Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
Non randomized trial
Participants
9 children with CF (13.3+/-2.6 years; FEV1 66+/-22%) and 18 healthy children (13.8+/-1.8 years; FEV1 107+/-30%) were included.
Interventions
Three backpack positions were tested: no backpack (NB), a 12.5% body-weight backpack carried bilaterally (BB) or unilaterally (UB), at rest and during a 10 minute walk.
Outcome measures
Primary outcome was forced vital capacity (FVC). Secondary outcomes included comparison of cardio-respiratory variables within and between groups.
Main results
FVC was reduced with UB compared to NB (68.5+/-23.3% vs 72.1+/-24.3%, p = 0.024) in children with CF. FEV1, MIP and MEP decreased more with UB in children with CF than in healthy peers. Increases in VO2, VCO2 and minute ventilation with UB were greater in the CF group during walking.
Authors' conclusions
Unilateral backpack wearing affects FVC in children with CF and requires greater cardio-respiratory adjustments compared to healthy peers.
Keywords: non pharmacological intervention - psyco-soc-edu-org; Behavioural interventions;