Clinical Research Directory

Rehab and Mechanical Ventilation

The goal of this research study is to evaluate the effects of a single session of rehabilitation in healthy adults, before noninvasive mechanical ventilation (MV). MV can help support breathing function during sleep or illness. High levels of MV support have been reported to alter the function of the diaphragm muscle, the primary breathing muscle, in people with compromised health. However, rehabilitation may have some potential to improve diaphragm function in advance of using MV. This study will test different rehabilitation interventions, including (1) inspiratory strength training (IST), (2) transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (TSCS), or sham TSCS. Before and after MV, participants will complete breathing strength tests and responses to phrenic nerve stimulation.