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Cardiopulmonary research

Everything we have read on cardiopulmonary. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

1,018 PAPERS · PAGE 10 OF 21 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTCohort2021Predictors of Low Physical Function in Patients With COVID-19 With Acute Respiratory Failure Admitted to a Subacute Unit.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationMost adults recovering from COVID-19 respiratory failure in a subacute unit had severe physical function disability. Older age, previous walking disability, and invasive or noninvasive ventilation were linked to worse scores.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Prevention and management of respiratory disease in young people with cerebral palsy: consensus statement.Developmental medicine and child neurologyRespiratory disease is a leading cause of death in cerebral palsy, but there is no high-level evidence that any intervention prevents or treats it. These guidelines rely on expert consensus to recommend risk screening for swallowing, mobility, and reflux.
• PTOther2020Association between skeletal muscle mass index and lung function/respiratory muscle strength in older adults requiring long-term care or support.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 120 older adults needing long-term care, higher skeletal muscle mass was related to stronger maximum expiratory pressure, not peak flow. This links body muscle mass to breathing muscle strength, but does not prove cause.
• PTOTCase Report2020Twenty-four-hour ambulatory oximetry monitoring in a patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for assisting in the discharge instruction on activities of daily living: a case report.Journal of physical therapy scienceOne patient with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis desaturated during bathing without feeling short of breath. Specific movement and breathing instructions reduced the time his oxygen saturation stayed below 90% from 14.3% to 7.7%.
• PTSurvey2021Increased prevalence of non-communicable physical health conditions among autistic adults.Autism : the international journal of research and practiceAutistic adults reported more long-term physical health conditions than non-autistic adults, especially autistic females for asthma, arrhythmias, low blood pressure, prediabetes, and cardiovascular conditions. These are self-reported survey findings, not diagnoses.
• PTCohort2020Evaluation of a chest rehabilitation project in Nepal using the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test.Journal of physical therapy scienceCommunity COPD rehabilitation in Nepal was followed by improved quality-of-life scores after the intervention, but the project had no control group and mixed many supports, so the effect of chest rehabilitation alone cannot be separated.
• PTOther2021Reductions in Cardiac Structure and Function 24 Months After Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Study.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationLonger time since spinal cord injury was linked to smaller left ventricle dimensions, volumes, and mass, and to lower stroke volume and cardiac output, while ejection fraction and diastolic function did not change.
• PTOTPilot2020The association between systemic inflammation and the time spent in posture and movement during daytime in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lower weight.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 11 underweight COPD patients, more walking time linked to lower muscle mass but higher inflammation. Standing time linked to higher inflammation. The authors suggest increasing activity in this group might worsen inflammation, so low-intensity exercise and nutrition are preferred.
• PTOTSLPOther2021COVID-19: Patient Characteristics in the First Phase of Postintensive Care Rehabilitation.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationPatients arriving for post-ICU rehabilitation after severe COVID-19 had profound weakness, with 72.7% showing severe muscle loss in most major groups. Forty percent had swallowing difficulties requiring tube feeding or modified food, and 38.3% experienced low oxygen levels during exercise.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Do Patients With COVID-19 Benefit from Rehabilitation? Functional Outcomes of the First 100 Patients in a COVID-19 Rehabilitation Unit.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationPost-acute COVID patients in a specialized rehab unit improved motor function and independence during a 10-day stay. However, at discharge, their daily living skills remained lower than before infection, and grip strength stayed below normal values. Severe cases showed similar or greater functional gains.
• PTPilot2021Carbon Dioxide Expiration and Performance Fatigability Following Aerobic Exercise Training: A Longitudinal, Observational, Pilot Study.Cardiopulmonary physical therapy journalIn 20 healthy adults, four weeks of vigorous cycling reduced fatigue-related performance decline, and extra carbon dioxide expired above metabolic needs was linked to fatigue and aerobic capacity.
• PTOTSLPCase Series2021Early Physical Therapist Interventions for Patients With COVID-19 in the Acute Care Hospital: A Case Report Series.Physical therapyPhysical therapists managed severe instability by moving patients very slowly and stopping exercises before coughing triggered oxygen drops. Anxiety worsened breathlessness, requiring active listening and education alongside movement. Family video calls helped reorient delirious patients when visits were banned.
• PTOther2021Effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on pulmonary alveola and cytokines in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and skeletal muscle atrophy model mice.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn mice with lung disease and muscle loss, electrical muscle stimulation lowered some lung inflammation markers but did not protect muscle strength or reverse alveolar damage. These molecular changes have not been tested in humans and should not guide clinical practice.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2021Effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the recovery of people with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit: A narrative review.Journal of rehabilitation medicineNMES may slow muscle wasting and help wean ventilated patients, but evidence for building strength is mixed. It is safe for most ICU patients, including those with pacemakers, provided electrodes are placed carefully. Use it alongside active movement, not just as a passive substitute.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation in Physical Therapy: A Rapid Overview.Physical therapyTelerehabilitation often matches in-person physical therapy for musculoskeletal pain and function, but results are inconsistent across neurological and cardiopulmonary conditions. Many included reviews had high risk of bias, so evidence for superiority is weak. It is a viable alternative when access is limited.
• PTCase Report2021An unusual presentation of acute myocardial infarction in physiotherapy direct access: findings from a case report.Archives of physiotherapyA physiotherapist recognised an acute myocardial infarction in a 46-year-old man whose shoulder pain moved from right to left. The shoulder exam did not reproduce pain, and breathlessness, fatigue, shortness of breath and sweating appeared. He was referred and later returned to work.
• PTOTSLPCohortNovel Claims-Based Outcome Phenotypes in Survivors of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury.The Journal of head trauma rehabilitationInsurance claims data identified four distinct recovery profiles in children surviving traumatic brain injury. The two highest-need groups required significantly more speech and physical therapy, mobility equipment, and neurologic medications. Injury severity, seizures, and inflicted injury mechanisms predicted these high-resource outcomes.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Persistent Symptoms and Disability After COVID-19 Hospitalization: Data From a Comprehensive Telerehabilitation Program.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationOne month after discharge, many older COVID-19 survivors reported persistent symptoms and disability. ICU patients had worse outcomes than ward patients, including higher rates of breathlessness, pain, and dependence in daily activities.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021Rehabilitation to enable recovery from COVID-19: a rapid systematic review.PhysiotherapyRehabilitation for severe respiratory illness improves walking and muscle strength, but evidence for post-ICU recovery is weak. No studies exist for COVID-19 specifically, so generalising requires caution. Individualised programmes are valued by patients, though quality of life results remain inconclusive.
• PTOTSurvey2021Anthropometric determinants of lung function in apparently healthy individuals.The South African journal of physiotherapyLung volumes were larger in men and in people with more muscle mass, but smaller with age and central abdominal fat. The ratio of forced expiratory volume to vital capacity showed no gender difference, though it was lower with greater abdominal fat.
• PTCase-Control2021Evaluation of oxygen uptake adjusted by skeletal muscle mass in cardiovascular disease patients with type 2 diabetes.Journal of physical therapy scienceMale cardiac patients with type 2 diabetes had lower peak oxygen uptake when adjusted for skeletal muscle mass than those without diabetes, despite having similar muscle mass. This suggests their reduced exercise capacity stems from muscle quality issues rather than muscle quantity.
• PTOTOther2021Effects of the posterior pelvic tilt sitting posture on thoracic morphology and respiratory function.Journal of physical therapy scienceSitting with a 30-degree posterior pelvic tilt significantly reduced lung function measures (FVC, FEV1, PFR) in healthy young men. Milder tilts up to 20 degrees did not impair these respiratory outcomes. The 30-degree posture also restricted lower thoracic expansion.
• PTOther2021Differences of quadriceps activity during inline lunge by using FMS assessment.Journal of physical therapy scienceHealthy adults who performed the inline lunge test well used their inner thigh muscle more than their outer. Those who performed it poorly used the outer muscle more. This suggests poor form shifts load to the vastus lateralis, potentially requiring targeted inner thigh strengthening.
• PTPilot2021Investigation of inspiratory intercostal muscle activity in patients with spinal cord injury: a pilot study using electromyography, ultrasonography, and respiratory inductance plethysmography.Journal of physical therapy scienceSurface EMG and ultrasound showed little change in inspiratory intercostal muscle activity or thickness from rest to deep breath in people with cervical spinal cord injury. Rib cage movement tended to be larger when inspiratory capacity was larger.
