Algarve Active Ageing - Cardiac and Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation (A3-COR) (A3-COR)

Algarve Active Ageing - Cardiac and Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation: Personalized Physical Exercise Protocol in After Acute Myocardial Infarction or Cardiovascular Risk and Knee Osteoarthritis, a Randomized Controlled Trial

European Regional Development Fund, Loulé Municipal Council, Albufeira Municipal Council, Quarteira Parish Council

This study aims to develop, implement, and determines the effectiveness of a personalized medicine approach to each individual's phenotype, based on an innovative physical exercise program to promote the treatment of pain and functional limitation resulting from knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in patients recovering after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and cardiovascular risk (CVR). This randomized clinical study is important due to the lack of evidence according to the effectiveness of a personalized physical exercise intervention in people after MI or CVR with simultaneous KOA. Some studies have shown the existence of a relationship between OA and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including coronary artery disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, cardiac procedures, or death related to CVD, since individuals with OA have a higher prevalence of CVD than individuals without OA. Sedentary behaviour is a risk factor for AMI, CVR and KOA, and, at the same time, physical exercise is a common non-pharmacological treatment for people suffering from these conditions, namely in the control of joint pain, gains in functional capacity, and the improvement of cardiorespiratory functional capacity, whose impact can be felt in level of quality of life. Chronic diseases have a significant impact on the global burden of disease, particularly CVD and OA, with the added presence of obesity also contributing to a high rate of all-cause morbidity and mortality, representing a substantial health burden and with growing implications for individuals, health systems and socioeconomic costs. The presence of OA seems to lead to an increased risk of developing CVD. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain this relationship. Chronic inflammation associated with OA is one of the hypotheses suggested to explain the increased risk of CVD in these individuals. Furthermore, the pain and disability associated with OA may also limit participation in exercise/physical activity, influencing other risk factors associated with both chronic diseases, such as weight gain. The lack of studies about physical exercise intervention on people that suffered acute myocardial infarction or is in cardiovascular risk with simultaneous knee osteoarthritis and the lack of offer of phase III cardiac rehabilitation in Algarve motivated the development of this study, with the assumption of adopting a healthier lifestyle.

A new exercise protocol (A3-COR Protocol) for patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) recovering after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or with cardiovascular risk (CVR) was developed and implemented. The purpose of the A3-COR protocol is to improve quality of life, functionality, and pain, through regular physical exercise facilitating an active and healthy lifestyle. This clinical trial includes 2 parallel intervention groups with a pre- and post-test analysis. In the exercise group (EG), the participants received a twelve weeks of a supervised physical exercise program and in the control group (CG) there was no intervention. Both groups had a session with a psychologist in behavioral change and with a nutritionist, to promote changes in lifestyle and healthy eating habits. The two groups were assessed two times, the pre-test in the beginning of the study (T0-Baseline) before starting the intervention or control and the post-test taking place at the end of 12 weeks (T1-Post-test). The sample includes subjects from the community who met the defined eligibility criteria. Participation in the study was voluntary and sample recruitment was carried out through publicity materials, such as flyers posted at senior universities, institutions/associations, municipalities, parish councils, sports complexes, health centres, among other public spaces of interest. To calculate the sample size, the software G*Power was used. The primary outcome for this clinical trial was the knee-related pain - KOOS subscale (score 0-100). According to the literature, an important clinical difference in the KOOS subscales has been suggested to be 8 to 10 points. Based on the expected difference of 10 points between the intervention and control groups and a standard deviation of 20 in Pain, 64 patients were required in each group with a significance level of 0.05 and power of 80%. With an estimated dropout rate of 10%, a total number of 142 subjects were randomized to the EG (n = 71) and to the CG (n = 71). The screening for acute myocardial infarction was done with the presence of myocardial lesion detected by abnormal cardiac biomarkers evidencing acute myocardial ischemia. The screening of cardiovascular risk was done with the presence of any of the following cardiovascular risk factors: hypertension, dyslipidemia, or smoking habits, according to the SCORE2 or SCORE2 O.P. The screening of knee osteoarthritis was done according to the National Clinical Guideline Centre (2020) and American College of Rheumatology (2019) criteria. To identify participants with cognitive impairment, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) instrument was applied and cutoff points for the Portuguese population considering age and educational level were used. The training sessions combine cardiorespiratory exercises for the development of aerobic capacity and strength exercises, particularly resistant strength, in tasks that include open and closed chain exercises, using your own body weight and equipment for this purpose. The training zones are defined according to the performance of each individual in the test of cardiorespiratory fitness in effort and test of maximum isokinetic strength, carried out in the baseline.

