Functional electrical stimulation (FES) of abdominal muscles-influence of pulmonary mechanics and ventilation

The effects of functional electrical stimulation (FES) of abdominal muscles on pulmonary ventilation and mechanics of breathing were studied in 3 neurologically intact male subjects and 5 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) levels between C4-C7. Pulmonary ventilation was augmented in both groups predominantly due to the increase in tidal volume. The chest wall motion in SCI patients during quiet breathing is changed and during FES it is partly normalized. The changes in chest mechanics are probably due to lesser effectiveness of FES in SCI patients.