Spinal cord injury (SCI), especially involving the cervical and upper thoracic segments, can
significantly compromise respiratory muscle function. Respiratory complications can ensue,
including lung collapse and pneumonia, which are the primary cause for mortality in
association with traumatic SCI both during the acute and chronic phases post-injury. Lesions
at the level of the cervical or high thoracic spinal cord result in respiratory muscle
weakness, which is associated with ineffective cough, mucus retention, and mucus plugging.
Despite the fact that pulmonary complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in
this population, there is a paucity of effective interventions in the SCI population known to
improve respiratory muscle strength with pharmacologic interventions receiving little to no
attention. The current objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of 16 weeks
of sustained release oral Albuterol to; (1) improve respiratory muscular strength, and (2)
improve cough effectiveness.