Illusory Movements in Patients With Burns

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Background. Large burns are the cause of extensive skeletal muscle devastation. The possibilities of rehabilitation of such patients are very limited, which contributes to the risk of metabolic failure and long-term musculoskeletal disorders. Illusory movements are a relatively new method of physiotherapy, which through functional proprioceptive stimulation enables the integration and networking of muscle units and has a neurotrophic effect on the cerebral cortex. In our pilot study, we demonstrated that illusory movements significantly increased basal energy expenditure in extensively burned patients in a catabolic state and with healing impairment in the later stage of burn disease. However, the metabolic effects of illusory movements have not yet been studied. Tested hypotheses. 1. The use of illusory movements is suitable for the rehabilitation of patients with burns on 20% or more of the total body surface area (TBSA) in the early phase of the burn disease. 2. The use of illusory movements in these patients attenuates the extent of muscle catabolism. Method. Pragmatic crossover study. Twenty patients with burns on 20% or more of the body surface area will be divided into two groups. They will be rehabilitated early or delayed by illusory movements for 14 days. Among other things, the following metabolic parameters will be monitored: nitrogen balance, basal and resting energy expenditure (BMR, REE), insulin resistance (IR), myokinins levels, muscle mitochondrial function and their morphology, and ultrasound cross-sectional diameter of the rectus femoris muscle. The control group will consist of ten healthy volunteers, in whom resting energy expenditure before and after using illusory movements exercise will be measured.

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