Åsa Cider

Exercise as migraine prophylaxis: A randomized study using relaxation and topiramate as controls

Aim: Scientific evidence regarding exercise in migraine prophylaxis is required. Therefore this study aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise in migraine prevention. Methods: In a randomized, controlled trial of adults with migraine, exercising for 40 minutes three times a week was compared to relaxation according to a recorded programme or daily topiramate use, which was slowly increased to the individual’s highest tolerable dose (maximum 200 mg/day). The treatment period lasted for 3 months, and migraine status, quality of life, level of physical activity, and oxygen uptake were evaluated. The primary efficacy variable was the mean reduction of the frequency of migraine attacks during the final month of treatment compared with the baseline. Results: Ninety-one patients were randomized and included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The primary efficacy variable showed a mean reduction of 0.93 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31–1.54) attacks in the exercise group, 0.83 (95% CI 0.22–1.45) attacks in the relaxation group, and 0.97 (95% CI 0.36–1.58) attacks in the topiramate group. No significant difference was observed between the groups (p = 0.95). Conclusion: Exercise may be an option for the prophylactic treatment of migraine in patients who do not benefit from or do not want to take daily medication.

Hydrotherapy--a new approach to improve function in the older patient with chronic heart failure.

Hydrotherapy, i.e. exercise in warm water, as a rehabilitation program has been considered potentially dangerous in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) due to the increased venous return caused by the hydrostatic pressure. However, hydrotherapy has advantages compared to conventional training. We studied the applicability of an exercise programme in a temperature‐controlled swimming pool, with specific reference to exercise capacity, muscle function, quality of life and safety.

Does moderate-to-high intensity Nordic walking improve functional capacity and pain in fibromyalgia? A prospective randomized controlled trial

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of moderate-to-high intensity Nordic walking (NW) on functional capacity and pain in fibromyalgia (FM).MethodsA total of 67 women with FM were recruited to the study and randomized either to moderate-to-high intensity Nordic Walking (n = 34, age 48 ± 7.8 years) or to a control group engaging in supervised low-intensity walking (LIW, n = 33, age 50 ± 7.6 years). Primary outcomes were the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Pain scale (FIQ Pain). Secondary outcomes were: exercise heart rate in a submaximal ergometer bicycle test, the FIQ Physical (activity limitations) and the FIQ total score.ResultsA total of 58 patients completed the post-test. Significantly greater improvement in the 6MWT was found in the NW group (P = 0.009), as compared with the LIW group. No between-group difference was found for the FIQ Pain (P = 0.626). A significantly larger decrease in exercise heart rate (P = 0.020) and significantly improved scores on the FIQ Physical (P = 0.027) were found in the NW group as compared with the LIW group. No between-group difference was found for the change in the FIQ total. The effect sizes were moderate for the above mentioned outcomes.ConclusionsModerate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise by means of Nordic walking twice a week for 15 weeks was found to be a feasible mode of exercise, resulting in improved functional capacity and a decreased level of activity limitations. Pain severity did not change over time during the exercise period.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00643006.

Immersion in warm water induces improvement in cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure

The effects of immersion and training of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) in warm water has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the acute hemodynamic response of immersion and peripheral muscle training in elderly patients with CHF.

A study to evaluate the feasibility of an aerobic exercise program in patients with migraine.

Objectives.— The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an exercise program to improve maximum oxygen uptake (VO2 max) in untrained patients with migraine without making their migraines worse.

SWEDEHEART Annual Report 2012

Abstract The Swedish Web-system for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-based care in Heart disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies (SWEDEHEART) supports continuous monitoring and improvement of care for coronary artery disease, catheter-based and surgical coronary interventions, secondary prevention as well as catheter based and surgical valve intervention, by providing extensive data on base-line, diagnostic, procedural and outcome variables. Design. This national quality registry collects information from all Swedish hospitals treating patients with acute coronary artery disease and all patients undergoing coronary angiography, catheter-based interventions or heart surgery. Combination with other national mandatory official registries enables complete follow-up of all individuals regarding myocardial infarction, new interventional procedures, death and all-cause hospitalizations. The registry is governed by an independent steering committee and funded by the Swedish National Health care provider. The software is developed by Uppsala Clinical Research Center. Results. The SWEDEHEART Quality Index reflects overall quality of care for coronary artery disease including secondary prevention. In comparison with 2011, an improvement of the index occurred in 2012 overall. There was however, still a wide range in performance between individual centers, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring of quality of care at a national as well as on a center level.

