A randomized controlled trial of the effects of intensive sit-to-stand training after recent traumatic brain injury on sit-to-stand performance.
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.
Canning
Colleen G
CG
School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe, NSW, 1825, Australia. C.Canning@fhs.usyd.edu.au
Shepherd
Roberta B
RB
Carr
Janet H
JH
Alison
Jennifer A
JA
Wade
Lauren
L
White
Alanna
A
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