• PTOTRCT2021Mobilization Started Within 2 Hours After Abdominal Surgery Improves Peripheral and Arterial Oxygenation: A Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial.Physical therapyMobilizing patients out of bed within 2 hours of abdominal surgery improved arterial oxygen levels compared to staying in bed. Adding breathing exercises provided no extra benefit over mobilization alone. The intervention was safe, with no adverse events reported.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Using the Modified Balke Protocol in Fully Ambulatory People With Multiple Sclerosis.Cardiopulmonary physical therapy journalA treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test was safe and feasible for people with multiple sclerosis who could walk without aids. Seventeen of twenty tests provided usable data. The results correlated with walking distance, cognitive speed, and disability levels, supporting its use for assessment.
• PTSLPOther2021Concurrent validity of the Warner Initial Developmental Evaluation of Adaptive and Functional Skills and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition.Developmental medicine and child neurologyIn high-risk infants, WIDEA-FS mobility and communication scores tracked Bayley-III motor and language scores. Low scores can help decide who needs full Bayley testing, but some scores max out too early to tell children apart.
• PTOTCohort2021Impact of sarcopenia on the progress of cardiac rehabilitation and discharge destination after cardiovascular surgery.Journal of physical therapy scienceSarcopenia delayed cardiac rehab milestones and increased transfer to other facilities, but did not change total hospital stay. Anxiety, depression, and nutrition showed no link to these outcomes. Balance decline predicted transfer.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2021Factors influencing the participation of children with disabilities in the community.Journal of physical therapy scienceFor children with disabilities, needing medical care at home limits the variety of community activities they can join, while poor motor function limits how often they go. Tube feeding and respiratory care specifically blocked trips, events, and playing with other children.
• PTOTSLPOther2020A Psychometric Evaluation of the Motor-Behavioral Assessment Scale for Use as an Outcome Measure in Rett Syndrome Clinical Trials.American journal on intellectual and developmental disabilitiesThe revised Motor-Behavioral Assessment Scale works best as a single total score rather than separate subscales. Its 24 items reliably capture overall Rett syndrome severity, correlating strongly with clinical status and genetic mutation type, making it a valid outcome measure for trials.
• PTOTRCT2021Comparison of neuromuscular and cardiovascular exercise intensity and enjoyment between standard of care, off-the-shelf and custom active video games for promotion of physical activity of persons post-stroke.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationCustom active video games matched the exercise intensity of off-the-shelf games and standard care but produced more accurate stepping. Participants found the custom games more enjoyable and less effortful, suggesting they are a viable tool for balancing fitness with movement quality in stroke rehab.
• PTOTSLPCase-Control2020Quantitative Videofluoroscopic Analysis of Swallowing Physiology and Function in Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHRStable COPD patients showed no aspiration but had poor airway closure timing and weak pharyngeal muscle squeeze. Thickened liquids caused significant residue in this group, meaning texture modification requires careful evaluation rather than automatic prescription.
• PTOTSLPOther2021Post-intensive care syndrome following cardiothoracic critical care: Feasibility of a complex intervention.Journal of rehabilitation medicineImplementing a complex post-ICU rehabilitation programme was feasible and safe, with high completion rates. Patients and caregivers experienced significant physical, emotional, and social challenges, including anxiety and sleep problems, that persisted for months after discharge.
• PTOTSLPPilot2021A Nationwide pilot project to develop rehabilitation services for patients with cardiovascular diseases.Journal of rehabilitation medicineImplementing a 3-phase cardiac rehabilitation protocol across 17 Russian hospitals reduced mean ICU stays from 4.3 to 1.9 days and total hospital stays from 16.8 to 7.6 days over five years. However, outpatient phase III services were established at only 9 sites.
• PTSLPOther2021Prevalence of long-term mechanical insufflation-exsufflation in children with neurological conditions: a population-based study.Developmental medicine and child neurologyMechanical insufflation-exsufflation is used by 6 per 1000 children with neurological conditions in Norway. It is most common in spinal muscular atrophy, but one-third of devices are used by children with central nervous system conditions, often for prophylaxis.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021One-year longitudinal study on spinal kyphosis and respiratory function in community-dwelling older Japanese adults who require long-term care or support.Journal of physical therapy scienceSpinal kyphosis worsened significantly over one year in older adults requiring long-term care, but respiratory function and muscle mass remained stable. This suggests postural changes can progress without immediate loss of breathing capacity in this group.
