Restoration of cough via spinal cord stimulation improves pulmonary function in tetraplegics

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2020 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2019.1699678 · Published: January 1, 2020

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a method to help people with spinal cord injuries cough more effectively. A clinical trial showed that using SCS regularly not only improves cough but also seems to help patients breathe better overall. The study measured lung function before and after 20 weeks of daily SCS use to see if there were any improvements.

Study Duration

20 weeks

Participants

10 tetraplegics

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Daily use of SCS improved inspiratory capacity (IC) significantly after 20 weeks.
2
Maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) also showed significant improvement with regular SCS use.
3
Patients reported that using SCS made it easier to clear airway secretions.

Research Summary

This study investigated whether using lower thoracic spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to help restore cough function could improve spontaneous pulmonary function in people with tetraplegia, a condition characterized by paralysis of all four limbs. The study found that regular daily use of SCS over 20 weeks led to significant improvements in both inspiratory capacity (IC) and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) among the participants. These findings suggest that SCS not only enhances expiratory muscle function to restore cough but also has a positive impact on inspiratory function, potentially improving overall pulmonary health and quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Practical Implications

Improved Respiratory Function

SCS can lead to better inspiratory capacity and pressure, improving overall respiratory health.

Easier Secretion Clearance

Patients find it easier to clear airway secretions with the use of SCS, reducing the risk of respiratory infections.

Enhanced Quality of Life

The improvements in pulmonary function may contribute to a better quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Study Limitations

1
Pulmonary function testing depends on the effort of the subject, which could introduce variability.
2
The possibility of a learning effect or improved effort over time cannot be completely ruled out.
3
Improvements in IC and respiratory pressures were not observed in every participant.

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