Background: The usage of volar locking plate fixation for distal radial fractures has increased in older patient populations, despite the fact that surgical treatment in the elderly population has not clearly been proven to be superior to nonoperative treatment. The purpose of the present study was to compare nonoperative treatment with volar locking plate fixation with regard to clinical outcome for elderly patients with dorsally displaced distal radial fractures. Methods: In this study, 140 patients were randomly allocated to nonoperative treatment with a plaster splint (n = 72) or volar locking plate fixation (n = 68). The outcome variables were the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire score, EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) score, range of motion, grip strength, radiographic outcomes, and complications. Evaluation was performed at 3 and 12 months by unblinded observers. Results: At 3 months, 122 patients were evaluated, and at 12 months, 119 patients were evaluated. At 3 months, the volar locking plate group, compared with the nonoperative treatment group, had a better median PRWE score (10.3 compared with 35.5 points; p = 0.002), DASH score (14.4 compared with 29.2 points; p = 0.016), and grip strength (71.0% of the uninjured hand compared with 53.9%; p < 0.001). Significant differences in favor of the volar locking plate group remained at 12 months; compared with the nonoperative treatment group, the volar locking plate group had a better median PRWE score (7.5 points compared with 17.5 points; p = 0.014), DASH score (8.3 points compared with 19.9 points; p = 0.028), and grip strength (96.8% compared with 80.0%; p = 0.001). Radiographic measurements favored volar locking plate fixation at 3 and 12 months. Complication rates were similar, with 11% major complications in the nonoperative group compared with 14% major complications in the volar locking plate group (p = 0.606) and 11% minor complications in the nonoperative group compared with 20% minor complications in the volar locking plate group (p = 0.197). Conclusions: The PRWE scores, DASH scores, and grip strength were better for the volar locking plate group compared with the nonoperative group at 3 and 12 months. The complication rates were similar. Our results imply that there is a benefit for the elderly patient with an unstable dorsally displaced distal radial fracture to be treated with a volar locking plate. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The aim of this multicenter randomized controlled trial was to compare physiotherapist‐led exercise‐based cardiac rehabilitation (PT‐X) with physical activity on prescription (PAP) with regard to physical fitness, physical activity, health‐related quality of life (HR‐QoL), and metabolic risk markers in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. Ninety six patients (28 women), age 74 (5) years, and ejection fraction ≥45% were randomized. An exercise tolerance test (primary outcome measure), muscle endurance tests, HR‐QoL, physical activity assessments (questionnaire and accelerometer), and blood sampling were performed. The PT‐X consisted of 60‐minute group sessions and home‐based exercise, both twice a week. The PAP consisted of 40 minutes of active walking, 4 times a week. Eighty seven patients completed the study. Exercise tolerance (maximum exercise capacity) improved significantly after PT‐X (n = 40) but not after PAP (n = 47) (16 vs −3 W; P < .0001). Muscle endurance also improved after PT‐X: shoulder flexion left arm (7 vs −1 repetition; P < .001), heel‐lift right leg (4 vs 1 repetition; P < .05), left leg (4 vs −1 repetition; P < .001), and shoulder abduction (17 vs −4 s; P < .010). PAP significantly increased energy expenditure. Health‐related quality of life and lab‐tests did not differ. PT‐X improved physical fitness in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation.

Background Atrial fibrillation negatively impacts physical fitness and health-related quality of life. We recently showed that 3 months of physiotherapist-led exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation improves physical fitness and muscle function in elderly patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and concomitant diseases. Little is, however, known about the consequences for physical fitness, physical activity level, and health-related quality of life after ending the rehabilitation period. Methods Prospective 3 months follow-up study of 38 patients out of 40 eligible (10 women) who, as part of a randomized controlled trial, had completed a 3 months physiotherapist-led cardiac rehabilitation resulting in improved physical fitness,. In the current study, the participants were instructed to refrain from exercise for 3 months after completion of the rehabilitation period. Primary outcome measure was physical fitness measured as highest achieved workload using an exercise tolerance test. Secondary outcome measures were muscle function (muscle endurance tests), physical activity level (questionnaire and accelerometer), and health-related quality of life, (Short Form-36), as in the preceding intervention study. We used the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test to analyse differences between the end of rehabilitation and at follow-up. The effect size was determined using Cohen’s d . Results Exercise capacity and exercise time significantly decresead between end of rehabilitation and at follow-up (p < .0001 for both). A significant reduction in shoulder flexion repetitions (p = .006) was observed as well as reduced health-related quality of life in the Short Form-36 dimensions Physical Function (p = .042), Mental Health (p = .030), and Mental Component Score (p = .035). There were, however, no changes regarding objective and subjective physical activity measurements. Conclusion In older patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, previously achieved improvements from physiotherapist-led exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in physical fitness and muscle function were lost, and health-related quality of life was impaired after ending the rehabilitation period. A strategy for conserving improvements after a rehabilitation period is essential.

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Background: Atrial fibrillation negatively impact physical fitness and health-related quality of life in patients. We recently showed that physiotherapist-led exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation improves physical fitness in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, however little is known about the effect of detraining after finishing an exercise period. The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of 3 months of detraining on physical fitness, physical activity level and health-related quality of life among patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, after ending a randomized comparison of physiotherapist-led exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation versus physical activity on prescription.Methods: Prospective 3-month follow-up study after a randomized multi-centre study. Of the 87 patients completing the intervention study, 80 (92%) participated in the detraining part (22 women; age 74 ± 5 years), 38 from the physiotherapist-led exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation group and 42 from the physical activity on prescription group. All patients were asked to refrain from organised exercise during the 3-months period of detraining. The primary outcome measure was maximal exercise capacity using an exercise tolerance test. Secondary outcomes measures were muscle function, physical activity level, and health-related quality of life using a muscle endurance tests, Short Form-36, and physical activity assessments (questionnaire and accelerometer), as in the intervention study. We used the Mann-Whitney U-test and X2 test to analyse differences between the groups, and Cohen’s d to determine the effect size. A mixed effect model analysis was used to identify predictors of change in physical fitness.Results: Compared to the physical activity on prescription, physiotherapist-led exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation showed a significantly decreased exercise capacity (−9 ± 11 vs. −2 ± 12 W, P < .0001), reduction in shoulder flexion repetitions (−4 ± 8 vs. 2 ± 7 repetitions, P = .001), and reduced health-related quality of life in the Short Form-36 dimension Role Emotional (−13 ± 39 vs. 6 ± 27 points, P = .006). Conclusion: In elderly patients with permanent atrial fibrillation detraining negatively impacted previously achieved improvements from physiotherapist-led exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in physical fitness and reduce health-related quality of life. The importance of continued exercise is emphasized and should be part of the strategy. Retrospectively registred in ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02493400. First posted July 9, 2015