Abstract
Objective
To explore participants’ experiences after implantation of a diaphragmatic pacing
system (DPS).
Design
Cross-sectional, observational study using self-report questionnaires.
Setting
Participants were recruited from 6 Spinal Cord Injury Model System centers across
the United States (Craig Hospital, CO; Jefferson/Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, PA;
Kessler Rehabilitation Center, NJ; University of Miami, FL; The Shirly Ryan Ability
Lab, IL; Shepherd Center, GA).
Interventions
Not applicable.
Participants
Men and women (N=28) with tetraplegia were enrolled in the study between November
2012 and January 2015.
Main Outcome Measures
Participants completed self-report questionnaires focused on their DPS usage and mechanical
ventilation, as well as their experiences and satisfaction with the DPS.
Results
DPS is a well-tolerated and highly successful device to help individuals living with
spinal cord injury who are dependent on ventilators achieve negative pressure, ventilator-free
breathing. A small percentage of participants reported complications, including broken
pacing wires and surgery to replace or reposition wires.
Conclusions
This study provides insight into the usage patterns of DPS and both the potential
negative and positive effects that DPS can have on the life of the user. Knowledge
gained from this study can provide a foundation for further discussion about the benefits
and potential risks of using a DPS to inform an individual's decision to pursue a
DPS implant.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
DPS (diaphragmatic pacing system), IQR (interquartile range), SCI (spinal cord injury)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 22, 2021
Accepted:
March 16,
2021
Received in revised form:
February 14,
2021
Received:
November 30,
2020
Footnotes
Supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR, grant nos. 90SI5003 [formerly H133N110006] and 90SI15015 to the Rocky Mountain Regional Spinal Injury System; 90SI5024 [formerly H133N110021] to the Regional SCI Center of the Delaware Valley; 90SI5002 [formerly H133N110005] to the Southeastern Reginal Spinal Cord Injury Model System; 90SI5009 [formerly H133N110014] to the Midwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury Model System; 90SI5001 [formerly H133N110003] to the South Florida Spinal Cord Injury Model System; and 90SI5011 [formerly H133N110020] to the Northern New Jersey Spinal Cord Injury System). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this manuscript do not necessarily represent the policy of the NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
Disclosures: none.
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
