Effects of Incentive Spirometry Breathing Exercise on Lung Function, C-Reactive Protein Level and Lipid Ratio in Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an inflammatory process caused by axon and cell membrane damages, cell death, leukocyte migration and degradation of the myelin layer. Inflammatory diseases are particularly associated with cardiovascular disease. The SCI patients can experience decreased sympathetic activity which influences carbohydrate and fat metabolisms. Decreased catecholamine release which plays a role in the process of lipolysis and glycogenolysis can increase levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Since the SCI often causes respiratory problems due to reduced respiratory muscle conservation, the study was conducted to find out the impact of sustained maximum inspiration with Incentive Spirometer (IS) to CRP level and lipid ratio in chronic SCI patient. Methods: A quasi interventional design with a preand post-test approach was done to eleven patients with chronic phase of SCI. Conclusion: These findings show although incentive spirometry breathing exercise after 4 weeks can improve lung function and lipid ratio, it has not decreased the systemic inflammatory levels in individuals with chronic SCI. Improvement in lung function has not influenced the systemic inflammatory level (CRP), although a beneficial influence on LDL/HDL ratio was recorded.