People Addicted to Running at Risk for More Severe Injuries

The psychological, health and social benefits of running are well-known, but when the sport becomes an addiction, it can cause more harm than good, according to a new study by University of South Australia Adjunct Professor Jan de Jonge and his team.
Click here to access PsychCentral article

Exercise May Slow Brain Degeneration in Those at High Risk for Alzheimer’s

Exercising several times a week may delay brain deterioration in people at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study from the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Study: It’s Never Too Late to Start Resistance Training

Older men in their 70s and 80s who have never been regular exercisers may have the same ability to build muscle mass as highly trained master athletes of a similar age, according to a new U.K. study published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology. Click here to read PsychCentral article

Single Bout of Exercise May Immediately Boost Memory for Some Older Adults

A new study shows that a single bout of exercise may improve cognitive function and working memory in some older adults. Read PsychCentral article here

Regular Exercise May Avert Physical Markers For Those at Risk for Alzehimer’s

Regular moderate exercise is not only good for memory as people age, it also appears to help prevent the development of physical signs of Alzheimer’s, known as biomarkers, in those who are at risk for the disease, according to new research.  Click here to read further.

Physical Activity Can Reduce Risk of Depression

While many studies have found links between physical activity and lower rates of depression, a key question has remained: Does physical activity actually reduce the risk of depression, or does depression lead to reduced physical activity? Read PsychCentral article here

Aerobic Exercise Shown to Outdo Other Therapies for Depression

Supervised aerobic exercise may offer significant relief for patients with major depressive disorder, according to a new study published in the journal Depression and Anxiety. Read PsychCentral article here

Aerobic exercise has antidepressant treatment effects

An analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials indicates that supervised aerobic exercise has large antidepressant treatment effects for patients with major depression.  Click here to read further.

Stopping exercise can increase symptoms of depression

Stopping exercise can result in increased depressive symptoms, according to new mental health research from the University of Adelaide. Click here to read ScienceDaily article

Why discounting exercise as a mental health aid is short-sighted

When you take that difficult first step and tell your GP that you’re struggling with your own brain, you’ll likely come away with one or all of the following things. There might be a prescription for meds, there’ll probably be a referral to a therapist, and there’ll almost definitely be an NHS leaflet about ‘depression and low mood’. Read newspaper article here

UHCW publication: Hemodynamic instability during dialysis

Hemodynamic instability during dialysis: is intra-dialytic exercise the answer?
Scott McGuire, Elizabeth Horton, Derek Renshaw, Alfonso Jimenez, Nithya S. Krishnan, Gordon McGregor
BioMed Research International 2018 Jan


Abstract
Acute haemodynamic instability is a natural consequence of disordered cardiovascular physiology during haemodialysis (HD). Prevalence of intra-dialytic hypotension (IDH) can be as high as 20-30%, contributing to sub-clinical, transient myocardial ischemia. In the long term, this results in progressive, maladaptive cardiac remodelling and impairment of left ventricular function. This is thought to be a major contributor to increased cardiovascular mortality in end stage renal disease (ESRD). Medical strategies to acutely attenuate haemodynamic instability during HD are sub-optimal. Whilst a programme of intra-dialytic exercise training appears to facilitate numerous chronic adaptations, little is known of the acute physiological response to this type of exercise. In particular, the potential for intra-dialytic exercise to acutely stabilise cardiovascular hemodynamics, thus preventing IDH and myocardial ischemia, has not been explored. This narrative review aims to summarise the characteristics and causes of acute haemodynamic instability during HD, with an overview of current medical therapies to treat IDH. Moreover, we discuss the acute physiological response to intra-dialytic exercise with a view to determining the potential for this non-medical intervention to stabilise cardiovascular haemodynamics during HD, improve coronary perfusion and reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in ESRD.

Full text PDF available at http://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/aip/8276912.pdf (free access)

Naltrexone–bupropion for managing overweight and obesity [TA494]

New:  Technology appraisal guidance

Naltrexone–bupropion is not recommended within its marketing authorisation for managing overweight and obesity in adults alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

This recommendation is not intended to affect treatment with naltrexone–bupropion that was started in the NHS before this guidance was published. Adults having treatment outside this recommendation may continue without change to the funding arrangements in place for them before this guidance was published, until they and their NHS clinician consider it appropriate to stop.

