Background: This study aimed to analyze the effect of cardiac rehabilitation programs on the health-related quality of life of patients after a coronary cardiac event using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for up to 6 months of evaluation. Methods: A comprehensive search was carried out in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases for randomized controlled trials comparing the cardiac rehabilitation program with usual care. Two independent reviewers assessed the studies for inclusion, risk of bias using the Cochrane tool, and quality of evidence through the GRADE system. A meta-analysis was performed on studies assessing health-related quality of life with the SF-12 (Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary) up to 6 months after the program. Results: Twelve studies encompassed 2260 patients who participated in a cardiac rehabilitation program after a coronary event, with a mean age of 60.06 years. The generic PROMs used to assess quality of life were the SF-12, SF-36, EQ-5D-3L, EQ-5D-5L, and GHQ, and the specific coronary heart disease PROMs were MacNew and HeartQoL. There was a positive effect of participation in cardiac rehabilitation on the physical component of health-related quality of life at 6 months (MD [7.02]; p = 0.04] and on the mental component (MD [1.06]; p = 0.82) after applying the SF-12. Conclusions: This study highlights the significant benefits of cardiac rehabilitation programs on health-related quality of life, particularly in the physical domain at 6 months. Assessing outcomes over time through PROMs after coronary heart events is essential, thus making it possible to personalize patients’ care and improve their health status.

Background: Addressing informal caregivers’ needs is essential for ensuring quality healthcare and promoting citizen-centred care. This systematic review assessed current knowledge about programmes aimed at meeting the needs of informal caregivers of adults who are dependent on others for daily life activities. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, the electronic databases EBSCOhost Research Platform, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and The Virtual Health Library were searched for randomized experimental studies published between 2012 and 2022 that implemented programmes addressing informal caregivers’ needs to improve their experiences, health, and well-being. Quality was assessed using the standardized critical evaluation tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Two independent investigators performed the eligibility assessment and data extraction. Quantitative data on the effectiveness of interventions were collected, and the content of each intervention was synthesized and aggregated into categories, through narrative synthesis. Results: The majority of the included studies (n = 16) were conducted in European countries and implemented a structured intervention programme compared to the provision of usual care. The studies were of fair to high methodological quality, with a higher risk of bias related to blinding. The results supported the achievement of favourable health outcomes among informal caregivers, namely improvements in mental health (n = 3) and quality of life (n = 3) and a decrease in psychological symptomatology (n = 5) and burden (n = 3). None of the interventions reported adverse outcomes; however, five studies did not describe significant differences in the outcomes assessed after the implementation of the programmes. Interventions focusing on training and educating caregivers (n = 14) and cognitive–behavioural strategies (n = 7) were the most common, while programmes focusing on emotional and psychological support as a resource to improve caregivers’ psychological outcomes were scarce. Conclusions: This systematic review adds to the growing body of evidence and insight showing that programmes that address informal caregivers’ needs seem to contribute to better physical and psychological health outcomes through the promotion of caregivers’ educational support and the implementation of cognitive–behavioural strategies. Future research should implement methodologically robust cross-country programmes tailored to informal caregivers’ physical, emotional, psychosocial, societal, and educational needs throughout the care trajectory.

Accountability, involvement, empowerment of the patients and families/caregiver, as well as the incentive for health behaviors based on physical exercise and healthy living habits with the support of health professionals, are fundamental in meeting the demands of the current society. The main objective of this report is to describe the process of developing skills in rehabilitation nursing that was possible in the context of the final stage in which an intervention program in the area of cardiac rehabilitation was designed, implemented and evaluated. In this quantitative study with exploratory characteristics, it was used the collection of observable and quantifiable data, from patients submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting. During the study, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied-being verified the normal distribution-and Student t-test, which aimed at comparing outcomes at the beginning and end of the program. When 6-min walk test was applied, there was an optimization of functional capacity (P=0.05), can be proved by the fact that all the patients had statistically significant improvements in the time-walk relationship. Furthermore, the quality of life in those who participated in the program was moderate in the preoperative period with 53.09%, and at the end a significant improvement was observed with 75.02%. Cardiac rehabilitation is fundamental in the patient submitted to coronary artery bypass grafting, taking into account the educational, physical exercise, and quality of life dimensions. Given the prevalence of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, differentiated intervention in rehabilitation nursing becomes essential in the training of patients for self-care.

Aim: Musculoskeletal conditions impact our society owing to the associated burden, with significant implications for health systems and people’s quality of life. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are used to optimize the results of rehabilitation programs. The study aims to identify the PROMs used in rehabilitation programs after knee surgery. Subject and methods: This rapid systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE ^® and CINAHL ^® databases, considering all studies carried out until December 2023, with a registered protocol (PROSPERO reference: CRD42024504263). Studies were included with adult participants undergoing knee surgery and using PROMs to measure outcomes before and after rehabilitation programs. Results: Sixteen studies with 3469 participants in rehabilitation programs after knee surgery were included. Methodologically and according to the criteria recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute, more than half of the studies were of high quality, with values of more than 80%, including randomized controlled trials, cohorts, and quasi-experimental designs. Outcomes were assessed before and after rehabilitation programs, using general ( n = 6) and knee-specific ( n = 11) PROMs. Of all the PROMs identified in the different studies selected for this systematic review, the ones used the most were KOOS (in 14 studies), EQ5D-5L, and WOMAC (in 3 studies). Conclusion: This rapid systematic review shows the need to identify and implement PROMs during rehabilitation programs after knee surgery, measuring participants’ health status, symptoms, treatment satisfaction, and physical and mental performance. In this way, it is possible to make value-based comparisons with other interventions, improving and tailoring rehabilitation care.

Different musculoskeletal conditions affect people all over the world and were considered by the WHO to be the main cause of disability in 4 of 6 regions in 2017, with an increase in the associated burden and the impact they have on today's society. One of these conditions is related to the knee, which is associated with complex and vulnerable injuries associated with ligaments, menisci, and cartilage. After surgery, there is a reflex inhibition of motor neurons and immobilization, there is rapid atrophy and weakness in the different associated muscles, affecting proprioception, strength and muscle function, compromising quality of life. The aim of this article is to describe a protocol for a rehabilitation program after surgery for people with knee injuries. An experimental study will be carried out with 75 patients, with control and experimental groups. In both groups, initial measurements will be compared with measurements after the program, at different times. It is hoped that this study will generate significant information on rehabilitation intervention for people with knee injuries.

(1) Background: An aging population, pollution and an increase in life habits that are harmful to respiratory health, and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to an increase in chronic respiratory diseases. Thus, this pilot study aims to describe an intervention program on the training of respiratory patients to maintain airway permeability and preventing complications. (2) Methods: An observational, analytical, and prospective study was proposed. After the initial evaluation of each user during hospitalization, the program started with two sessions, at discharge for the second phase, and fifteen days after discharge for the third phase. Throughout the program’s implementation, the modified Medical Research Council scale and the Barthel Index were applied. (3) Results: The population studied aged between 39 and 76 years, diagnosed with pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, showed a significant improvement in the degrees of dyspnea and levels of functionality, as well as an adequate level of learning. (4) Conclusions: This program positively impacted the patients’ independence by reducing dyspnea and increasing functionality of the patients included in this study. The set of exercises and techniques can be replicated at home and may be fundamental in the management of respective recovery, as well as in the COVID-19 pandemic.