The Outcomes of Abdominal and Back Muscle Exercise in Spinal Cord Injury Patients at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital

Abstract

          Background: Muscle exercise in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients is necessary in rehabilitation process and help themimprove properly physical capability. Aim: To study the outcome of abdominal and back muscle exercise in SCIpatients at MaharatNakhonRatchasima Hospital. Patients & Methods: SCI patients that were admitted at MaharatNakhonRatchasima Hospital during July 1 - December 31, 2011 were enrolled. All of them consented to this research.Tools for data collection including demographic questionnaire, manual muscle test (abdominal and back muscle) andSNMRC Functional Assessment were used before and after a 4-week rehabilitation program. In the program, thephysical therapist instructed the core stabilization exercise program to the patients at least 40 minutes/day, 5 days/weekfor 4 weeks, follow-up was done after discharge with in-depth interview. Results: Fifteen patients were enrolled andmost of them were male sex (80%). Their mean age was 34.5±12.0 years old and mean hospital stay was 34.7±11.9days. The mean of pre-program strengthening of abdominal and back muscles was 12.9 and after program it wasimproved 2.1 times (p=0.001). The patients age affected the muscle strengthening improvement. The mean ofpreprogram SNMRC functional assessment score was 123.7±7.6 and post program it was 141.5±8.2. There wasstatistically significant difference (p=0.001). Conclusion: The finding of this study indicated that abdominal and backmuscle exercise in SCI patients affected their physical ability.