Article

A within-participant, double-blind, cross-over, randomised control
trial. OBJECTIVES: To determine the short-term effects of bronchodilator therapy
on respiratory function in people with recently acquired motor complete
tetraplegia.Setting:Hospital, Australia. METHODS:
A total of 12 people with
recently acquired tetraplegia were randomised to receive either a one-off dose of
a bronchodilator followed by an equivalent dose of a placebo propellant between 1
day and 1 week later or visa versa. The three outcomes were forced expiratory
volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) and forced vital capacity
(FVC). These were measured while supine by a blinded assessor 10 and 30 min after
treatment. Data were analysed on 11 participants and reported as percentage of
predicted. RESULTS: The FEV1, FVC and PEF mean between-group differences (95%
confidence interval) at 10 min post treatment were 7.3% (2.7-11.9%; P=0.003),
5.5% (1.6-9.4%; P=0.008) and 20.1% (1.1-40.4%; P=0.039). Similar effects were
observed at 30 min for FVC and FEV1 but not for PEF. CONCLUSION: Bronchodilator
therapy has a beneficial effect on FEV1, FVC and PEF in participants with
recently acquired tetraplegia.

Langue : ANGLAIS