well as spatio-temporal gait parameters improvements after robot-assisted gait training. Pelvic antiversion and reduced hip extension during terminal stance ameliorated after aforementioned intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted gait training seems to be effective in increasing walking competency in MS subjects. Moreover, it could be helpful in restoring the kinematic of the hip and pelvis.

Treadmill exercise in early mutiple sclerosis: a case series study.

AIM: The effect of specific exercise therapy programs on the management of balance and walking disorders in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have not been fully explained yet. Reproducible measurement systems are especially required to show their efficacy. The aim of the present case series study was to explore the feasibility of an aerobic treadmill rehabilitation protocol (endurance training protocol) and its effects on walking parameters, muscular activity and postural balance. An adequate instrumental measure set was adopted to provide evidence of minimal motor dysfunction, not quantifiable by means of standard clinical examination. METHODS: Three minimally impaired MS patients were enrolled. The patients underwent endurance training on a treadmill for four weeks. Posturographic assessment, energy cost measurement and gait analysis by basography and surface electromyography recordings were used as outcome measures. RESULTS: Energy cost during treadmill walking was generally reduced in the three patients after exercise. Indexes of both sway path and sway area used for postural stability measurement were reduced after exercise in two patients, particularly with eyes closed. Minor changes were observed in gait pattern in terms of foot placement. Muscular activity pattern tended to normalize after training. CONCLUSION: The aerobic treadmill exercise is feasible, safe and it may improve early anomalies of posture and gait in early MS patients. In the context of an impairment oriented rehabilitation approach, the set of instrumental measurements proposed seems to be able to identify subclinical anomalies in a very low degree of functional involvement on an individual basis.

Sagittal plane kinematic analysis of the six-minute walk test: a classification of hemiplegic gait.

AIM: The aim of this study was to propose a kinematic classification of gait according to six minute walk test performance. METHODS: Thirty-four hemiplegic subjects were enrolled. Six-minute walk test (SMWT), gait analysis and Walking Handicap Scale score (WHS) were measured. A k-means cluster analysis was used to classify the sample into three sub-groups which were homogeneous in spatio-temporal parameters, kinematic variables, and which reflected three meaningful levels of walking competency. RESULTS: Three clusters were identified: low-functioning walkers (Cluster 1) walked for 88-172 m; intermediate-functioning walkers (Cluster 2) walked for 180-302 m and high-functioning walkers (Cluster 3) were able to cover 349-430 m. The authors found homogeneous gait profiles in these subgroups. Between-group differences on kinematic data and WHS scores were also underlined. CONCLUSIONS: Cluster analysis was able to identify consistent gait characteristics of spatio-temporal, walking endurance and sagittal plane kinematic profiles in hemiplegic subjects and is useful for categorizing the levels of walking competency in these subjects.