Comparison of impact of hospitalization on respiratory and peripheral muscles strength and on functionality in patients with cancer and in patients with benign diseases not restricted to bed

• Grant number: 13/12022-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2013
• End date: July 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Adriana Claudia Lunardi
• Grantee: Bárbara Cristina Tagliaferro Avino
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pós-Graduação, Pesquisa e Extensão. Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: to compare the impact of hospitalization on peripheral and respiratory muscle strength, and functionality of patients with cancer and patients with benign diseases not restricted to bed. Methods: this case-control study will assess the strength of respiratory and peripherals muscles, and the functionality in 60 consecutive patients (30 with cancer and 30 with benign disease) not restricted on the bed. All patients will be assessed 24 hours after admission. Their medical history, habits (physical activity), and addictions (smoking and drinking) will be questioned. On the same day, and after seven (7) days of hospitalization, the lung function (by spirometry), respiratory muscle strength (by manometer), peripheral muscle strength (by handgrip strength), and functionality (by Barthel index) will be evaluated. After descriptive and normality analysis, the comparison between groups will be done by t-test or Mann-Whitney test depending on data distribution. The level of significance will be set at 5%. Expected Results: Cancer triggers nutritional changes, muscular weakness, fatigue, and functional impairment, however, the hospitalization also causes similar changes in any type of patient that stays in hospital for at least 5 days. Our hypothesis is that in patients with cancer, the impairment of muscle strength and of function status is steeper than what happens in patients with benign diseases not restricted to bed hospitalized for seven days. (AU)