• Isabelle Laffont, Djamel Bensmail, Sylvie Lortat-Jacob, Line Falaize, Claudette Hutin, Elisabeth Le Bomin, Maria Ruquet, Pierre Denys, and Frédéric Lofaso.
• Centre d'Investigation Clinique-Innovations Technologiques, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, University of Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines, Garches, France.
• Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2008 Aug 1; 89 (8): 1575-9.

ObjectiveTo determine whether intermittent positive-pressure breathing (IPPB) improved lung compliance, work of breathing, and respiratory function in patients with recent high spinal cord injury (SCI).DesignAn unblinded randomized crossover trial.SettingRehabilitation hospital.ParticipantsPatients (N=14) with SCI caused by trauma within the last 6 months and located between C5 and T6.InterventionTwo months of IPPB and 2 months of conventional treatment were evaluated prospectively in random order in patients with SCI.Main Outcome MeasuresNoninvasive lung function tests and arterial blood gas measurements were obtained repeatedly in all patients. Repeated measurements of dynamic lung compliance and work of breathing as measured by computing the area enclosed between the inspiratory esophageal pressure-tidal volume curve, and the theoretical chest wall static pressure-volume curve were performed in 7 patients.ResultsIPPB had no long-term effects on vital capacity (52.1%+/-11.3% vs 54.5%+/-12.5%, after conventional treatment and IPPB, respectively; P=.27), lung compliance (66.4+/-48.9 mL/cmH(2)O vs 70.3+/-38.4 mL/cmH(2)O; P=.56), or other lung function tests. IPPB did not exert short-term effects on lung compliance or work of breathing.ConclusionsIPPB produced no immediate or long-term improvements in lung function or ventilatory mechanics in patients with recent SCI. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00476866.).

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