Effects of abdominal binding on breathing patterns during breathing exercises in persons with tetraplegia

Study design: Cross-sectional, experimental. Objectives: To investigate and compare static lung volumes and breathing patterns in persons with a cervical spinal cord lesion during breathing at rest, ordinary deep breathing, positive expiratory pressure (PEP) and inspiratory resistance-positive expiratory pressure (IR-PEP) with and without an abdominal binder (AB). Setting: The outpatient clinic at the Spinal Unit at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden. Method: The study group consisted of 20 persons with complete cervical cord lesion at C5-C8 level. Breathing patterns and static lung volumes with and without an AB were measured using a body plethysmograph. Results: With an AB, static lung volumes decreased, vital capacity increased, breathing patterns changed only marginally and functional residual capacity remained unchanged during PEP and IR-PEP. Conclusion: Evidence supporting the general use of an AB to prevent respiratory complications by means of respiratory training is questionable. However, the interindividual variation in our results indicates that we cannot rule out that some patients may benefit from the treatment. Sponsorship: This work was supported by grants from the Memorial Foundation of the Swedish Association of registered Physiotherapists and the Association of Cancer and Road Accident Victims, Sweden.