Besta Hazal Gumuscu, Eylul Pinar Kisa, Begum Kara Kaya, and Rasmi Muammer. Korean J Pain -0001;0:. https://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.22371

Childhood rheumatic diseases are a group of diseases that can affect many organs and systems, resulting in pain, joint stiffness, muscle atrophy and weakness. Physical inactivity has been reported in many childhood rheumatic diseases. There are many studies in the literature comparing the effectiveness of exercise programs in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Exercise and physical activity are considered major parts of the treatment of children with rheumatic disease. The aim of this review is to systematically present studies on physical activity and exercise programs in children with rheumatism from the last 5 years. An internet-based search of three databases-PubMed, PEDro and Medline- was conducted to find relevant studies. Two reviewers individually identified studies on the basis of their title, abstract or full text-as necessary-to determine their eligibility. Differences of opinion between the two examiners were resolved by discussion. Scientific studies of children with different rheumatic diagnoses have shown that physical activity and exercise have a significant effect on reducing the symptoms of the disease. However, the duration, frequency, method and evaluation of the exercises are still being discussed in the literature. Cite this article as: Tarakcı E, Kısa EP, Arman N, Albayrak A. Physical activity and exercise in patients with pediatric rheumatic disease: a systematic search and review. Turk Arch Pediatr 2021; 56(3): 179-86.

The aim of this study was (1) to compare the activities of daily living (ADLs), perceived falling risk and balance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with or without falling history and (2) to investigate the relationship between ADLs and balance. Fourteen patients with COPD with a history of falling whose mean falling frequency was 2.64 ± 0.74 times in the last 12-months (fallers) and 14 age and sex-matched patients with COPD with no history of falling (non-fallers) were included. The outcome measures were the London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL) scale, Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), 6-minute walking test, and quadriceps-femoris strength. Fallers reported increased dyspnoea perception in ADLs, decreased balance confidence, and disturbed balance compared with non-fallers (p < 0.05). A strong correlation was found between the LCADL scale item score (dressing the upper body) and the BBS total score (rho = −0.81, p = 0.001) in fallers. The LCADL scale item score (going out socially) was significantly correlated with the total score of the ABC scale (rho = −0.61, p = 0.001). Moderate correlations were found between the LCADL scale item scores (dressing the upper body, washing hair, and walking up stairs) and the BBS total score (p < 0.003). This study demonstrated that increased severity of dyspnoea perception during ADLs is associated with impaired balance and poor balance confidence, regardless of functional capacity and peripheral muscle strength in patients with COPD. The balance confidence was low in functional mobility-based activities in patients with COPD with a history of falling.

Background and Objectives: Long COVID-19 syndrome may cause difficulties in functionality during daily life in young people. Our objective was to investigate the respiratory and functional sequelae in young adults with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 compared with healthy peers 3–6 months and 6–12 months after COVID-19 infection. Materials and Methods: Participants aged 18–25 who had COVID-19 within the last 3–6 months (Post-COVID Group 1, n = 25) and 6–12 months (Post-COVID Group 2, n = 25) and age–gender-matched healthy controls (n = 25) were included in this study. Respiratory functions and muscle strength were measured. Physical function was assessed with 6 min walking test (6MWT) and an Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT). The 1 min sit-to-stand test (1-MSTST) and hand grip strength (HGS) were used to assess muscle performance. Fatigue and dyspnea severity were questioned. Results: The FVC%pred (p = 0.023) and MEP (p = 0.034) were higher, and 1-MSTST repetitions were lower in Post-COVID Group-1 compared to Post-COVID Group-2 (p = 0.029). The PEF%pred (p = 0.025), MEP (p = 0.001), and ISWT distance were lower in Post-COVID Group-2 compared to healthy controls. The number of 1-MSTST repetitions and 6MWT distance were lower in Post-COVID Group-1 (p = 0.003, p = 0.001) and Post-COVID Group-2 (p = 0.003, p = 0.017) than in healthy controls. Exercise-induced blood lactate change during the ISWT, HGS, fatigue, and dyspnea were not significantly different between post-COVID groups and healthy controls. Conclusions: Young adults who pass asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infection exhibit a decline in FVC%pred, PEF%pred, lower extremity muscle performance, and physical function within 3–6 months. In addition, the deterioration in respiratory and physical functions becomes apparent within 6–12 months.

Objective: Many patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) suffer from cognitive dysfunction that seriously affects their quality of life, attention, visual and speech memory, motor function, reaction speed and motor perception and physical activity. This study aims to investigate the effects of dual-task (DT) exercises on cognitive status, disease activity and physical function of children with cSLE. Method: 30 children with cSLE were included. During intervention sessions (2 days a week for 16 weeks), DT exercises were applied to all children having cSLE. The mental status of the patients by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), pain status by the McGill-Melzack Pain Questionnaire, disease activity by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)-2K, physical activity by the Childhood Activity Assessment Index and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and steps number recorded. Results: McGill-Melzack pain scores and MoCA scores (42.70±16.85 and 20.86±3.89, respectively) were significantly improved after the intervention (36.53±16.55 and 23.73±2.72, respectively) (p0.05). Conclusions: DT exercises can play a crucial role in enhancing cognitive status and physical function of patients with cSLE. There is limited research examining the effects of DT exercises on cognitive status, particularly in patients with cSLE. Trial registration number: NCT05984316 .