TOPIC

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 13 OF 21 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTSystematic Review2023Toward a Standardized and Individualized Laboratory-Based Protocol for Wheelchair-Specific Exercise Capacity Testing in Wheelchair Athletes: A Scoping Review.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationNo standard way to test wheelchair athletes' exercise capacity exists. Reviews found huge differences in equipment, protocols, and outcomes, making comparisons impossible. The authors propose a new standardized, individualized protocol to fix this inconsistency.
• PTOther2023External and Internal Work Load During a Mountain Time Trial in Trained Handcyclists Versus a World-Class Handcyclist and Determinants of Performance.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationA world-class handcycle rider had higher peak power and a faster race time than 10 trained riders. In the trained riders, higher peak power and power at the second breathing threshold were linked to faster finish times.
• PTOTNarrative Review2022Effects of Exercise Mode on Improving Cardiovascular Function and Cardiorespiratory Fitness After Bariatric Surgery: A Narrative Review.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationAerobic exercise improves cardiorespiratory fitness in bariatric surgery patients, often without additional weight loss. Resistance training alone did not improve fitness but helped maintain muscle. Combining both is recommended to maximize health benefits and prevent muscle loss, though evidence remains limited and protocols need standardization.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Exploring Social Support for Women Coping with a Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme after Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.Journal of rehabilitation medicineWomen with heart disease often skip rehab to protect families from worry or resume housework. Support from spouses and peers helps them attend. Therapists should assess caregiving burdens and consider women-only groups to address these social barriers.
• PTOTRCT2022Comparison of Six-Minute Walk Test and Modified Bruce Treadmill Test in Paediatric Patients With Severe Burns: A Cross-Over Study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineThe treadmill test pushed children with severe burns to higher heart rates and perceived effort than the six-minute walk. The walk test was easier to complete and remains a useful option for patients who cannot tolerate the treadmill.
• PTOTCohort2022A First View of the Effect of a Trial of Early Mobilization on the Muscle Strength and Activities of Daily Living in Mechanically Ventilated Patients With COVID-19.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationIn 28 mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients, starting rehabilitation during intubation or after extubation led to similar functional recovery at discharge. Both groups improved, but most remained functionally dependent. This small study cannot confirm which timing is superior.
• PTOTOther2022Physical activity enjoyment, exercise motivation, and physical activity in patients with heart failure: A mediation analysis.Clinical rehabilitationEnjoyment fully explains the link between motivation and physical activity in heart failure. A patient's motivation only translates into movement if they find the activity enjoyable. Clinicians should prioritize patient preference for enjoyment over generic motivational strategies.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Interobserver and intraobserver reliabilities of determining the ventilatory thresholds in subjects with a lower limb amputation and able-bodied subjects during a peak exercise test on the combined arm-leg (Cruiser) ergometer.International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptationDetermining the first ventilatory threshold on a combined arm-leg ergometer is reliable enough for group-level exercise prescription but not for individual cases. The second threshold was often impossible to identify, making it unreliable for clinical use.
• PTCohort2023Feasibility and Safety of Active Physiotherapy in the Intensive Care Unit for Intubated Patients with Malignancy.Journal of rehabilitation medicineIntubated cancer patients in the ICU received physiotherapy as often as non-cancer patients. Adverse events were rare and similar in both groups. This supports starting mobilization in ICU patients with malignancy, despite their longer stays and lower initial strength.
• PTOTCohort2023Acute Occupational and Physical Therapy for Patients With COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationAdults with COVID-19 who received therapy often had impaired activity tolerance, balance, strength, and cognition. ICU patients improved on mobility and daily activity scores by discharge, but gains were not compared with patients who did not receive therapy.
• PTCohort2022Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care "6-Clicks" Basic Mobility Scores Predict Discharge Destination After Acute Care Hospitalization in Select Patient Groups: A Retrospective, Observational Study.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationA standardized “6-Clicks” mobility score of 42.88 or higher predicted discharge to home rather than an institution for the overall sample and orthopedic, pulmonary, and other neurological groups. The score failed to reliably distinguish home from home-with-services or inpatient rehab from skilled nursing.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Correlations between Disease Severity and Rehabilitation Outcomes in Patients Recovering from Covid-19 Infection.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePost-acute COVID-19 patients with severe disease started rehabilitation with lower function but reached similar independence to milder cases at discharge. They needed longer hospital stays and more rehabilitation time to catch up, suggesting early referral is critical for those with prolonged acute illness.
• PTOTCase Series2022The distribution of acquired peripheral nerve injuries associated with severe COVID-19 implicate a mechanism of entrapment neuropathy: a multicenter case series and clinical feasibility study of a wearable, wireless pressure sensor.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationIn 34 severe COVID-19 survivors, focal nerve injuries were found at sites vulnerable to compression, especially ulnar, fibular and sciatic nerves. A wireless elbow pressure sensor was tested in 2 ICU patients and recorded pressure at different positions.
• PTOTCohort2022Post-Intensive Care Syndrome Prevalence Six Months after Critical Covid-19: Comparison between First and Second Waves.Journal of rehabilitation medicineSix months after ICU for severe COVID-19, post-intensive care syndrome affected 51.5% in the first wave and 52% in the second wave, with no wave difference. Women and people with diabetes were more likely to have it, and those affected reported worse symptoms.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Efficacy of Early Inpatient Rehabilitation of Post-COVID-19 Survivors: Single-Center Retrospective Analysis.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationPost-COVID patients in early inpatient rehab made significant functional gains. Most recovered lung function and swallowing. Cognitive deficits persisted in 30% of ventilated patients and 60% of non-ventilated patients. Patients who needed ventilation had higher rates of acute care transfer and skilled nursing discharge.
• PTOTPilot2022Metabolic Cost and Mechanical Efficiency of a Novel Handle-Based Device for Wheelchair Propulsion.Journal of rehabilitation medicineA new handle-based propulsion device let wheelchair users reach higher power outputs with less physical strain than standard push-rims. In this small study, both paraplegic and non-disabled participants showed better mechanical efficiency and lower heart rates when using the handle device.
• PTCohort2022Impact of Exercise Training at Different Intensity Levels on Cardiac Function and Exercise Capacity in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: A Prospective Cohort Study.Journal of rehabilitation medicineBoth moderate and higher-intensity cycling improved heart failure symptoms and exercise capacity. The higher-intensity group showed greater gains in peak oxygen uptake and workload than the moderate group. All patients also received medication, education and lifestyle advice, so the exercise component's contribution cannot be isolated.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2023Long-term complications of prone position ventilation with relevance for acute and postacute rehabilitation: a systematic review of the literature.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineProne positioning can cause lasting pressure sores, nerve injuries, and reduced quality of life in ARDS survivors. Most evidence comes from case reports, so specific rehabilitation protocols for these complications cannot yet be established.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022The role of structured exercise interventions on cognitive function in older individuals with stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A scoping review.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesStructured exercise and pulmonary rehabilitation improved cognitive scores in older adults with COPD, especially those with existing impairment. However, most programs combined exercise with education, so the benefit cannot be attributed to exercise alone. Clinical significance remains unclear.
• PTOTRCT2022Beneficial effects of walking-based home program for improving cardio-respiratory performance and physical activity in sarcopenic older people: a randomized controlled trial.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineSarcopenic older adults who walked 7,500 steps daily for five days a week and did resistance bands twice weekly for 12 weeks improved grip strength, gait speed, and walking distance. Muscle mass did not change. The intervention combined walking with resistance exercise, so the effect of either alone is unknown.
• PTOther2022A Telerehabilitation Program for Maintaining Functional Capacity in Patients With Chronic Lung Diseases During a Period of COVID-19 Social Isolation: Quasi-Experimental Retrospective Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesTelerehabilitation helped maintain walking distance and improved social functioning and mental health in chronic lung disease patients during pandemic isolation. However, the groups were unequal at baseline, with the control group being older and heavier, which limits confidence in these results.
• PTOTSystematic Review2022Fatigue, post-exertional malaise and orthostatic intolerance: a map of Cochrane evidence relevant to rehabilitation for people with post COVID-19 condition.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineCochrane reviews show exercise and education can reduce fatigue in other chronic diseases, but evidence is very low to moderate. No reviews exist for post-exertional malaise or orthostatic intolerance. Apply treatments cautiously, ruling out cardiac issues first.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Dyspnea: a map of Cochrane evidence relevant to rehabilitation for people with post COVID-19 condition.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicinePulmonary rehabilitation and exercise training may improve dyspnea in chronic respiratory conditions, but evidence is low to moderate quality. No direct evidence exists for post-COVID dyspnea. Clinicians must check for post-exertional symptom exacerbation before applying these protocols.
• PTOTOther2022Design and validation of a multi-task, multi-context protocol for real-world gait simulation.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA short lab protocol with varied tasks captures a wider range of walking speeds than straight walking alone. Adding complex tasks like turning and stepping over obstacles slowed people down more than simply asking them to walk slowly. The protocol was safe for people with mobility impairments.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2022Cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression: a map of Cochrane evidence relevant to rehabilitation for people with post COVID-19 condition.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineCochrane reviews show cognitive training, exercise, and memory rehabilitation can help thinking and mood in stroke, cancer, and dementia. Evidence quality is low to very low. These findings apply to other conditions, not directly to post-COVID-19.
