title: A randomized controlled trial of the effects of intensive sit-to-stand training after recent traumatic brain injury on sit-to-stand performance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effectiveness of intensive practice of sit-to-stand on motor performance, exercise capacity and exercise efficiency in traumatic brain-injured patients during early inpatient rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-blind randomized controlled pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Brain injury rehabilitation unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four subjects who had recently sustained a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) were randomized into an experimental (n = 13) and a control (n = 11) group.
  
  
  METHODS
  In addition to their usual rehabilitation programme, subjects in the experimental group participated in four weeks of intensive training of sit-to-stand and step-up exercises with the aim of improving performance of sit-to-stand. The control group did no additional sit-to-stand or step-up training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total number of sit-to-stands in 3 min as a measure of motor performance; peak oxygen consumption during a maximal 3-min sit-to-stand test (Vo2peak) as a measure of exercise capacity; oxygen consumption during a 3-min equivalent workload sit-to-stand test (Vo2equiv) as a measure of exercise efficiency. Pre- and post-training measurements were made.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The exercise programme resulted in a 62% improvement in motor performance (number of repetitions of sit-to-stand in 3 min) for the experimental group compared with the control group's 18% improvement (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups for changes in exercise capacity or efficiency. In the experimental group, the increase in Vo2peak from pre-test to post-test correlated with the increase in sit-to-stand repetitions (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intensive task-specific training is recommended as an important component of rehabilitation early following severe traumatic brain injury.
authors.affiliation: School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW, 1825, Australia. C.Canning@fhs.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Colleen G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Canning
authors.forename: Roberta B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: Janet H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Alison
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: Alanna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D011187:Posture; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome