Static respiratory pressures in patients with post-traumatic tetraplegia
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 2, 2026

Evaluation of Respiratory Muscle Activation Using Respiratory Motor Control Assessment (RMCA) in Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury
Published on: July 19, 2013
1Department of Physiotherapy, University of Durban-Westville, South Africa.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine ventilatory muscle strength as represented by static respiratory pressures in 30 tetraplegic patients with a complete lesion between the fifth and the eighth cervical vertebrae. The Inspiratory/Expiratory Pressure Meter was used to obtain maximum static expiratory mouth pressure (PEmax) and maximum static inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax) measurements. The PEmax was measured at vital capacity and the PImax at residual volume. The measurements were effected while the patient was in the supported sitting position. The mean PEmax for the group was 50 cm H2O and the mean PImax was -65 cm H2O. There was a significant difference between the PEmax and PImax values. Unlike normal individuals most tetraplegic subjects in this study showed PImax values to be much higher than their PEmax values.
Related Concept Videos
Pressure Relationships in Thoracic Cavity
Breathing Mechanisms
Both intra-alveolar and intrapleural pressures rely on specific lung properties. The ability to breathe—allowing air to enter the lungs during...
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV
Chest Physiotherapy
Purpose
CPT is primarily used for patients with excessive bronchial secretions who have difficulty clearing...
Pulmonary Ventilation: Inhalation
Boyle's law becomes particularly pertinent when examining respiratory...
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration can...