Mobile health technology to improve emergent frailty after lung transplantation

Elements of Post-Transplant Recovery in Lung Transplant Recipients: A Scoping Review

To clarify and refine the specific elements of post-transplant recovery in lung transplant recipients, we explored the four dimensions of recovery: physiological, psychological, social, and habitual. This study is a scoping review. Two authors conducted a comprehensive electronic literature search to identify studies published from the establishment of the database to August 2022. Deductive coding was utilized to identify and categorize elements using a predefined list of the four components (physiological, psychological, social, and habitual recovery) based on the framework of post-transplant recovery proposed by Lundmark et al. Inductive coding was applied for concepts requiring further classification. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guideline. Systematic searching identified 8,616 potential records, of which 51 studies met the inclusion criteria. Ten subdimensions and their corresponding elements were identified and categorized into four dimensions of recovery following lung transplantation. The subdimensions included physiological recovery (including symptom experience, complications, physical function, and energy reserve), psychological recovery (encompassing affective distress, psychological adaptation, and transition from illness to health), social recovery (involving family adaptation and social adaptation), and habit recovery (focusing on health behavior).

Engineering Virtuous health habits using Emotion and Neurocognition: Flexibility for Lifestyle Optimization and Weight management (EVEN FLOW)

Interventions to preserve functional independence in older adults are critically needed to optimize 'successful aging' among the large and increasing population of older adults in the United States. For most aging adults, the management of chronic diseases is the most common and impactful risk factor for loss of functional independence. Chronic disease management inherently involves the learning and adaptation of new behaviors, such as adopting or modifying physical activity habits and managing weight. Despite the importance of chronic disease management in older adults, vanishingly few individuals optimally manage their health behavior in the service of chronic disease stabilization to preserve functional independence. Contemporary conceptual models of chronic disease management and health habit theory suggest that this lack of optimal management may result from an underappreciated distinction within the health behavior literature: the behavioral domains critical for initiation of new behaviors (Initiation Phase) are largely distinct from those that facilitate their maintenance (Maintenance Phase). Psychological factors, particularly experiential acceptance and trait levels of openness are critical to engagement with new health behaviors, willingness to make difficult lifestyle changes, and the ability to tolerate aversive affective responses in the process. Cognitive factors, particularly executive function, are critical to learning new skills, using them effectively across different areas of life and contextual demands, and updating of skills to facilitate behavioral maintenance. Emerging data therefore suggests that individuals with greater executive function are better able to sustain behavior changes, which in turn protects against cognitive decline. In addition, social and structural supports of behavior change serve a critical buffering role across phases of behavior change. The present review attempts to address these gaps by proposing a novel biobehavioral intervention framework that incorporates both individual-level and social support system-level variables for the purpose of treatment tailoring. Our intervention framework triangulates on the central importance of self-regulatory functioning, proposing that both cognitive and psychological mechanisms ultimately influence an individuals' ability to engage in different aspects of self-management (individual level) in the service of maintaining independence. Importantly, the proposed linkages of cognitive and affective functioning align with emerging individual difference frameworks, suggesting that lower levels of cognitive and/or psychological flexibility represent an intermediate phenotype of risk. Individuals exhibiting self-regulatory lapses either due to the inability to regulate their emotional responses or due to the presence of executive functioning impairments are therefore the most likely to require assistance to preserve functional independence. In addition, these vulnerabilities will be more easily observable for individuals requiring greater complexity of self-management behavioral demands (e.g. complexity of medication regimen) and/or with lesser social support. Our proposed framework also intuits several distinct intervention pathways based on the profile of self-regulatory behaviors: we propose that individuals with intact affect regulation and impaired executive function will preferentially respond to 'top-down' training approaches (e.g., strategy and process work). Individuals with intact executive function and impaired affect regulation will respond to 'bottom-up' approaches (e.g., graded exposure). And individuals with impairments in both may require treatments targeting caregiving or structural supports, particularly in the context of elevated behavioral demands.

