Effect of an Abdominal Binder on the Efficacy of Respiratory Muscles in Seated and Supine Tetraplegic Patients

Abstract

Summary Upper spinal cord injury provokes a decrease in respiratory function of the denervated respiratory muscles. Abdominal binders have been reported as beneficial when used with tetraplegic patients with paralysis of the abdominal muscles. Ten patients with cervical cord injury (C4 to C7) were evaluated by measuring maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and forced vital capacity with and without an abdominal binder in the supine and seated positions in random sequence with a ‘blind’ examiner. Values of maximal inspiratory pressure (−57.25 ± 17.68 cm H2O), maximal expiratory pressure (24.35 ± 7.28 cm H2O) and forced vital capacity (2.35 ± 0.62 litres) were lower than expected. Values of forced vital capacity were higher in the supine than in the seated position. Maximal expiratory pressure and forced vital capacity showed higher values in the seated position when the binder was used. We therefore conclude that an abdominal binder improves the efficacy of respiratory muscles in increasing maximal expiratory pressure and forced vital capacity when used by tetraplegic patients in the seated position. Upper spinal cord injury provokes a decrease in respiratory function of the denervated respiratory muscles. Abdominal binders have been reported as beneficial when used with tetraplegic patients with paralysis of the abdominal muscles. Ten patients with cervical cord injury (C4 to C7) were evaluated by measuring maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and forced vital capacity with and without an abdominal binder in the supine and seated positions in random sequence with a ‘blind’ examiner. Values of maximal inspiratory pressure (−57.25 ± 17.68 cm H2O), maximal expiratory pressure (24.35 ± 7.28 cm H2O) and forced vital capacity (2.35 ± 0.62 litres) were lower than expected. Values of forced vital capacity were higher in the supine than in the seated position. Maximal expiratory pressure and forced vital capacity showed higher values in the seated position when the binder was used. We therefore conclude that an abdominal binder improves the efficacy of respiratory muscles in increasing maximal expiratory pressure and forced vital capacity when used by tetraplegic patients in the seated position.