Diaphragm Pacing in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injuries

Inclusion Criteria: * Acute, traumatic cervical spinal cord injuries (C-SCIs), classified according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) as A-C * Scheduled to undergo implantation of a diaphragm pacer, or who have recently received (in past 5-days) implantation of intramuscular diaphragm pacing electrodes due to severe respiratory impairments and dependence on mechanical ventilation Exclusion Criteria: * Progressive neuromuscular diseases such as multiple sclerosis and myasthenia gravis * History of neurologic injuries such as stroke or prior SCI * Chest wall injuries or deformities likely to influence breathing * Pregnancy * Cognitive impairments limiting study participation