Testing breathing improvement treatment for spinal cord injury

This trial is testing a new breathing exercise method called intermittent hypercapnia treatment for people with spinal cord injuries who have trouble breathing or sleep apnea. The treatment involves breathing exercises done five days a week for two weeks. Researchers believe this method may help the body restore natural breathing function by stimulating the brain's ability to repair and rewire breathing pathways that were damaged by spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injuries often damage the nerves that control the diaphragm, the main breathing muscle, leading to severe breathing problems and even the need for a ventilator. Currently, there are no good treatment options beyond machines or nerve stimulators. This study is testing whether this breathing exercise approach could offer a new way to help the body naturally recover breathing strength.