RESUMO
Rehabilitation is usually provided to patients with chronic foot wounds (CFWs) after surgery. This study aimed to assess whether early postoperative rehabilitation could maintain walking independence in hospitalized patients with CFWs. This single-blind, randomized clinical trial was performed between September 10, 2018 and March 2019, involving 60 patients who underwent both surgical procedures and rehabilitation. Participants were randomly allocated into the early rehabilitation (EG, n = 30) or the control (CG, n = 30) groups. EG received early rehabilitation immediately after surgery, while CG received late rehabilitation after wound closure. Both groups received rehabilitation sessions 5 times per week until discharge. The primary outcome was walking independence, measured via Functional Independence Measure (FIM)-gait scores. Secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using EuroQol 5 dimensions 5-level (EQ-5D-5L) and the presence of rehabilitation-related adverse events, including dehiscence of wounds and falls. Differences in intervention timing effects were analyzed using nonparametric split-plot factorial design analysis, including Fisher's exact test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P < .05). Out of the 60 participants, 53 patients completed the discharge follow up. Three participants (10.0%) from the EG and 4 (13.3%) from the CG dropped out due to postoperative complications unrelated to rehabilitation intervention. No rehabilitation-related adverse events were found. Participants in the EG maintained greater FIM-gait scores during hospitalization than the CG (difference, -1; P = .0001), with a difference of 0 (P = .109) at discharge. EQ-5D-5L significantly improved in both groups (EG: difference, 0.13 [P = .014], CG: difference, 0.17 [P = .0074]). The EG intervention was associated more with maintaining walking independence at discharge than CG intervention. Postoperative rehabilitation improved HRQoL without adverse events, indicating that clinicians should recommend early rehabilitation for patients with CFW to enhance walking independence.
RESUMO
[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the amount of physical activity of the patients with critical limb ischemia consecutively in order to clarify the characteristics of physical activity of critical limb ischemia. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve patients who were eligible for the 2 months of consecutive evaluation of the amount of physical activity were enrolled in the study (men: 11; woman: 1; mean age: 64.4 [range: 44-80]). A pedometer with an accelerometer was used for the measurement of the number of steps walked as an index of the amount of physical activity. Participants were asked to lead a regular life and no instruction was given as to the number of steps. [Results] The average number of daily steps walked was 2,323 steps (range: 404-6,505). There was no clear tendency in the number of amputation site-specific steps walked. There was also no correlation between the number of steps walked and age as well as the maximum strength of the knee-extension muscle, skin perfusion pressure of the sole and the dorsum, and QOL scores. [Conclusion] The number of steps walked of the patients with critical limb ischemia was remarkably low and no significant association with health-related QOL.
