RESUMO
Background: Middle-aged and older individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) often require long-term care even after receiving rehabilitation treatment, making it difficult for them to return home. We retrospectively investigated our active rehabilitation treatment for patients with SCI. Case: Included in this case series were ten patients with SCI who were admitted to our general hospital (located in the southern part of Wakayama Prefecture) and who underwent active rehabilitation treatment. The participants were investigated retrospectively by access to electronic medical records. The Barthel index scores for discharged patients were determined at an outpatient clinic, and the community phase of rehabilitation management was recorded. The average age of the 10 patients was 67.4 ± 13.4 years, and the average period from onset to transfer to our hospital was 102.6 ± 69.9 days. The Barthel index scores significantly improved from 39.0 ± 30.9 at admission to 65.0 ± 28.2 at discharge (P<0.05). Among the seven patients who were discharged to their homes, six had cervical SCI. Some patients with American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale grades A and B at admission could be discharged home, and their Barthel index scores were maintained after discharge. Discussion: : Even in a remote rural hospital, the activities of daily living of patients with SCI improved, and seven of the ten patients were discharged home. The activities of daily living of the discharged patients were maintained. To achieve these results, active rehabilitation treatment conducted by rehabilitation specialists is important.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Blood volume (BV) is a critical factor for physical endurance in chronic stroke patients, while hypervolemia can worsen hypertension in these patients. This prospective study assessed whether rehabilitation combined with protein supplementation immediately after each exercise for 3 weeks would improve plasma volume (PV) and BV as well as physical endurance without worsening hypertension. METHODS: Ambulatory patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease who received a 3-week rehabilitation program with high protein jelly (intervention group [PG]; n = 8; 10-g protein) or protein-free jelly (control group [CG]; n = 8) consumed within 30 min after each exercise. PV and BV were assessed while measuring the 6-min walking distance (6MWD), peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), strength of knee extension, and resting blood pressure before and after the intervention. Two-way ANOVA was used to determine whether there was an interaction of time × group. The difference between before and after intervention or between the groups by post-hoc test (Tukey's test) at the level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: The 6MWD increased only in the PG (P = 0.001; an interaction of Group and Time, P = 0.037). PV and BV increased only in the PG (P < 0.05). VO2peak and strength of knee extension in the paralysed limb increased in both groups (P < 0.05). The resting blood pressure did not worsen after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: In chronic post-stroke patients, 3-week rehabilitation combined with protein intake immediately after exercise increased 6MWD simultaneously with increased PV and BV, but it did not increase resting blood pressure. The present regimen is acceptable and effective for ambulatory patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease. Name of the registry Examining effects of protein supplementation on functional improvement during rehabilitation intervention in chronic stroke patients Trial registration number UMIN000028009; date of registration: 30/06/2017. This study was registered prospectively.
