RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that pulmonary telerehabilitation (PTR) improves respiratory capacity. However, there is little evidence of its effectiveness in youth with post-COVID-19 conditions (PCC). This study analyzed the effects of a PTR program on young adults with PCC. METHODS: Sixteen youths were randomly assigned to a control group (CG) or an experimental group (EG), with eight participants each. The EG participated in a PTR program that included twelve remote, asynchronous four-week sessions with diaphragmatic breathing and aerobic exercises. Vital signs (SpO2, HR, RR, BP), physical capacity (sit-to-stand test), cardiorespiratory capacity (6-Minute Walk Test), and perceived exertion (Borg scale) were assessed in both groups. RESULTS: Statistical analyses showed a significant decrease in RR and HR (p < 0.012) and an increase in SpO2 (p < 0.042), physical (p < 0.012), and respiratory (p < 0.028) capacity. Perceived effort decreased significantly in both groups (CG: p < 0.006; EG: p < 0.001) only for physical but not for cardiorespiratory capacity (p < 0.106). There were no statistical changes registered in BP (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The PTR program, which includes respiratory and aerobic exercises, is feasible and effective in improving physical and cardiorespiratory capacity in young people with PCC, as well as reducing HR, RR, and dyspnea.
RESUMO
Previous studies suggest that craniofacial manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) facilitates brain fluids clearance, reducing intracranial pressure and reabsorbing chronic subdural hematoma. This study aimed to explore the effect of craniofacial MLD in combination with pharmacological treatment for improving cranial pain intensity, vital signs, and cerebral edema (Hounsfield units, HUs) in moderate traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Patient 1 received pharmacological therapy, while patient 2 received both pharmacological and craniocervical MLD treatment. Patient 2 showed decreased cranial pain intensity and systolic blood pressure (66%-11.11%, respectively) after two 30 min daily sessions of treatment for three days. HUs in the caudate nucleus of both hemispheres (left 24.64%-right 28.72%) and in the left temporal cortical gray matter increased (17.8%). An increase in HU suggests a reduction in cerebral edema and vice versa. For patient 1, there were no changes in cranial pain intensity, but a slight increase in the systolic blood pressure was observed (0%-3.27%, respectively). HUs decreased in the temporal cortical (14.98%) and caudate nucleus gray matter (9.77%) of the left and right cerebral hemispheres (11.96%-16.74%, respectively). This case study suggests that craniofacial MLD combined with pharmacological treatment could reduce cerebral edema, decrease head pain intensity, and maintain vital signs in normal physiologic values in patients with mTBI.
RESUMO
More minutes of physical activity (PA) accumulated during a day are associated with a lower risk of diabetes mellitus type 2. However, it is less known if distinct dimensions of PA can produce a different protective effect in the prevention of prediabetes. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of work and recreational PA on prediabetes among U.S. adults during the period 2015-2016 using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. Individuals (n = 4481) with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test values of 5.7% to 6.4% were included. A logistic regression multivariate-adjusted analysis was conducted to estimate the association between the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of prediabetes, with work and recreational PA. The prevalence of prediabetes among U.S. adults was lower in physically active individuals both at work (~24%) and recreational (~21%) physical activities compared to individuals who were not physically active (27 to 30%). Individuals lacking practice of recreational PA had a high risk of prediabetes (OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.080 to 1.466). PA may be a protective factor for prediabetes conditions depending on gender, age, ethnic group, waist circumference, and thyroid disease.