Effects of spinal immobilization at 20° on respiratory functions

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate whether spinal immobilization with a long backboard (LBB) and semirigid cervical collar (CC) at 20 degrees instead of 0 degrees conserve pulmonary functions, including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC ratio. Methodology: The study included 56 adult healthy volunteers. Volunteers were randomly divided into 2 groups, and those in the first group (group 1) had LBBs and CCs applied at 0 degrees (n = 30), whereas volunteers in the second group (group 2) had LBBs and CCs applied at 20 degrees (n = 26). All volunteers were given pulmonary function tests, which included FEV1 and FVC levels and FEV1/FVC ratios, while in the sitting position. Measurements were repeated at 0, 5, and 30 minutes. Results: Results showed significant decreases in FEV1 and FVC values and FEV1/FVC ratios in group 1 and significant decreases in FEV1 values and FEV1/FVC ratios in group 2 (P < .001). However, FVC values were not decreased in group 2 when compared to basal levels taken while in a sitting position (P = .45). In addition, the study evaluated the amounts of decrease in the FEV1 and FVC levels and the FEV1/FVC ratios (Delta FEV1, Delta FVC, and Delta FEV1/FVC ratio). Results showed that.FEV1 values compared to basal levels and levels at 0, 5, and 30 minutes were all lower in group 2 than in group 1. However, Delta FEV1/FVC ratios were similar in both groups. Conclusion: The results of this and previous studies have shown that traditional spinal immobilization decreases respiratory function, whereas using spinal immobilization at 20 degrees can reduce this decrease in function. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.