Objective
To explore the perspectives of individuals with high cervical spinal cord injury (C-SCI) regarding expectations, concerns, and desired applications of brain–computer interface (BCI).
Methods
A structured focus group interview was conducted with four individuals with chronic high cervical spinal cord injury, all with neurological levels of C4 or above. Pre- and post-interview questionnaires were administered to assess expectations, concerns, and acceptance of BCI before and after discussion. The interview was facilitated by experts in rehabilitation medicine and biomedical engineering, and qualitative data were analyzed inductively to identify key themes.
Results
Five major themes emerged: digital accessibility, offline physical activity, social interactions and psychological health, usability, and acceptance. Participants expressed strong interest in using BCI to improve digital independence, particularly for messaging, online banking, internet use, and smart home control. They also viewed BCI as a potential tool to enhance autonomy in daily activities and reduce reliance on caregivers. Most participants were open to training and, in some cases, invasive procedures; however, concerns regarding surgical safety, device maintenance, reliability, and practical usability were frequently raised. Views on the emotional and social impact of BCI varied across individuals. Questionnaire responses showed increased willingness to undergo invasive procedures after the focus group interview, while expected functional outcomes became more realistic, suggesting that structured group discussion may have shaped participants’ understanding of BCI.
Conclusion
BCI was perceived as a promising pathway to greater independence, participation, and autonomy among individuals with high C-SCI. These findings emphasize user-centered design and demonstrate how lived experience can guide assistive neurotechnology development in rehabilitation research.

The effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of IMT in enhancing breathing muscle strength, pulmonary function, and quality of life (QoL) among patients with cervical SCI. A search was performed using the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases through December 2023. This review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Library Handbook. The meta-analysis used mean differences (MDs) or standardized mean differences to pool the results. The Risk of Bias 2 and the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) were used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. This systematic review included five randomized controlled trials (202 participants). The results of the meta-analysis showed that IMT significantly improved maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) with MD 12.13 cmH2O (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.22 to 20.03), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) with MD 8.98 cmH2O (95% CI 6.96 to 11.00), and vital capacity (VC) with MD 0.25 L (95% CI 0.21 to 0.28). There were no significant improvements in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and QoL. The quality of the evidence ranged from very low to moderate, owing to bias and heterogeneity. Our results showed that IMT may improve MIP, MEP, and VC, but not FEV1, FVC, or QoL, in patients with cervical SCI. Further large-scale studies are required to determine this effect’s optimal dosage and duration.

Citations

• Rewiring the Lung–CNS Axis After Spinal Cord Injury
  HaiRong Wu, Xiaolong Li, Wenjun Zhao, Yihan Li, Hang Zhang, Heng Yin, Xiaofeng Gu
  Journal of Inflammation Research.2026; Volume 19: 1.     CrossRef
• Effects of whole-body vibration training on sarcopenia in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
  Jaewon Beom, Jae-Young Lim, Sang Yoon Lee
  Scientific Reports.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• RESPIRATORY MUSCLE TRAINING IN SPORTS AND REHABILITATION: A LITERATURE REVIEW
  Martyna Łubianka, Wiktor Słyś
  International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Effects of Electrostimulation With the Laparoscopic Implantation of Neuroprosthesis Procedure Combined With Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy on the Functional Rehabilitation of Individuals With Chronic Spinal Cord Injury: Quasirandomized Prospective Contro
  Wellington Contiero, Augusta Ribeiro Morgado, Victor Croos-Bezerra, Cristiano Soares Simões, João Angelo Ferres Brogin, Jean Faber, Nucelio Lemos
  Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Determinants for improving respiratory muscle training after spinal cord injury using real-world clinical data
  Gabi Mueller, Marianne Tanner, Amelie Gruber, Sabrina Alessandri, Claudio Perret, Andreas Limacher
  Spinal Cord.2026;[Epub]     CrossRef

Objective
To verify the safety and clinical utility of noninvasive respiratory management as an alternative method of invasive respiratory management for the patients with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) who often present with ventilatory insufficiency (due to inspiratory muscle paralysis) or difficulty in removing airway secretions (because of expiratory muscle weakness). Method: Nineteen patients with CSCI (male: 15, female: 4, mean age: 45.6) were recruited. All of the patients were in need of mechanical ventilation due to ventilatory failure or indwelling tracheostomy tube for secretion management. In order to switch from invasive to noninvasive means of respiratory management, expiratory muscle aids such as manual assist or CoughAassist^Ⱂ and inspiratory muscle aids such as noninvasive ventilatory support were applied to all candidates. Results: Fifteen out of the 19 patients had indwelling tracheostomy tubes, and the remaining 4 patients were intubated via endotracheal tubes at admission. Through the noninvasive respiratory management, we were able to remove intubation or traheostomy tubes for all of the patients. Eleven patients were able to maintain normal ventilation status without ventilatory support, as time went on. The rest 8 patients were continuously in need of ventilatory support, but they could maintain normal ventilation status by noninvasive method. Conclusion: Noninvasive respiratory management is safe and equally effective in treating ventilatory insufficiency or removing airway secretions for patients with CSCI. In cases of long-term ventilator dependency or chronic tracheostomy state, it can be replaced as a creditable alternative to invasive respiratory management. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2010; 34: 518-523)

Objective
To evaluate the difference in forced vital capacity (FVC) between sitting and supine position in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Method: FVC was measured in sitting and supine position for 32 patients with DMD, 32 patients with cervical SCI and for 28 patients with ALS. The highest value in three or more attempts in each position was chosen. Results: FVCs measured in cervical SCI and ALS patients in the sitting and supine position were 1612.8⁑291.0 ml, 1393.2⁑286.7 ml and 2054.7⁑545.8 ml, 1104.3⁑425.4 ml respectively. Cervical SCI patients showed significantlyhigher value in the supine position (p＜0.05). And ALS patients showed significantly higher value in the sitting position (p＜0.05). FVCs measured in DMD patients were 1311.6⁑260.7 ml and 1213.8⁑378.9 ml respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the measurements in both positions. Conclusion: Difference in postural change of FVC was observed in patients with different types of neuromuscular disorders. Such difference in FVC suggest that postural change of FVC should be considered in management of neuromuscular disease with respiratory muscle weakness. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2006; 30: 80-85)