Optimization of pulmonary functions, functional capacity, and quality of life in adolescents with chest burns subsequent to 2-month arm cycling exercise: A randomized controlled study

Abstract Background Chest burns are at high risk for long-term pulmonary complication due to chest muscle contractures and chronic inflammation in both adolescents and young adults. Rare studies have investigated the effects of arm cycling exercise (ACE) in those individuals. For that reason, this study examined pulmonary functions, functional capacity, and quality of life (QOL) in adolescents with chest burns subsequent to 2-month ACE. Methods A single-blinded, two-month randomized prospective controlled study was carried out between July 2019 and March 2020 on thirty adolescents with chest burns aged 11–17 years. They were randomized into two equal groups (n = 15), traditional physiotherapy program (TPT as a control group), and ACE plus TPT (ACE group) for 2 consecutive months. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), six-minute walk test (6MWT), and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) were measured in both groups at baseline and after 2-month post-intervention. Results No statistical significance has been detected at baseline between control and ACE groups (FVC, p = 0.903, FEV1, p = 0.835, 6MWT, p = 0.817, and PedsQL, p = 0.612). 2 months post-intervention showed statistical improvements in the ACE group in all measures (FVC, p = 0.001, FEV1, p  Conclusions This prospective study clearly demonstrated positive and beneficial influences of two-month arm cycling exercise in the optimization of pulmonary functions, functional performance, and QOL in adolescents suffering from chest burns and thereby eliminating post-burn complications.