Physical Activity Table 4 Physical Activity and Periodic Limb Movements

Submitted by admin on Fri, 07/23/2010 - 11:20

Author Year
Country
Score
Research Design
Total Sample Size

Methods

Outcome

De Mello et al. 2002
Brazil
Downs & Black score=18
Pre-Post
N=12

Population: SCI: Mean age = 31.6 yrs; Gender: males = 13; Level of injury: T7 and T12; Severity of injury: complete = 13.
Treatment: SCI volunteers participated in physical training program using an arm crank ergometer for 44 days.
Outcome Measures: Rate of periodic leg movement (PLM).  Measurements were taken before training, 12 h after maximum effort test, 36 h after maximum effort test, 44 days after training, and 12 h after the last training (45th day), 36 h after last day of physical training.
  1. A significant decline in PLM rate was seen at 36h after maximum effort test, 12 h after last training, and 36 h after the last day of training (p<0.05).

De Mello et al. 2004
Brazil
Downs & Black score=17
Prospective controlled trial
N=13

Population: SCI: Mean age = 31.6 yrs; Gender: males = 13; Height = 162-180 cm; Weight = 42.8-72.7 kg; Level of injury: T7 and T12; Severity of injury: AIS A = 13; Time since injury = 10-231 months.
Treatment: Subjects received L-DOPA (200mg)in combination with benserazide chloride (50mg) or placebo, 1 hour before sleeping for 30 days followed by a 15 day washout period. Physical training was then administered on the subjects for 45 days, 3 times a week for an average of 30 minutes a day.
Outcome Measures: Rate of periodic limb movement (PLM). Measurements were taken 30 days after drug treatment and 45 days after physical training.
  1. Significant reduction in PLM rate was seen after administration of L-DOPA (p<0.03) and physical training (p<0.02).
  2. No significant difference was seen between the two treatments.

De Mello et al. 1996
Brazil
Downs & Black score=17
Pre-Post
N=11

Population: SCI: Mean age = 28 yrs; Gender: males = 11; Level of injury: T7 - T12; Severity of injury: complete = 11.
Treatment: Effect of physical training session. Subjects were admitted to a sleep clinic for 3 consecutive nights. Physiological evaluation was conducted on the first day and after physical training on the 3rd day.
Outcome Measures: Total sleep time, time in REM, number of awakenings, number of leg movement.

Significant decrease was seen after physical activity in:

  1. Total sleep time (p<0.04).
  2. Time in REM (p<0.01).
  3. Number of awakenings (p<0.03).
  4. Number of leg movements (p<0.03).