Heart failure is often characterised by low exercise capacity and a great impairment of performance in the activities of daily living. The correct management of the disease can prevent the worsening of symptoms and promote a better quality of life. The aims of this study are to understand the relationship of gender and pathophysiological characteristics with self-care behaviour and to evaluate the self-care behaviour in a sample of Portuguese heart failure inpatients, using the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (SCHFI). A cross-sectional multicentre study enrolling 225 heart failure inpatients from eight hospitals from Portugal was performed. At admission, each patient’s functional capacity was evaluated as well as their self-care behaviour, using the SCHFI Portuguese v6.2. A comparison between self-care behaviour with gender was performed. The patients’ mean age was 68.4 ± 10.7 years old, 68% were male and 82.3% had reduced ejection fraction. A mean value of 47.9, 35.6 and 38.8 points was found in the SCHFI score of the sections self-care maintenance, self-care management and self-care confidence, respectively. Heart failure inpatients present inadequate levels of self-care behaviour. The results do not suggest a relationship between gender and pathophysiological characteristics with self-care behaviour.

Background: Functional fitness is essential for the autonomous performance of activities of daily living. The functional fitness of the elderly includes several components: strength, aerobic training, flexibility, balance, and body composition. Objectives: To assess changes in the functional fitness of institutionalized elderly based on a Rehabilitation Nursing Program using moderate-intensity physical activity. Methodology: Pre-test/post-test design with control group. The intervention program included three 30-minute sessions per week, for a period of 6 months. Functional fitness was assessed using the Functional Fitness Test (FFT) battery for older adults. Fifteen participants were assigned to the intervention group (IG), and ten participants to the control group (CG). Results: A significant increase (p<0.05) of grip strength, arm curl strength, mobility, agility/dynamic balance, and one-leg balance was observed in the IG (85.9 ± 6.1 years). The CG (85.8 ± 4.6 years) showed no significant changes in any of the functional fitness components. Conclusion: The results suggest an improvement of the functional fitness of the elderly in the IG

Map the interventions/components directed to the caregivers of heart disease patients in cardiac rehabilitation programs that promote their role and health. Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute method was used to guide this scoping review. Two independent reviewers assessed articles for relevance and extracted and synthesized data. Inclusion criteria comprised articles published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese since 1950. The following databases were searched: CINAHL Complete (Via EBSCO), Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, PEDro, and Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP). Results: From 351 articles retrieved, 10 were included in the review. The interventions identified directed to the caregiver were: educational interventions and lifestyle changes; physical exercise; psychological interventions/stress management; and a category “Other” with training interventions in basic life support, elaboration of guidelines/recommendations, and training for the role of caregiver. Conclusions: It was found that most of the related cardiac rehabilitation interventions are aimed at the dyad heart failure patient and their caregivers/family. Including specific interventions targeting caregivers improves the caregiver’s health and empowers them. Patient care planning should include interventions specifically aimed at them that result in health gains for caregivers and patients, striving to improve the quality of care. This study was not registered.

Introdução: O envelhecimento humano acarreta uma diminuição da capacidade funcional dos idosos, sendo o exercício físico fundamental para a melhorar. Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos de um programa de Enfermagem de Reabilitação de treino propriocetivo na capacidade funcional num grupo de idosos. Método: Estudo quasi-experimental com avaliação antes e após intervenção. A amostra é constituída por 24 idosos distribuídos pelo grupo de intervenção (12) e grupo de controlo (12). O programa de intervenção incluiu 24 sessões ao longo de 12 semanas de implementação. Foram utilizados como instrumentos de medida o teste de equilíbrio unipodal, o Índice de Tinetti para equilíbrio e marcha e aptidão física pela bateria de testes de Rikli & Jones. Resultados: No grupo de intervenção houve evolução positiva relativamente a todas as variáveis avaliadas, com diferenças estatisticamente significativas nos dois momentos de avaliação. No grupo de controlo não se verificaram alterações com significado estatístico. Conclusão: Este programa de treino propriocetivo demonstrou ganhos na capacidade funcional dos idosos. Palavras chave: enfermagem de reabilitação; proprioceção; envelhecimento; capacidade funcional

To clarify the effect of inspiratory muscle training on inspiratory muscle strength, lung function, and functional capacity in hemodialysis patients. Randomized controlled trials evaluating inspiratory muscle strength, lung function, and functional capacity in hemodialysis patients were searched. The search was conducted in Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus between August and December 2024. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool-2. 316 Studies were analyzed, and 12 were included, involving 460 patients. The intervention consisted of training the respiratory muscles using linear loading devices, varying between 30% and 70% of Maximum Inspiratory Pressure, for 4 to 24 weeks. One study was classified as high risk of bias, three with some concerns, and eight low risk of bias. Inspiratory muscle strength increased significantly in the intervention groups. Significant changes concerning lung function were observed only in some groups. Considerable variations in the distance covered in the 6-MWT test were also found in some studies. Inspiratory muscle training appears to influence several outcomes. Replicating randomized controlled trials with standardized protocols and robust assessment methods is necessary to more effectively establish their effectiveness.