Effect of Threshold Pressure-Loaded RMT + tTBS on Respiratory Function in SCI Patients

The Effect of Threshold Pressure-loaded Respiratory Muscle Training Combined With Transcranial Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation on Respiratory Function in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury

The purpose of this clinical trial is to understand whether threshold pressure load respiratory muscle training combined with iTBS can effectively improve the respiratory function of SCI patients. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• The impact of threshold pressure load respiratory muscle training on the respiratory function of SCI patients.
• The impact of iTBS treatment at the cortical projection point of the diaphragm on the respiratory function of SCI patients.
• Whether the combination of the above two treatment techniques is superior to single treatment.

Researchers will combine threshold pressure load respiratory muscle training and transcranial iTBS and compare them with single treatments to see if the combined treatment is superior to single treatment.

Participants will:

• Undergo threshold pressure load respiratory muscle training or transcranial iTBS treatment or a combination of both daily for 4 weeks.
• Visit the hospital for check-ups and tests every 2 weeks.
• Record their symptoms and respiratory function.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) meeting the 2019 revised International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), confirmed by CT/MRI.
• Aged 18-80 years.
• Time since injury: 2 weeks to 6 months, with spinal shock resolved.
• Injury level at T12 or above, ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A-C.
• Patients providing written informed consent after study explanation.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with severe cardiorespiratory diseases (e.g., pneumothorax).
• Unstable vital signs (e.g., hypotension, arrhythmia).
• Cognitive/psychiatric disorders precluding cooperation.
• Requiring mechanical ventilation.
• Congenital spinal/limb deformities.
• Contraindications to magnetic stimulation: intracranial metal implants, pacemakers, etc.