Effectiveness of aerobic physical training for treatment of chronic asymptomatic bacteriuria in subjects with spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of aerobic physical training for treatment of chronic asymptomatic bacteriuria in subjects with spinal cord injury. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: University hospital. Subjects: Forty-two participants with spinal cord injury between C8 and T12 segments were randomly assigned to intervention or control groups. Intervention: In the intervention group, subjects received a risk evaluation, stress test and urinary culture before the start of the study and after 16 weeks. The study consisted of aerobic physical conditioning with moderate intensity for the intervention group while the control group was asked to maintain their daily life activities. Main measures: Increase of estimated peak oxygen consumption and also if there was a decrease in the proportions of positive urinary culture. Results: The intervention group showed an increase of estimated peak oxygen consumption of between 939 (714–1215) and 1154 (1005–1351) mL/min ( P = 0.009) and a reduction of chronic asymptomatic bacteria of between 52.3% (29.8–74.3%) and 14.2% (3–36.3%) ( P < 0.001). No adverse effects related to physical activity were recorded during the period of training. Conclusion: The regular practice of physical activity of moderate intensity applied to patients with spinal cord injury may be an effective and safe method for the treatment of chronic asymptomatic bacteriuria.