The Effect of Position on Measured Lung Capacity of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

척수손상환자의 폐활량에 자세가 미치는 영향

  • Published : 2012.05.25

Abstract

To determine whether position affects measured lung capacity of spinal cord injury patients. The study subjects were 45 patients with spinal cord injury (cervical level 15, thoracic level 15, lumbar level 15). Subjects were provided with a full explanation of the experimental procedures and all provided written consent signifying their voluntary participation. We used a spirometer (Spirometer, Micromedical Ltd, UK) to measure pulmonary function in the supine and sitting positions (straightened upper body at an angle of $90^{\circ}$). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume during the first second (FEV1), tidal volume (TV), and maximum insufflation capacity (MIC) were also measured. FVC, FEV1, TV, MIC (%) were greater in the supine than in the sitting position for those with injury at the cervical or thoracic injury level. On the other hand, FVC, FEV1, TV, MIC (%) were lower in the supine position for those with an injury at the lumbar level. More attention should be paid to the effect of injury level on measured lung capacity.

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