The use of bronchodilators in people with recently acquired tetraplegia: a randomised cross-over trial.
METHODS
A within-participant, double-blind, cross-over, randomised control trial.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the short-term effects of bronchodilator therapy on respiratory function in people with recently acquired motor complete tetraplegia.


METHODS
Hospital, Australia.


METHODS
A total of 12 people with recently acquired tetraplegia were randomised to receive either a one-off dose of a bronchodilator followed by an equivalent dose of a placebo propellant between 1 day and 1 week later or visa versa. The three outcomes were forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) and forced vital capacity (FVC). These were measured while supine by a blinded assessor 10 and 30 min after treatment. Data were analysed on 11 participants and reported as percentage of predicted.


RESULTS
The FEV1, FVC and PEF mean between-group differences (95% confidence interval) at 10 min post treatment were 7.3% (2.7-11.9%; P=0.003), 5.5% (1.6-9.4%; P=0.008) and 20.1% (1.1-40.4%; P=0.039). Similar effects were observed at 30 min for FVC and FEV1 but not for PEF.


CONCLUSIONS
Bronchodilator therapy has a beneficial effect on FEV1, FVC and PEF in participants with recently acquired tetraplegia.
Rehabilitation Studies Unit, Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
D J
DJ
Barratt
L A
LA
Harvey
P A
PA
Cistulli
L
L
Nier
S
S
Denis
D000328:Adult; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents