Respiratory care
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Reproducibility and Validity of the 6-Minute Stationary Walk Test Associated With Virtual Reality in Subjects With COPD.
The importance of evaluating the functional capacity of patients with COPD is well known, and there is a wide range of tests described in the literature. The 6-min stationary walk test associated with virtual reality (STVR-6) was created in light of the current limitations of evaluation tests. It does not require a large physical space or sophisticated equipment, and it is not costly; furthermore, it can be performed by a single rater. The objective of this study was to evaluate intra- and inter-rater reproducibility and to verify the criterion validity of the STVR-6. ⋯ STVR-6 had excellent intra-rater reproducibility and excellent to good inter-rater reproducibility, but the high values of error measures demonstrated that there is a learning effect and a need to perform at least 2 tests. In addition, there was high to moderate correlation between the STVR-6 and the 6-min walk test. Therefore, the STVR-6 proved to be reproducible and valid for evaluating the functional capacity of subjects with COPD.
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Bronchiectasis is a chronic debilitating suppurative disease that significantly impacts quality of life. Clinical outcomes like exacerbations, are usually physician centered; however, the patients' experience, health-related behaviors, and expectations have frequently been neglected. In addition, patients' health perceptions may be influenced by their culture. ⋯ The diverse symptom perception and health-related behaviors highlighted the need for evaluation and intervention in bronchiectasis. These findings will provide rationales for refining future health care through comprehensive (particularly psychological) interventions worldwide.
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Positive expiratory pressure (PEP) devices are widely used in clinical settings, yet the performance characteristics of these devices remain relatively unknown. This study compared the performance characteristics of 6 airway clearance devices by varying resistance and flow. ⋯ PEP devices produced small but statistically significant variations in performance characteristics across a range of flows and resistance settings. There appear to be flow-dependent and non-flow-dependent devices. Varying flow or resistance typically maintained or increased the production of mean, peak, and amplitude PEP and oscillation frequency.