The Use of Functional Electrical Stimulation in Conjunction With Respiratory Muscle Training to Improve Unaided Cough in Individuals With Acute Spinal Cord Injury

The abdominal functional electrical stimulation (AFES) will be conducted using the Xcite system. This is a battery-powered stimulator with up to 12 channels of cyclical stimulation. It is a task-specific modality to enhance mass practice during neurological re-education. The electrical stimulation will be applied to the abdominal and back muscles. In addition, participants will receive two specific respiratory muscle training exercises performed 3 days per week.