A study of the relationship among body position, bladder function and urine variables in spinal cord injured subjects

Clinical observations of nurses working with spinal cord patients describe positional changes affecting diuresis. Research has not documented this phenomenon in detail. Knowledge of the timing of diuresis may allow more control over bladder management. The purpose of this descriptive pilot study was to determine the relationship among body position, timing of diuresis, urine volume, and fluid intake in spinal cord injured subjects. A convenience sample of six subjects with varying levels of spinal cord injury were studied. For five consecutive days, positional changes were determined during bed, wheelchair, and tilt activities. Fluid intake and urine volume, specific gravity, and colony count were measured. Data analysis using correlation and regression statistics revealed head and foot elevation and fluid intake may account for some variance but do not predict total variance in urine output. Future research to validate findings in a controlled setting may provide a scientific basis for bladder management.