High-frequency mechanical vibration of the rib cage reduces dyspnea, but the effect fo this proce - dure on the respiratory muscles is largely unknown. In the present studies, we have initially assessed the electrical and mechanical response to vibration (40 Hz) of the canine parasternal and external in - tercostal muscles (third interspace) during hyperventilation-induced apnea. When the vibrator was applied to the segment investigated, prominent external intercostal activity was recorded in the seven animals studied, whereas low-amplitude parasternal intercostal activity was recorded in only four animals.
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