Exercise-based physiotherapeutic interventions in frailty syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effect of exercise interventions on physical frailty in community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Relevant articles were searched in MEDLINE, LILACS, Scielo, Embase, and PEDro in November 2022, based on a protocol registered in PROSPERO and according to items prescribed in Report for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, using Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS) and free terms for search strategy, with no language restrictions. The studies were considered if they had been published between January 2010 and November 2022, and were randomized clinical trials in which pre-frail and frail older community-dwelling adults had undergone exercise-based physical therapy. RESULTS: The systematic review found 5360 citations; after screening, abstract, and full-text screening for eligibility, seven studies were included, involving 1304 participants overall. The exercise modalities differed substantially between studies. The meta-analysis identified a statistically significant difference in frailty between older adults who exercised compared with those who exercised with no or minimal intervention. No heterogeneity between articles was observed, and the risk of bias was considered low according to funnel plot visual inspection. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this review suggest that physical therapy programs are effective in decreasing levels of physical frailty in community-dwelling older adults.

R3-Walk and R6-Walk, Simple Clinical Equations to Accurately Predict Independent Walking at 3 and 6 Months After Stroke: A Prospective, Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if independent walking at 3 and 6 months poststroke can be accurately predicted within the first 72 hours, based on simple clinical bedside tests. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study with 3-time measurements: immediately after stroke, and 3 and 6 months poststroke. SETTING: Public hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Adults with first-ever stroke evaluated at 3 (N=263) and 6 (N=212) months poststroke. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcome of interest was independent walking at 3 and 6 months after stroke. Predictors were age, walking ability, lower limb strength, motor recovery, spatial neglect, continence, and independence in activities of daily living. RESULTS: The equation for predicting walking 3 months poststroke was 3.040 + (0.283 × FAC baseline) + (0.021 × Modified Barthel Index), and for predicting walking 6 months poststroke was 3.644 + (-0.014 × age) + (0.014 × Modified Barthel Index). For walking ability 3 months after stroke, sensitivity was classified as high (91%; 95% CI: 81-96), specificity was moderate (57%; 95% CI: 45-69), positive predictive value was high (76%; 95% CI: 64-86), and negative predictive value was high (80%; 95% CI: 60-93). For walking ability 6 months after stroke, sensitivity was classified as moderate (54%; 95% CI: 47-61), specificity was high (81%; 95% CI: 61-92), positive predictive value was high (87%; 95% CI: 70-96), and negative predictive value was low (42%; 95% CI: 50-73). CONCLUSIONS: This study provided 2 simple equations that predict walking ability 3 and 6 months after stroke. This represents an important step to accurately identify individuals, who are at high risk of walking dependence early after stroke.

Effect of aquatic exercise programs according to the International Classification of Functionality, Disability and Health domains in individuals with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis with GRADE quality assessment.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of aquatic exercise programs (AEP) in body structure and function, activity, and participation outcomes in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) with mild to moderate disability levels. METHODS: Six databases were searched from inception until November 2022. Randomized clinical trials that used AEP alone, AEP combined and/or compared two types of AEP were included. The quality of evidence was assessed by the GRADE approach and the standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated the meta-analysis. RESULTS: Twelve studies (n = 380) were included. AEP alone was superior to active control in improving body structure and function outcome: postural balance (low evidence, SMD = 0.47, p = 0.02). No statistically significant differences were found for the other body structure and function outcomes: lower limb muscle strength (p = 0.14) and depressive symptoms (p = 0.79), activity outcomes: mobility (p = 0.32) and participation outcomes: quality of life (p = 0.05). AEP combined showed no statistically significant difference for the outcomes of body structure and function: postural balance (p = 0.11) and activity: mobility (p = 0.21) when compared to active control. CONCLUSION: AEP showed positive effects on body structure and function outcome (postural balance) in individuals with PD with mild to moderate disability levels while, no significant improvements were noticed for activity and participation outcomes.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONOur findings indicate that aquatic exercise programs (AEP) lead to significant improvements on body structure and function (i.e., postural balance) in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD).The AEP evaluated in this study implemented postural balance, gait, single and double training, as well as aerobic exercises, trunk mobility exercises, and Ai Chi.The average duration, frequency, and total time implemented were 50 minutes, three times a week, for seven weeks, respectively.Considering the potential benefits identified in this study, AEP can be recommended as an adjunct treatment strategy for individuals with PD.Additionally, the use of the International Classification of Functionality, Disability and Health on the development of rehabilitation treatment plans is advised.

