Does exercise influence burn-induced inflammation: A cross-over randomised controlled feasibility trial.

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Exercise Physiology
• Trauma Recovery

Background:

• Burn injuries induce a more severe and prolonged inflammatory response compared to other traumas.
• While exercise benefits inflammation in general populations, its effect on chronic inflammation post-burn is understudied.
• This pilot study addresses the feasibility of a long-duration exercise program for burn survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of implementing a long-duration exercise training program for individuals with burn injuries.
• To gather insights into conducting clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To evaluate the potential impact of exercise on chronic inflammation in burn survivors.

Main Methods:

• Fifteen participants with burn injuries (5-20% total body surface area, >1 year post-injury) were enrolled.
• A within-subject design involved two conditions: exercise-control and control-exercise, each lasting six weeks.
• Exercise included resistance and cardiovascular training, delivered remotely or supervised, with comprehensive outcome measures at baseline, midpoint, and endpoint.

Main Results:

• Recruitment reached 49% of eligible participants; 15 completed the study despite six withdrawals.
• Outcome measures achieved 97% data completeness, and 100% of participants finished the exercise training.
• Training was conducted remotely, supervised, or a hybrid, adapting to COVID-19 restrictions.

Conclusions:

• Long-duration exercise training is feasible for burn-injured individuals using the methods described.
• The study provides valuable methodological insights for future large-scale projects.
• Learnings regarding COVID-19's impact and successful adaptations for research practice and participants are highlighted.