Effects of diaphragm thickness on rehabilitation outcomes in post‑ICU patients with spinal cord and brain injury

This study investigates how the thickness of the diaphragm muscle affects rehabilitation outcomes for patients who have been in the ICU with spinal cord injuries (SCI) or traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The diaphragm is a key muscle for breathing and trunk stability. The researchers used ultrasound to measure diaphragm thickness in SCI and TBI patients before and after a 12-week rehabilitation program. They then looked for correlations between diaphragm thickness and functional improvement. The study found that diaphragm thickness was positively correlated with functional improvement after rehabilitation. This suggests that a healthier diaphragm may lead to better rehabilitation outcomes for these patients.

• 1
  Diaphragm atrophy was found in 64% of TBI patients and 46.2% of SCI patients.
• 2
  Diaphragm thickness negatively correlated with the length of ICU stay.
• 3
  Diaphragm thickness positively correlated with before/after rehabilitation functional scores and the change in FIM scores.