Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty of Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, Turkey | [b] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Health and Counseling Center of Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey | [c] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Selcuklu Private Hospital, Karaman, Turkey | [d] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey | [e] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Adem Yildirim, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty of Adiyaman University, Turkey. Tel.: +90 505 521 04 25; Fax: +90 416 227 08 63; E-mail:ademyildirim@yahoo.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A number of exercises to
strengthen the upper extremities are recommended to increase functional
independence and quality of life (QoL) in patients with paraplegia. Circuit
resistance training (CRT) is a type of progressive resistive exercise
performed repeatedly at fixed mechanical exercise stations. The aim of this
study was to investigate the potential benefits of CRT for upper extremity
muscle strength, functional independence, and QoL in patients with
paraplegia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients with paraplegia who were
participating in a conventional rehabilitation program at a tertiary
education and research hospital were enrolled in this study. The
participants were randomly assigned to two groups. The exercise group
participated in the CRT program, which consisted of repetitive exercises for
the upper extremities performed at fixed mechanical stations 5 sessions per
week for 6 weeks, in addition to conventional rehabilitation. Participants
in the control group received only conventional rehabilitation over the same
period. We compared the groups with respect to QoL, as well as
isokinetic muscle test outcomes in the upper extremities, using the
Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Borg's scale. RESULTS: We observed significant increases in scores on the
physical component of the FIM, Borg's scale, and QoL in both the exercise
and control groups. Furthermore, the large majority of isokinetic values
were significantly more improved in the exercise group compared to the
control group. When post-treatment outcomes were compared between the
groups, improvements in scores on the physical component of the FIM and in
most isokinetic values were significantly greater in the exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that CRT has positive effects on
muscle strength in the upper extremities and the physical disability
components of the FIM when added to conventional rehabilitation programs for
paraplegic patients. However, we observed no significant improvement in QoL
scores after adding CRT to a conventional treatment regime. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Randomized trial (Level II)
