Background/Objectives: Telemedicine has emerged as a valuable tool for overcoming access barriers in healthcare, particularly in rehabilitation. However, the validity and reliability of remotely conducted physical capacity assessments remain unclear. This study evaluated the agreement and intra-rater reliability between in-person and tele-assessment administration of the one-minute sit-to-stand test (1 min-STST) in individuals with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, forty adults (55% female; mean age 59.8 ± 15.9 years) diagnosed with CRDs—including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (52.5%), asthma (20%), and pulmonary fibrosis (20%)—completed the 1 min-STST in two conditions: in person and via tele-assessment. The primary outcome was the number of repetitions completed in each condition. Intra-rater reliability was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and agreement between methods was evaluated with Bland–Altman analysis. Results: The mean number of repetitions was 24.4 ± 8.0 in person and 24.3 ± 8.1 via tele-assessment, with no significant difference (p = 0.78). Excellent reliability was observed (ICC = 0.978, p < 0.001), and Bland–Altman analysis showed good agreement with a mean difference of 0.08 ± 1.7 repetitions and limits of agreement from −3.26 to 3.41. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Tele-assessment of the 1 min-STST shows excellent agreement and reliability compared to in-person assessment in individuals with CRDs. These findings support tele-assessment as a valid and practical alternative for evaluating functional capacity remotely. Further research is needed to confirm its implementation in home-based or less-controlled settings.

Impaired functional capacity is one of the most commonly reported consequences among post-COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to analyse the clinical variables related to functional capacity and exertional desaturation in post-COVID-19 patients at the time of hospital discharge. A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia. The main outcomes measures were functional capacity, assessed using the 1 min sit-to-stand test (1 min STST), and exertional desaturation, defined as a drop of ≥4% in the arterial oxygen saturation. Factors used to characterise the participant outcomes included the use of a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), prolonged hospitalisation, occurrence of pulmonary embolism during hospitalisation, and underlying comorbidities. A total of 381 participants (mean age = 53.7 ± 13.2 years, 65.6% men) were included. Participants completed a mean of 16.9 ± 6.2 repetitions in the 1 min STST. Exertional desaturation was observed in 51% of the patients. Higher odds of exertional desaturation were found in the participants who used a HFNC (OR = 3.6; 95%CI: 1.6 to 7.8), were admitted in the hospital >10 days (OR = 4.2; 95%CI: 2.6 to 6.8), and had a pulmonary embolism (OR = 3.5; 95%CI: 2.2. to 5.3). Use of a HFNC (β = −3.4; 95%CI: −5.3 to −1.44), a hospital stay >10 days (β = −2.2; 95%CI: −3.4 to −0.9), and a history of pulmonary embolism (β = −1.4; 95%CI: −2.6 to −0.2) were also negatively associated with the 1 min STST. Most post-COVID-19 patients exhibited reduced functional capacity at the time of hospital discharge, and approximately half had exertional desaturation after the 1 min STST. The use of a HFNC, prolonged hospitalisation and pulmonary embolism were the main clinical variables associated with worse a 1 min STST performance and a higher likelihood of exertional desaturation.

Introduction : The 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1min-STST) is a quick, easy-to-use field test for measuring functional capacity. During the pandemic, this test has been recommended in remote situations; however, its reliability in this scenario hasn9t been measured in chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs). Therefore, our objective was to assess the reliability of 1min-STST in remote settings in CRDs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with CRDs (> 18 years). In random order, the 1min-STST was performed physically in the hospital (G1) and via web-based platform (G2). We compared the repetitions, biological signals (oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR)), and perceived dyspnoea and lower limb fatigue, pre and post-tests, and HR recovery the minute after the test. We used Mann-Whitney or t-test based on the data distribution. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess the reliability between the two tests. Results: Data from 32 patients were analysed with a median age of 63 (P25-P75 44-71) years. The most commons diagnosis were COPD (n=16), asthma (n=6), and pulmonary fibrosis (n=4). More details in Table 1. Reliability testing showed no statistically significant differences in the repetitions (G1: 25.1 ± 7.8 and G2: 25.0 ± 8.0, p=0.844). SpO2, HR, dyspnoea, and fatigue did not differ between the two tests. Strong reliability for both tests (ICC = 0.974) was found. Conclusion: The 1-minSTST performed remotely is a reliable tool to assess functional capacity in patients with CRDs Hence, this test could be a good strategy if there is no chance to evaluate the functional capacity in person.

Background:Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a systematic approach to professional practice using the best available evidence to make informed clinical decisions in healthcare. It is necessary to measure and identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. Objective: To assess the knowledge and application of EBP in respiratory health professionals in Latin America. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. The questionnaire was distributed online to health professionals in Latin American countries. Demographic data, professional characteristics, EBP training, and questionnaire responses were collected. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed. Results: A total of 448 respiratory health professionals participated in the study. Responses were obtained from 17 countries where the majority were female, with an average age of 42. Participants included physicians, physiotherapists, nurses, respiratory therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists. Overall scores indicated moderate to high levels of EBP knowledge and application. However, variations were observed in different dimensions. Factors such as EBP training, reading scientific articles, and professional characteristics were associated with higher scores. Barriers to implementing EBP were identified mostly related to institutional support. Conclusions: This study provides information on the knowledge and implementation of EBP in respiratory health professionals in Latin America. Although the overall levels of knowledge and application of EBP were moderate to high, there are options for improvement, especially in addressing barriers to implementation.

Background: The 1-minute sit-to-stand test (1min-STST) is a field test to assess physical capacity, usually when the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is not possible to perform. However, normal values are lacking for the Argentine population. For this reason, our objective was to establish reference values for the Argentine population of 1min-STST. Methods: We performed a multicentric cross-sectional study. Healthy adults between 18 and 80 years in six cities of Argentina (Paraná, Ushuaia, Tandil, Catamarca, Mendoza y Capital Federal) completed the 1min-STST. The test was performed with a standard height chair (46 cm) without armrests positioned against a wall. The primary outcome was the number of repetitions. Additionally, were registered demographic, anthropometric and physiologic variables during the test. Results: We included 304 healthy subjects, 154/150 female/male, mean age of 48±15 years, mean height of 169±9 cm, and mean weight of 75±15 Kg. The median of repetitions was 37 (P25-P75, 29-46), and 35 (P25-P75, 28-44) for males and females, respectively. The specific values by sex and age range are shown in Table 1. The only variable that significantly correlated with the number of repetitions was age (r -0.494, p<0.001). Conclusion: In this study, we determined reference values for the 1min-STST in healthy adults in Argentine. There was a correlation between 1min-STST and age.