Children with more muscle have a better lung function
Determine h asta where they can walk patients with lung disease in six minutes has long been a clinical tool effective to help the physician determine your exercise capacity, as well as to help predict health outcomes and mortality.
Now, in a new study, researchers from Intermountain Healthcare, in Salt Lake City (united States), have found that the steps, measured through a wristband that counts steps can be used to estimate exercise capacity and determine the health status of the patients , in place of the walk-standardized six-minute test distance, which is usually done in a clinical setting.
Using these meters of steps, the researcher found that the data can be used in clinical care to intervals higher to monitor effectively the progress of the patient and the management of the disease. The researchers say the results are another example of how you can use portable devices and control, as well as Fitbits and Apple Watches on the care of the patient to improve outcomes.
Using these meters of steps, the researcher found that the data can be used in clinical care to intervals higher to monitor effectively the progress of the patient
“For patients, this means that we can track your progress with greater frequency in a way that is less costly and more convenient than the standardized tests today,” explains Denitza Blagev, study’s principal investigator and medical critical care, and pulmonary Intermountain Healthcare .
The distance from six-minute walk (6WMD) is an important standard and objective used to assess the exercise capacity. The patients walk for six minutes and, then, according to the amount of metres covered in that time, doctors can predict the outcome and mortality of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular diseases.
“Normally, the test 6WMD is performed every few months or once a year. Now, we can measure the patients on a regular basis and know if we need to intervene if your count estimated 6WMD-by-step changes,” says dr. Blagev.
The findings of the study have been presented at meetings of the International Congress of the European Society of Breathing, which is held in Madrid.
In the study, the researchers performed a cross-over trial randomized trial of 12 weeks with 52 patients , a group that included adults with a history of respiratory problems during periods of high air pollution. The counters of steps, of wrist followed the steps of the patients during those 12 weeks, and patients also completed questionnaires on respiratory symptoms.
“Normally, the test 6WMD, which assesses the capacidadpulmonar, is performed every few months or once a year. Now, we can measure the patients on a regular basis and know if we need to intervene if your count estimated 6WMD-by-step changes
The researchers found that they could estimate effectively the results of 6MWD of a patient through the use of counters of steps, instead of patients from a clinical setting to test the 6MWD.
instead of having a measurement every few months, you could have measurements weekly and have information about the progression of the disease at more frequent intervals . This is a significant improvement and a greater comfort for our patients,” says dr. Blagev.
“to be Able to distill accounts steps in this metric, clinically important, is a first step to be able to think about how to use counters of steps to better manage the health and detect degradation before, concludes dr. Blagev.