Key result
A Face Scale score of 4 accurately predicted the anaerobic threshold during cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with atrial fibrillation, demonstrating a sensitivity of 96.4% and an AUC of 0.96.
Why the study?
The Borg scale can be difficult for older adults to understand compared with face scales, leading researchers to examine face scale rating of perceived exertion against physiological parameters and anaerobic threshold in older adults and AF patients.
Does a modified face scale for rating perceived exertion accurately correlate with physiological parameters and anaerobic threshold in older adults and patients with atrial fibrillation?
Observational (n=112)
No
Does a modified face scale for rating perceived exertion accurately correlate with physiological parameters and anaerobic threshold in older adults and patients with atrial fibrillation?
Effect estimate: AUC 0.96
p-value: p=<0.01
A modified face scale is a valid and easy-to-understand tool for determining exercise intensity and anaerobic threshold in older adults and patients with atrial fibrillation.
Background: The Borg scale is used to determine exercise intensity in rehabilitation but can be difficult for older adults to understand. By contrast, face scale that are used to evaluate pain are much easier to understand thanks to the inclusion of illustrations. On the other hand, the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases with age. We aimed to investigate the correlation between face scale for rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and various physiological parameters during cardiopulmonary exercise testing in older adults and AF patients. We also investigated the relationship between Face Scale and anaerobic threshold (AT).Methods: Patients were asked to perform a ramp cardiopulmonary exercise test with an incremental increase in work rate (WR) of 10 watts/min, using a stationary bicycle until maximum fatigue. We recorded participant responses using a face scale for RPE compared with WR, heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO₂), and minute ventilation (VE) every minute during the exercise test. We determined the AT by the V-slope method.Results: We enrolled 90 sinus rhythm (SR) patients (74 men 16 women) and 22 AF patients. For SR men, SR women and AF, there were significant positive correlations between the face scale RPE and HR, VO₂, WR, and VE. There was no statistically significant differences difference in correlation coefficient between age and SR or AF. The cutoff value for AT of the Face Scale was “4” and it showed high sensitivity and specificity.Conclusions: These results suggest that the face scale can be used to determine the intensity of physical exercise equivalent to AT unaffected by age, gender, SR or AF.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Nashimoto et al. (2020) conducted an observational in Atrial Fibrillation and Sinus Rhythm (n=112). Face scale for rating of perceived exertion vs. Physiological parameters (HR, VO2, WR, VE) and Anaerobic Threshold was evaluated on Prediction of anaerobic threshold (AT) using the Face Scale in patients with atrial fibrillation (AUC 0.96, p=<0.01). A Face Scale score of 4 accurately predicted the anaerobic threshold during cardiopulmonary exercise testing in patients with atrial fibrillation, demonstrating a sensitivity of 96.4% and an AUC of 0.96.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: