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Background: Strength training and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) are effective training modalities for improving muscle function, exercise performance and health status in individuals with COPD. The aim of the present study was to analyze the metabolic load of these training modalities at baseline, half-way, and at the end of an eight-week interdisciplinary pulmonary rehabilitation program in a subgroup of individuals with COPD of the DICES trial. Methods: Of 24 individuals with COPD (FEV1: 34 ± 2% predicted, men: 58%, age: 66 (61–68) years), peak oxygen uptake (VO2), peak minute ventilation (VE), heart rate, oxygen saturation and symptom scores were assessed during HF-NMES (75 Hz), LF-NMES (15 Hz) and strength training at three moments during their pulmonary rehabilitation program. Results: Intervention-related peak VO2 did not change over time during HF-NMES, LF-NMES or strength training. Intervention-related peak VE did not change over time during strength training or LF-NMES and increased slightly, but significantly over time during HF-NMES. Peak VO2 and VE were significantly higher during strength training compared to HF-NMES or LF-NMES. Oxygen saturation significantly decreased after the first measurements during HF-NMES and strength training group to baseline, while no significant changes in oxygen saturation were observed during the other measurements. Heart rate significantly increased compared to baseline in all groups at all moments and was significantly higher after strength training compared to HF-NMES or LF-NMES. Median end scores (points) for dyspnea, fatigue and muscle pain ranged from 1 to 3, from 0.5 to 2 and from 0 to 6 after HF-NMES, from 2 to 3, from 2 to 5 and from 0 to 9 after LF-NMES and from 2 to 5, from 1.5 to 4 and from 0 to 28 after strength training respectively. Conclusions: To conclude, the metabolic load and symptom scores remain acceptable low over time with increasing training loads during HF-NMES, LF-NMES or strength training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex and heterogeneous respiratory disease with important extra-pulmonary features and comorbidities. The aim of this study was to assess clinical heterogeneity in a well-defined subgroup of individuals with COPD GOLD D, including possible gender differences. Methods: Pulmonary function, arterial blood gases, exercise performance, quadriceps muscle function, problematic activities of daily life, dyspnea, health status and comorbidities have been assessed in 117 individuals with a MRC dyspnea grade 4/5 and COPD GOLD D entering pulmonary rehabilitation. Results: A broad range of values were found for diffusion capacity, exercise capacity, quadriceps muscle function and health status. Indeed, the high coefficients of variation were found for these outcomes. Problematic activities of daily life as well as objectified comorbidities also varied to a great extent. Moreover, significant gender differences were found for exercise performance, lower-limb muscle function and various comorbidities. Conclusion: The current findings emphasize that COPD is a heterogeneous disease whose clinical presentation varies significantly, even in individuals with very severe COPD with the same degree of dyspnea and all classified as GOLD D. Trial registration: NTR2322. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fatigue is the most reported symptom in patients with persistent complaints following COVID-19 (i.e. long COVID). Longitudinal studies examining the intensity of fatigue and differentiating between physical and mental fatigue are lacking.Objective: Therefore, this study was conducted with the following objectives: (1) to assess the severity of fatigue over time in members of online long COVID peer support groups, and (2) to assess whether members of online long COVID peer support groups experience mental fatigue, physical fatigue or both.Methods: A two-wave web-based follow-up study was conducted in members of online long COVID peer support groups with a confirmed diagnosis approximately three and six months after the onset of infectious symptoms. Demographics, COVID-19 diagnosis, received healthcare (medical professions and/or allied healthcare professionals), fatigue (Checklist Individual Strength - subscale subjective fatigue, CIS-Fatigue; 8-56 points), and physical and mental fatigue (self-constructed questions; 3-21 points) were assessed. Higher scores indicate more severe fatigue. A CIS-Fatigue score ≥36 points was used to qualify patients as having severe fatigue.Results: 239 patients with PCR/CT confirmed COVID-19 (83% women; median [IQR] age: 50 [39-56] years; 59% no self-reported pre-existing comorbidities; 87% good self-reported health before COVID-19; 26% hospitalized during acute infection) completed the survey 10±2 and 23±2 weeks after onset of infectious symptoms, respectively T1 and T2. The vast majority of patients had severe fatigue at T1 and T2 (85% and 79%, respectively). No significant differences were found in the prevalence of normal, mild, and severe fatigue between T1 and T2 (P=.12). Median CIS-Fatigue was 48 [42-53] points at T1 and decreased from T1 to T2 (median change: -2 [-7 to 3] points, P<.001). At T1, a median physical fatigue of 19 [16-20] points and a median mental fatigue of 15 [10-17] points was reported, which was lower at T2 for physical but not for mental fatigue (median change: -1 [-3 to 0], P<.001; and 0 [-3 to 3] points, P=.52, respectively). At time of completing the follow-up survey, 81% and 69% of all patients had received care from at least one medical profession and allied healthcare professional, respectively.Conclusions: Fatigue in members of online long COVID support groups with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis decreases from 10 to 23 weeks after onset of symptoms. Despite this, severe fatigue remains highly prevalent. Both physical and mental fatigue are present. It remains unclear whether and to what extent fatigue will resolve spontaneously on the longer term.Clinicaltrial: Netherlands Trial Register NTR8705. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) improves lower-limb muscle function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it remains unclear whether patients improve gait characteristics, in particular stride-to-stride fluctuations that are associated with fall risks. This study aims to identify whether, and to what extent, PR affects positively gait characteristics in COPD. In this prospective observational study, 44 COPD patients (aged: 62 ± 7 years; Forced expiratory volume in 1 s 56 ± 20% predicted) performed self-paced, treadmill 6-min-walk tests (Gait Real-time Analysis Interactive Lab) before and after PR, while spatiotemporal parameters and center of mass position were recorded (100 Hz, Vicon Nexus). Standard deviation, coefficient of variation, predictability (sample entropy), and consistency in organization (local divergence exponent) were calculated. Sub-analysis was performed to identify gait differences between good and poor responders (<30 m change in a 6-min-walk distance). Patients demonstrated shorter stride times (p = 0.001) and improved lower-limb muscle function (p < 0.001) following PR. The good responders had a greater increase in stride length (p < 0.001) and a greater decrease in stride time (p < 0.001) compared to the poor responders. Current PR improved stride time in patients, while movement patterns within stride-to-stride fluctuations did not change. Training programs specifically targeting balance issues and gait function may be beneficial in improving gait characteristics in COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]