Prone position in mechanically ventilated patients with reduced intracranial compliance

Background:  Prone position has been used for several years to treat acute lung insufficiency, but in previous studies patients with unstable intracranial pressure (ICP) are mostly excluded. The aim of this study was to investigate if prone position is a safe and useful treatment in patients with reduced intracranial compliance.

The 2011 outcome from the Swedish Health Care Registry on Heart Disease (SWEDEHEART).

Abstract Objectives. The Swedish Web-system for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-based care in Heart disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies (SWEDEHEART) collects data to support the improvement of care for heart disease. Design. SWEDEHEART collects on-line data from consecutive patients treated at any coronary care unit n = (74), followed for secondary prevention, undergoing any coronary angiography, percutaneous coronary intervention, percutaneous valve or cardiac surgery. The registry is governed by an independent steering committee, the software is developed by Uppsala Clinical Research Center and it is funded by The Swedish national health care provider independent of industry support. Approximately 80,000 patients per year enter the database which consists of more than 3 million patients. Results. Base-line, procedural, complications and discharge data consists of several hundred variables. The data quality is secured by monitoring. Outcomes are validated by linkage to other registries such as the National Cause of Death Register, the National Patient Registry, and the National Registry of Drug prescriptions. Thanks to the unique social security number provided to all citizens follow-up is complete. The 2011 outcomes with special emphasis on patients more than 80 years of age are presented. Conclusion. SWEDEHEART is a unique complete national registry for heart disease.

Effects of High Frequency Exercise in Patients before and after Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of high frequency exercise for patients before and after an elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), with special reference to maximal aerobic capacity, muscle function, health related quality of life (HRQoL), waist–hip ratio (WHR) and restenosis. Methods: A randomised, controlled study was performed in Sweden between 2004 and 2006 in thirty-seven patients (five women) with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), age 63.6 ± 6.9 years, randomised to either high frequency exercise or control group. The patients in the training group performed three endurance resistance exercises and trained on a cycle ergometer 30 min, 5 times a week for 8 months at 70% of VO2max. Results: Patients in the training group significantly improved their maximal aerobic capacity (15 (9–46) vs. 8 (0–18)% p ≤ 0.05), shoulder flexion (p ≤ 0.01), shoulder abduction (p ≤ 0.01) and heel-lift (p ≤ 0.05) compared to the control group. There were no significant differences between the groups in HRQoL, WHR and restenosis. Conclusion: High frequency exercise in patients treated with PCI seems to improve maximal aerobic capacity and muscle function, which may reduce the risks of further progression of atherosclerosis. However, further larger studies are needed to fully investigate the effects of exercise in patients with PCI.

Muscular performance in heart failure

BACKGROUND Some of the major symptoms in patients with chronic heart failure are muscle weakness and fatigue. However, not much is known about muscle performance in these patients compared to healthy controls. METHODS AND RESULTS Activity level, gait speed, hand grip strength, muscle performance of the knee extensors and flexors along with the plantar and dorsal flexors of the foot were evaluated. Muscle biopsies from the lateral vastus lateralis were taken. Sixteen patients in New York Heart Association class II or III were tested and compared to 112 reference subjects. Compared to the reference subjects, there was a reduction in activity level, gait speed, isometric and isokinetic peak torque for knee extension at different velocities, hand grip strength, peak torque for plantar and dorsal flexion of the ankle and isometric and isokinetic endurance for the knee extension. Recovery was faster. There were small differences in fiber composition. 3-Hydroxy-acylCoA-dehydrogenase and citrate synthase were lower, and lactate dehydrogenase was increased. CONCLUSIONS Muscle performance is affected in terms of both strength and endurance, which might affect performance in everyday activities. The more pronounced reduction in hand grip compared to the other muscles tested could be an indication of intrinsic abnormalities in the skeletal muscle.