Impact of Rehabilitation Nutrition and Healthy Weight Maintenance in Motor-Complete Tetraplegia Patients

J. Clin. Med., 2022 · DOI: 10.3390/jcm11174970 · Published: August 24, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Physiology Nutrition & Dietetics

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the impact of a rehabilitation nutrition program on patients with motor-complete tetraplegia, focusing on cachexia and low muscle mass, which are associated with poor outcomes. The program included personalized nutrition interventions to improve nutritional status, body composition, and functional outcomes. The study found that personalized rehabilitation nutrition intervention improved the nutritional status, body composition, and functional outcomes in motor-complete tetraplegia.

Study Duration

8 to 9 weeks

Participants

34 motor-complete tetraplegia patients

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
73.5% of patients were classified as obese upon admission, half were at risk of malnutrition, and 29.4% were compatible with cachexia.
2
Malnutrition risk, protein levels, and hemodynamic results improved in both groups after rehabilitation.
3
Functional improvement was negatively correlated with an increase in fat components.

Research Summary

The study aimed to assess the effect of a comprehensive rehabilitation nutrition program in cachexia and low muscle mass in motor-complete tetraplegia patients. A personalized rehabilitation nutrition intervention improved the nutritional status, body composition, and functional outcomes in motor-complete tetraplegia. The increase in muscle mass was associated with functional gain; healthy weight gain or maintenance may improve the level of independence.

Practical Implications

Improved Nutritional Status

Personalized nutrition interventions can significantly improve the nutritional status of motor-complete tetraplegia patients.

Enhanced Functional Outcomes

Healthy weight gain or maintenance, associated with increased muscle mass, may lead to better functional outcomes and increased independence.

Targeted Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation programs should incorporate nutritional interventions tailored to the specific needs of obese and non-obese patients with motor-complete tetraplegia.

Study Limitations

1
Total amount of food intake and/or extra calorie intake could not be assessed due to the retrospective nature of the study.
2
The cause-and-effect relationships between the parameters associated with disease prognosis or mortality were not investigated.
3
The patients’ selection may be biased due to a single-center study with most of the patients being male.

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