No abstract

Introduction: Respiratory dysfunction is the main cause of death in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and bronchoaspiration pneumonia is the most common clinical respiratory complication. Objective: To assess respiratory function of elderly with PD in mild to moderate phase of the disease. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried. Elderly in 2 to 3 PD Hoehn & Yahr stage have participated. A single researcher has evaluated maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), thoracoabdominal amplitude, forced vital capacity (FVC) and expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1). Results: Sixty elderly have participated and their all spirometry and manovacuometry parameters presented significant differences (p < 0.05) comparing with predicted values, except for FVC (p = 0.25). Only umbilical level did not reach normal values on cirtometry parameters. Patients classified as a restrictive disorder presented significant decrease in thoracic expandability. However the participants classified as an obstructive disorder showed significant decrease in expiratory muscle strength and peak expiratory flows. Conclusion: Elderly in mild or moderate phase of PD presented reduction in respiratory parameters. Spirometry showed to be an important tool to evaluate respiratory function and to indicate the modality of respiratory exercise. Our results suggest the indication of thoracic flexibility exercises for patient with PD classified as restrictive disorder and strength exercise of respiratory muscles for those classified as obstructive disorder.

This is a descriptive longitudinal study that aimed to verify prosthesis satisfaction of older adults with lower-limb amputation (LLA). In total, This study was composed of 34 older adults with LLA participated of this study. Participant’s satisfaction about the lower-limb prosthesis (LLP), the discomforts, and the embarrassment when use it were evaluated through an interview composed of five questions. The occurrence of falls and the independence in prosthesis management were also evaluated. All variables were collected at the last week of ambulatory rehabilitation discharge and after one and three months. A descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed. The level of significance was set at 5% (p <0.05). In total, 80% of participants with transtibial amputation and 78.6% of participants with transfemoral amputation were satisfied with the LLP after three months. Tight prosthesis, walking pain, the embarrassment of using LLP, and the occurrence of falls decreased over time. The independence in prosthesis handling did not change significantly after three months. Participants that used manual locking knee (p=0.040) and/or Solid-Ankle Cushion Heel foot (p=0.017) were more satisfied with LLP. The occurrence of falls reduced (p=0.039) after transfemoral participants started to use the prosthesis. Participant’s satisfaction with the LLP was high and did not change significantly over time.