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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Evaluation of Respiratory Muscle Activation Using Respiratory Motor Control Assessment RMCA in Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: July 19, 2013
Motor and Sensory Function as a Predictor of Respiratory Function Associated With Ventilator Weaning After High
Tae Wan Kim1, Jung Hyun Yang1, Sung Chul Huh2
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.
Objective:
To analyze the respiratory function of high cervical cord injury according to ventilator dependence and to examine the correlations between diaphragm movement found on fluoroscopy and sensory and motor functions.
Methods:
A total of 67 patients with high cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), admitted to our hospital were enrolled in the study. One rehabilitation physician performed sensory and motor examinations on all patients while each patient was in the supine position on the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) standard. In addition, fluoroscopic diaphragm movement studies and bedside spirometry were performed.
Results:
Bedside spirometry and diaphragm fluoroscopic tests were analyzed according to ventilator dependence. Forced vital capacity and maximal inspiratory pressure were significantly higher in the ventilator weaned group. Natural breathing during the fluoroscopic diaphragm examinations and ventilator weaning showed statistical significance with the movement on the right, while deep breathing showed statistical significance with the movement on both sides. Deep breathing movement has correlation with the C5 key muscle. Diaphragm movement has correlation with right C3 and bilateral C4 sensory functions.
Conclusion:
The present expansion study showed that, through simple bedside physical examinations, rehabilitation physicians could relatively easily predict diaphragm movement and respiratory function recovery, which showed significance with ventilator weaning in patients with high cervical SCI.
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