ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the correlation between residual strength of neck and shoulder muscles and respiratory function in patients with cervical spinal cord injury.Methods From January,2015 to June,2016,the muscle strength of sternocleidomastoid,trapezius and deltoid was tested in 30 patients with cervical spinal cord injury five and 24 weeks after injury.Meanwhile,their neurological and pul-monary function was evaluated.Results There was correlation between the vital capacity and muscle strength of deltoid both five and 24 weeks after injury(r>0.806,P<0.05)in the patients intermittent without ventilation,and it was found in sense score five weeks after injury (r=0.914,P<0.01),motor score(r=0.979,P<0.001)and the muscle strength of trapezius(r=0.894,P<0.01)24 weeks after injury.Conclu-sion The residual strength of neck and shoulder muscles,especially of deltoid,plays an important role in the respiratory function in patients with cervical spinal cord injury.