OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diaphragmatic breathing exercise with biofeedback on respiratory function in incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. DESIGN: Forty SCI patients (mean age 32.67 +/- 5.08 years) were randomly entered into two groups including the control group (n = 20) and the intervention group (n = 20). Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), Functional Vital Capacity (FVC), Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) tests were performed to measure pulmonary function and Nijmegen Questionnaire (NQ) was used to evaluate severity of respiratory dysfunction before, immediately after intervention, and one month after the intervention. RESULTS: The mean of pulmonary function tests in the intervention group was increased after the intervention (p < 0.001) and at one-month after intervention (p < 0.001). In addition, the control group indicated no change in these variables. The NQ score also decreased significantly in both groups (control group = p < 0.001, intervention group = p < 0.001). The change of NQ score significantly differed between the groups (F 4.67, p = 0.03); also, significant difference was observed after intervention (p < 0.001) and one month follow-up (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The application of visual biofeedback during breathing exercise can improve pulmonary function and mechanism may make the NQ improve as a reflection of lowered dyspnea.

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