[A study on the quality of life in ischaemic vascular accidents and its relation to physical activity]. / Estudio de la calidad de vida en el accidente vascular isquémico y su relación con la actividad física.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) are the third most common cause of death and are the main cause of permanent disability in the western world, where they also rank first as regards the loss of years of disability-adapted independent life. Ischaemic CVAs tend to present irreversible sequelae, which reduces the patient's quality of life. AIM: To analyse the effect of a series of exercises carried out in water on the quality of life of patients who have had an ischaemic CVA. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two groups were studied: an experimental group made up of 15 subjects aged 50.3 +/- 9.1 years, and a control group consisting of 13 subjects aged 52.5 +/- 7.7 years. The experimental group followed a 12-week programme of aquatic physical exercises. The two groups were evaluated in a pre- and post-treatment and then results from both groups were compared. Data were collected by administering a generic health-related quality of life survey (SF-36). RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the pre- and post-treatment in the experimental group. In the between-groups evaluation, significant differences were recorded with regard to functional capacity, physical aspects, pain, general state of health, vitality, social aspects and mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Doing physical exercises in water tends to improve motor behaviour, with a greater degree of independence, significant improvements in functional capacity and other aspects linked to physical aptitude. As a result, the level of quality of life of individuals affected by ischaemic CVA is enhanced.

Estudio de la calidad de vida en el accidente vascular isquémico y su relación con la actividad física / A study on the quality of life in ischaemic vascular accidents and its relation to physical activity

El accidente vascular cerebral (AVC) ocupa la tercera posición en la causa de muertes y constituyela principal causa de incapacidad permanente en los países occidentales, ocupando el primer lugar en la pérdida de años de vida independiente adaptada a la incapacidad. El AVC isquémico tiende a presentar secuelas irreversibles, lo que provocapérdidas en cuanto a la calidad de vida. Objetivo. Analizar el efecto de un programa de ejercicios acuáticos sobre la calidad de vida de portadores del AVC isquémico. Sujetos y métodos. Se estudiaron dos grupos, un grupo experimental formado por 15 sujetos con una edad de 50,3 ± 9,1 años, y un grupo control con 13 sujetos de edad 52,5 ± 7,7 años. El grupo experimentalfue sometido a 12 semanas de ejercicios acuáticos. Se evaluaron los dos grupos en un pre y postratamiento y, posteriormente, se realizó la comparación entre los grupos. Para efectuar la recogida de datos se empleó un cuestionario genérico de calidad de vida en salud (SF-36). Resultados. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre el pre y el postratamiento delgrupo experimental. En la evaluación entre grupos, se registraron diferencias significativas en la capacidad funcional, aspectos físicos, dolor, estado general de salud, vitalidad, aspectos sociales y salud mental. Conclusión. La práctica de actividadesfísicas acuáticas tiende a proporcionar una mejora en el comportamiento motor, con una mayor independencia, mejoras significativas en la capacidad funcional y otros aspectos ligados a la aptitud física, lo que aporta así una mejoría en el nivel de calidad de vida de personas afectadas por el AVC isquémico

Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) are the third most common cause of death and are the main causeof permanent disability in the western world, where they also rank first as regards the loss of years of disability-adapted independent life. Ischaemic CVAs tend to present irreversible sequelae, which reduces the patient’s quality of life. Aim. To analyse the effect of a series of exercises carried out in water on the quality of life of patients who have had an ischaemic CVA. Subjects and methods. Two groups were studied: an experimental group made up of 15 subjects aged 50.3 ± 9.1 years, and a control group consisting of 13 subjects aged 52.5 ± 7.7 years. The experimental group followed a 12-week programme of aquatic physical exercises. The two groups were evaluated in a pre- and post-treatment and then results from both groups were compared. Data were collected by administering a generic health-related quality of life survey (SF-36). Results. Significantdifferences were found between the pre- and post-treatment in the experimental group. In the between-groups evaluation, significant differences were recorded with regard to functional capacity, physical aspects, pain, general state of health, vitality, social aspects and mental health. Conclusions. Doing physical exercises in water tends to improve motor behaviour,with a greater degree of independence, significant improvements in functional capacity and other aspects linked to physical aptitude. As a result, the level of quality of life of individuals affected by ischaemic CVA is enhanced