Respiratory Function in Participants with Spinal Cord Injury of a Rehabilitation Center using Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation.

OBJECTIVE

To observe the respiratory function of individuals participating in a rehabilitation program with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

A tertiary care hospital offering outpatient care.

PARTICIPANTS

A convenience sample of adults with chronic SCI (≥10 years), tetraplegia or paraplegia, classified as AIS A, B, or C. All participants had been enrolled in the NMES rehabilitation program for at least three years. Twenty-five individuals were recruited and allocated to two groups: group A, individuals with tetraplegia (n=6) and group B, individuals with paraplegia (n= 16). Three individuals were excluded from group B because they had lung disease prior to spinal cord injury.

INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Measurement of respiratory function using spirometry in individuals with SCI in a rehabilitation program.

RESULTS

The spirometry was performed, measuring forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and Tiffeneau index. Overall, 77% completed the maneuvers satisfactorily. No participants reported dyspnea during daily activities. In Group A, mean FVC was 51% ±10.9 of predicted, FEV1 was 50.8% ±9.4, and Tiffeneau index was 101% ±3.7, with mean injury duration of 18 years ±6.7. In Group B, mean FVC was 90.3% ±12.7, FEV1 was 89.3% ±12.4, and Tiffeneau index was 99% ±4.7, with mean injury duration of 15 years ±5.8. Significant differences were found in FVC and FEV1 between groups (p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with paraplegia demonstrated spirometric values within the normal range despite long-standing injuries, even at higher neurological levels. The tetraplegic individuals showed values around 50% of predicted. However, no abnormalities were detected on pulmonary auscultation, and no clinical symptoms were reported. These findings suggest that a potential clinical practice implications of NMES rehabilitation program is the preservation of respiratory function in individuals with chronic SCI.