• PTNarrative Review2021Physical Therapist Recognition and Referral of Individuals With Suspected Lyme Disease.Physical therapyThere is no original research finding here. This narrative review gives background on recognizing and referring suspected Lyme disease, but reports no methods, patients, or outcomes.
• PTOTRCT2021Effects of a Tailored Physical Activity Intervention on Cardiovascular Structure and Function in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairAn 8-week community-based physical activity coaching program improved fitness in people with spinal cord injury but did not change resting heart or blood vessel structure. Only those with lower-level injuries showed minor heart shape changes, suggesting higher-level injuries may need more intense or specific loading.
• PTOther2021The Chinese (Mandarin) instructions of the 6-minute walk test: A validation study.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liaoChinese Mandarin instructions for the 6-minute walk test produced walk distances similar to English instructions in 52 healthy bilingual adults, and the same assessors could repeat the test consistently.
• PTOther2021Diaphragm Pacing and a Model for Respiratory Rehabilitation After Spinal Cord Injury.Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPT
• PTCase Report2021Examining the Feasibility of Early Mobilization With Virtual Reality Gaming Using Head-Mounted Display and Adaptive Software With Adolescents in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Case Report.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesTwo adolescents in intensive care completed VR gaming added to usual early mobility physical therapy for an average of 27 minutes per session, with no serious adverse events related to the intervention, although technical issues and adverse events occurred.
• PTOTPilot2021Effectiveness of Distance Technology in Promoting Physical Activity in Cardiovascular Disease Rehabilitation: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial, A Pilot Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesAdding a Fitbit and app to standard cardiac rehab increased light activity in the first six months but not moderate-to-vigorous activity or step counts. No benefits persisted after twelve months, and adherence to the software was low.
• PTCohort2021Effect of health locus of control on physical activity in stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.Journal of physical therapy sciencePatients who believed health is controlled by gods or ancestors had lower physical activity after education. Higher scores for this belief predicted less movement, while family and chance beliefs also linked to lower vigorous activity.
• PTSurvey2021The role of physiotherapy in the respiratory management of children with neuromuscular diseases: A South African perspective.The South African journal of physiotherapySouth African physiotherapists largely recommend manual airway clearance techniques like assisted coughing and adapted postural drainage for children with neuromuscular diseases. Mechanical devices such as cough assist machines and breath-stacking are rarely used or recommended, likely due to cost and limited training.
• PTOTSLPCohort2021Identification of Classes of Functioning Trajectories and Their Predictors in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury Attending Initial Rehabilitation in Switzerland.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationMost people with new spinal cord injury in Switzerland fell into one of four recovery patterns. Higher age, tetraplegia, complete injury, and needing ventilation predicted a slower or lower-functioning trajectory. This helps clinicians identify who may need more support early.
• PTMeta-Analysis2021Measuring Change in Health Status Over Time (Responsiveness): A Meta-analysis of the SF-36 in Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn cardiac rehab, SF-36 mental scores tracked pre-post change more consistently than physical scores. In lung rehab, physical scores matched disease-specific respiratory outcomes poorly. This is about the questionnaire, not treatment benefit.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2021Dysphagia in cervical spinal cord injury: How international literature trends can guide South African practice patterns - A scoping review.The South African journal of physiotherapyDysphagia is common in cervical spinal cord injury, often transient but risky due to respiratory compromise. Tracheostomy and ventilation are key markers. In South Africa, speech therapists are scarce, so nurses and physiotherapists should screen for swallowing issues early to prevent pneumonia.
• PTOther2021Blended teaching versus traditional teaching for undergraduate physiotherapy students at the University of the Witwatersrand.The South African journal of physiotherapyBlended teaching significantly improved theoretical exam scores compared to traditional lectures, but did not improve clinical performance marks. Students generally preferred the blended format, though some found the volume of resources overwhelming.
• PTOTRCT2021Effects of a 6-month exercise programme on disease activity, physical and functional parameters in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: Randomised controlled trial.The South African journal of physiotherapyA 6-month swimming and land-based exercise programme improved spinal mobility, function, disease activity and aerobic capacity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Blood markers of inflammation did not change, and the programme did not worsen disease activity.
• PTSystematic Review2021Six-minute walk test protocol variations in low-resource settings - A scoping review.The South African journal of physiotherapyIn low-resource settings, 24 studies adapted the six-minute walk test, most by changing course length or layout, often because space was limited. Reporting was poor, so adapted distances may not be comparable.