Rib cage contributions to inspiratory capacity in patients with cervical spinal cord injury

Cervical spinal cord injury (CSI) often impairs respiratory function, impacting patient well-being. This study explores how rib cage motion affects inspiratory capacity in CSI patients, using respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP) to measure chest and abdominal movements during breathing. The study measured ventilatory volume using spirometry alongside RIP, instructing patients to perform maximal inspiratory efforts. The inspiratory volume measured by chest and abdominal sensors was analyzed to determine the relationship between rib cage and abdominal motion with inspiratory capacity. The results indicated a significant correlation between inspiratory capacity and rib cage motion, highlighting the importance of rib cage movement in assessing inspiratory capacity in patients with CSI. This suggests that the function of respiratory muscles expanding the rib cage directly impacts inspiratory capacity.

• 1
  A significant correlation was observed between inspiratory capacity (IC) and rib cage motion (VRIP-rc) (r = 0.67, p = 0.02), indicating that rib cage motion significantly influences IC in CSI patients.
• 2
  The mean inspiratory capacity (IC) was 1.828 ± 0.459 L, with the mean rib cage volume (VRIP-rc) at 1.343 ± 0.568 L and the mean abdominal volume (VRIP-ab) at 0.485 ± 0.427 L.
• 3
  The ratio of rib cage motion was higher than abdominal motion, with ratios of 0.734 ± 0.238 and 0.266 ± 0.238, respectively.