MI- E study protocol An original protocol was established to perform treatment assessment with Cough Assitst T70 MI-E device® Phillips Respironics. Protocol based on 9 phases of monitoring cough. First was baseline performed for the patient without mechanical assistance and the others were performed by incremental inspiratory and expiratory pressures (cm H2O). Considering ±40 cmH2O as optimal, it was the maximum at the study. An increase of 10 cm H2O in each phase was made starting with the inspiratory pressure (10 to 40 cm H2O or maximum tolerated). Once the maximum pressure tolerated by the patient was reached, the expiratory pressure was introduced following the same sequence. (-10 to -40 cm H2O or maximum tolerated).