Abstract
For the purpose of examining the effectiveness of respiratory training, EMG activity of diaphragm and respiratory pattern (Ttot, TI, TE, and TI/Ttot) were studied in 3 tetraplegic patients and 30 healthy adults after the deep breathing exercise, Souffle exercise, or exercise with the abdomen loaded. EMG activity of diaphragm after the Souffle exercise was found to increase significantly in healthy adults, and to show a tendency to increase in tetraplegic patients. That after the exercise with the abdomen loaded was significantly lower in tetraplegic patients than in healthy adults. Compared with Ttot at rest, that after the deep breathing exercise became longer in both subjects. TI after the Souffle exercise became longer in tetraplegic patients, resulting in TI/Ttot over 50%. It was concluded that the Souffle exercise is more effective for tetraplegic patients than the exercise with the abdomen loaded, suggesting the effectiveness of the Souffle exercise as respiratory training.
