Search Results (684)

Background: Although both rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) and vibrotactile feedback have been shown to yield beneficial effects in stroke rehabilitation, evidence regarding their combined application remains limited. This study investigates the effects of RAS gait training alone (RG) versus RAS combined with vibrotactile feedback (RAS-V) on balance and gait in individuals post-stroke. Methods: Twenty-two people with stroke were randomly assigned to either an RAS-V or an RG group. The RAS-V group performed RAS gait training combined with vibrotactile feedback while the RG group performed RAS gait training. Both groups participated in 30-min gait training sessions, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Balance ability was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Gait ability was evaluated using the G-Walk gait analyzer and the 10-m Walk Test (10 mWT), including gait cadence, velocity, and stride length. Results: Within-group comparisons showed significant improvements in BBS (p < 0.001) and TUG scores (p < 0.05) in both groups. The RAS-V group demonstrated significant post-intervention improvements in gait velocity, 10 mWT (p < 0.05), and gait cadence (p < 0.001). Between-group comparisons revealed that the RAS-V group achieved significantly greater improvements than the RG group in TUG, gait cadence, gait velocity, and 10 mWT (p < 0.05). Conclusions: RAS gait training with vibrotactile feedback enhances balance and gait ability more effectively than RAS gait training alone, suggesting additional benefits of incorporating vibrotactile feedback. Full article