The impact of low back pain and disability on frailty levels in older women: longitudinal data from the BACE-Brazil cohort.

METHODS: This is a longitudinal observational study with a convenience subsample from the international Back Complaints in the Elders (BACE)-Brazil. Frailty was assessed by researchers at baseline, 6 and 12 months according to the Frailty Phenotype. Pain was assessed using a Numerical Pain Scale (NPS). Disability was assessed using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 155 older women (70.4 ± 5.4 years) participated. Follow-up for 6 and 12 months in this study was associated with a change of older women to worse frailty levels (OR = 2.83, 95% CI 1.98-4.67; p < 0.01). A significant association was observed between greater pain intensity and the transition of the older women through the frailty levels (ß = - 0.73; p < 0.01) when inserting the pain variable at baseline of the statistical model. Older women who reported greater pain intensity worsened their frailty level. The same happened when the disability variable was inserted in the model (ß = - 0.74; p < 0.01). The criteria proposed by Fried et al. were able to identify frailty throughout the follow-up and no prevalence of any item. CONCLUSIONS: In older women, relevant factors such as pain and disability are closely linked to the frailty phenomenon. Thus, the frailty syndrome must be assessed, monitored and treated in relation to the individualities of older adults, as those with back pain and greater disabilities are more susceptible to frailty.

Association Between Physical Functioning and Time Until a New Hospitalization in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Physical functioning refers to the ability to independently perform activities that require physical ability, and may be an important tool for predicting a higher risk of hospitalization. The objective of this study was to verify whether aspects of physical functioning are independently associated with the risk for new hospitalization in older adults seen in primary health care. METHODS: This prospective cohort study consisted of 473 older adults 60 years and older who had not been hospitalized in the prior year. Hospitalization records were obtained with authorization from the hospital admission. Depending on physical functioning, the probability of a new hospital admission within the next 5 years was determined based on survival analysis and the Kaplan-Meier curve. Physical functioning was evaluated using 5 easy-to-administer tests: handgrip strength using a Jamar dynamometer, functional performance using the Short Physical Performance Battery, balance using the step test, mobility using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and gait speed using the 4-m walk test. The association between poor physical functioning and new hospitalization was verified using a Cox regression model, adjusted for sex, age, number of comorbidities, number of medications, and BMI. Models were implemented separately for each physical functioning test. RESULTS: In the sample, 32% had been hospitalized at least once in 5 years. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed a decrease in the probability of nonhospitalization within the next 5 years. Cox regression analysis showed an association between hospitalization within the next 5 years and mobility on the TUG test of more than 12.4 seconds in the crude (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.10-1.60) and adjusted models (HR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.02-1.56), and balance using the step test of more than 7.5 seconds in the crude (HR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.03-1.56) model. CONCLUSIONS: Physical functioning tests demonstrated that poor physical performance predicts new hospitalization, and reinforced the importance of their application in physical therapy practice in primary health care settings.

Interaction between the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and demographic characteristics on sexual/erectile dysfunction in Latin America: cross-sectional study.

AIM: Our objective was to investigate whether there is an interaction between the COVID-19 pandemic, demographic characteristics and erectile/sexual (E/S) function in individuals from Latin America. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study which included Latin American individuals over 18 years old, recruited through social media and interviewed between July and August 2020 by online surveys (Google Forms) in Portuguese and Spanish languages. The E/S function was evaluated through the following questionnaires: Simplified International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI); while post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed through the Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R). The data was analyzed by T Student, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression, with significance determined by the Wald test (p<0.05), using the R software v4.0. RESULTS: Out of the 2016 individuals that responded to the survey, 1986 were included and 743 of them presented E/S dysfunction. PTSD occurrence was greater among people with E/S dysfunction when compared to those without E/S dysfunction, in the total score (males: IES-R=26.54[±19.17] and females: IES-R=35.92[±19.25]) and also in the three domains. It was found that those who do not live with a partner were 74% more likely to have E/S dysfunction, but living with a partner during the pandemic had a greater impact on E/S function. CONCLUSION: A negative interaction between the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and erectile/sexual function of the Latin American population was observed, with greater implications among the individuals who live with their partners.