Osteoarthritis Knees Both, Myocardial Infarction, Acute, Hypertension, Dyslipidemias, Type 2 Diabetes, Smoking Habit

Knee Osteoarthritis, Acute Myocardial Infarction, Cardiovascular Risk, Personalized Medicine, Healthy Ageing, Exercise, Personalized Exercise

Participants were assigned for two groups in parallel and a pre and post-test analysis was performed.

The participants received a twelve weeks of a supervised physical exercise program, based on aerobic and strength training. This group also received a session with a psychologist in behavioral change and nutritional advice session with a nutritionist.

This group received no intervention. The group received equally to the exercise group, a session with a psychologist in behavioral change and nutritional advice session with a nutritionist.

The intervention include a personalized physical exercise program based on aerobic and strength training, with prior warm-up and post cool-down exercises. All participantes also received a nutritional advice session and a psychological session in behavioral changes.

Significant increase in pain subscore of Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. The subscore can range between 0-100% and higher values mean less pain.

Significant increase in both function subscores of Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. The subscores can range between 0-100% and higher values mean better function.

Significant decrease in time (seconds) to perform the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Higher time of performance means poorer physical function.

Significant increase of number of repetitions in 30-second chair stand test. Higher number of repetitions in 30 seconds means better physical function.

Significant decrease in time (seconds) of performance in 40m fast paced walk test. Higher time of performance means poorer physical function.

Significant decrease in time (seconds) of performance in Stair Climb Test (9 steps). Higher time of performance means poorer physical function.

Significant increase in distance (meters) in 6 Minutes Walk Test. Higher distance in 6 minutes means better physical function.

Significant increase in any subscore or total score of Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), used to assess quality of life. Instrument can range between 0-100 and higher values mean better self-precepted quality of life.

Significant increase in peak torque (N/m). Peak Torque of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles was measured by a fixed dynamometer with concentric/concentric action at an angular velocity of 60º per second for 5 repetitions of extension and flexion of each knee.

Significant increase in work per repetition (N/m). Work of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles was measured by a fixed dynamometer with concentric/concentric action at an angular velocity of 60º per second for 5 repetitions of extension and flexion of each knee.

Significant increase in power per repetition (N/m). Power of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles was measured by a fixed dynamometer with concentric/concentric action at an angular velocity of 60º per second for 5 repetitions of extension and flexion of each knee.

Significant increase in Peak torque time (s). Peak torque time of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles was measured by a fixed dynamometer with concentric/concentric action at an angular velocity of 60º per second for 5 repetitions of extension and flexion of each knee.

Significant increase in Force (kg). Force of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscles was measured by a fixed dynamometer with concentric/concentric action at an angular velocity of 60º per second for 5 repetitions of extension and flexion of each knee.

Significant increase in Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2max). Higher VO2max means better cardiorespiratory function. The VO2max was evaluated through the exercise cardiorespiratory test with progressive increase of the external load by the manipulation of the velocity or inclination.

Significant increase in First Ventilatory Threshold (VT1 - VO2). Higher VT1 means better cardiorespiratory function. The VT1 was evaluated through the exercise cardiorespiratory test with progressive increase of the external load by the manipulation of the velocity or inclination.

Significant increase in Respiratory Compensation Point (RCP - VO2). Higher RCP means better cardiorespiratory function. The RCP was evaluated through the exercise cardiorespiratory test with progressive increase of the external load by the manipulation of the velocity or inclination.