Lung Transplantation for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

TOPIC IMPORTANCE

Even though patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension have multiple therapeutic options, the disease can be refractory despite appropriate management. In patients with end-stage pulmonary arterial hypertension, lung transplantation has the potential both to extend survival and improve health-related quality of life. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is the only major diagnostic indication for transplantation that is not a parenchymal pulmonary process, and thus the care of these patients is unique.

REVIEW FINDINGS

This review focuses on the complexities of lung transplantation for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, presents the updated referral and listing criteria, and discusses the inequities in the organ allocation process that impact this disease group and the strategies to optimize outcomes for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension who require lung transplantation.

SUMMARY

Lung transplantation is an effective and lifesaving therapy for patients with end-stage lung disease. Sadly, patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension face many challenges as it relates to transplantation including higher perioperative risks, inequities in the allocation system, and less favorable long-term outcomes. This review covers the complexities of transplantation in patients with pulmonary vascular disease.

European Respiratory Society statement on frailty in adults with chronic lung disease

Frailty is a complex, multidimensional syndrome characterised by a loss of physiological reserves that increases a person's susceptibility to adverse health outcomes. Most knowledge regarding frailty originates from geriatric medicine; however, awareness of its importance as a treatable trait for people with chronic respiratory disease (including asthma, COPD and interstitial lung disease) is emerging. A clearer understanding of frailty and its impact in chronic respiratory disease is a prerequisite to optimise clinical management in the future. This unmet need underpins the rationale for undertaking the present work. This European Respiratory Society statement synthesises current evidence and clinical insights from international experts and people affected by chronic respiratory conditions regarding frailty in adults with chronic respiratory disease. The scope includes coverage of frailty within international respiratory guidelines, prevalence and risk factors, review of clinical management options (including comprehensive geriatric care, rehabilitation, nutrition, pharmacological and psychological therapies) and identification of evidence gaps to inform future priority areas of research. Frailty is underrepresented in international respiratory guidelines, despite being common and related to increased hospitalisation and mortality. Validated screening instruments can detect frailty to prompt comprehensive assessment and personalised clinical management. Clinical trials targeting people with chronic respiratory disease and frailty are needed.

Feasibility and acceptability of an mHealth, home-based exercise intervention in colorectal cancer survivors: A pilot randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To determine the feasibility and acceptability of an mHealth, home-based exercise intervention among stage II-III colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors within 5-years post-resection and adjuvant therapy.

METHODS

This pilot randomized controlled trial of a 12-week mHealth, home-based exercise intervention, randomly assigned CRC survivors to a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) prescription. The following assessments were carried out at baseline and end-of-study (EOS): handgrip strength, short physical performance battery (SPPB), PROMIS physical function, neuropathy total symptom score-6 (NTSS-6), Utah early neuropathy scale (UENS), cardiopulmonary exercise testing, anthropometrics, and body composition via BOD POD, modified Godin leisure-time activity questionnaire. Feasibility, as defined by number of completed prescribed workouts and rate of adherence to individualized heart rate (HR) training zones, was evaluated at EOS. Acceptability was assessed by open-ended surveys at EOS. Descriptive statistics were generated for participant characteristics and assessment data.

RESULTS

Seven participants were included in this pilot study (MICE: n = 5, HIIT: n = 2). Median age was 39 years (1st quartile: 36, 3rd quartile: 50). BMI was 27.4 kg/m2 (1st quartile: 24.5, 3rd quartile: 29.7). Most participants had stage III CRC (71%, n = 5). We observed an 88.6% workout completion rate, 100% retention rate, no adverse events, and qualitative data indicating improved quality of life and positive feedback related to ease of use, accountability, motivation, and autonomy. Mean adherence to HR training zones was 95.7% in MICE, and 28.9% for the high-intensity intervals and 51.0% for the active recovery intervals in HIIT; qualitative results revealed that participants wanted to do more/work-out harder.

CONCLUSION

An mHealth, home-based delivered exercise intervention, including a HIIT prescription, among stage II-III CRC survivors' post-resection and adjuvant therapy was tolerable and showed trends towards acceptability.