Background/Objectives: Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are linked to multi-organ vulnerability involving the lungs, heart, and kidneys. This study aimed to compare the annual changes in pulmonary, cardiac, and renal parameters in patients with SSc-ILD and COPD across three consecutive years, using both individual biomarkers and integrated composite profiles. Methods: This observational longitudinal study included repeated assessments in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Functional, laboratory, and imaging parameters were collected: 6-min walk test (6MWT), SpO₂ (pre-/post-exercise), spirometry/CT lung volumes, gas exchange (pO₂/pCO₂/lactate), echocardiography [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP)], cardiac biomarkers (NT-proBNP, MR-proANP, hsTnT), renal markers [eGFR, creatinine, albuminuria, albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR)], heart rate variability (HRV), and renal CT densitometry. All markers were standardized (z-scores, higher values = worse). Subprofiles were generated and aggregated into three integrated profiles (cardiac, renal, pulmonary). Within-group dynamics were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (year-to-year deltas), between-group comparisons with the Mann–Whitney U test, effect sizes via Cliff’s delta, and multiple testing correction with the Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR). Results: Exercise tolerance declined in both groups: by 2025, 6MWT distance decreased by −10 m in SSc-ILD (p = 0.006; q = 0.010) and −20 m in COPD (p = 0.002; q = 0.004); post-exercise SpO₂ fell in both cohorts (both p < 0.001; q < 0.001). MR-proANP remained consistently higher in SSc-ILD across all years (p ≤ 0.005; q ≤ 0.028). sPAP increased in both groups, reaching higher values in COPD by 2025 (p = 0.007; q = 0.033). NT-proBNP and hsTnT increased over time, while eGFR declined, and ACR rose in both cohorts (both p < 0.001; q < 0.001). HRV (HF/total power) decreased by 2025. Composite profiles showed: in 2023, the cardiac profile was worse in SSc-ILD (δ ≈ 0.27; p = 0.011; q = 0.048), but differences diminished by 2025; the renal profile was initially worse in SSc-ILD but later shifted unfavorably in COPD; the pulmonary profile showed no consistent between-group differences. Conclusions: Over three years, patients with SSc-ILD and COPD exhibited concordant deterioration in pulmonary, cardiac, and renal function. Distinct leading markers emerged: desaturation during exercise and neurohormonal activation (MR-proANP) in SSc-ILD, versus reduced 6MWT and higher sPAP in COPD. These findings support the need for integrated monitoring of the cardio–pulmo–renal continuum. Limitations include the observational design, multiple comparisons, and absence of advanced repeated-measures modeling. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMSKP) affects up to 40% of adolescents and leads to substantial disability, reduced quality of life, and long-term health risks. Physical activity is central to treatment, but adherence to moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is inconsistent. We evaluated higher-resilience constructs—self-efficacy, pain acceptance, motivational stage, and affect—and hypothesized that higher resilience would be associated with greater objectively measured physical activity, better daily functioning, and higher quality of life in adolescents with CMSKP. Methods: Forty-three adolescents (13–18 years) with CMSKP completed measures of physical activity-specific self-efficacy, acceptance (AFQ-Y), motivational stage (PSOCQ-A), and affect (PANAS-C). Participants wore activPAL monitors to assess MVPA, light activity, and sedentary time. Physical function endurance was measured by the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and the Functional Disability Inventory (FDI); quality of life by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). Spearman’s correlations assessed associations among resilience variables, physical activity metrics, 6MWT distance, FDI, and PedsQL. Results: MVPA was correlated positively with 6MWT distance (ρ = 0.48, p = 0.002) and negatively with FDI scores (ρ = −0.56, p < 0.001). Self-efficacy related to higher MVPA (ρ = 0.41, p = 0.009), better endurance (ρ = 0.36, p = 0.017), and lower disability (ρ = −0.38, p = 0.013). Acceptance was correlated with PedsQL total (ρ = 0.45, p = 0.004); motivation (specifically maintenance) scores were correlated with higher quality of life (ρ = 0.33, p = 0.027). Light activity and sedentary time were not significantly linked to functional or psychosocial outcomes. In a step-wise regression, only physical activity self-efficacy for ambulation at school predicted MVPA, B = 1.56, p = 0.008. Conclusions: Resilience constructs—including self-efficacy, acceptance, and readiness to change—were meaningfully associated with MVPA, daily functioning, and quality of life, and may have implications for treatment development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) refers to myocardial disease characterized by structural and functional impairment without coronary artery disease. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a potential treatment to restore heart function in NICM, but clinical results have been inconsistent. Methods: This meta-analysis comprises five randomized controlled trials with a total of 302 patients, retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library, and SAGE Journals. Results: Compared with the control group, stem cell therapy group showed significant improvements in the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at the 3-month follow-up (MD = 4.55, 95% CI 2.12–6.98, p = 0.0002), a reduction in the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) at the 3-month follow-up (MD = −3.83, 95% CI −7.27 to −0.39, p = 0.03) and an improvement in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class both at 3 months (MD = −0.58 95% CI −0.97 to −0.19, p = 0.004) and 12 months (MD = −0.49 95% CI −0.91 to −0.07, p = 0.02). Additionally, there was a significant decrease in the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) score at the 6-month follow-up (MD = −14.05, 95% CI −25.97 to −2.13, p = 0.021). However, no significant differences were observed in the left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), 6-min walk test (6-MWT), or major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) between the two groups. Conclusions: Bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy could be a promising and safe method to improve cardiac function and quality of life in patients with NICM. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these findings. Full article

Background: Previous studies have experimentally investigated and simulated the effects of dynamic hyperinflation on respiratory system resistance variables in populations with different respiratory diseases. However, the acute effects of exercise on these parameters in healthy young adults are unknown; therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a submaximal exercise test on the resistance of the respiratory system in healthy adult individuals. Methods: This is an observational study conducted with healthy adults. Fifty healthy volunteers were recruited, of both sexes, over the age of 18, with no previous uncontrolled respiratory diseases and normal spirometry, with an average age of 32.2 ± 11.6 years old and an average BMI of 24.3 ± 3.87 kg/m². The participants underwent an anamnesis, the Impulse Oscillometry Test (IOS) with the variables R5, R20, X5, Fres and AX, followed by the six-minute walk test (6MWT), another IOS measure, immediately after the 6MWT, finishing with a spirometry test. A paired t-test was used for the analyses. Results: Our results showed that the volunteers exhibited a decrease after the 6MWT in the oscillometry parameters R5 (0.35 to 0.32, p = 0.0001), R20 (0.33 to 0.30, p < 0.0001), X5 (−0.13 to −0.10, p < 0.0001), Fres (13.07 to 11.70, p = 0.0042) and AX (0.48 to 034, p = 0.01). In addition, the volunteers walked an average of 623.34 ± 42.6 m in the 6MWT, which represents around 96.6% of what was predicted for this group. Conclusions: Submaximal exercise, as assessed by the 6MWT, acutely reduces respiratory impedance in healthy individuals, which can facilitate moderate-intensity physical activity, preventing sedentary behavior. Full article