Avaliação da integralidade na Atenção Primária à Saúde pelo usuário idoso: estudo transversal / Evaluation of integrality in Primary Health Care by older users: a cross-sectional study

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a integralidade do cuidado segundo a percepção do idoso usuário da Atenção Primária à Saúde e sua associação com o uso dos serviços de saúde. Foi desenvolvido estudo transversal no município de Alfenas ­ Minas Gerais. A integralidade foi avaliada pelo questionário PCATool. As análises bruta e ajustada foram realizadas por regressão de Poisson. A amostra contemplou 166 idosos. A análise das medianas do número de respostas evidenciou elevado número de avaliações positivas; 57% da amostra relatou receber orientações sobre mudanças que ocorrem com o envelhecimento, mas apenas 13% relatou receber "orientações sobre incapacidade". As medianas também apresentaram comportamento semelhante em todos os serviços. Conclui-se que idosos que usam mais os serviços não o percebem como mais integral, embora tenha sido evidenciada uma percepção positiva da oferta de ações pelos serviços avaliados.

The objective was to evaluate the integrality according to the perception of older users of primary health care and associate it with the use of health services. To do so, a cross-sectional study was conducted in the municipality of Alfenas - Minas Gerais. Integrality was evaluated by PCAtool questionnaire. The analyses were performed using Poisson regression. The sample consisted of 166 older people. Median analysis of the number of responses showed a high number of positive evaluations, and 57.0% reported receiving guidance about the changes that occur with aging. Nevertheless, only 13.0% reported receiving "disability guidelines". The medians also presented similar behavior in all services. There was no major perception of integrality within the older adults using the health services more often. However, a positive perception of the offer of actions by the evaluated services was evidenced.

Factors associated with the prevalence of sarcopenia and frailty syndrome in elderly university workers.

BACKGROUND: Frailty and sarcopenia are highly prevalent, as a part of geriatric syndrome, among elderly individuals. However, little is known about how these syndromes can affect elderly individuals who continue to work. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of sarcopenia and frailty, and their individual and occupational factors among elderly individuals. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included elderly individuals working in a public university in Brazil, who were classified according to their sarcopenia and frailty profiles. They answered a structured questionnaire comprising potential explanatory variables: individual sociodemographic factors, work related factors, and health behaviors. Additionally, they performed a physical performance test. Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). All analyses were conducted using the Stata 13.0 software, considering a significance of 5%. RESULTS: Respectively, 55.8% and 6.3% of the elderly participants were classified in the Sarcopenia and Severe Sarcopenia groups. Frailty prevalence was 9.4%, with 62.5% classified as Pre-frail. Sarcopenia prevalence was significantly higher among men, and among those living with a partner, with a university degree, exhibiting poor lower limb function, and with multiple work demands. Frailty prevalence was significantly higher among women, and among those living without a partner, having a low educational level, with less work experience, working in an unhealthy/dangerous environment, and whose job was predominantly physical. CONCLUSION: This study identified different potential trigger factors for the development of sarcopenia and frailty. These findings confirm that individual and work factors could explain the incidence of sarcopenia and frailty syndrome.

The role of education on the association between disability and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults: Evidence from Frailty in Brazilian Older People (Fibra) study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore whether higher socioeconomic status attenuates the effects of depressive symptoms on disability among older adults. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study based on 596 older adults, aged 65 and over, from a large city (Belo Horizonte) in Brazil. Disability was defined as limitation in activities such as Basic Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Covariates were age, comorbidities, Body Mass Index (BMI) and grip strength. Statistical analyses were based on Ordinal Logistic Regression and calculated separately for men and women. RESULTS: Elderly women with disability and higher education levels have similar prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to those without disability (17.9% and 16.1%, respectively), but lower compared to those disabled with lower education (37.2%). A positive gradient trend was observed for depressive symptoms across disability categories among women (OR = 2.61; 95% CI 1.52, 4.48). However, these patterns were not observed among men. CONCLUSION: A higher level of education attenuates odds of depressive symptoms in elderly women with disability but does not eliminate it. Therefore, screening for depressive symptoms in low-educated elderly women is important in order to identify them and start early prevention care for target risk population and decrease the disability expenses for health services.

