Effect of vocal respiratory training on respiratory function and respiratory neural plasticity in patients with cervical spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial

Neural Regeneration Research, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.324856 · Published: May 1, 2022

Alternative Medicine Neurology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how vocal respiratory training (VRT), a music therapy component, affects breathing and nerve plasticity in cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) patients. The research involved 26 CSCI patients who received either VRT from music therapists or respiratory physical therapy from physical therapists, five times a week for 12 weeks. The study found that VRT significantly improved respiratory function and increased nerve fiber bundle diversification in the respiratory center of the brain, suggesting that music therapy-based VRT can positively influence neural plasticity.

Study Duration

12 weeks

Participants

26 patients with cervical spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Level 1, Randomized Controlled Trial

Key Findings

1
Vocal respiratory training led to a substantial increase in respiratory function in the intervention group compared to the control group after 12 weeks.
2
Nerve fiber bundles in the respiratory center in the medulla exhibited a trend towards increased diversification in the VRT group.
3
The study observed an increased number, path length, thickness, and density of nerve fiber bundles in the intervention group.

Research Summary

This study evaluated the effects of vocal respiratory training (VRT) on respiratory function and neural plasticity in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI). The results indicated that VRT significantly improved respiratory function and promoted neural plasticity in the respiratory center of the brain compared to respiratory physical therapy. The findings suggest that VRT, as a component of music therapy, is a promising non-invasive treatment for respiratory dysfunction after SCI.

Practical Implications

Clinical Rehabilitation

VRT can be integrated into rehabilitation programs for patients with CSCI to improve respiratory function.

Music Therapy Applications

This study supports the use of music therapy, specifically VRT, as a valuable tool in neurological rehabilitation.

Neural Plasticity Research

The findings provide evidence for the potential of music-based interventions to induce neural plasticity in patients with neurological conditions.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings.
2
The absence of a standard care group makes it difficult to assess the specific contribution of VRT over conventional treatment.
3
Exclusion of 11 subjects from the analysis might introduce bias.

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