Effect of Reconditioning Program on Pain and Spinal Muscle Performance in Prolonged Bedridden Patients

Context: Prolonged bed rest causes physiological changes in most of the systems that may result in significant complications. It is important to maintain the strength of core muscles and mobility in a bedridden patient as much as possible. For this, it is necessary to make an ideal exercise program which will help the prolonged bedridden patients to regain their normal day-to-day activities. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of reconditioning program on pain and spinal muscle performance in prolonged bedridden patients. Settings and Design: An experimental study of pre- and posttest design was carried out at a physiotherapy outpatient department. Subjects and Methods: Forty-two subjects who were prolonged bedridden and diagnosed with lower-limb injuries such as fractures of the tibia, fibula, and femur in both males and females. Twenty-one subjects were randomly allocated into both the groups. The first group was given the experimental exercise program while the other was a controlled group which was given the functional bed mobility program and the experimental group was given the core stabilization exercise program. The treatment protocol was given for 2 weeks. Statistical Analysis: The paired t -test and one-way ANOVA test were used for the analysis of data. Results: At the end of the treatment, there was a significant decrease in Numerical Pain Rating Scale in both the groups ( P < 0.01). The functional bed mobility program has shown more effect on pain reduction ( P < 0.001) whereas performance improvement was seen more in the core stabilization exercise program ( P < 0.005). Conclusion: Both functional bed mobility exercises and core stabilization exercises showed improved performance with reduction of pain. Functional bed mobility exercises have shown to be more effective in reducing pain with considerable increase in muscle strength, whereas participants performing core stabilization exercises have shown a more significant increase in muscle strength.