Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire as an additional Tool in Clinical Assessment of Patients undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Interventions The aim was to analyze the usability of Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (MLTPAQ) in assessment of physical activity in patients before and 6 months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The study group consisted of 211 patients aged between 34-79 years (x = 59,5±7,89 yeras), with history of ischemic heart disease (IHD) with or without previous incidence of myocardial infarction (MI). The MLTPAQ was administered to all patients at the time of PCI and then 6 months later, as was the treadmill stress test (TST) and echocardiography (ECHO). Total energy expenditure calculated with the MLTPAQ remained at the same level and was of low intensity (<4 MET, <2000kcal/week) 6 months after the PCI. There was an increased physical capacity noted 6 months after initial PCI: increased metabolic cost (MET); maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max); maximal heart rate (HRmax) obtained during the TST and decreased resting heart rate (HRrest). ECHO examination showed improved LVEF%. Despite increased physical capacity and improved heart hemodynamics, resulting most likely from PCI procedure, the patients showed a similar level of leisure time physical activity 6 months after the PCI.

No abstract

In the present study we investigated the effectiveness of a 3-month breathing exercise program in patients with mild-to-moderate asthma, as assessed from spirometric indices. The study group consisted of 28 asthma patients (mean age of 43 years). The physiotherapy program consisted of 45-min exercise sessions, performed twice a week for 3 months. We measured the flow-volume indices (FEV(1), FVC, PEF, MEF(50)) before and after the exercise sessions at the beginning and end of the physiotherapy program. In addition, the patients measured their personal best peak expiratory flow (PEF). We found no significant changes in spirometric indices before and after an exercise session either at the beginning or end of the physiotherapy program, although there was a tendency for lower values after the exercise sessions at both beginning and end of the physiotherapy program. There was a significant decrease in PEF after an exercise session at the beginning of the physiotherapy program; this decrease lost significance after completion of the physiotherapy program. However, PEF values were greater both before and after the exercise sessions at the end of the physiotherapy program compared with the corresponding sessions before the program. We conclude that the breathing exercise program employed in the study failed to appreciably improve lung function in asthmatic patients. However, there was no asthma exacerbations observed during the conduction of breathing exercise program, which underscores the need for pulmonary rehabilitation in asthma treatment.

Streszczenie:W pracy przedstawiono możliwości stymulacji układu oddechowego w mózgowym porażeniu dziecięcym (m.p.dz.). Ukazano odrębności anatomiczne, a także fi zjologiczne układu oddechowego dzieci w porównaniu z osobami dorosłymi oraz ich wpływ na wentylację płuc, zwłaszcza u niemowląt. Opisano zalety oddychania nosem w stosunku do oddychania przez usta, a także podjęto temat nieprawidłowości wentylacyjnych występujących u dzieci z m.p.dz. W mózgowym porażeniu z racji zaburzeń wielkości i rozkładu napięcia mięśniowego blokady funkcjonalne pojawiające się w obrębie kluczowych punktów ciała (głowy i szyi, obręczy barkowej i biodrowej) zaburzają rozwój róż-norodnych funkcji organizmu, w tym także pracę układu oddechowego. Mając na uwadze konsekwencje oddechowe, wynikające z występującej u omawianych dzieci hipotonii posturalnej, poświęcono uwagę takim zagadnieniom, jak: efektywne odkrztuszanie, techniki wspomagające oddychanie, kinezyterapia oddechowa, a także możliwość stymulacji prawidłowego wzorca oddychania w trakcie usprawniania neurorozwojowego (metody rehabilitacji dzieci: NDT-Bobath, Vojta, Doman-Delacato). Opisano też elementy terapii logopedycznej bardzo istotnej w usprawnianiu funkcji układu oddechowego ze względu na wspomaganie czynności mięśni gardła, jamy ustnej i twarzy, a tym samym ograniczanie oddechu przez otwarte usta.Słowa kluczowe: hipotonia posturalna, wentylacja płuc, kinezyterapia oddechowa, metody neurorozwojowe. Abstract:This study shows possibilities of stimulation of the respiratory system in children with infantile cerebral palsy (ICP). Initially, it presents distinctive anatomic and physiological characteristics of the respiratory system of children comparing them to adult respiratory system and their impact on lungs ventilation, especially in infants. It describes the advantages of nasal versus mouth respiration and the issue ventilatory disorders occurring in children with ICP. ICP due to disorders of value and distribution of muscular tension causes functional blockages of the key points of the body (head and neck, shoulder and pelvic girdles), which disturb development of various functions of the body, including the functioning of the respiratory system. Taking into consideration the respiratory consequences that arise from the postural hypotonia, this study concentrates on the following issues: effective coughing techniques, assistive respiratory techniques, respiratory kinesitherapy as well as a possibility of stimulation of a proper respiratory pattern as a part of neuro-developmental therapy (infants' rehabilitation methods: NDT-Bobath, Vojta, Doman-Delacato). Elements of speech therapy have been presented as well. This type of therapy is highly important for improving function of the respiratory system as it stimulates throat, oral cavity and facial muscles, thus reducing the pattern of mouth ventilation.

Introduction: Cerebral palsy is a great and serious medical problem. There are no effective ways of its treatment which is the main reason of constant research into successful therapeutical methods of rehabilitation. Nowadays, the rehabilitation is based on neurodevelopmental methods which are the most effective and friendly for children. Therefore, it is important to find an extensive approach towards the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy according to ICF (International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health) concepts and the Polish model of rehabilitation. The fundamental objective of rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy is to give them the possibility to live independently in the future. Material and methods: The research involved 10 children with cerebral palsy (including 4 girls and 6 boys) aged 5 - 8 years. The average weight for girls was 13,68 kg. and boys was 15,83 kg. The average height for all examined children was 104,25 cm. to 115,00 cm. In order to determine the effectiveness of the chosen rehabilitation methods (NDT Bobath, Sensory Integration, Halliwick, hippotherapy) as well as other supporting techniques (orthopaedic equipment, kinesiotaping, arm - chairs) to the condition of research children, the analysis of the therapeutic improvement process in the space of one year was carried out. The research method was based on the completed questionnaire as well as on the assessment of the psychomotor development according to Bobath. Results: In the examined group of children with CP, after one-year therapy, a significant improvement of the evaluated righting and balance reactions and skill abilities (p<0,05) were noticed which had a good influence on the emotions of these children. Conclusions: On the basis of the achieved results, one may advance the thesis about the justifiability of the use of the chosen methods and supporting techniques in rehabilitation of the patients with cerebral palsy.