Inspiratory Muscle Training in persons with Spinal Cord Injury.

Rationale:

Patients with high-level Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) suffer
from disturbed function of respiratory muscles, resulting in decreased
vital capacity (VC) and decreased ability to cough. Because of this,
respiratory complications may occur, resulting in physical inactivity,
decreased fitness, morbidity, disability, a delay in the process of
recovery, and even mortality. An adequate and effective treatment of
respiratory function in SCI may help prevent this cascade of
deteriorating health consequences. Literature supports the potential of
inspiratory muscle training, but more evidence about the effectiveness
of this training, and about relevant relationships, determinants and
consequences related to pulmonary function, inactivity and respiratory
complications, is needed.


Objectives:
Evaluate the effectiveness of Inspiratory Muscle Training
(IMT) during primary rehabilitation on pulmonary function and
respiratory muscle strength in persons with SCI. Also, we will explore
the long-term effectiveness on respiratory complications and patient
functioning.

Study design:
Multi-centre single blind randomised control study.


Study population:
Persons with SCI (n=40) and decreased pulmonary
function, in an early stage of inpatient rehabilitation.


Intervention:
All subjects, in the intervention and control group,
will receive the regular rehabilitation program and an added
standardized educational module concerning general aspects of the
respiratory function and risk of respiratory complications. The subjects
in the intervention group will receive an 8-week training program
focusing on inspiratory muscle strength. The training program exist of
threshold IMT exercises, 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week, once a week
supervised by a physical therapist (PT).


Main study parameters:
Pulmonary function, cough capacity and
respiratory muscle force and endurance.

Inspiratory Muscle Training during primary rehabilitation will improve respiratory function in Spinal Cord Injury.
Respiratory Muscle Training will decrease the risk for long-term respiratory symptoms and complications in persons with spinal cord injury.

Measurements will be performed before training, directly after, 8 weeks after and one year after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.

Inspiratory Muscle Training.