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An exercise-based educational and motivational intervention after surgery can improve behaviors, physical fitness and quality of life in bariatric patients.
Gallé, F, Marte, G, Cirella, A, Di Dio, M, Miele, A, Ricchiuti, R, Liguori, F, Maida, P, Liguori, G
PloS one. 2020;15(10):e0241336
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Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective method of weight loss for individuals with obesity. However sustained weight loss after surgery can be hindered by unhealthy behaviours that have sustained since before the procedure. Motivational, educational, diet and exercise programmes have been shown to help sustain weight loss following surgery. This non-randomised control trial over 12 months, aimed to assess the effects of a motivational, educational diet and exercise programme on fitness and quality of life in 82 individuals following bariatric surgery. The results showed that a diet and exercise programme improved quality of life and fitness. There was an increased daily intake of fruits and vegetables, eating behaviours were improved and there was a greater weight loss in those following the programme. It was concluded that the diet and exercise programme was responsible for behavioural changes that ensured better quality of life and sustained weight loss following surgery. Health care professionals could use this study to understand the need to recommend motivational and educationally based diet and exercise programme to patients following bariatric surgery.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Unhealthy lifestyles may hinder bariatric surgery outcomes. This non-randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate the effects of an integrated post-operative exercise-based educational and motivational program in improving behaviors, quality of life, anthropometric features, cardiorespiratory and physical fitness in bariatric patients respect to the only surgical intervention. METHODS A group of adult sedentary bariatric patients chose to attend a 12-month exercise program integrated with diet education and motivational support, or to receive usual care. Dietary habits, binge eating disorder, physical activity, obesity-related quality of life, Body Mass Index, waist and hip circumference, VO2max, strength and flexibility were assessed at the start and at the end of the study in both groups. RESULTS On a total of 82 patients enrolled, follow-up measures were obtained from 28 (85.7% females, mean age 38.2±8.7) and 42 (71.4% females, mean age 40.2±9.5) patients included in the intervention and control group, respectively. All the behavioral and physical outcomes improved significantly in the participants to the intervention, while the control group showed lesser changes, especially regarding quality of life and physical fitness. CONCLUSIONS Notwithstanding the self-selection, these results suggest that a timely postoperative behavioral multidisciplinary program for bariatric patients may be effective in establishing healthy behaviors which can lead to better surgery outcomes.
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The impact of an exercise program on quality of life in older breast cancer survivors undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy: a randomized controlled trial.
Paulo, TRS, Rossi, FE, Viezel, J, Tosello, GT, Seidinger, SC, Simões, RR, de Freitas, R, Freitas, IF
Health and quality of life outcomes. 2019;17(1):17
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Aromatase inhibitors (which include Tamoxifen) are considered the gold standard treatment in postmenopausal women with breast cancer but may lead to symptoms which have a negative effect on quality of life (QoL). The aim of this randomised controlled study was to evaluate the effect of exercise on QoL in older breast cancer survivors undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy. 36 women took part in the study, 18 in the exercise group (EX) and 18 in the control group (CN). The EX group attended three supervised exercise sessions per week, consisting of a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise. The CN group attended two relaxation and stretching classes a week. Study duration was nine months. Three different questionnaires were used to assess various aspects of QoL. The study found that combined aerobic and resistance exercise can significantly improve almost all aspects of QoL, including physical, psychological and social functioning. The authors conclude that a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise could be an important strategy to improve health and minimise the side effects of breast cancer treatment in breast cancer survivors.
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study evaluated the impact of an exercise program on quality of life in older breast cancer survivors undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy. METHODS Older breast cancer survivors were randomized into two groups: combined training: resistance + aerobic exercise program for nine months (n = 18) or control group (n = 18). Quality of life was assessed by the questionnaires SF36, EORTC QLQ-C30, and EORTC QLQ-BR23 at baseline, and at three, six, and nine months. The exercise group performed 40 min of resistance exercises on machines followed by 30 min of aerobic training on a treadmill 3x/wk. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the groups over time. RESULTS Significant time x group interactions and moderate to high effect sizes were found for physical functioning, physical health, bodily pain, general health perception, vitality, social functioning, fatigue, sleep disturbance, body image, and upset by hair loss, favoring the exercise group. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the potential benefits and high clinical relevance of exercise programs to improve quality of life in older breast cancer survivors undergoing aromatase inhibitor therapy.
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Combination of Exercise and Acupuncture Versus Acupuncture Alone for Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Eftekharsadat, B, Porjafar, E, Eslamian, F, Shakouri, SK, Fadavi, HR, Raeissadat, SA, Babaei-Ghazani, A
Journal of acupuncture and meridian studies. 2018;11(5):315-322
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Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a chronic condition in which connective tissue is inflamed and trigger points along muscle bands are hyper-sensitive. Previous studies have demonstrated that both exercise and acupuncture are effective for managing MPS. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether physical activity produced an additive effect in 64 patients receiving acupuncture for MPS. Participants were randomised to receive ten sessions of acupuncture or physical activity in addition to acupuncture. Pain measurements and quality of life questionnaires were completed and assessed. This single blind randomised study found that both exercise and acupuncture led to similar reductions in pain. Contrary to the hypothesis, there was no significant difference between the two groups, suggesting physical activity did not produce additive beneficial effect. Based on these results, the authors conclude both exercise combined with acupuncture or acupuncture alone are effective in managing MPS.
Abstract
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder. This study was designed to compare the effects of aerobic exercise plus acupuncture with acupuncture alone in treatment of patients with MPS. Sixty-four patients (55 female and 9 male) with MPS in their neck and shoulders participated in the study with mean age of 33.1 ± 6.4 years. Participants were randomly allocated to aerobic exercise plus acupuncture (n = 32) or acupuncture alone (n = 32) groups. Outcome measurements included visual analog scale, pressure pain threshold, neck disability index, and quality of life that was measured with QoL-SF36 scale. Each group received 10 sessions of acupuncture in combination with aerobic exercise or acupuncture alone. The outcome measures were evaluated at baseline, at the end of the last treatment session, and at 1-month follow-up visit. While participants were waiting for their 1-month follow-up visit, the patients who received combination therapy were asked to continue their aerobic exercise by jogging 40 minutes a day. Although mean visual analog scale, pressure pain threshold, neck disability index, and QoL-SF36 were significantly improved in both groups (p < 0.001), there was no statistically significant difference among the measures between the two groups throughout the evaluated sessions. The interaction effect of time and groups did not show any significant difference among the outcome measures (p > 0.29).