Clinical Trial: Physiotherapy Exercises in Patients With Sternal Instability After Cardiovascular Surgery

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: A Randomized, Controlled Study of Physiotherapy Exercises in Patients With Sternal Instability Due to Mediastinitis After Cardiovascular Surgery

Brief Summary: Sternal instability caused by mediastinitis is one of the most feared complications for cardiac surgery team for generating large commitments and functional damages to patients. Biomechanically, the contraction of abdominal muscles such as transverse abdominal, produces forces that result in a "corset-like" action and anterior thoracic cage muscles too may assist in stabilizing the sternum. Thus, strengthening the abdominal muscles might contribute to the recovery of functional aspects. The aim was to evaluate whether contraction and strengthening the abdominal muscles could improve lung function and respiratory muscle strength in patients with sternal instability.

Detailed Summary:

Sternal instability was confirmed by physical examination and confirmed by chest tomography. The data were collected before and after the 3-week period of intervention.

Sternal instability way assessed by the unstable sternal scale, graduated from zero to 4 points.

The respiratory muscle strength was measured through Manuvacuometry and the pulmonary function by the spirometry.

Pain was recorded by using a Visual Analog Scale (0 -10); Discomfort Scale( 0-10) and Identification of Activities that cause pain and discomfort.

Patients underwent abdominal exercise protocol for three weeks once a day, lasting about 15 minutes followed by the physiotherapist.


Sponsor: Emilia Nozawa, PT PhD

Current Primary Outcome: Improvement of pulmonary function [ Time Frame: 3 weeks ]

Measure of maximal muscles respiratory pressures and spirometry tests


Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Measure of pain on the Visual Analog Scale [ Time Frame: 3 weeks ]
    Pain Visual Analog Scale
  • Discomfort - using Discomfort Scale [ Time Frame: 3 weeks ]
    Activities using Discomfort Scale


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of Sao Paulo General Hospital

Dates:
Date Received: June 30, 2015
Date Started: October 2011
Date Completion:
Last Updated: August 3, 2015
Last Verified: August 2015