Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  2007 Dec;10(2):108-115.

The Effects of Respiratory Rehabilitation Training on Respiratory Functions of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Nursing, Korea National Open University. okcho@knou.ac.kr
  • 2Division of Nursing, National Rehabilitation Center.
  • 3College of nursing, Seoul National University
  • 4Department of Nursing, Daejeon University.
  • 5College of nursing, Eulji University.
  • 6College of Nursing, Ajou University.
  • 7Department of Nursing, Soonchunhyang University.

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the effects of respiratory rehabilitation training on the respiratory functions of hospitalized cervical spinal cord injury patients.
METHODS
One group pre and post test design was used. Subjects were 20 cervical spinal cord injury inpatients of the national rehabilitation center. Training program consisted of air cumulation training, manual assisted coughing training, and abdominal breathing. Trained rehabilitation nurse implemented 20 minutes program twice a day for 4 weeks. Respiratory function was measured as peak coughing flow rate, and perceived respiratory difficulty after activity on wheel chair for 30 minutes and during speaking and singing. Perceived respiratory difficulty was measured with modified Borg scale. Also content analysis was done with the result of open ended question about subjective feeling about training. All variables were measured 3 times before, 2weeks and 4 weeks after the program.
RESULTS
Peak coughing flow rate significantly improved after compared to before training. Also all three perceived respiratory difficulty variables decreased significantly after training. In the content analysis, 'it's easier to cough up phlegm' was the most frequent answered subjective feeling. 'Sound at speaking and coughing became louder', 'respiratory volume increased', and 'comfortable chest feeling' were frequent answered subjective feeling, in order.
CONCLUSION
Although it is preliminary since no control group, respiratory rehabilitation training was found to be effective to improve respiratory function in terms of peak coughing flow rate, perceived respiratory difficulty, and subjective feeling. It is necessary further systemic research to investigate the effects of respiratory rehabilitation training.

Keyword

Cervical spinal cord injury; Respiratory rehabilitation; Respiratory function

MeSH Terms

Cough
Education
Humans
Inpatients
Rehabilitation Centers
Rehabilitation*
Respiration
Singing
Spinal Cord Injuries*
Spinal Cord*
Thorax
Wheelchairs
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