Ambulatory efficiency in persons with acquired brain injury after a rehabilitation intervention.
OBJECTIVE
the purpose was to assess changes in cardiorespiratory responses to treadmill ambulation in a sample of patients with acquired brain injury.


METHODS
a repeated measures, pre-test post-test design examined differences between submaximal and peak responses at admission and discharge.


METHODS
forty individuals (29 male, 11 female) were studied. Subjects performed an ambulatory treadmill test during which heart rate (EKG) and oxygen consumption (VO(2)) were monitored continuously. Total ambulation time (TAT) was also recorded.


RESULTS
TAT increased from 10.3 (SD 3.1) minutes to 13.6 (SD 3.5) minutes (p < 0.01). Peak HR did not change (168 (SD 20) bpm vs. 167 (SD 21 bpm)) nor did peak VO(2) (23.5 (SD 6.6)ml/min/kg vs. 24.3 (SD 6.4)ml/min/kg; p = 0.09). However, both sub-maximal HR and VO(2) decreased (p < 0.05) between 2-12 minutes when most subjects were still capable of ambulating.


CONCLUSIONS
the results suggest an improvement in both aerobic capacity and movement efficiency. Further controlled studies will be necessary to distinguish between cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular adaptations. The changes observed should allow for greater community participation and functional independence after discharge.
Mossberg
K A
KA
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Transitional Learning Center, Galveston, Texas 77555-1144, USA. kmossber@utmb.edu
Kuna
S
S
Masel
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*