Systematic Reviews
Seven systematic reviews have examined various interventions that affect respiratory function and management of people with SCI. Interventions examined include respiratory muscle training (RMT), abdominal binding, secretion removal techniques, exercise training, and treatments for acute SCI and sleep disorders. These systematic reviews are outlined in Table 1 below, however, the conclusions and recommendations related to these findings are incorporated in the specific sections later in the chapter that summarize the respective treatments.
Author Year; Country Score Research Design Total Sample Size |
Methods | Outcome |
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Berlowitz and Tamplin 2013; |
Method: Systematically review the effectiveness of RMT on pulmonary function, dyspnea, respiratory complications, respiratory muscle strength, and quality of life for people with cervical SCI. There were no date, language, or publication restrictions. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Database: Cochrane Injuries and Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Groups’ Specialized Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2012, Issue 1), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ISI Web of Science, PubMed, and clinical trials registries (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, Clinical Trials, Controlled Trials metaRegister), and hand searching. |
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Wadsworth et al. 2009; Australia Reviewed published articles from databases’ inception to March 2008 N = 11 Level of Evidence: PEDro Scale Type of study: 5 crossover randomized 1 crossover pseudorandomized 1 crossover 4 within-patient AMSTAR: 9 |
Methods: Literature search for randomized control and randomized crossover studies reporting the effects of AB in acute or chronic SCI individuals. Interventions included different types of abdominal binding. Databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, PEDro. |
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Berney et al. 2011; Australia Reviewed published articles from 1950 to 2008 N = 21 Level of Evidence: PEDro Scale Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) with nine scored criteria Type of study: 1 RCT 3 cohort 3 case-control 14 retrospective case series reports. AMSTAR: 6 |
Methods: Literature search for English articles with quantitative study designs on the effectiveness of treatment strategies for the respiratory management of acute tetraplegia. Databases: MEDLINE (1950-2008), CINAHL (1982-2008), EMBASE (1980-2008), the Cochrane Library (2008), Web of Science (1900-1914-2008), AHRQ and ICORD |
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Reid et al. 2010; Canada Reviewed published articles from databases’ inception to May 2009 N = 24 Level of Evidence: PEDro Scale – RCTs Modified Downs and Black – non RCTs Type of study: 2 RCT 3 prospective controlled 9 pre-post 3 retrospective case reports 7 case reports AMSTAR: 6 |
Methods: Literature search for English articles assessing physical therapy secretion removal techniques. Databases: MEDLINE / Pubmed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO. |
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Sheel et al. 2008 Canada Review published articles from 1980 to 2006 N = 13 Level of Evidence: PEDro scale – RCTs Modified Downs and Black – non RCTs Type of study: 3 RCTs 1 pre-post 6 cases series 2 cohort 1 case report AMSTAR: 6 |
Methods: Literature search for articles assessing exercise training and IMT in individuals for the improved respiratory function of patients with SCI. Databases: MEDLINE / PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO. |
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Van Houtte, Vanlandewijck, and Gosselink, 2006; Belgium Reviewed published articles from 1980 to November 2004 N = 21 Level of Evidence: Modification of the framework for methodological quality developed by Smith et al. and Lotters et al. – Max score of 40 Type of study: 6 controlled studies 15 non controlled studies AMSTAR: 5 |
Methods: Literature search for articles assessing the effectiveness of RMT on individuals with SCI. Databases: MEDLINE (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA) database (from 1980 to November 2004) and relevant references from peer-reviewed articles. |
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Giannoccaro et al. 2013 Italy Reviewed published articles up to October 2012. N = 113 Level of evidence: Methodological quality was not assessed Type of study: Types of studies included not specified. AMSTAR: 1 |
Method: Reviewed the prevalence, features and treatment of sleep disorders in SCI. Only studies published in English were included. Database: PubMed. |
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