The use of bronchodilators in people with recently acquired tetraplegia: a randomised cross-over trial
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Published on: November 4, 2010
D J Barratt1, L A Harvey, P A Cistulli
1Rehabilitation Studies Unit, Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Study Design:
A within-participant, double-blind, cross-over, randomised control trial.
Objectives:
To determine the short-term effects of bronchodilator therapy on respiratory function in people with recently acquired motor complete tetraplegia.
Setting:
Hospital, Australia.
Methods:
A total of 12 people with recently acquired tetraplegia were randomised to receive either a one-off dose of a bronchodilator followed by an equivalent dose of a placebo propellant between 1 day and 1 week later or visa versa. The three outcomes were forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) and forced vital capacity (FVC). These were measured while supine by a blinded assessor 10 and 30 min after treatment. Data were analysed on 11 participants and reported as percentage of predicted.
Results:
The FEV1, FVC and PEF mean between-group differences (95% confidence interval) at 10 min post treatment were 7.3% (2.7-11.9%; P=0.003), 5.5% (1.6-9.4%; P=0.008) and 20.1% (1.1-40.4%; P=0.039). Similar effects were observed at 30 min for FVC and FEV1 but not for PEF.
Conclusion:
Bronchodilator therapy has a beneficial effect on FEV1, FVC and PEF in participants with recently acquired tetraplegia.
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