Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology

The Korean Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (대한임상신경생리학회)
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The amount of lower leg muscle and physical activity in patients with postural tachycardia syndrome

  • Hyung Lee (Department of Neurology, Brain Research Institute) ;
  • Hyun Ah Kim (Department of Neurology, Brain Research Institute)
  • Received : 2023.07.11
  • Accepted : 2023.11.23
  • Published : 2024.04.30
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Abstract

Background: Resistance training for leg muscles is recommended for patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). However, no study has characterized the relationships between orthostatic symptoms, heart rate (HR) increase, and the mass of the lower leg muscle in patients with POTS. We sought to determine the relationships between the mass of the lower leg muscle, HR increase during the head-up tilt (HUT) test, and orthostatic symptoms in patients with POTS. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 42 patients with POTS who were older than 16 years. The muscle mass was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. We used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form to measure self-reported physical activity. All patients were asked to complete the Korean version of the Orthostatic Grading Scale (KOGS). Results: The HR increased during the HUT test by 38.7±7.88 beats/minutes. Both the HR increase during the HUT test and the total KOGS score were negatively correlated with the total metabolic equivalent of the task. The leg circumference and muscle mass were not correlated with the HR increase during the HUT test or the KOGS score. Conclusions: The leg circumference and muscle mass were not related to orthostatic symptoms in patients with POTS. Cardiac remodeling or blood volume increase may be responsible for improvement in POTS after physical activity.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the Keimyung University Research Grant of 2018.

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