Rehabilitation for People with Respiratory Disease and Frailty: An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report

People with respiratory disease have increased risk of developing frailty, which is associated with worse health outcomes. There is growing evidence of the role of rehabilitation in managing frailty in people with respiratory disease. However, several challenges remain regarding optimal methods of identifying frailty and delivering rehabilitation for this population. The aims of this American Thoracic Society workshop were to outline key definitions and concepts around rehabilitation for people with respiratory disease and frailty, synthesize available evidence, and explore how programs may be adapted to align to the needs and experiences of this population. Across two half-day virtual workshops, 20 professionals from diverse disciplines, professions, and countries discussed key developments and identified opportunities for future research, with additional input via online correspondence. Participants highlighted a "frailty rehabilitation paradox" whereby pulmonary rehabilitation can effectively reduce frailty, but programs are challenging for some individuals with frailty to complete. Frailty should not limit access to rehabilitation; instead, the identification of frailty should prompt comprehensive assessment and tailored support, including onward referral for additional specialist input. Exercise prescriptions that explicitly consider symptom burden and comorbidities, integration of additional geriatric or palliative care expertise, and/or preemptive planning for disruptions to participation may support engagement and outcomes. To identify and measure frailty in people with respiratory disease, tools should be selected on the basis of sensitivity, specificity, responsiveness, and feasibility for their intended purpose. Research is required to expand understanding beyond the physical dimensions of frailty and to explore the merits and limitations of telerehabilitation or home-based pulmonary rehabilitation for people with chronic respiratory disease and frailty.

Telemedicine in lung transplant to improve patient-centered care: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Long-term care combined with complex follow-up processes is among the essential needs of lung transplantation. Therefore, Telemedicine-based strategies can provide an effective approach for both patients and clinicians by applying remote patient monitoring. Hence, the main objective of this study was to investigate Telemedicine and telehealth usage in lung transplantation.

METHOD

A systematic review was conducted in four databases using keywords. Eligible studies were all English papers that developed Telemedicine-based programs to enhance patient care in lung organ transplantation. The interventions were analyzed analysis to determine the main descriptive areas. The quality of the included articles was evaluated using Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) tool by two authors.

RESULTS

Of the 261 retrieved articles, 27 met our inclusion criteria. Of these, 22 studies were devoted to the post-transplantation phase. All articles were published from 2002 to 2021 and the trend of publications has increased in recent years. Most of the studies were conducted in the United States and Canada. All eligible studies can be categorized into five types of Telemedicine interventions, 15 (55.56%) articles devoted to Telemonitoring, four (14.81%) for Teleconsultation, four (14.81%) articles for Telerehabilitation, three (11.11%) articles for Telespirometery, and one (3.70%) article were done regarding Tele-education.

CONCLUSION

This integrated review provides researchers with a new understanding of Telemedicine-based care solutions. Findings show that remote patient care in lung transplantation includes various aspects, especially self-care improvement.

The Intersection of Aging and Lung Transplantation: its Impact on Transplant Evaluation, Outcomes, and Clinical Care

Purpose

Older adults (age ≥ 65 years) are the fastest growing age group undergoing lung transplantation. Further, international consensus document for the selection of lung transplant candidates no longer suggest a fixed upper age limit. Although carefully selected older adults can derive great benefit, understanding which older adults will do well after transplant with improved survival and health-related qualiy of life is key to informed decision-making. Herein, we review the epidemiology of aging in lung transplantation and its impact on outcomes, highlight selected physiological measures that may be informative when evaluating and managing older lung transplant patients, and identify directions for future research.

Recent Findings

In general, listing and transplanting older, sicker patients has contributed to worse clinical outcomes and greater healthcare use. Emerging evidence suggest that measures of physiological age, such as frailty, body composition, and neurocognitive and psychosocial function, may better identify risk for poor transplant outcomes than chronlogical age.

Summary

The evidence base to inform transplant decision-making and improvements in care for older adults is small but growing. Multipronged efforts at the intersection of aging and lung transplantation are needed to improve the clinical and patient centered outcomes for this large and growing cohort of patients. Future research should focus on identifying novel and ideally modifiable risk factors for poor outcomes specific to older adults, better approaches to measuring physiological aging (e.g., frailty, body composition, neurocognitive and psychosocial function), and the underlying mechanisms of physiological aging. Finally, interventions that can improve clinical and patient centered outcomes for older adults are needed.

