Pediatric cardio-autonomic response to variable effort after severe traumatic brain injury.
To assess heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) at rest, during exercise and during the recovery phase post-exercise in children at the chronic phase post-severe TBI as compared to age-matched typically-developed (TD) controls.



Out-patient clinic.



Ten children (two girls, eight boys), 3-5 years post-severe TBI, aged 7-11 years with residual deficits and 20 TD children matched for age.



HR and HRV were determined at rest, during step test for 3 minutes, during walking on a treadmill for 6 minutes and during the recovery periods post-exercise sessions.



HR and HRV parameters.



Children post-TBI demonstrated higher mean HR values and lower HRV at rest compared to controls (p < 0.05). During exercise a significant increase in HR and significant decrease in HRV was noted in both groups. A significant interaction was noted (p < 0.01); HR and HRV parameters in response to exercise and to exercise cessation were significantly lower among children post-TBI as compared to the controls.



The findings of this study show that, in children, post-severe TBI at the chronic phase, the cardiac autonomic system is less efficient at rest and less adaptive to exercise and activity as compared to TD children.
a Sackler Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Professions, Physical Therapy Department , Tel-Aviv University , Israel.|b Alyn Children & Adolescent Rehabilitation Center , Jerusalem , Israel.
Michal
M
Katz-Leurer
b Alyn Children & Adolescent Rehabilitation Center , Jerusalem , Israel.
Hemda
H
Rotem
b Alyn Children & Adolescent Rehabilitation Center , Jerusalem , Israel.
Maayan
M
Shofer
b Alyn Children & Adolescent Rehabilitation Center , Jerusalem , Israel.
Shirley
S
Meyer
D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000070642:Brain Injuries, Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012146:Rest; D016138:Walking
Heart rate variability; exercise; traumatic brain injury