• PTOTCohort2022Six Minutes Walking in Polio Survivors: Effects on Fatigue and Walking Adaptability.Journal of rehabilitation medicineSix minutes of adaptive walking caused substantial cardiorespiratory fatigue in polio survivors, leading to a decline in walking adaptability. Healthy individuals experienced only modest fatigue and maintained or improved performance. This suggests prolonged walking may increase fall risk in polio survivors.
• PTRCT2023Exercise Training Does Not Attenuate Cardiac Atrophy or Loss of Function in Individuals With Acute Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationIn adults with recent spinal cord injury, six months of arms-only or electrical stimulation rowing did not slow left ventricular shrinkage or loss of heart pumping function. Electrical stimulation rowing raised peak oxygen use, but heart structure did not follow.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2023Predicting Long-Term Cognitive Impairments in Survivors after Cardiac Arrest: A Systematic Review.Journal of rehabilitation medicineLonger coma duration and higher day-3 S-100B levels predicted worse memory and executive function at 3 to 6 months. A bedside cognitive screen predicted individual impairment with 90% sensitivity and 82% specificity, but this finding rests on one small sample of 26 patients.
• PTSystematic Review2023The cost-effectiveness of exercise-based cardiac telerehabilitation intervention: a systematic review.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineHome-based telerehabilitation after heart disease was usually cheaper than centre-based cardiac rehabilitation and was cost-effective in most economic analyses. The review included twelve randomised trials, but interventions varied and economic reporting quality was inconsistent.
• PTRCT2023Randomized controlled trial of home-based vs. hospital-based pulmonary rehabilitation in post COVID-19 patients.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineThere was no clear difference between home and hospital pulmonary rehabilitation in six-minute walk distance improvement. Both groups improved, based on 17 analyzed patients.
• PTSLPCase-Control2022Voice Quality Evaluation in Patients With COVID-19: An Acoustic Analysis.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationHospitalized COVID-19 patients showed measurable voice changes compared to healthy controls. Their voices had lower maximum phonation time, lower harmonics-to-noise ratio, and higher jitter, shimmer, and voice breaks. These acoustic differences suggest respiratory and laryngeal involvement.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Persistent Exertional Dyspnea and Perceived Exercise Intolerance After Mild COVID-19: A Critical Role for Breathing Dysregulation?Physical therapyIn 21 patients with unexplained breathlessness after mild COVID-19, 20 showed signs of breathing dysregulation on exercise testing. Their heart and lung function were normal, suggesting the symptoms stem from how they breathe rather than physical deconditioning or organ damage.
• PTOTSLPCohort2022Neuroimaging and neurological outcome of children with acute encephalitis.Developmental medicine and child neurologyNearly one third of children had poor long-term recovery after acute encephalitis. Severe MRI findings and need for ventilator therapy were linked to worse outcomes. A normal early MRI did not guarantee good recovery, as one fifth of those with normal scans still had poor outcomes.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2023Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy as an Unexpected Mimic of Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction: The Case for Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Otolaryngology.Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice FoundationA competitive runner with diagnosed vocal fold obstruction and exercise-induced asthma was found to have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and atrial flutter via cardiopulmonary exercise testing. His exertional dyspnea did not improve with asthma or reflux medication, highlighting the need to screen for cardiac mimics.
• PTOTSLPSurvey2022Physiotherapeutic evaluation of patients with post COVID-19 condition: current use of measuring instruments by physiotherapists working in Austria and South Tyrol.Archives of physiotherapyMost physiotherapists agree assessments are useful, but fewer than one in five uses them. The main barriers are not time or lack of instruments, but insufficient experience and knowledge of which tools to choose. Standardized measures remain largely unimplemented in outpatient care.
• PTOTSurvey2023Telerehabilitation Delivery in Canada and the Netherlands: Results of a Survey Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesMost therapists in Canada and the Netherlands adopted telerehabilitation during the pandemic and plan to continue, despite feeling unprepared and facing technology issues. Access to appropriate devices and confidence with the technology were the primary drivers of successful delivery.
• PTOTSLPOther2022Incidence and Outcomes of Laryngeal Complications Following Adult Cardiac Surgery: A National Analysis.DysphagiaLaryngeal complications after cardiac surgery affect 1.7% of patients. They do not increase mortality but are linked to more pneumonia, longer stays, and higher costs. Risk rises with age, female sex, and complex valve operations, while high-volume hospitals see fewer cases.
