Effects of exercise training on muscle wasting, muscle strength and quality of life in adults with acute burn injury

Exercise training during the acute phase of burns is difficult to implement but offers potential benefits. This multicenter trial explored the effects of an exercise program on muscular changes and quality of life during burn center stay. Fifty-seven adults with burns ranging between 10% and 70% TBSA were allocated to receive either standard of care (n = 29), or additionally exercise (n = 28), consisting of resistance and aerobic training, commenced as early as possible according to safety criteria. Muscle wasting (primary outcome), quantified by ultrasound-derived quadriceps muscle layer thickness (QMLT) and rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RF-CSA), muscle strength and quality of life (Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) and EQ-5D-5L) were assessed at baseline, four and eight weeks later, or hospital discharge. Mixed models were used to analyze between-group changes over time with covariates of interest added in stepwise forward modeling. The addition of exercise training to standard of care induced significant improvements in QMLT, RF-CSA, muscle strength and the BSHS-B subscale hand function (ß-coefficient. 0.055 cm/week of QMLT, p = 0.005). No added benefit was observed for other quality-of-life measures. Exercise training, administered during the acute phase of burns, reduced muscle wasting, and improved muscle strength throughout burn center stay. •There is a lack of evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of early exercise training in burn care.•Exercise training during the acute phase of burns increased muscle size and strength.•The short-term effects on quality-of-life parameters remain to be established.•Early exercise training is feasible and beneficial for adults with acute burns.