Pneumobelt use among high quadriplegic population.

This study reviews pneumobelt use in an acute rehabilitation facility. All pneumobelt users between 1976 and 1986 were identified. Their age, sex, diagnosis, and time required to adjust to the pneumobelt were studied, as were patterns of use at discharge. Information was collected about use after discharge and about reported advantages and disadvantages. Twenty-three subjects were identified: 21 had spinal cord injuries (SCI), two had had poliomyelitis. The average pneumobelt fitting was three to six months after injury. Twelve SCI patients attained four or more hours of continuous, generally all-day use; another patient achieved this after discharge. Of the remaining eight SCI subjects, all achieved a minimum of two hours of continuous use. The two poliomyelitis patients also achieved all-day use. The survey revealed a high level of satisfaction and continued pneumobelt use after discharge. Major reported advantages were cosmesis, improved speech, independence and mobility, comfort, safety, and health. The pneumobelt is recommended as a leading choice for interim or permanent ventilation of the high quadriplegic population without severe brainstem involvement.