[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of measurements of hip extensor muscle strength using a handheld dynamometer (HHD) with subjects in a sitting position. In doing so, we also aimed to establish a modified method of measurement for patients with flexion contractures in the trunk and lower extremities. [Subjects and Methods] In 20 healthy males, hip extensor muscle strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer in sitting, prone, and standing positions by contracting the hip extensor muscle isometrically with the knee flexed at 90 degrees. For each position, we investigated the relative and absolute reliability and validity of the measurements, and compared muscle strength between the different positions. [Results] The reliability and validity of measurements were highest in the sitting position and higher in both the sitting and standing positions as compared with those in the prone position. [Conclusion] Our findings suggest that measurements taken in a sitting position are accurate in assessing hip extensor muscle strength and would be applicable to patients with flexion contractures in the trunk and lower extremities.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine which factors, including pulmonary, physical, and mental functions; dyspnea; and daily physical activity (PA) affect the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) in IPF patients. [Subjects and Methods] The pulmonary, physical, and mental functions; dyspnea; PA; and 6MWD were assessed in 38 outpatients with IPF. PA was represented by the mean number of steps per day. [Results] The mean 6MWD was 443.8 m (SD, 98.5), and the mean number of steps per day showing PA was 5148.4 (SD, 3295.7). The 6MWD was correlated with age, base dyspnea index, vital capacity (VC), diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide, quadriceps force (QF), dyspnea during the 6-minute walk test, and PA. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that VC (β=0.382), QF (β=0.272), and PA (β=0.574) were contributing factors of the 6MWD. [Conclusion] In patients with IPF, PA has a greater effect on the 6MWD than VC and QF. The evaluation of daily PA, in addition to physiological and muscle functions, is important in patients with IPF.

[Purpose] Video-assisted thoracic surgery and preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation are effective in preventing postoperative complications in patients with cardiopulmonary disease. The present study aims to elucidate the presence of postoperative pneumonia and atelectasis in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease who underwent lung resection with video-assisted thoracic surgery and preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation. [Subjects and Methods] Nineteen patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease who had undergone lung resection with video-assisted thoracic surgery and preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation were enrolled in this study. The presence of postoperative pneumonia and atelectasis was evaluated, and preoperative and postoperative pulmonary functions were compared. [Results] Postoperative pneumonia and postoperative atelectasis were not observed. Decreases of pulmonary function were 5.9% (standard deviation, 8.5) in forced vital capacity (percent predicted) and 9.6% (standard deviation, 11.1) in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (percent predicted). [Conclusion] The present study indicates that the combination of lung resection with video-assisted thoracic surgery and preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease may be effective in preventing postoperative complications.

BackgroundPulmonary rehabilitation (PR) causes short-term improvement in exercise capacity, dyspnea, and health-related quality of life in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF); however, long-term maintenance of the improvement is difficult. Nintedanib, an antifibrotic drug, has been shown to delay the worsening of pulmonary function in IPF. Therefore, the concomitant use of nintedanib with PR is anticipated to contribute to the long-term maintenance of the PR effects. The long-term effect of PR under nintedanib treatment in IPF (FITNESS) study is a multicenter, randomised, prospective, parallel-group, open-label trial.MethodsThe study will enroll 82 patients with IPF who have been treated with nintedanib. Patients in the PR group will receive a programmed short-term induction PR program, followed by a maintenance home-based PR program, while patients in the control group will receive usual outpatient care. Patients in both groups will continue to receive nintedanib treatment throughout the study period. The primary endpoint of the study is to compare the change in the 6-min walk distance from the baseline to 12-months between the PR and control groups. The main secondary endpoint is endurance exercise time, measured using a bicycle ergometer.DiscussionFITNESS is the first randomised controlled study to evaluate the long-term effects of PR in IPF treated with nintedanib. This study will address the hypothesis that concomitant use of nintedanib contributes to the maintenance of long-term effects of PR, thus leading to a comprehensive therapeutic approach of “nintedanib and PR” in the antifibrotic era.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to clarify physical parameters affecting the tidal volume during expiratory abdominal compression in patients with prolonged tracheostomy mechanical ventilation. [Methods] Eighteen patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation were included in this study. Expiratory abdominal compression was performed on patients lying in a supine position. The abdomen above the navel was vertically compressed in synchronization with expiration and released with inspiration. We measured the tidal volume during expiratory abdominal compression. [Results] The mean tidal volume during expiratory abdominal compression was higher than that at rest (430.6 ± 127.1 mL vs. 344.0 ± 94.3 mL). The tidal volume during expiratory abdominal compression was correlated with weight, days of ventilator support, dynamic compliance and abdominal expansion. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that weight (β = 0.499), dynamic compliance (β = 0.387), and abdominal expansion (β = 0.365) were factors contributing to the tidal volume during expiratory abdominal compression. [Conclusion] Expiratory abdominal compression increased the tidal volume in patients with prolonged tracheostomy mechanical ventilation. The tidal volume during expiratory abdominal compression was influenced by each of the pulmonary conditions and the physical characteristics.