Effects of cardiac conditioning exercises on cardiac plasticity in individuals with lower extremity amputation

Abstract

Literature shows that traditional rehabilitation protocol following a lower newlinelimb amputation are well documented but the cardiorespiratory aspect of newlinerehabilitation is less incorporated. Cardiac plasticity following a lower limb newlineamputation has a major effect on mortality as the structural dimensions of the newlineheart is altered. There is also less reported data on type of exercise that newlineimpacts cardiac plasticity. Amputation affects the essential function of walking newlinein different terrains thereby reducing the cardiorespiratory status, functional newlinecapacity and quality of life. Hence there is a need to analyse the cardiac newlineplasticity following cardiac conditioning exercises in individuals following lower newlinelimb amputation.This study aims to compare the effect of conventional and cardiac newlineconditioning exercises on structure and function of heart and quality of life newlineamong individuals with lower extremity amputation. This study was done on amputation which is often considered to be an newlineorthopaedic physical therapy problem and even considered for neurological newlinerehabilitation when neurogenic pain and phantom pain persist. But it is seldom newlineconsidered and approached from cardio respiratory physiotherapy aspect. newlineMany physiotherapists are unaware of cardiac plasticity which could be long newlineterm consequence to increase the mortality in amputees. newlineEchocardiogram was used to evaluate left ventricular architecture such newlinestrong outcome measures are required to prove the most sensitive changes newlinethat takes place following the lower limb amputation. This study deals with newlinebio-psycho-social outcomes of the intervention which adds strength to the newlinestudy conclusion. The study can pave way for more interdisciplinary research newlinein exploring the influence of various dosages of exercises on cardiac newlinehypertrophy. newlineThe major strength of this study is its clinical implication that newlineemphasize in the incorporation of cardiac conditioning programme for physical newlineand social wellbeing. newline