Background: This randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the effects of a yearly Multi-Component Exercise Training (MCET) program performed within the hospital setting on the functional capacity and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of inpatients with psychotic disorders. Methods: Forty-eight inpatients of a public Psychiatric Hospital with a diagnosis of psychosis participated in the study and were randomly assigned to two groups: (i) the intervention group (mean age: 46.6 ± 13.2) and (ii) the control group (mean age: 47.7 ± 8.9). The MCET program consisted of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (AE), Pilates exercises, and strengthening, balance, corrective and flexibility exercises, using rubber bands, mobility sticks and balls. Sessions were implemented three times per week over a 12-month period and each group session lasted for 30–45 min. The primary outcomes of the study included functional capacity and HRQoL. Functional capacity was assessed through measurements of strength (using handgrip and leg dynamometer), balance, and body positioning, while HRQoL was evaluated using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Results: At the end of the treatment, participants in the intervention group demonstrated significantly increased lower and upper extremity muscle strength by 35.9% (p < 0.01) and 23.6% (p < 0.01), respectively, improved balance by 18.1% (p < 0.001), and enhanced sit-and-reach and sit-to-stand results by 47.6% (p < 0.001) and 18.2% (p < 0.001), respectively, as well as increased distance covered at 6MWT by 26.2% (p < 0.001). Regarding the HRQoL, all the parameters of the SF-36 were improved, including general and mental health (p < 0.05), physical (p < 0.001) and social function (p < 0.05), physical (p < 0.01) and emotional roles (p < 0.01) and vitality and bodily pain (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). The Physical Component Summary score (PCS) was enhanced significantly (p < 0.001), while the Mental Component Summary score (MCS) remained unchanged. Compliance with the 1-year ET program was 80%. Conclusions: The findings of the study indicated that a 1-year moderate-intensity MCET performed three times per week was safe, well accepted and efficient in improving physical functioning and HRQoL among inpatients with psychotic disorders. These results suggest that structured exercise interventions could be prescribed as add-ons to the pharmacological treatment for psychotic disorders. Full article

Background: The functional capacity of older adults is a critical determinant of autonomy and quality of life, particularly in low-income populations from remote regions with limited access to health services. This study aimed to characterize the functional fitness (FF) of community-dwelling older adults in the interior of Amazonas, Brazil, stratified by sex and age group. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 807 older adults (471 females), aged ≥ 60 years, from four municipalities in northern Brazil. The FF was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), including measures of strength (30-s Chair Stand Test—CST; 30-s Arm Curl Test—ACT), flexibility (Chair Sit and Reach Test-CSAR, Back Scratch Test-BST), balance/agility (8-Foot Up-and-Go Test—FUG), and aerobic endurance (6-min walk test—6MWT). Descriptive statistics, confidence intervals, and age- and sex-specific percentiles were calculated. Results: Results indicated a progressive decline in FF with advancing age. Males outperformed females in strength and endurance tests, whereas females exhibited better flexibility. Notable reductions in performance were observed after age 75, particularly in CST, ACT, FUG, and 6MWT. Overall, the functional profiles of this population were below international norms, especially among females and individuals aged ≥ 80. The prevalence of overweight was 39.3%, with socioeconomic vulnerability affecting over 90% of participants. Conclusions: Older adults in low-income, remote Amazonian Brazilian communities demonstrate marked functional decline with ageing, influenced by socioeconomic and environmental constraints. These findings highlight the urgency of implementing accessible, community-based interventions focused on physical activity, strength, mobility, and endurance to support healthy ageing in underserved regions. Full article

Incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) results in impaired postural control and walking ability. Visual over-reliance may occur in iSCI individuals to maintain postural control. This can challenge their postural stability in various contexts of daily life activities. The present study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of balance training with intermittent visual deprivation using stroboscopic glasses on postural control and visual reliance during quiet standing in iSCI individuals. Training impact on walking performance was also evaluated. Seven chronic iSCI individuals participated in a 6-week home-based balance training program, three times weekly, using stroboscopic glasses. Postural and walking abilities were assessed pre- and post-training using a bipedal stance test (BST) and 10 m walking test (10 MWT). BST was performed, with open-eyes (OE) and closed-eyes (CE), on a force plate for three 30 s trials. The center of pressure (CoP) variables included were CoP area (A-CoP) and CoP mean velocity (MV-CoP). Romberg ratios (CE/OE) for two CoP variables were calculated. Duration and speed were measured in 10 MWT. Intervention feasibility was assessed using the feasibility and acceptability questionnaire. Data from able-bodied individuals were recorded and used as references of physiological performance. iSCI individuals were significantly less stable and showed visual over-reliance for postural steadiness compared to controls. Also, their walking ability was impaired. All iSCI individuals completed the training (adherence rate: 84%) and rated it highly feasible. A-CoP and MV-CoP significantly reduced after training in CE condition (p = 0.018, respectively) but not in OE condition (p > 0.05). The Romberg ratio of A-CoP was significantly lower (p = 0.018), but the Romberg ratio of MV-CoP was not (p > 0.05). A significant reduction in duration and increase in speed (p = 0.018, respectively) in performing the 10 MWT were observed. Preliminary findings from this explorative study indicated that 6-week home-based balance training with intermittent visual deprivation was feasible, acceptable, and had promising potential benefits in improving postural control with a reduction in visual over-reliance in iSCI individuals. The training enhanced also their walking performance. Full article

Background/Objectives: The 2-minute walk test (2MWT) is a time-based gait assessment commonly employed for populations with limited walking ability for greater tolerability compared to the longer 6-minute test. The recommended distance to perform the tests is a 30 m straight path, a space requirement that is not always available in non-laboratory contexts. Shorter paths are therefore often adopted, but associated changes in gait patterns are not clear. The aim of the study is therefore to investigate how different walking path lengths affect gait patterns during the 2MWT. Methods: Twenty healthy young adults performed three walking trials on a straight hallway of 5 m, 15 m, and 30 m lengths. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured using three inertial measurement units on both distal tibiae and at pelvis level. Results: The 5 m path showed the greatest deviations, specifically in walking distance, walking speed, stride duration, stance time, swing time, single support time, and cadence, if compared to longer distances (p < 0.05). The 15 m path showed differences only in walking distance and walking speed (p < 0.05), if compared to the 30 m path. Conclusions: Shorter path lengths, particularly the 5 m, significantly impact gait patterns and should be considered when interpreting 2MWT results in clinical settings. The 30 m path is recommended as the gold standard, with 15 m as a viable alternative for assessing temporal parameters. Nevertheless, the extent to which each feature would be over/underestimated when walking in limited spaces is also addressed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Children with myelomeningocele (MMC) often experience lower extremity muscular contractures, which can impact their functional mobility. While standing programs have demonstrated benefits for children with other neuromuscular conditions, there is limited evidence on their use in ambulatory children with MMC who have joint deformities. This single-subject design study examined the impact of a home-based standing program on two ambulatory children with MMC, focusing on lower extremity muscle flexibility, functional movement quality, gait velocity, and participation in daily activities. Methods: Two children participated in a multi-phase single-subject (ABABA) withdrawal design beginning with the baseline phase and then alternating between the intervention and withdrawal phases. The intervention consisted of 60-minute standing sessions, five days a week, using a sit-to-stand stander (STSS) with support and supervision from a physical therapist (PT) and the parent. Primary outcomes included goniometric passive range of motion (PROM) and 10-Meter Walk Test (10 MWT). Secondary outcomes included the Pediatric Neuromuscular Recovery Scale (Peds NRS) and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Computer Adaptive Test (PEDI-CAT). Results: Improvements in hip and knee muscle flexibility were observed during the intervention phases, with some loss during the withdrawal phase. Functional movement quality improved in both children. Gait velocity and participation in daily activity scores remained stable during intervention phases. Parental feedback reflected increased independence and high engagement with the home program. One child discontinued due to a heel injury, highlighting the need for individualized support. Conclusions: Personalized standing programs may improve muscle flexibility and functional movement quality in ambulatory children with MMC. Further research is warranted to determine the optimal dosing regimen, ensure safety, and assess long-term functional outcomes. Full article

