Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine participant quality of life before and after use of the cough stimulation system (Cough System). DESIGN: Prospective assessment of life quality at 4 timepoints via questionnaire responses. SETTING: Out-patient hospital, United States. PARTICIPANTS: 28 subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI) completed life quality assessment questionnaires before and at the 28- 40- and 52-week timepoints following use of the Cough System. RESULTS: Each subject demonstrated significant clinical improvements in terms of restoration of an effective cough and ability to manage airway secretions with use of the Cough System. Positive airway pressures and peak expiratory airflows approached values associated with a normal cough. Related to cough/secretion management, use of this system also resulted less interference with family life and daily activities, less financial difficulties, less requirement for caregiver assistance, less stress, less embarrassment and greater control of their breathing problems (p < 0.01), for each comparison). There also significant improvements in that their overall health and quality of life (p < 0.01, for each comparison). Subjects also reported greater ease in breathing, restored ability to sneeze and enhanced mobility. The incidence of acute respiratory tract infections fell from 1.3 ± 0.3 to 0.2 ± 0.1 events/subject year (p < 0.01). Ten subjects developed mild hemodynamic effects consistent with autonomic dysreflexia that abated completely with continued use of the Cough System. Some subjects experienced mild leg jerks during SCS, which were well tolerated and abated completely with reduction in stimulus amplitude, No subjects reported bowel or bladder leakage. CONCLUSION: Use of the Cough System by SCI subjects is a safe and efficacious method which significantly improves life quality and has the potential to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with SCI.