Step Counting and Energy Expenditure Estimation in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Healthy Elderly: Accuracy of 2 Motion Sensors

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation does not increase blood pressure of healthy elderly women

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) is an attractive method to increase strength and proprioception of elderly individuals. However, a major clinical concern about the prescription of PNF is the belief that it can cause a cardiovascular overload, because it involves close-to-maximal loads and isometric contractions. Yet the acute effect of a PNF training session on cardiovascular response in elderly individuals is still unknown. Hence, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of PNF on diastolic and systolic blood pressure of healthy elderly people. Fifteen older women (mean age 72.40±6.82 years) performed three sets (five repetitions each) of three different PNF techniques (rhythmic initiation, dynamic reversion, and isotonic combination), executing a single movement pattern. Diastolic and systolic blood pressure (DBP and SBP) were evaluated by means of a manual sphygmomanometer immediately before and during the last two repetitions (last set) of each technique. A two-way ANOVA test (time and technique) was performed to investigate the PNF effect on blood pressure. No time (preexercise to postexercise) (p=0.33 for DBP; p=0.06 for SBP) or PNF technique (p=0.75; p=0.81) effect were observed. In conclusion, we can state that the execution of these PNF techniques is safe for the cardiovascular system of healthy elderly women, because no blood pressure increases were found. Copyright © Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

Dysarthria and quality of life in neurologically healthy elderly and patients with Parkinson's disease

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Postprandial plasma carotenoid responses following consumption of strawberries, red wine, vitamin C or spinach by elderly women

This study investigated the postprandial plasma responses of carotenoids for 24 h after feeding five specific breakfast beverages; four of which had low or no carotenoid content. In seven fasting healthy elderly female subjects a blood sample (baseline) was obtained, after which they were given a breakfast beverage, containing one of the following: 1) strawberries (240 g); 2) ascorbic acid (1250 mg); 3) spinach (294 g); 4) red wine (300 mL); and 5) control (breakfast beverage only). Blood samples were collected at 0.5, 1, 4, 7, 11, 15 and 24 h. Plasma carotenoids were measured using HPLC. No significant differences were found in the levels of the plasma carotenoids measured among the various treatments at baseline. In the spinach treatment, plasma lutein, zeaxanthin and β-carotene levels at 7, 11, 15 and 24 h were significantly higher than those at baseline, as expected. All of the carotenoids measured in the control and vitamin C treatments, at subsequent sampling times were not significantly different from those at baseline. However, for most carotenoids, strawberry and red wine feeding resulted in significantly lower carotenoids values from baseline at 11 and 15 h. Subjects who received a diet with low levels of carotenoids, but whose postprandial plasma levels of carotenoids remain steady, might be explained by a mechanism that promotes secretion of carotenoids into the circulation. Assuming that plasma carotenoids are being used over time, we hypothesize that strawberries and red wine contain some substances that interfere with the secretion of carotenoids into the circulation.

Physical exercise modulates peripheral levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF): A systematic review of experimental studies in the elderly

The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of studies that analyzed the effect of physical exercise on the peripheral levels of BDNF in elderly individuals. Method: We conducted a search in PsycINFO, Biological Abstracts, Pubmed, Web of Science, and Science Direct from 1990 to 2011, using the following keywords: physical exercise , physical activity , physical therapy , training , BDNF , neuroplasticity , neurotrophins , neuroplasticity proteins , aged , older , elderly The articles were considered for inclusion in the review if they were studies with elderly, assessed peripheral (serum and/or plasma) BDNF and evaluated an acute exercise or chronic exercise (training). Results: Five randomized controlled trial and one randomized non-controlled trial studies were analyzed. Five out of six studies reported a significantly higher BDNF response to aerobic acute exercise and to aerobic or strength training program in healthy elderly and elderly with different pathologies. Conclusion: It was not possible to establish a recommendation protocol for the type and intensity of physical exercise required to produce an increase in levels BDNF. However, physical exercise, particularly, moderate-intensity exercises seem to be more effective to promote increase the peripheral levels of BDNF in the elderly. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Physical Exercise in MCI Elderly Promotes Reduction of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines and Improvements on Cognition and BDNF Peripheral Levels

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Obstacle Crossing with Dual Tasking is a Danger for Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and for Healthy Older People

