Feasibility and Reliability of Functional Muscle Tests in Lung Transplant Recipients.

This was an observational study without a control group, so it cannot show that the rehabilitation program caused the increases. Austrian patients had inpatient rehabilitation, while foreign patients had less supervised outpatient rehabilitation, so supervision intensity differed. Six patients refused second testing and nine did not participate in the third assessment. Patients were not always tested at the same time of day or with equal intervals between assessments. The study did not compare post-rehabilitation scores with pre-transplant or healthy control scores. Fear avoidance, motivation, and psychological factors were not measured, although they likely affected the Biering-Sørensen endurance test. The endurance test was reliable only among patients who could perform the first and second assessments. Results apply to lung transplant recipients in the subacute rehabilitation phase, not to other patients or settings.

The authors declared no financial or nonfinancial competing interests. The supplied text does not name a study funder.

Do not conclude that handgrip strength can safely replace maximum back extension testing for prescribing exercise. The study showed a correlation and suggested it may be useful, but the authors state that further research is needed to prove safety and efficacy.