Comparison of abdominal compression devices in persons with abdominal paralysis due to spinal cord injury

STUDY DESIGN: Single subject design with five subjects. OBJECTIVES: The objetive of this study is to compare the effectiveness and usability of alternative commercial abdominal compression garments with participants’ usual medical binders. SETTING: Private residences in Pierce and King Counties, WA, USA. METHODS: Participants wore each garment for 5 days followed by a 2-day washout in personal binder. Week 1: Personal binder. Weeks 2 and 3: Randomly ordered test garments (tank, bodysuit). Physiologic measurements: blood pressure (SBP, DBP), blood oxygen saturation (SaO(2)), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), and heart rate (HR). Participants completed logs twice daily for 5 days per garment regarding ease of use, comfort, respiration, and appearance. We certify that all applicable institutional and governmental regulations concerning the ethical use of human volunteers were followed during the course of this research. RESULTS: The use of a personal binder results in significant increases in SBP and FEV(1). Personal binders support FEV(1) significantly better than test garments. There is no difference in SBP between test garments and personal binders. There are no significant differences between DBP, SaO(2), or HR between participants’ personal binders and no binder. Participants reported that neither tank nor bodysuit felt adequately supportive or easy to use. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal compression improves respiratory function and supports SBP in individuals with chronic SCI. Further research is needed to guide the development of an easy-to-use and physiologically supportive abdominal compression garment.