In conclusion, the variability of the ISWT is explained largely by gender, age and BMI. The reference values for the ISWT can be adequately predicted using the equation proposed in this study.

Prevalência de respiradores bucais em crianças de idade escolarPrevalence of mouth breathing in children from an elementary school

Fisioterapia pré-operatória na prevenção das complicações pulmonares em cirurgia cardíaca pediátricaPreoperative physiotherapy in prevention of pulmonary complications in pediatric cardiac surgery Abstract Objective: To evaluate the occurrence and risk of pulmonary complications in children who underwent preand postoperative physiotherapeutic intervention in cardiac surgeries, as well as to compare these patients to those who underwent only postoperative physiotherapeutic intervention.Methods: A randomized clinical trial was performed with 135 patients from 6 years of age and younger with congenital heart disease who had undergone cardiac surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (G1) in which they underwent pre-and postoperative physiotherapy, or to the control group (G2) in which they underwent only postoperative physiotherapy. Mann-Whitney and the Chisquare tests were used to compare the variables between the groups. The magnitude of the absolute risk was calculated by the number of patients needing treatment. Statistical significance was set at 5% (p<0.05).Results: 17 patients (25%) in G1, and 29 patients (43.3%) in G2 presented pulmonary complications (p= 0.025). Pneumonia was the most frequent complication, and among the 17 patients in G1, seven (10.3%) developed pneumonia, six (8.8%) developed atelectasis, and four (5.9%) presented complications due to both complications. In G2, 13 patients (19.4%) developed pneumonia, eight (11.9%) developed atelectasis, and eight (11.9%) developed pneumonia associated with atelectasis. Absolute risk reduction for the primary outcome was of 18.3% and the number of necessary treatments was 5.5. Conclusion: Preoperative respiratory physiotherapy significantly reduced the risk of pulmonary complications in postoperative pediatric cardiac surgery.Descriptors: Physical therapy modalities. Cardiac surgical procedures. Child. ResumoObjetivo: Avaliar a incidência e o risco de complicações pulmonares em crianças submetidas a intervenção fisioterapêutica pré e pós-operatória nas cirurgias cardíacas, bem como comparar com aquelas submetidas apenas a intervenção fisioterapêutica pós-operatória.Métodos: Ensaio clínico aleatório, que incluiu 135 pacientes de zero a 6 anos com cardiopatias congênitas, submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca. Os pacientes foram aleatorizados para grupo intervenção (G1), que realizou fisioterapia pré e pós-operatória, ou para grupo controle (G2), somente fisioterapia pós-operatória. Rev Bras Cir Cardiovasc 2008; 23(3): 383-388

Individuals with COPD had worse static and functional balance in comparison with healthy controls. Sex can mediate these results, depending on the type of balance evaluation (force platform or functional test). Balance performance was similar among the groups classified according to disease severity.

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[Purpose] This study aimed to assess the exercise capacity and muscle strength in elderly people using drugs for angiotensin-II blockage. [Subjects and Methods] Four hundred and seven older adults were recruited for this study. Data about comorbidities and medication use were recorded and the individuals were divided into three groups: control group- elderly people with normal exercise capacity (n=235); angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor group − individuals using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (n=140); and angiotensin-II receptor blocker group- patients using angiotensin-II receptor blockers (n= 32). Exercise capacity was evaluated by a 6-minute walking test and muscle strength was measured using a handgrip dynamometer. [Results] Patients from the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor group (mean: 99 ± 12%) and the angiotensin-II receptor blocker group (mean: 101 ± 14%) showed higher predicted values in the 6-minute walking test than the control group patients (mean: 96 ± 10%). Patients from the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor group (mean: 105 ± 19%) and the angiotensin-II receptor blocker group (mean: 105.1 ± 18.73%) showed higher predicted values of muscle strength than control group patients (mean: 98.15 ± 18.77%). [Conclusion] Older adults using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-II receptor blockers have better functional exercise capacity and muscle strength.

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