Study design: A within-participant, double-blind, cross-over, randomised control trial.
Objectives: To determine the short-term effects of bronchodilator therapy on respiratory function in people with recently acquired motor complete tetraplegia.
Setting: Hospital, Australia.
Methods: A total of 12 people with recently acquired tetraplegia were randomised to receive either a one-off dose of a bronchodilator followed by an equivalent dose of a placebo propellant between 1 day and 1 week later or visa versa. The three outcomes were forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) and forced vital capacity (FVC). These were measured while supine by a blinded assessor 10 and 30 min after treatment. Data were analysed on 11 participants and reported as percentage of predicted.
Results: The FEV1, FVC and PEF mean between-group differences (95% confidence interval) at 10 min post treatment were 7.3% (2.7-11.9%; P=0.003), 5.5% (1.6-9.4%; P=0.008) and 20.1% (1.1-40.4%; P=0.039). Similar effects were observed at 30 min for FVC and FEV1 but not for PEF.
Conclusion: Bronchodilator therapy has a beneficial effect on FEV1, FVC and PEF in participants with recently acquired tetraplegia.