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação postural em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar alterações posturais em pacientes com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica (DPOC), por meio do Software para Avaliação Postural (SAPO). Trinta indivíduos constituíram 2 grupos: 15 pacientes com DPOC e 15 idosos saudáveis (controle). Os grupos realizaram espirometria e foram fotografados para avaliação postural. As imagens obtidas foram digitalizadas e, posteriormente, avaliou-se dez alterações posturais com o SAPO [inclinação lateral da cabeça (ILC), desnivelamento dos ombros (DO), desnivelamento pélvico anterior (DPA), inclinação lateral do tronco (ILT), desnivelamento das escápulas (DE), desnivelamento pélvico posterior (DPP), protusão da cabeça (PC), protusão de ombro (PO), báscula anterior da pelve (BAP) e cifose torácica (CT)]. Essas alterações, obtidas no grupo controle, foram conferidas com o padrão de normalidade para adultos jovens, proposto em estudo prévio. Para a comparação das alterações posturais entre grupo controle e DPOC, foi utilizado o teste de Mann-Whitney em grupo controle, e em adultos jovens, o teste t de Student não pareado, ambos com nível de significância estatística de 5%. Dentre as dez alterações posturais, o grupo controle apresentou sete (ILC, DPA, DE, DPP, PC, PO, BAP) com valores angulares significativamente maiores em relação aos adultos jovens. Quando comparados a idosos saudáveis, indivíduos com DPOC apresentaram um aumento significante na angulação de BAP, DPP e CT. Pacientes com DPOC apresentam três alterações posturais que provavelmente estão relacionadas à doença.

Cytokines and dietary energy restriction in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α has been found to be increased in malnourished chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients; however, the main cause of this phenomenon remains undetermined. In normal subjects, TNF-α production may be induced by dietary energy deprivation. The aim of this study was to investigate if stable COPD patients present alterations of inflammatory mediators after 48 h of dietary energy restriction. Fourteen COPD patients were admitted to the hospital while receiving an experimental diet with an energy content of approximately one-third of their energy needs. Clinical evaluation, nutritional assessment and serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6, TNF-α and C-reactive protein, and secretion of TNF-α by peripheral blood monocytes were assessed on admission and after the experimental diet. For reference values of the laboratory parameters, blood was collected from 10 healthy, elderly subjects. COPD patients showed significantly higher serum concentrations of IL-6 than control subjects, however, the experimental diet was not associated with statistically significant changes in the inflammatory mediators. The findings of this study, although preliminary because of the limited degree and duration of the energy restriction, suggest that the elevated levels of tumour necrosis factor-α, previously described in undernourished or weight-losing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, may not be linked to a decrease of dietary energy intake.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease are related to functional connectivity alterations in the salience network

Neuropsychiatric syndromes are highly prevalent in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but their neurobiology is not completely understood. New methods in functional magnetic resonance imaging, such as intrinsic functional connectivity or resting-state analysis, may help to clarify this issue. Using such approaches, alterations in the default-mode and salience networks (SNs) have been described in Alzheimer's, although their relationship with specific symptoms remains unclear. We therefore carried out resting-state functional connectivity analysis with 20 patients with mild to moderate AD, and correlated their scores on neuropsychiatric inventory syndromes (apathy, hyperactivity, affective syndrome, and psychosis) with maps of connectivity in the default mode network and SN. In addition, we compared network connectivity in these patients with that in 17 healthy elderly control subjects. All analyses were controlled for gray matter density and other potential confounds. Alzheimer's patients showed increased functional connectivity within the SN compared with controls (right anterior cingulate cortex and left medial frontal gyrus), along with reduced functional connectivity in the default-mode network (bilateral precuneus). A correlation between increased connectivity in anterior cingulate cortex and right insula areas of the SN and hyperactivity syndrome (agitation, irritability, aberrant motor behavior, euphoria, and disinhibition) was found. These findings demonstrate an association between specific network changes in AD and particular neuropsychiatric symptom types. This underlines the potential clinical significance of resting state alterations in future diagnosis and therapy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Caracterização do perfil de atividade física na vida diária de pacientes portadores de DPOC do Brasil e comparação com pacientes da Áustria

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Comparação de dois sensores de movimento durante a caminhada e atividades cotidianas, em pacientes portadores de doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC)

Pós-graduação em Fisioterapia - FCT

Análise cinemática da oscilação corporal de idosos com doença de Parkinson: efeitos da restrição visual

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Equilíbrio dinâmico em idosos com doença de Parkinson

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)