Significant decrease in contraction time (ms) of lateral and medial vastus, bíceps femoris and semitendinous. Higher contraction time means poor muscle function. The contraction time was measured by a tensiomyography system TMG S2. Tensiomyography assesses contractile properties of an isolated muscle by measuring a few parameters in response to a twitch contraction.

Change in radial muscle belly displacement of lateral and medial vastus, bíceps femoris and semitendinous

Significant decrease in radial muscle belly displacement (mm) of lateral and medial vastus, bíceps femoris and semitendinous. Higher radial muscle belly displacement means poor muscle function and muscle atrophy. The radial muscle belly displacement was measured by a tensiomyography system TMG S2. Tensiomyography assesses contractile properties of an isolated muscle by measuring a few parameters in response to a twitch contraction.

Significant decrease in latence time (ms) of lateral and medial vastus, bíceps femoris and semitendinous. Higher latence time means poor muscle function. The latence time was measured by a tensiomyography system TMG S2. Tensiomyography assesses contractile properties of an isolated muscle by measuring a few parameters in response to a twitch contraction.

Significant decrease in weight (kg). Higher values of weight mean poor body composition and health. The weight was measured using the bioimpedance technique.

Significant decrease in body mass index (kg/m2). Higher values of body mass index mean poor body composition and health. The body mass index was measured using the bioimpedance technique.

Significant decrease in fat mass (kg and %)). Higher values of fat mass mean poor body composition and health. The fat mass was measured using the bioimpedance technique.

Significant increase in fat-free mass (kg and %). Higher values of fat-free mass mean better body composition and health. The fat-free mass was measured using the bioimpedance technique.

Significant decrease in fat mass index (kg/m2). Higher values of fat mass index mean poor body composition and health. The fat mass index was measured using the bioimpedance technique.

Significant increase in fat-free mass index (kg/m2). Higher values of fat-free mass index mean better body composition and health. The fat-free mass index was measured using the bioimpedance technique.

Significant increase in muscle mass index (kg/m2). Higher values of muscle mass index mean better body composition and health. The muscle mass index was measured using the bioimpedance technique.

Significant increase in total body water (L and %). Higher values of total body water mean better body composition and health. The total body water was measured using the bioimpedance technique.

Keep the phase angle within normal limits for the age. The phase angle was measured using the bioimpedance technique.

Significant decrease in visceral fat (L). Higher values of visceral fat mean poor body composition and health. The visceral fat was measured using the bioimpedance technique.

Significant decrease in abdominal circumference (cm). Higher values of abdominal circumference mean poor body composition and health. The abdominal circumference was measured using measure tape, according to the STEPS Manual of the World Health Organization.

Significant increase in hand grip strength (kg). Higher hand grip strength is correlated with higher functional status. Maximum handgrip strength was measured with the Lafayette Digital and Dynamometer 5030D1 manual digital dynamometer on the dominant upper limb.

Inclusion Criteria: 50 or more years old; Knee pain; Three of the following criteria: Morning stiffness during less than 30 minutes or knee crackling or touch-hypersensitivity or Bony Prominences without Palpable heat (NICE and ACR criteria); Acute Myocardial Infarction with myocardial lesion detected by abnormal cardiac biomarkers evidencing acute myocardial ischemia; High risk level in SCORE2 or SCORE2 O.P. cardiovascular risk algorithm or prior cardiovascular disease; Independent gait Exclusion Criteria: Occurrence of acute myocardial infarction with less than 12 months; Cognitive impairment- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); Type 1 diabetes or insulin dependence; Pacemaker device; Knee prosthesis; Currently doing formal exercise session for more that 30 minutes per week; Class III or IV angina according to Canadian Cardiovascular Society criteria; Class III or IV symptoms according to New York Heart Association criteria; Type 2 Myocardial Infarction; Uncontrolled and symptomatic cardiac arrythmia with hemodynamic impact; Severe and symptomatic aortic valve stenosis; Uncontrolled and symptomatic heart failure; Active myocarditis, pericarditis or endocarditis; Acute aortic syndrome; Known or suspected desiccant aneurism; Acute systemic infection.