PULMONARY REHABILITATION USING MECHANICAL INSUFFLATION-EXSUFFLATION THERAPY FOR SPINAL CORD INJURY – TWO CASE STUDIES IN THE UNIVERSITY MALAYA MEDICAL CENTRE

Abstract

There is a high incidence of 36% to 83% of respiratory dysfunction in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury. Complications arising from respiratory dysfunction remain one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in the spinal cord injured population. Specialized pulmonary care and therapy can help individuals with tetraplegia to maintain a stable respiratory status allowing active participation in active rehabilitation. This would allow them to achieve rehabilitation goals of independent function and community reintegration. Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MIE) therapy is an option for secretion management in individuals with acute spinal cord injury. In this paper, we present our experience using MIE as an adjunct to management of secretions in the spinal cord injured population at the University of Malaya Medical Centre.