The ability to walk is essential in daily life, making walking outcomes key measures in clinical practice. This study aims to develop and validate two novel stride length model-based approaches for total distance estimation using a smart insole. Eight participants wore a pair of smart insoles. For a period of six minutes, each participant walked back and forth on a predefined 20 m pathway, and the numbers of round trips and strides taken were counted. Two stride length estimation approaches based on the director coefficients of acceleration data (Approach 1) and dynamic time warping (Approach 2) using smart insoles were used. The median accuracies of the total distance using Approach 1 are 98.92% [1.24%] (ICC = 0.992) and 98.69% [2.44%] (ICC = 0.994) for the right and left sides, respectively. For Approach 2, the average accuracies are 98.95% [0.18%] (ICC = 0.996) for the right side and 99.03% [0.14%] (ICC = 0.991) for the left side. The Mann–Whitney U test shows no statistically significant difference between the actual distance and smart insole for the total distance covered. Furthermore, there is no statistically significant difference between Approach 1 and Approach 2 for stride length. Although the sample size was small, the estimated total distance using the novel model-based algorithms appears to be accurate in comparison to the actual total distance. Full article

Background: Mobility assessment is a crucial aspect of rehabilitation for individuals with lower limb amputation, as it directly influences their independence and quality of life. The objective of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Special Interest Group in Amputee Medicine (SIGAM) mobility grades questionnaire in the Persian language and to investigate its psychometric properties. Methods: The SIGAM mobility scale was translated into Persian according to international guidelines for cross-cultural adaptation of self-reported measures and was administered to forty Persian-speaking people with lower limb amputations. Measurement properties were evaluated following COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement INstruments) recommendations and included internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and hypotheses testing for construct validity by comparing SIGAM mobility grades to the Locomotor Capabilities Index-5 (LCI-5), Houghton scale, Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, the 2-Minute Walk Test (2-MWT), and the Timed Up and Go (TUG). Results: SIGAM mobility scale demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Kuder-Richardson 20 coefficient = 0.72) and excellent test–retest reliability (Cohen Kappa coefficient = 0.85). Hypothesis testing for construct validity confirmed the good to very good correlations of the Persian SIGAM mobility scale with the LCI-5 (r = 0.63, 0.55, and 0.63 for the general, basic, and advanced activities components, respectively), Houghton scale (r = 0.63), ABC scale (r = 0.73), 2-MWT (r = 0.50), and TUG test (r = −0.51). Conclusion: The Persian version of the SIGAM mobility scale demonstrated preliminary evidence of acceptable psychometric properties, supporting its clinical applicability. Full article