Nutritional Risk is Associated with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Community-dwelling Older Persons: The PAINEL Study.

Malnutrition is a risk factor for noncommunicable diseases related to ageing, and it can also contribute to musculoskeletal health. This study investigated whether nutritional risk is associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain in community-dwelling older persons. Nutritional risk was assessed by the DETERMINE Checklist. Chronic musculoskeletal pain was defined as the presence of pain in the past six months that did not disappear for at least 30 consecutive days. Multivariate logistic regression including confounding variables was used for the analysis. The sample was comprised of 383 participants (age 75.6 ± SD 6.1); the majority were at moderate-to-high nutritional risk (69%) and approximately one third presented chronic musculoskeletal pain (30%). The nutritional risk score was independently associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain: adding one unit in the risk score produces an 11% increment in the odds of presenting pain (OR 1.109, 95% CI 1.022-1.204). Individuals classified into moderate- or high-risk categories also had substantially higher odds (∼90%) of presenting chronic musculoskeletal pain when compared to those in the low-risk category, although our findings were only marginally significant. This is the first study to demonstrate the association between nutritional risk and chronic musculoskeletal pain above and beyond the contributed effects from relevant confounders.

Analysis of the physical and functional parameters of older adults with chronic venous disease.

The chronic venous disease (CVD) results from a situation of venous hypertension which occurs when there is a dysfunction of the calf pump musculature. Such alteration contributes to the worsening of the disease and may generate physical and functional limitations among older adults, carriers of CVD. In the present study, we aimed to compare the performance of the plantar flexor, the range of motion (ROM) of the ankle, gait speed and functional capacity among older adults with and without CVD. This is a cross-sectional study, with a convenience sample of 30 older adults with CVD and 30 without the disease. Gait speed was assessed by the GAITrite system, version 3.9; the dorsiflexion (DF) and plantar flexion (PF) ROMs, by goniometry, and the function of the plantar flexors by the isokinetic dynamometry. Functional capacity was evaluated by Katz and Lawton scales and by the assessment of the activities of social nature. The CVD group presented lesser ROM of DF and PF, peak torque and power of plantar flexors, gait speed and social restriction when compared to the control group (p<0.05). We concluded that older adults with CVD present important limitations of ROM and strength, mobility and social restriction confirming findings of previous studies. Such results might guide professionals in their approaches both for determining the relevance of parameters to be assessed and of their therapeutic approaches.

Frailty syndrome in the community-dwelling elderly with osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize and compare community-dwelling elderly with knee and/or hip osteoarthritis (OA), focusing on the frailty syndrome. METHOD: Cross-sectional study of the elderly with knee and/or hip OA, using a subsample from the study of frailty in the Brazilian elderly (FIBRA), assessing the following: sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidity, medications, depression, anthropomorphic data, falls, pain, stiffness, physical function, and frailty. The subjective assessment of health was also performed. RESULTS: The final sample comprised 58 elderly (mean age, 74 ± 5.5 years) as follows: 17 (29.31%) non-frail, 28 (48.28%) pre-frail, and 13 (22.41%) frail. The frail elderly received more medications than the non-frail ones (7.00 ± 2.00 and 4.00 ± 2.00, respectively; P = 0.001). The mean Body Mass Index was lower in the non-frail elderly as compared with those of the pre-frail and frail ones (27.00 ± 4.50 kg/m², 30.00 ± 4.00 kg/m², and 34.00 ± 8.00 kg/m², respectively; P = 0.018). Depression was more prevalent in the frail group. Compared to the previous year, there was a difference in the health status of the groups as follows: 64.3% of the pre-frail elderly and 46.2% of the frail ones believed their health deteriorated, and 52.9% of the non-frail elderly considered that their health status remained unchanged (P = 0.016). When comparing the current physical activity levels with those of the previous year, the pre-frail and frail elderly reported a worsening (P = 0.010). Regarding physical function and fall-related self-efficacy, the frail elderly were worse than the others (P = 0.023 and 0.017, respectively). There were no significant differences between the groups for the remaining items analyzed. CONCLUSION: The elderly with OA and frailty use more medications, are more obese and depressed, have a poorer perception of their own health and of their level of activity as compared with that of the previous year, have a worse fall-related self-efficacy, and worse physical function.