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A. Bhise1, Y. Shukla1, M.M. Prabhakar2
1Government Physiotherapy College and Government Spine Institute, Civil Hospital, Physiotherapy, Ahmedabad, India, 2B.J. Medical College, Civil Hospital, Orthopedic, Ahmedabad, India
Background: Cardiovascular disease has emerged as the leading cause of mortality in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Physical fitness needs to be better monitored in individuals with SCI, in part because of its ability to predict cardiovascular disease risk. Resting heart rate (HRRest) monitoring is a simple and noninvasive clinical method related to physical health prognosis and is positively associated with arterial stiffness. When SCI alters the control of trunk muscles, respiratory function is compromised leading to secondary debilitating effects that impact recovery and quality of life. Quality of life (QOL) has increasingly become a key outcome in determining the success of rehabilitation programs for person with SCI.
Purpose: To assess the role of arm ergometry training on resting heart rate, pulmonary function and quality of life in the rehabilitation of persons with spinal cord injury.
Methods: Participants diagnosed with Traumatic spinal cord injury below T6 level and ASIA Grade A and B were selected for the study. The outcome measurements were resting heart rate (HRRest), pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, MVV) and quality of life (SF-12). Patients in group A (N=50) were given upper extremity training with arm ergometer and conventional therapy. Patients in group B (N=50) were given conventional therapy alone for 8 weeks.
Results: Total 100 participants were analyzed using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test for within group analysis and Mann-Whitney U test for between group analysis. For group A, P value <0.0001 for HRRest, pulmonary function and SF-12 was significant and for group B, P value < 0.0001 for HRRest, pulmonary function and SF-12 was significant except FEV1/FVC. As well as, mean difference in baseline and post treatment value of between group A and B was found to be significant for all the outcome measures (P <0.0001).
Conclusion(s): Arm Ergometry training is more effective in improving resting heart rate, pulmonary function and quality of life in persons with spinal cord injury.
Implications: Arm ergometry should be added as effective aerobic training method in the routine rehabilitation of individuals with spinal cord injury for the improvement in resting heart rate, pulmonary function and quality of life. It will be helpful in reducing mortality by improving cardiopulmonary fitness.
Funding, acknowledgements: No Funding. Sincerely would like to thank patients of Government Spine Institute, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, India.
Keywords: Arm ergometry, Spinal cord injury, Resting heart rate
Topic: Neurology: spinal cord injury
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Government Physiotherapy College and Spine Institute, Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Committee: The Institutional Ethics Committee, B.J. Medical College & Civil Hospital
Ethics number: GSIIESC/08/15
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
