RESUMO
Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to respiratory complications due to impaired neuromuscular control. Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) techniques have shown promise in improving respiratory function in various populations, but their effectiveness in SCI patients remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of respiratory PNF techniques on pulmonary function in individuals with SCI. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving SCI patients with respiratory impairment. A total of 43 participants were included in this study. The study duration was 4 years with an intervention period of 4 weeks and the outcome measures were pulmonary functions and chest expansion using inch tape. Results: There was a significant improvement in pulmonary functions in the control group and a highly significant improvement in pulmonary functions in the experimental group after 4 weeks of interventions and chest expansion was significantly improved in the experimental group. Conclusions: The respiratory PNF techniques demonstrated a clinically meaningful enhancement in pulmonary function and chest mobility among SCI patients. Respiratory PNF techniques represent a valuable adjunct therapy for improving pulmonary function and chest mobility in individuals with SCI.
RESUMO
After traumatic brain injury (TBI), brain starts swelling due to the formation of hematomas in the intracranial cavity and owing to forming rigid nature of the skull. Decompression craniotomy is a surgical procedure in which skull is removed and underlying dura is opened-for escalating the brain edema. Patients with TBI will be on prolonging bed rest depending on severity of injury and level of consciousness i.e., low GCS score and neuromuscular weakness. Prolong bed rest can contribute to cardio-pulmonary dysfunction and there by receiving ventilatory support via endotracheal tube or tracheostomy. Experience of ineffective cough reduced airway in the lung field due to impaired respiratory muscle weakness or paralysis which contributes various pathophysiological effects in TBI. A case report study of 51 years old patient diagnosed with TBI with left sided subdural haemorrhage with right extradural haemorrhage who operated for decompression craniotomy and with ventilatory support. Outcomes were taken on day one and fourteenth day i.e., vitals, GCS score, RLA stage, chest expansion, lung compliance and ICP, there is significant improvements in outcomes is seen after intervention. In the present case study, combination of manual assisted cough techniques (MACT) and respiratory PNF have shown improvement in efficacy of cough, thoracic cage mobility and weaning off from ventilator, hence by implementing these combination techniques, will reduce ICU stay and improve quality of life.