Effect of harness application and postural changes on cardiovascular parameters of individuals with spinal cord injury

Study design: Prospective assessment of cardiovascular parameters in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) in response to harness application and postural changes including orthostatic stress. Objective: To evaluate arterial blood pressure and heart rate (HR) with and without harness application during sitting, supine, and standing positions in able-bodied and SCI individuals. Methods: Measurements were obtained in all SCI research participants (n = 11) before a locomotor training intervention and compared to data with able-bodied individuals (n = 9). During standing, all research participants wore a harness and were suspended by an overhead, pneumatic body weight support system. Results: Resting arterial blood pressure and HR in individuals with cervical SCI were significantly lower during sitting than in thoracic SCI and able-bodied individuals (P < 0.05). Orthostatic stress significantly decreased arterial blood pressure only in individuals with cervical SCI (P < 0.05). Harness application had no effect on cardiovascular parameters in able-bodied individuals, whereas diastolic blood pressure was significantly increased in those with SCI. Orthostatic changes in cervical SCI when sitting were ameliorated by harness application. However, while standing with harness, individuals with cervical SCI still developed orthostatic hypotension. Conclusions: Level of injury to the spinal cord influences baseline cardiovascular parameters. Application of harness in individuals with SCI could alter baseline cardiovascular parameters and the response to orthostatic stress. This should be carefully considered when assessing effects of therapeutic interventions using body weight support in individuals with SCI.