Effect of Body Weight–Supported Treadmill Training on Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Function in People With Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2019 · DOI: 10.1310/sci2504-355 · Published: December 1, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Cardiovascular Science Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injury can lead to reduced sensorimotor function, negatively impacting life quality and increasing susceptibility to cardiovascular and respiratory health issues. Physical inactivity post-SCI elevates heart rate and hypertension risk, while respiratory muscle paralysis alters lung function, leading to complications and increased mortality. Body weight-supported treadmill training is explored as an alternative to improve cardiovascular and pulmonary health in SCI patients, focusing on heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory parameters.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

121 adults with SCI

Evidence Level

Level 2 to Level 4

Key Findings

1
Level 4 evidence suggests BWSTT decreases resting and exercise heart rate and enhances heart rate variability in individuals with SCI.
2
Level 2 evidence supports BWSTT for improving respiratory parameters after SCI.
3
Evidence supporting the use of BWSTT to improve resting blood pressure is inconclusive.

Research Summary

This review assesses the impact of BWSTT on cardiovascular and pulmonary function in SCI patients, finding weak to moderate support for improving heart rate and respiratory parameters. BWSTT may lead to decreased resting and exercise heart rate and improved cardiac autonomic function, but its effects on blood pressure are inconclusive due to study heterogeneity. BWSTT is found to improve certain respiratory parameters and potentially induce neuroplasticity in spinal neural circuitry responsible for respiratory muscle activation.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategy

BWSTT can be considered as a rehabilitation strategy to improve cardiovascular and pulmonary health in individuals with SCI.

Further Research

Future RCTs are needed to compare BWSTT with other rehabilitation methods and to investigate the impact of training intensity on cardiovascular and pulmonary outcomes.

Personalized approach

Individualized BWSTT programs could be tailored to address specific cardiovascular and pulmonary deficits observed in SCI patients.

Effect of Body Weight–Supported Treadmill Training on Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Function in People With Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategy

Further Research

Personalized approach

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Effect of Body Weight–Supported Treadmill Training on Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Function in People With Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Strategy

Further Research

Personalized approach

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?