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) BIG, primarily developed for outpatient use, is a prominent intervention for patients with Parkinson’s disease thanks to its high-intensity, repetitive exercises involving large movements. This study first evaluated the feasibility of an in-hospital LSVT BIG training program by assessing recruitment capability, compliance, and adherence. The secondary objective was to evaluate the effects of LSVT BIG training on gait, balance, and functional outcomes, as well as respiratory function and quality of life, in comparison with a progressive structured rehabilitation program (SC) of similar intensity and frequency. In-hospital LSVT BIG training for people with Parkinson’s disease was feasible, with 95% recruitment rates and 100% safety and adherence. SC (n = 19) and LSVT BIG (n = 19) significantly improved (for all, p < 0.05) pre-to-post balance (MiniBESTest) and lower limb effort tolerance (6MWT). Delta changes between groups favored LSVT for upper limb effort tolerance (UULEX level, time, p < 0.001), gait speed, and UULEX SatO₂ mean, PCEF, MiniBESTest and 6MWT (for all, p < 0.05). Evaluation of the probability associated with the LSVT BIG showed MiniBESTest as being 8.5 times more likely to exceed the MCID compared to SC. Quality of life was unchanged across both groups. This study successfully demonstrates the feasibility of in-hospital LSVT-BIG^® training, and comparison of outcomes, although exploratory and underpowered, showed better improvements in mobility, balance, and effort tolerance, suggesting a complementary role within traditional rehabilitation protocols. Full article

Background: Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) is an infiltrative cardiomyopathy that frequently progresses to symptomatic heart failure (HF), often with mildly reduced or reduced ejection fraction (EF). Standard therapies are limited in NYHA III–IV, and Tafamidis is approved only for the early stages. Cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) therapy has shown promise in HF with reduced EF, but its role in ATTR-CM remains unexplored. Methods: This multicentric, prospective pilot study evaluated the safety and efficacy of CCM therapy in ten patients (n = 10) with ATTR-CM, EF between 25 and 45%, and NYHA class III–IV symptoms refractory to optimal medical therapy. All patients underwent implantation of the Optimizer CCM system and were followed for at least 12 months. The primary endpoint was the incidence of worsening heart failure (WHF); secondary endpoints included changes in EF, NYHA class, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and quality of life metrics. Results: In this cohort (n = 10), CCM therapy significantly reduced WHF episodes (from 0.18 ± 0.09 to 0.025 ± 0.08 hospitalizations/patient-year, p < 0.001) and improved NYHA class and 6MWT (p < 0.001). EF increased by an average of 4.8 ± 6.1%, and 6MWT improved by 31.3 ± 53.3%. Importantly, all patients became eligible for Tafamidis after CCM therapy due to improved functional status. Conclusion: This pilot study suggests that CCM therapy is a feasible and potentially effective option for ATTR-CM patients with advanced HF who are not candidates for existing disease-modifying treatments. These findings support the rationale for larger studies, including the ongoing AMY-CCM registry (NCT05167799), to validate CCM’s therapeutic role in this population. Full article

Objective: To synthesize the available evidence on field tests used to assess functional capacity in children with CLDs other than asthma, such as cystic fibrosis (CF), and non-CF bronchiectasis (NCFB). Still, the application and reliability of the field tests in non-asthmatic pediatric CLDs populations is scarce. Methods: Three databases (PubMed, Medline via EBSCOhost, and Web of Science) were searched from inception to 20 May 2025. Two researchers independently screened the retrieved articles and rated the methodological quality using the NIH Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Information was extracted about study design, field test used, outcomes measured, and methodological quality. Results: Out of 784 records, 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies focused on CF. Five different field tests were identified: six-minute walk test (6MWT), modified shuttle walk test (mSWT), one-minute sit-to-stand test (1mSTS), three-minute step test (3mST), and TGlittre-P test. The 6MWT (n = 3) and mSWT (n = 2) were the most frequently used and demonstrated good reliability and clinical applicability. Reported outcomes included distance walked, total steps, task’ repetitions, and cardiopulmonary parameters, such as heart rate and perceived exertion of dyspnea/leg fatigue. Conclusions: Field exercise tests appear to be feasible in children with CLDs other than asthma, with most data available in CF. They can be used to monitor functional capacity over time, to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs, and to complement symptom assessment with tools such as the Borg scale. Evidence in NCFB and PCD is still limited, and additional pediatric studies are needed. Full article