title: Short-term effects of upper extremity circuit resistance training on muscle strength and functional independence in patients with paraplegia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A number of exercises to strengthen the upper extremities are recommended to increase functional independence and quality of life (QoL) in patients with paraplegia. Circuit resistance training (CRT) is a type of progressive resistive exercise performed repeatedly at fixed mechanical exercise stations. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of CRT for upper extremity muscle strength, functional independence, and QoL in patients with paraplegia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-six patients with paraplegia who were participating in a conventional rehabilitation program at a tertiary education and research hospital were enrolled in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups. The exercise group participated in the CRT program, which consisted of repetitive exercises for the upper extremities performed at fixed mechanical stations 5 sessions per week for 6 weeks, in addition to conventional rehabilitation. Participants in the control group received only conventional rehabilitation over the same period. We compared the groups with respect to QoL, as well as isokinetic muscle test outcomes in the upper extremities, using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Borg's scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed significant increases in scores on the physical component of the FIM, Borg's scale, and QoL in both the exercise and control groups. Furthermore, the large majority of isokinetic values were significantly more improved in the exercise group compared to the control group. When post-treatment outcomes were compared between the groups, improvements in scores on the physical component of the FIM and in most isokinetic values were significantly greater in the exercise group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that CRT has positive effects on muscle strength in the upper extremities and the physical disability components of the FIM when added to conventional rehabilitation programs for paraplegic patients. However, we observed no significant improvement in QoL scores after adding CRT to a conventional treatment regime.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized trial (Level II).
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty of Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, Turkey.
authors.forename: Adem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty of Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gülseren Dost
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Sürücü
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Health and Counseling Center of Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayşe
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karamercan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty of Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, Turkey.
authors.forename: Dilay Eken
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Gedik
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Selcuklu Private Hospital, Karaman, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nermin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Atci
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dülgeroǧlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Neşe
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Özgirgin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D055070:Resistance Training; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Circuit resistance training; isokinetic tests; paraplegia; upper extremities