Chigozie Obaseki

Background: Bedridden patients confined to bed for prolonged durations due to severe systemic illnesses or post-surgical recovery are at high risk of autonomic nervous system dysfunction, which leads to impaired regulation of cardiovascular parameters such as systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Physiotherapeutic interventions such as bridging exercises, though beneficial for muscle activation and postural control, have not been adequately studied in relation to their effects on autonomic responses among bedridden patients. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the autonomic responses of bedridden patients to a bridging exercise protocol. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 50 participants (25 bedridden and 25 non-bedridden) recruited from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Baseline cardiovascular parameters (SBP, DBP, HR, and MAP) were measured at rest using an automated sphygmomanometer. Participants in the experimental group performed a structured bridging exercise protocol (three sets of 10 repetitions, holding each bridge for 5 seconds). Post-exercise measurements were recorded immediately. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANCOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, and independent t-tests) with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The results showed significant increases in SBP, DBP, HR, and MAP among bedridden patients after the bridging exercise session (p < 0.001), indicating improved autonomic activity and cardiovascular stimulation. However, no significant differences were observed between the bedridden and non-bedridden groups after exercise (p > 0.05). This suggests that bridging exercises can transiently normalize cardiovascular responses in bedridden patients to levels comparable to non-bedridden individuals. Conclusion: The study concludes that bridging exercises significantly influence autonomic responses among bedridden patients, demonstrating positive cardiovascular and autonomic adjustments. Bridging exercises are beneficial, safe, and effective for inclusion in rehabilitation programs to enhance autonomic function and prevent cardiovascular deconditioning in bedridden individuals.