NIHR Signal Exercise improves symptoms and function for people with ankylosing spondylitis

People with ankylosing spondylitis showed improvement in their symptoms and their ability to perform day-to-day tasks when they did more exercise. Symptom and function scores improved by almost one point on a 10-point scale after 3 to 12 weeks of exercise.
People with ankylosing spondylitis showed improvement in their symptoms and their ability to perform day-to-day tasks when they did more exercise. Symptom and function scores improved by almost one point on a 10-point scale after 3 to 12 weeks of exercise.
Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis which mainly affects the spine, causing pain, stiffness and progressive fusion of the spine. There have been recent advances in pharmacological treatment, and it was uncertain whether exercise along with modern drug treatment has useful benefits.
This review pooled the results of eight trials comparing different types of exercise with education or no exercise. People’s symptoms and ability to perform daily activities improved regardless of whether they were receiving new drug treatments.
The functional improvements shown in this research and the potential to prolong independence and working life for the most severely affected might also be another important reason to maintain activity.
From the NIHR Dissemination Centre

NIHR Signal A commonly used treatment does not improve chronic low back pain

This trial found that destroying nerves that take pain signals to the brain using heat (radiofrequency denervation) did not improve pain, function or a sense of “recovery”. The treatment was used alongside exercise and was a variation of the technique commonly used in the UK. In this large study, it was compared to exercise alone.

Low back pain is usually short-lived, but some people develop long-term back pain which can negatively impact their lives. NICE recommends exercise, pain relief and self-management to cope with pain. If these treatments are not effective and pain is severe, then more intensive options, such as radiofrequency denervation can be considered.

From the NIHR Dissemination Centre

NIHR Signal Breathing exercises improve asthma and can be learned by DVD

Breathing exercises taught by a physiotherapist in person or on DVD both improved the quality of life of adults with poorly controlled asthma to a small but similar extent. The DVD was the cheapest option, and it could lead to inexpensive internet delivery in the future.

This NIHR-funded trial recruited 655 UK adults with poorly controlled asthma. It showed about 63% of those receiving the breathing exercises had clinically important improvements in their asthma-related quality of life over a year, compared to 56% who improved receiving usual care.
Exercises did not improve formally measured lung function, suggesting the underlying biology of the asthma was unchanged.

The findings imply that breathing exercise programmes – currently recommended in the 2016 British guideline on the management of asthma when delivered by a physiotherapist – may be equally effective, and cheaper when delivered via DVD (or another video).

From the NIHR Dissemination Centre

SPSC17: Physio suggests gaming technology could help treat adults with COPD

Canadian physiotherapist Dejan Preradovic has spoken about his research into the potential benefits of gaming technology for treating adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at the Scottish Physiotherapy Student Conference.

Detecting Eating Psychopathology in Female Athletes by Asking About Exercise: Use of the Compulsive Exercise Test

Use of the Compulsive Exercise Test. Eur. Eat. Disorders Rev., 25: 618–624. doi: 10.1002/erv.2561.

The present study assessed the suitability of the Compulsive Exercise Test (athlete version; CET-A) for identifying female athletes with clinically significant features related to or comparable with eating psychopathology. Three hundred and sixty-one female athletes (including 12 with a clinically diagnosed eating disorder) completed the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire and the CET-A. Receiver operating curve analysis was employed to identify a cut-off value on the CET-A, which could indicate clinically significant features related to or comparable with eating psychopathology among female athletes. The analysis demonstrated that a CET-A score of 10 successfully discriminated female athletes with a current eating disorder. The results suggest that the CET-A may be a suitable tool for detecting eating psychopathology in female athletes. Additional longitudinal research is needed to evaluate the predictive value of the CET-A.

UHCW Research: Caroline Meyer

NHS Wales awards Torfaen falls initiative

Torfaen’s falls service is the only one in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board to run exercise classes in which other organisations offer advice, said physiotherapist Karen Minton.

Integrated working is a key aspect of the falls service, not only with the ambulance service, but the fire service, meals on wheels, providers of assistive technology and charities, such as the National Osteoporosis Society.

The aims are twofold. First, representatives from these organisations are invited to speak at exercises classes to help people be aware of anything which may help them. Fire safety, is just one example.

London NHS trusts launch ‘back school’ as new care pathway

Two London trusts are launching a 90-minute education session for people with low back pain, as part of a new care pathway to meet the latest clinical guidelines.

Even Minimal Exercise Can Help Prevent Depression

A new study led by Australian researchers suggests that regular exercise of any intensity can prevent future depression — and just one hour a week can help. Click here to read PsychCentral article