Cardiorespiratory capacity after weight-supported treadmill training in patients with traumatic brain injury.
OBJECTIVE
The primary goal of body-weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) has been to improve the temporal and spatial characteristics of unsupported overground walking; however, little attention has been given to cardiorespiratory adaptations. The purpose of this case report is to describe the effects of BWSTT on cardiorespiratory fitness in 2 patients recovering from severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).


METHODS
Both patients were involved in motor vehicle accidents and were studied after admission to a postacute residential treatment program. Patient 1 was a 25-year-old man (initial Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score=3) who began observation and treatment 3 months after the injury. Patient 2 was an 18-year-old woman (initial GCS=6) who began observation and treatment 1 year after the injury.


RESULTS
Each patient received 2 to 3 sessions of BWSTT per week. Aerobic capacity was measured while they ambulated on a treadmill without body-weight support before and after BWSTT. Both patients' submaximal and peak responses improved. For patient 1 and patient 2, total treadmill work performed increased 134% and 53%, respectively. Peak oxygen uptake increased 24% for patient 1 and 16% for patient 2. Estimated cardiac stroke volume (oxygen pulse) increased 32% and 26% for patient 1 and patient 2, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The observations made on these 2 patients suggest that BWSTT has the potential to favorably change cardiorespiratory capacity after TBI.
Mossberg
Kurt A
KA
Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555-1144, USA. kmossber@utmb.edu
Orlander
Evelyne E
EE
Norcross
Julie L
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology