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

## TL;DR

This study shows that rib cage movement significantly affects how much air patients with cervical spinal cord injury can inhale.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates a significant correlation between rib cage motion and inspiratory capacity in cervical spinal cord injury patients.

## Key findings

- Inspiratory capacity (IC) was significantly correlated with rib cage motion (VRIP-rc) in cervical spinal cord injury patients.
- Rib cage motion contributes more to inspiratory volume than abdominal motion in these patients.
- Respiratory inductance plethysmography and spirometry together provide insights into respiratory function in cervical spinal cord injury.

## Abstract

Cervical spinal cord injury (CSI) often leads to impaired respiratory function, affecting the overall well-being of patients. This study aimed to investigate the influence of rib cage motion on inspiratory capacity in CSI patients.

We conducted a study with 11 CSI patients, utilising respiratory inductance plethysmography (RIP). We measured ventilatory volume by spirometry concurrently with RIP. Participants were instructed to perform maximal inspiratory efforts. Inspiratory capacity (IC) was calculated from spirometry waveforms. We converted the respiratory waveforms of the chest and abdomen into inspiratory volume measured by a spirometer. The inspiratory volume measured by the chest sensor was defined as VRIP-rib cage (VRIP-rc), and the inspiratory volume measured by the abdominal sensor was defined as VRIP-abdomen (VRIP-ab). Subsequently, the relationships of IC with VRIP-rc and VRIPab were assessed.

The mean IC was 1.828 ± 0.459 L, with the mean VRIP-rc at 1.343 ± 0.568 L and the mean VRIP-ab at 0.485 ± 0.427 L. A significant correlation was observed between IC and VRIP-rc (r = 0.67, p = 0.02), indicating that rib cage motion significantly influences IC in CSI patients.

This study highlights the importance of rib cage motion in assessing inspiratory capacity in patients with CSI.

•CSI impacts respiratory function, affecting patient well-being.•RIP and spirometry reveal significant correlation in CSI patients.•Rib cage motion crucial in assessing inspiratory capacity in CSI.

CSI impacts respiratory function, affecting patient well-being.

RIP and spirometry reveal significant correlation in CSI patients.

Rib cage motion crucial in assessing inspiratory capacity in CSI.