Community exercise for individuals with spinal cord injury with inspiratory muscle training: A pilot study

Abstract

Context/Objective: Respiratory disorders are a common cause of rehospitalization, and premature death in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Respiratory training combined with community exercise programs may be a method to reduce secondary complications in this population.

Objective: The present study explores the inclusion of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in an existing community exercise program.

Design: Case series.

Setting: Community.

Participants: Participants (N = 6) completed the exercise program. Five were male and one was female; four reported incomplete injuries, and two reported complete injuries; four had cervical injuries, and two had thoracic injuries. The average age was 33 years (SD = 18.6) and time since injury was 7 years (SD = 4.0).

Interventions: Participants completed an 8-week program, once-per-week for 4 h that included a circuit of resistance training, aerobic exercise, trunk stability, and education. IMT was completed as a home exercise program.

Outcome Measures: Transfer test, T-shirt test, four-directional reach, four-directional trunk strength, weekly training diaries, and a subjective interview.

Results: Twenty-eight training logs were collected. All measures improved: transfer test (mean = −14.62, SD = 7.00 s), T-shirt test (mean = −7.83, SD = 13.88 s), four-directional reach (mean = 3.75, SD = 8.06 in) and hand-held dynamometer (mean = 6.73, SD = 8.02 kg). Individuals reported a positive impact of the program.

Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated community exercise with IMT use may have positive impact on functional measures for people with SCI who are vulnerable to respiratory compromise. Continued education may increase successful health outcomes.

Trial Registration: NCT03743077.

Keywords:

• Spinal cord injury
• Community program
• Exercise
• Respiratory training
• Daily function

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the clinicians and volunteers at The Axis Project, where the SMX class took place, for their collaboration with the investigative team. The authors would also like to thank the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Columbia University for providing in part equipment needed to complete this study.

Additional information

Funding

The inspiratory muscle trainers were purchased by the Doctor of Physical Therapy program, and accounted for as a part of the regular program spending budget. The Axis Project funded the exercise class space and equipment as part of an existing program.