Motor and Sensory Function as a Predictor of Respiratory Function Associated With Ventilator Weaning After High Cervical Cord Injury

Ann Rehabil Med, 2018 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2018.42.3.457 · Published: July 1, 2018

Spinal Cord Injury Pulmonology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study examines the respiratory function of patients with high cervical spinal cord injuries (SCI) who are dependent on ventilators. The study aims to find correlations between diaphragm movement, measured using fluoroscopy, and the sensory and motor functions of these patients. The goal is to determine if simple bedside physical exams can help rehabilitation physicians predict diaphragm movement and respiratory function recovery, which are important for ventilator weaning.

Study Duration

March 2013 to January 2017

Participants

67 patients with high cervical spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Forced vital capacity and maximal inspiratory pressure were significantly higher in the ventilator weaned group.
2
Natural breathing during the fluoroscopic diaphragm examinations and ventilator weaning showed a statistical significance with movement on the right, while deep breathing showed statistical significance with movement on both sides.
3
Deep breathing movement has correlation with the C5 key muscle. Diaphragm movement has correlation with right C3 and bilateral C4 sensory functions.

Research Summary

The study investigated the relationship between respiratory function, diaphragm movement, and motor/sensory function in patients with high cervical spinal cord injury. The results indicated that forced vital capacity and maximal inspiratory pressure were significantly higher in patients who were successfully weaned from ventilators. The study concluded that bedside physical examinations, focusing on C5 motor function and C4 sensory function, can help predict diaphragm movement and respiratory function recovery, aiding in ventilator weaning decisions.

Practical Implications

Predicting Weaning Potential

Bedside physical exams can help identify patients likely to be successfully weaned from ventilators.

Guiding Respiratory Rehabilitation

Assessment of C5 motor and C4 sensory function can inform targeted respiratory rehabilitation strategies.

Informing Clinical Decisions

The findings can help medical staff plan ventilator weaning and T-cannula removal based on pulmonary function recovery.

Study Limitations

1
The number of the patients is somewhat insufficient to generalize our result.
2
The study design was cross-sectional and the times of examination of the patients were not unified.
3
The possibility of ventilator weaning was evaluated at the time the patient was discharged, which was not identical for each patient.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury