Physiotherapy management of patients with HIV-associated Kaposi's sarcoma

Research on rehabilitation interventions for adults living with HIV: a scoping review

The aim of this paper is to use a scoping review to investigate the extent, range, and nature of research on rehabilitation interventions for adults living with HIV. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, and PsychINFO) and reference lists of the included articles were searched. Authors were emailed when possible for unavailable articles. A total of 897 titles and abstracts were retrieved. Thirty-three articles were included. There were 27 different rehabilitation interventions delivered by 18 professions. The studies were completed in four different countries. Most studies were published in 2008. A randomized-controlled trial was the most used method. The nature of the studies was analyzed according to the three-core concepts of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: 28 studies addressed impairments; six studies addressed activity limitations; and 14 studies addressed participation restrictions. This scoping study advances the knowledge of research on rehabilitation interventions for adults living with HIV. More research on rehabilitation interventions is needed in sub-Saharan Africa and other low-income and middle-income countries to ensure that these individuals are receiving the best possible care. There is a need for the HIV field to recognize the important contribution of rehabilitation toward the HIV care continuum.

Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty

Approximately 1.2 million people in the United States live with HIV infection. Medical advancements have increased the life expectancy and this cohort is aging. HIV-positive individuals have a high incidence of frailty (~20%) characterized by depression and sedentary behavior. Exercise would be healthy, but due to the frail status of many HIV-positive individuals, conventional exercise is too taxing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of a novel game-based training program (exergame) in ameliorating some aspects of frailty in HIV-infected individuals. Ten older people living with HIV were enrolled in an exergame intervention. Patients performed balance exercises such as weight shifting, ankle reaching, and obstacle crossing. Real-time visual/audio lower-extremity joint motion feedback was provided using wearable sensors to assist feedback and encourage subjects to accurately execute each exercise task. Patients trained twice a week for 45 min for 6 weeks. Changes in balance, gait, psychosocial parameters and quality of life parameters were assessed at the beginning, midterm and at conclusion of the training program. Ten patients completed the study and their results analyzed. The mean age was 57.2 ± 9.2 years. The participants showed a significant reduction in center of mass sway (78.2%, p = .045) during the semi-tandem balance stance with eyes closed and showed a significant increase in gait speed during a dual task motor-cognitive assessment (9.3%, p = .048) with an increase in stride velocity of over 0.1 m/sec. A significant reduction in reported pain occurred (43.5%, p = .041). Preliminary results of this exergame intervention show promise in improving balance and mobility while requiring older people living with HIV to be more active. The exergame can be continued at home and may have long term as well as short-term benefits for ameliorating frailty associated with HIV infection.

Physiotherapy intervention as a complementary treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS

Background

The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy has dramatically extended the life expectancy of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Despite this increased longevity, HIV disease and its pharmacological treatment can cause long-term and acute health complications, many of which can be treated successfully by physiotherapy. The purpose of this paper is to report the effect of a 12-week rehabilitation program on several health-related markers in a 43-year-old woman living with HIV.

Methods

This case study examined the effect of a 12-week exercise and manual therapy intervention on morphology, pain, cardiopulmonary fitness, strength, neurological balance, immune markers (CD4 cell count), and quality of life in a 43-year-old woman living with HIV.

Results

The results showed complete elimination of pain and shortness of breath on exertion. There was also a reduction in resting heart rate, waist circumference, exercise duration, muscle strength, and endurance. The patient showed an increase in peak expiratory flow rate, maximal heart rate attained, upper arm, forearm, and thigh circumference, and CD4+ cell count. The patient also showed improvements in the quality of life domains of general health, pain, energy/fatigue, social and physical functioning, and emotional well-being.

Conclusion

Physiotherapy interventions consisting of exercise and manual therapy appear beneficial in several areas as an adjunct therapy in HIV management.

The acute care physical therapy HIV/AIDS patient population: a descriptive study

This study was based on an analysis of an existing database compiled from 475 medical records of people living with HIV/AIDS admitted to an acute-care hospital in New York City in 2004. The characteristics of patients with HIV infection that received physical therapy were determined. Differences between patients with HIV infection that did and did not receive physical therapy, as well as predictors of receipt of physical therapy, were identified. The physical therapy subgroup (n = 69) had a mean age of 48.3 years, consisted of more men than women, and was predominately black, with public health insurance. Admissions were commonly due to non-AIDS-defining illness as the primary diagnoses, accompanied by several comorbidities. Admissions often presented with functional deficits, incurred a prolonged length of stay, and required assistance at discharge. Differences existed between the physical therapy subgroup and the non-physical therapy subgroup (n = 406). Predictors of receipt of physical therapy were functional status on admission and length of stay.

Patellofemoral knee pain in an adult with radiographic osteoarthritis and human immunodeficiency virus infection

STUDY DESIGN

Resident's case problem.

BACKGROUND

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is the most common form of cancer in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Although KS is often initially asymptomatic, this neoplasm may progress to affect multiple organ systems, including structures of the musculoskeletal system, which can produce symptoms similar to those associated with common orthopaedic conditions. This resident's case problem describes the evaluation and differential diagnosis of a 45-year-old male with HIV and KS, referred to physical therapy with an initial diagnosis of radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) and patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) of the left knee. His primary complaint was knee pain during end range knee flexion.

DIAGNOSIS

The history, systems review, and examination suggested a source of pain of a nonorthopaedic origin. Differential examination ruled out clinical OA, PFPS, ligament/cartilage derangement, and tendonitis. Avascular necrosis of the medial femoral condyle was also considered as a possible source of pain. Recent blood tests indicated a high viral load and low CD4 count, which might have increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections or KS tumor progression. The patient was referred back to his physician for additional follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knees were consistent with a systemic inflammatory process such as KS. A true-cut biopsy was subsequently scheduled, which confirmed KS lesions at the left knee.

DISCUSSION

Physical therapists who manage orthopaedic conditions should be aware of the disablement that may result from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related KS. A thorough joint-specific examination, with a broad differential diagnosis, should be employed for patients having known systemic diseases.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Differential diagnosis, level 4.