Orthostatic, Respiratory, Balance-Intervention

Effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) on Breathing, Balance, and Blood Pressure Maintenance in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

The purpose of this study is to help understand how training breathing muscles will impact balance, blood pressure, and quality of life of participants with spinal cord injury.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Upper/lower/both extremity weakness or paralysis resulting from SCI with ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) grades A-C who use a wheelchair as primary means of mobility.
2. ≥1 year post-injury
3. Willingness to participate in the study and provide consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inability to understand the consent form or consent process

2. Reliance on a mechanical ventilator.

3. Use of Betablockers

4. Inability to travel to The Miami Project for weekly sessions during intervention month

5. Any complication that would limit transfer ability, or compromise supine or sitting tolerance, including but not limited to:

   • Fracture, dislocation, or malformations affecting supine or sitting tolerance.
   • Spinal instability.
   • Pressure ulcers or skin integrity issues on contact surfaces that would prohibit sitting or lying in supine.

6. Individuals who are able to stand independently or with a walker

7. Unresolved deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

8. Hospitalization due to autonomic dysreflexia in the last 3 months.

9. Pregnancy determined by urine testing in sexually active females.