Effects of propranolol and exercise training in children with severe burns.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether propranolol administration blocks the benefits induced by exercise training in severely burned children.


METHODS
Children aged 7-18 years (n = 58) with burns covering ≥30% of the total body surface area were enrolled in this randomized trial during their acute hospital admission. Twenty-seven patients were randomized to receive propranolol, whereas 31 served as untreated controls. Both groups participated in 12 weeks of in-hospital resistance and aerobic exercise training. Muscle strength, lean body mass, and peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) were measured before and after exercise training. Paired and unpaired Student t tests were used for within and between group comparisons, and χ(2) tests for nominal data.


RESULTS
Age, length of hospitalization, and total body surface area burned were similar between groups. In both groups, muscle strength, lean body mass, and VO2 peak were significantly greater after exercise training than at baseline. The percent change in VO2 peak was significantly greater in the propranolol group than in the control group (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Exercise-induced enhancements in muscle mass, strength, and VO2 peak are not impaired by propranolol. Moreover, propranolol improves the aerobic response to exercise in massively burned children.
Department of Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA.
Laura J
LJ
Porro
Ahmed M
AM
Al-Mousawi
Felicia
F
Williams
David N
DN
Herndon
Ronald P
RP
Mlcak
Oscar E
OE
Suman
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002056:Burns / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015444:Exercise; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012107:Research Design
D011433:Propranolol