• PTPilot2022Effects of resistance training on baroreflex sensitivity function in healthy males.Journal of physical therapy scienceLow-intensity knee extension exercise improved the blood-pressure reflex after exercise in healthy young men. Medium and high loads did not, despite changes in heart-rate control.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Ultrasound-based Neuropathy Diagnosis in COVID-19 Patients in Post-intensive Care Rehabilitation Settings: A Retrospective Observational Study.Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitationUltrasound scans of the common fibular nerve showed a larger nerve size in patients with severe foot drop compared to those with mild weakness. A cross-sectional area above 0.20 cm2 was proposed as a potential screening threshold for nerve injury in post-ICU patients.
• PTOTSystematic Review2023Clinical Outcomes Following Exercise Rehabilitation in People with Multimorbidity: A Systematic Review.Journal of rehabilitation medicineExercise rehabilitation improved walking distance and quality of life in people with two or more chronic conditions. It did not consistently improve peak oxygen consumption or blood sugar control. Most trials lacked blinding, and the specific mix of exercise types varied widely across studies.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2023Physical training in adults with asthma: An integrative approach on strategies, mechanisms, and benefits.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPhysical training improves asthma control, quality of life, exercise capacity, and sleep while reducing anxiety, depression, and medication use. Breathing exercises offer similar benefits to aerobic training. Both are safe and effective non-pharmacological therapies, though exercise-induced bronchoconstriction does not consistently improve.
• PTOTRCT2022Pre-operative physiotherapy for elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery.The South African journal of physiotherapyNo significant differences emerged between groups for any clinical outcome. The intervention group had fewer postoperative pulmonary complications and walked further when first mobilising, but these were secondary observations in a 12-person pilot. Do not change practice based on this.
• PTOTOther2022Comprehensive cardiopulmonary profile of individuals with Down syndrome.Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDRIndividuals with Down syndrome showed much lower peak oxygen uptake, heart rate, and oxygen pulse than matched controls. This broad deficit suggests fitness limits stem from multiple body systems, not just one. Exercise prescriptions should account for these combined cardiovascular and ventilatory constraints.
• PTOTSLPOther2023Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure Dynamics as a Bedside Test in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury to Assess Surgical Spinal Cord Decompression: Safety, Feasibility, and Proof-of-Concept.Neurorehabilitation and neural repairBedside cerebrospinal fluid pressure measurements were safe in 11 spinal cord injury patients. The test identified restricted fluid circulation in some cases, matching imaging findings. This small pilot suggests the method is feasible, but does not yet prove it improves clinical decisions or patient outcomes.
• PTCohort2022Isokinetic testing of quadriceps function in COPD: feasibility, responsiveness, and minimal important differences in patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation.Brazilian journal of physical therapyIn COPD pulmonary rehabilitation, quadriceps strength and total work improved, but fatigue measures did not. One in four baseline isokinetic tests failed criteria, and patients who failed had lower walking distance and weaker legs.
• PTOther2022Perceptions of students and educators regarding a once-off pre-clinical ICU simulation activity.The South African journal of physiotherapyStudents rated a single high-fidelity ICU simulation as highly relevant and confidence-building. Educators observed improved handling skills and confidence in suction and manual hyperinflation, but noted that equipment shortages and supervisor experience often block transfer to real practice.
• PTCohort2023The role of acute rehabilitation in COVID-19 patients.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineHospitalized COVID-19 patients receiving usual medications including blood thinners, steroids, vitamins, oxygen or antivirals plus acute breathing, mobility and strength exercises improved on walking, balance and independence. No untreated control group, so the separate effect of any treatment is unknown.
• PTOTSLPCohort2023Functional Laryngeal Assessment in Patients with Tracheostomy Following COVID-19 a Prospective Cohort Study.DysphagiaIn 48 patients with tracheostomy after severe COVID-19, impaired airway protection was linked to longer artificial airway use and ICU stays. At discharge, most tolerated regular food and fluids, but the study had no control group.
• PTOTQualitative2023Cooperative leadership as a condition for patient-reported rehabilitation success.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesHigh-success rehab clinics had flatter hierarchies where therapists challenged doctors openly. Low-success clinics relied on rigid physician dominance and delegate-based meetings, which staff felt reduced their voice and hindered genuine interdisciplinary teamwork.
• PTOTCase Report2023Biomechanically designed Curve Specific Corrective Exercise for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis gives significant outcomes in an Adult: A case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesOne adult with severe scoliosis reported pain dropping from 8/10 to 1/10 and a major curve reducing by 13.8° after eight months of specific corrective exercises. This shows what happened to one person, not that the treatment works for others.