Fifteen patients with cervical and high thoracic spinal cord injury underwent pulmonary function studies in two position: sitting and supine, and in sitting position under two circumstance, wearing a abdominal band or not.

The results obtained were as follows:

1) Vital capacity, tidal volume and inspiratory capacity were significantly improved in supine position in comparison with sitting position.

2) Vital capacity and expiratory reserve volume were significantly improved in sitting position in comparison with sitting position without abdominal band.

3) Forced vital capacity was significantly improved in supine and sitting position with abdominal bands in comparison with sitting position without abdominal band.