Frailty assessment for COVID-19 follow-up: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is increasingly used for clinical decision making in acute care but little is known about frailty after COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate frailty and the CFS for post-COVID-19 follow-up.

METHODS

This prospective multicentre cohort study included COVID-19 survivors aged ≥50 years presenting for a follow-up visit ≥3 months after the acute illness. Nine centres retrospectively collected pre-COVID-19 CFS and prospectively CFS at follow-up. Three centres completed the Frailty Index (FI), the short physical performance battery (SPPB), 30 s sit-to-stand test and handgrip strength measurements. Mixed effect logistic regression models accounting for repeated measurements and potential confounders were used to investigate factors associated with post-COVID-19 CFS. Criterion and construct validity were determined by correlating the CFS to other concurrently assessed frailty measurements and measures of respiratory impairment, respectively.

RESULTS

Of the 288 participants 65% were men, mean (SD) age was 65.1 (9) years. Median (IQR) CFS at follow-up was 3 (2-3), 21% were vulnerable or frail (CFS ≥4). The CFS was responsive to change, correlated with the FI (r=0.69, p<0.001), the SPPB score (r=-0.48, p<0.001) (criterion validity) and with the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire score (r=0.59, p<0.001), forced vital capacity %-predicted (r=-0.25, p<0.001), 6 min walk distance (r=-0.39, p<0.001) and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) (r=0.59, p<0.001). Dyspnoea was significantly associated with a higher odds for vulnerability/frailty (per one mMRC adjusted OR 2.01 (95% CI 1.13 to 3.58), p=0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

The CFS significantly increases with COVID-19, and dyspnoea is an important risk factor for post-COVID-19 frailty and should be addressed thoroughly.

Evaluation of m‐Health‐rehabilitation for respiratory disorders: A systematic review

Background and Aims

Chronic respiratory diseases are prominent causes of morbidity worldwide that impose significant social and economic burdens on individuals and communities. Pulmonary rehabilitation is one of the main aspects of medical rehabilitation. Nowadays, mobile health apps deliver pulmonary rehabilitation support via smartphones. This article presents a systematic review of the literature on m‐Health apps used in respiration disorders rehabilitation.

Methods

A systematic search was performed on MEDLINE (through PubMed), Web of Science, and Scopus in May 2021 without any date limitation. This study was using a combination of keywords and MeSH terms associated with pulmonary rehabilitation. Relevant studies were selected by two independents and were categorized studies results. The inclusion criterion was m‐Health apps for pulmonary rehabilitation and exclusion criteria mobile‐based interventions, by voice call or short message service and cardiopulmonary articles.

Results

Searching scientific databases yielded 161 relevant articles. Then, 27 articles were included in the study with a complete evaluation of the articles. Sixty percent of them were related to patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Rehabilitation aiming to improve the quality of life, promote self‐management, encourage physical activity, and reduce the symptoms as the most common goals of pulmonary rehabilitation using m‐Health apps; 89% of these studies showed that m‐Health apps can be effective in improving pulmonary rehabilitation. In addition, 37% of studies reported high usability and acceptance. However, the results of some studies show that adherence to apps decreases in the long run.

Conclusion

Our study shows that m‐Health pulmonary rehabilitation apps are effective in improving the quality of life, self‐management, and physical activity. According to the results, it seems that using the m‐Health apps for pulmonary rehabilitation can be useful in the COVID‐19 pandemic and help reduce respiratory disorders in patients with COVID‐19 disease.

The Year in Cardiothoracic Transplant Anesthesia: Selected Highlights From 2020 Part I - Lung Transplantation

This special article focuses on the highlights in cardiothoracic transplantation literature in the year 2020. Part I encompasses the recent literature on lung transplantation, including the advances in preoperative assessment and optimization, donor management, including the use of ex-vivo lung perfusion, recipient management, including those who have been infected with coronavirus disease 2019, updates on the perioperative management, including the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and long-term outcomes.