Nutrition and Exercise Intervention to Prevent Lower Limb Muscle Wasting in Patients with Mild Head Injuries

Introduction: This study focuses on patients who have suffered mild head injuries and are experiencing post-concussion syndrome, which includes symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, sleep disturbances, depressed mood, and fatigue. Patients afflicted with these symptoms may become bedridden for extended periods, leading to muscle wasting due to the disuse of their lower limbs.

Methods: This study is a prospective, randomized, experimental investigation using a pre-test and post-test control group design. It involves the recruitment of mild head injury patients, with a total sample size of 55. These patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. The intervention group received enhanced protein support and was instructed to perform lower limb resistance exercises for five weeks, while the control group continued with the standard ward routine.

Results: The study revealed significant differences in lower limb muscle power between the two groups (p=.048). The intervention group displayed greater average and mean muscle mass in the lower limbs compared to the control group. Additionally, all patients in the study showed improvement in lower limb muscle power over five weeks. The most severe depression was observed in the first week following discharge, coinciding with the lowest quality of life scores. These findings are likely associated with the location of the intracranial hemorrhage, the time taken for hematoma absorption, and the intracranial anatomy post-injury.

Conclusion : This study revealed that increased protein supplementation and resistance exercise can preserve patients' muscle mass during hospitalization and at home. Consequently, these interventions offer clinical advantages. A decrease in mobility due to post-head injury heightens the risk of muscle wasting in patients. However, adequate nutrition and exercise interventions significantly help in preventing muscle wasting.