Neuromodulation and Respiratory Training to Improve Breathing in Adults with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating new rehabilitation methods to improve breathing in people with chronic spinal cord injury SCI, a condition that often leads to serious respiratory problems. This study aims to assess the effects of non-invasive spinal cord stimulation combined with respiratory training, exploring how these treatments can enhance lung function and the activity of respiratory muscles. Thirty-six adults with stable, chronic SCI will participate to help establish this approach as a promising therapy for respiratory rehabilitation. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups respiratory training alone, spinal cord transcutaneous stimulation scTS alone, or a combination of both. The scTS uses a device that applies electrical stimulation through electrodes placed on the skin over the thoracic spine and other areas. Respiratory training involves exercises using devices that create resistance during breathing to strengthen respiratory muscles. Each participant will complete 80 sessions of their assigned intervention over 16 weeks, with careful monitoring of vital signs during stimulation. Throughout the study, participants will undergo assessments before and after the interventions, including measurements of maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures and muscle activity via surface electromyography. Additional tests will evaluate lung function, heart rate, blood pressure responses, and independence in daily activities. Follow-up evaluations will continue for 32 weeks to monitor lasting effects. This thorough testing helps researchers understand how these therapies impact breathing and overall function in individuals with chronic SCI.

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Respiratory Rehabilitation in Patients With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury