Background: Physical activity (PA) is a key health behavior in people with stroke including risk reduction of recurrent stroke. Despite the beneficial effects of PA, many community-dwelling stroke survivors are physically inactive. Information and communication technologies are emerging as a possible method to promote adherence to PA. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a mobile-health (mHealth) App in improving levels of PA. Methods: Forty-one chronic stroke survivors were randomized into an intervention group (IG) n=24 and a control group (CG) n=17. Participants in the IG were engaged in the Multimodal Rehabilitation Program (MMRP) that consisted on supervising adherence to PA through a mHealth app, participating in an 8-week rehabilitation program that included: aerobic, task-oriented, balance and stretching exercises. Participants also performed an ambulation program at home. The CG received a conventional rehabilitation program. Outcome variables were: adherence to PA, (walking and sitting time/day), walking speed (10MWT); walking endurance (6MWT); risk of falling (TUG); ADLs (Barthel); QoL (Eq-5D5L) and participant’s satisfaction. Results: At the end of the intervention, community ambulation increased more in IG (38.95 min; SD: 20.37) than in the CG (9.47 min; SD: 12.11) (p≤.05). Sitting time was reduced by 2.96 (SD 2.0) hours/day in the IG and by 0.53 (SD 0.24) hours in the CG (p≤.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that mHealth technology provides a novel way to promote adherence to home exercise programs post stroke. However, frequent support and guidance of caregiver is required to ensure the use of mobile devices.

Aging is associated with a decrease in functional capacity, manifested by a loss of strength, physical performance and muscle quality. Multicomponent training (MCT), characterized by the combination of at least three types of training, could be a good strategy to counteract these changes. To date there are no studies evaluating the effectiveness of MCT in improving both physical performance and muscle quality simultaneously. The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes produced by an MCT program on both physical performance and muscle quality in a population of healthy older adults. Sixteen healthy older adults were recruited to perform a 15-session multicomponent training intervention. Physical performance was assessed by different functional tests, and muscle quality was assessed by tensiomyography and myotonometry. The main results of this study show some improvement in functional tests, but not in muscle quality parameters, except for vastus lateralis stiffness. MCT is able to generate improvements in the physical performance of older adults, but these improvements are not reflected in muscle quality parameters measured by tensiomyography and myotonometry.

Background: Factors related to the desire of receiving psychological help in cancer patients are not well known. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of patients who would ask for psychological assistance in the first weeks following diagnosis, and to identify their psychosocial and disease-related profile. Method: This cross-sectional study assessed 229 consecutive cancer outpatients at a visit with their oncologist to be informed about the treatment they will receive. Disease-related and medical characteristics were assessed, and patients were asked about their mood states, levels of self-efficacy, and difficulties coping with the disease. Finally, patients were asked about their desire to receive psychological assistance. Results: Only 20% of patients expressed a desire for psychological help. These patients were lower in age and had previous history of mood disorders and reported higher discouragement and coping difficulties. These variables explained 30.6% of variance. Conclusions: Although psycho-oncologists can provide helpful interventions, the percentage of patients interested in receiving psychological assistance in this study is low. Although further studies are needed, results from this study suggest methods that could easily be used by oncologists and nurses to identify patients who would like to receive psychological support.