Browsing by Person "Crawford, C."

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Development of a walking test for the assessment of functional capacity in non-anaemic maintenance dialysis patients
(Oxford University Press, 1998-08) Mercer, Tom; Naish, P. F.; Gleeson, Nigel; Wilcock, J. E.; Crawford, C.
Background. Walk tests may be useful adjuncts or even alternatives to the assessment of peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) in patients with low functional capacity. Walk tests are easy to administer, appear to be well tolerated by patients and may represent a more meaningful measure for a patient group as they assess capability as well as fitness. However, the use of walk tests for the assessment of functional capacity in maintenance dialysis patients has received scant attention. The aim of this study was to assess the validity of a walking-stair-climbing test to predict VO2 peak in non-anaemic maintenance dialysis patients. Methods. In the validation phase of the study, 14 subjects completed a cycle ergometer-graded exercise test (GXT) for the determination of VO2 peak and a walking-stair-climbing task (WALK), each separated by a period of 7 days. Three weeks later, 18 subjects completed two WALK tests, each separated by a period of at least 48 h, to facilitate reliability estimation. Estimates of differentiated and undifferentiated ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were obtained during and immediately consequent to all exercise tests. Results. VO 2 peak (ml kg min) was significantly correlated with total WALK time (s) (r = -0.83; P <0.001). VO2 peak (ml kg min) could be predicted from total WALK time with a standard error of prediction of 11%. Reliability assessment revealed no significant differences for any aspect of the WALK test performance, with test-retest correlation coefficients ranging from r = 0.71 (RPElegs) to 0.96 (total WALK time). Conclusion. These results indicate that the WALK test is a valid, reliable and potentially useful method by which to assess the functional capacity of non-anaemic
Low-Volume Exercise Rehabilitation Improves Functional Capacity and Self-Reported Functional Status of Dialysis Patients
(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2002-05) Mercer, Tom; Crawford, C.; Gleeson, Nigel; Naish, P. F.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a program of low-volume exercise rehabilitation on the functional capacity and self-reported functional status of nonanemic dialysis patients. Design: This was a controlled study in a clinical setting with a repeated measures design. Functional capacity and functional status were assessed before and after 12 wk of exercise rehabilitation or 12 wk of normal activity for two groups of dialysis patients. Results: Mixed-model repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant group by time interactions characterized by improvements for the exercise rehabilitation group alone in total walk, stair-climb, and stair-descent times of 15 5.8%, 22 11%, and 18 12% respectively. Self-reported walking speed, walking impairment-leg weakness, and walking impairment-shortness of breath were also observed to improve significantly for the exercise rehabilitation group alone by 15 13%, 25 11%, and 28 16%, respectively. Conclusion: Low-volume exercise rehabilitation can improve activity of daily living-related functional capacity and self-reported functional status of nonanemic dialysis pa