Neurostimulation for Respiratory Function After Spinal Cord Injury

About this trial

This trial is enrolling individuals with chronic cervical spinal cord injuries to test the effect of non-invasive spinal cord electrical stimulation and respiratory exercise training. The stimulation will be applied to the spinal cord and to peripheral nerves (nerves in the body outside the brain and spinal cord) so that the signals are received at specific intervals. This so-called spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) may promote recovery breathing and cardiopulmonary fitness. If included, participants will undergo 40 sessions of stimulation over the scalp and neck, followed by about 60 minutes of respiratory training. Assessment sessions will be completed before the intervention, after 20 sessions and after 40 sessions, 14 weeks total participation.