Učinek respiratorne fizioterapije na pljučno funkcijo pri osebah z okvaro vratne hrbtenjače po zaključeni primarni rehabilitaciji
Effect of respiratory physiotherapy on lung function in patients with cervical spinal cord lesion after completed primary rehabilitation

slovenian

2016

volume 15, issue 1

Quadriplegia   Respiratory muscles   respiratory physiotherapy   vocational rehabilitation

Univerzitetni rehabilitacijski inštitut RS – Soča
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

Background: Patients with cervical spinal cord lesions are at high risk for respiratory dysfunction and development of respiratory complications because of respiratory muscle dysfunction. Respiratory complications in these patients can be fatal. The purpose of this paper is to present the effect of respiratory physiotherapy (RPT) on lung function and respiratory complications in a group of quadriplegic patients. Methods: The study included 12 patients with cervical spinal cord lesion (6 men and 6 women) who were enrolled in the programme of RPT during primary rehabilitation and could perform pulmonary function tests. We analysed the data from tests performed before enrolment in RPT and at the conclusion of the rehabilitation. Spirometry (VC, FVC, FEV1, PEF and TI), maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory pressure (MEP) measurement, peak cough flow (PCF) test and Ventilatory Response Index (VRI) for assessment of dyspnea were performed. The duration of rehabilitation was 5.5 months on average; RPT was performed five times per week. Results: We observed statistically significant improvement of VC, FVC, FEV1, PEF, MIP, MEP, PCF and VRI. There were no statistically significant changes in TI. Conclusions: The chosen programme of RPT was effective in the tested group of patients. We observed improvement in pulmonary function tests and minimal respiratory complications. To determine the effect of RPT on lung function in quadriplegics, further investigations are required on a larger sample and with a control group. We noted only one respiratory complication in the studied group of patients.

13.11.2017