BACKGROUND: Despite the fact that weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV) is one of the main rehabilitation goals in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), controversies are still open about the optimal rehabilitation approach. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed at characterizing the rehabilitation interventions currently available to optimize weaning from MV in SCI patients. METHODS: On April 12, 2022, a systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and PEDro, identifying studies assessing MV patients with SCI undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation. The primary outcomes were weaning duration, MV duration, and weaning success rate. Secondary outcomes were pulmonary function, extubation or decannulation time, length of stay, and safety. RESULTS: Out of 413 records, 14 studies were included (2 randomized controlled trials, 7 observational studies, and 5 case reports). Most of the studies assessed a comprehensive rehabilitation approach, including high tidal volume ventilation, positioning, mechanical lung recruitment maneuvers, secretion management strategies, respiratory muscle training, and electrical stimulation. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that a comprehensive rehabilitation intervention might have a role in reducing MV duration in patients with SCI. Further studies are needed to better characterize the optimal rehabilitation strategies for enhancing functional recovery of patients with SCI.

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