The Use of Functional Electrical Stimulation in Conjunction With Respiratory Muscle Training to Improve Unaided Cough in Individuals With Acute Spinal Cord Injury

About this trial

This trial is enrolling individuals with subacute (less than one year) spinal cord injuries to test the effect of abdominal functional electrical stimulation (aFES) in combination with respiratory muscle training (RMT) on coughing function. FES is a technique that applies electrical stimulation through the skin to nerves to cause contraction of weakened or paralyzed muscles in back and abdomen. If included, participants with paraplegia will receive 2 weeks of aFES + RMT; those with tetraplegia will undergo 4 weeks of aFES + RMT. Investigators want to see how the treatment changes peak cough flow, peak expiratory flow, and cough effectiveness.