Electric jolts to abdominal muscles may restore cough power after spinal injury
NCT ID NCT05745298
First seen Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026
Summary
This study investigates whether combining electrical stimulation of the abdominal and back muscles with specific breathing exercises can improve the strength of an unaided cough in people with acute spinal cord injury. Participants will use a device called the Xcite system to deliver electrical pulses to their muscles while performing respiratory training three days per week. The goal is to increase peak cough flow and other lung function measures, which could help clear mucus and reduce infection risk.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- abdominal functional electrical stimulation (AFES) using the Xcite system plus respiratory muscle training exercises
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could help people with spinal cord injury cough more effectively without assistance, reducing respiratory complications.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage study with a small number of participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The intervention requires a positive response to electrical stimulation, which not all individuals may have.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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University of Miami
RECRUITINGMiami, Florida, 33136, United States
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
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