Effects of pharmacological therapy on gait and cognitive function in depressed patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship among affective status, cognitive function, and gait in depressed patients and to evaluate the effects of treatment of depression on gait and cognitive function. METHODS: Nineteen patients recently diagnosed with clinical depression (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria) were recruited from a psychiatric outpatient clinic. Evaluation included the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the Mini-Mental State Examination, a computerized neuropsychological battery (Mindstreams, NeuroTrax Corp, New York, NY), and Barthel's Index of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. Temporal parameters of gait were quantified using a stopwatch and force-sensitive insoles. All assessments were performed at baseline and after approximately 10 weeks of treatment with antidepressants. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 68.6 +/- 9.1 years (15 women). Therapy significantly (P < 0.001) improved the affective state (HAM-D scores). There were small but significant improvements in gait speed (P = 0.033), stride time variability (P = 0.036), and gait asymmetry (P = 0.038). With the exception of the hand-eye coordination index, all tested cognitive domains also improved significantly. Baseline depression scores correlated with changes in depression: patients with higher HAM-D scores at baseline had more significant improvement in their affect (P < 0.001). Changes in HAM-D were not significantly correlated with changes in gait or changes on computerized tests of cognitive function (P > 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms are associated with gait and cognitive impairment. Moreover, the present results suggest that these domains improve in response to antidepressant medication.     

Marathon performance in thermally stressing conditions

It is generally appreciated that warm weather negatively affects marathon running performance. This brief review summarises the historical literature on this topic and recent work that our laboratory has performed to quantify the impact of weather on marathon running performance. Using 140 race-years of data, we have demonstrated that marathon performance times slow progressively as weather warms above 5-10 degrees C wet bulb globe temperature, that men and women are affected similarly, but slower runners suffer a greater performance penalty than elite runners. The recent generation of a nomogram that predicts changes in finishing time consequent to changes in weather conditions offers runners and coaches a tool for use in developing marathon race strategy.     

Reducing iatrogenic risks: ICU-acquired delirium and weakness--crossing the quality chasm

ICUs are experiencing an epidemic of patients with acute brain dysfunction (delirium) and weakness, both associated with increased mortality and long-term disability. These conditions are commonly acquired in the ICU and are often initiated or exacerbated by sedation and ventilation decisions and management. Despite > 10 years of evidence revealing the hazards of delirium, the quality chasm between current and ideal processes of care continues to exist. Monitoring of delirium and sedation levels remains inconsistent. In addition, sedation, ventilation, and physical therapy practices proven successful at reducing the frequency and severity of adverse outcomes are not routinely practiced. In this article, we advocate for the adoption and implementation of a standard bundle of ICU measures with great potential to reduce the burden of ICU-acquired delirium and weakness. Individual components of this bundle are evidence based and can help standardize communication, improve interdisciplinary care, reduce mortality, and improve cognitive and functional outcomes. We refer to this as the "ABCDE bundle," for awakening and breathing coordination, delirium monitoring, and exercise/early mobility. This evidence-based bundle of practices will build a bridge across the current quality chasm from the "front end" to the "back end" of critical care and toward improved cognitive and functional outcomes for ICU survivors.     

Implementation,reliability testing,and compliance monitoring of the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit in trauma patients

OBJECTIVE: To implement delirium monitoring, test reliability, and monitor compliance of performing the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) in trauma patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, observational study in a level 1 trauma unit of a tertiary care, university-based medical center. PATIENTS: Acutely injured patients admitted to the trauma unit between 1 February 2006 and 16 April 2006. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Following web-based teaching modules and group in-services, bedside nurses evaluated patients daily for depth of sedation with the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) and for the presence of delirium with the CAM-ICU. On randomly assigned days over a 10-week period, evaluations by nursing staff were followed by evaluations by an expert evaluator of the RASS and the CAM-ICU to assess compliance and reliability of the CAM-ICU in trauma patients. Following the audit period the nurses completed a postimplementation survey. The expert evaluator performed 1,011 random CAM-ICU assessments within 1[Symbol: see text]h of the bedside nurse's assessments. Nurses completed the CAM-ICU assessments in 84% of evaluations. Overall agreement (kappa) between nurses and expert evaluator was 0.77 (0.721-0.822; p[Symbol: see text]<[Symbol: see text]0.0001), in TBI patients 0.75 (0.667-0.829; p[Symbol: see text]<[Symbol: see text]0.0001) and in mechanically ventilated patients 0.62 (0.534-0.704; p[Symbol: see text]<[Symbol: see text]0.0001). The survey revealed that nurses were confident in performing the CAM-ICU, realized the importance of delirium, and were satisfied with the training that they received. It also acknowledged obstacles to implementation including nursing time and failure of physicians/surgeons to address treatment approaches for delirium. CONCLUSIONS: The CAM-ICU can be successfully implemented in a university-based trauma unit with high compliance and reliability. Quality improvement projects seeking to implement delirium monitoring would be wise to address potential pitfalls including time complaints and the negative impact of physician indifference regarding this form of organ dysfunction.     

Protocol-driven care in the intensive care unit: a tool for quality

Advances in organization and patient management in the intensive care unit (ICU) have led to reductions in the morbidity and mortality suffered by critically ill patients. Two such advances include multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and the development of clinical protocols. The use of protocols and MDTs does not necessarily guarantee instant improvement in the quality of care, but it does offer useful tools for the pursuit of such objectives. As ICU physicians increasingly assume leadership roles in the pursuit of higher quality ICU care, their knowledge and skills in the discipline of quality improvement will become essential.