Effects of inspiratory muscle training on respiratory muscle strength, respiratory function and functional capacity in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis : A randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) may impair respiratory dynamics and affect the performance of inspiratory and expiratory muscles. The benefit of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is not well investigated in AIS. We aimed to investigate the effects of IMT on respiratory muscle strength, respiratory function and functional capacity in adolescents with mild to moderate AIS. METHODS: Thirty-six adolescents were randomized into control or IMT groups. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured by spirometry; respiratory muscle strength by maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP); and functional capacity by 6-min walk test (6MWT) before and after the 8-week-long home-based exercise program. Both groups received conventional exercise program including diaphragmatic breathing exercises, resistive local expansion exercise on the collapsed areas in concave sides of scoliosis, spinal stabilization, strengthening of interscapular muscles and stretching exercises. IMT group also trained with Threshold IMT device for 15 minutes, twice a day for 8 weeks at the intensity of 30% of initial MIP value in addition to conventional exercise program. RESULTS: FEV1, PEF, MIP, MEP and 6MWT distance significantly improved in both groups. IMT group also showed significant improvement in FVC. The increases in FVC, MIP, MEP and 6MWT distance of IMT group were significantly higher compared to control group. CONCLUSION: IMT is found to be beneficial for patients with AIS for achieving further improvements in respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity compared to conventional exercise program alone.

Effects of inspiratory muscle training on postural stability, pulmonary function and functional capacity in children with cystic fibrosis: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has found conflictive results regarding the benefits of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Also, involvement of postural stability is a rising concern in chronic lung diseases but its role in CF patients is poorly understood. Our aim was to investigate the effects of IMT in CF patients as well as analysing the factors which may be related to postural stability. METHODS: Thirty-six children aged between 8 and 18 years with CF were randomly allocated to either "comprehensive chest PT" group (PT) or "IMT alongside comprehensive chest PT" group (PT+IMT). Both groups trained for 8 weeks. Dynamic and static postural stability tests on Biodex Balance system®, spirometry, respiratory muscle strength and 6-min walk distance (6MWD) was assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of training. Determinants of postural stability was also analysed on baseline values. RESULTS: Maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) was found to be an independent predictor for overall limits of stability (LOS) score explaining %26 of variance (R = 0.514, p = 0.003). Overall LOS score, FVC, FEV1, peak expiratory flow, MEP and 6MWD significantly improved in both groups, with no significant differences between groups. Maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) also improved in both groups but the magnitude of improvement in MIP was greater in PT+IMT group (38 cmH2O vs 13 cmH2O; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Combining IMT with chest PT failed to provide further improvements, except for MIP, suggesting that a comprehensive chest PT program may be individually effective in improving overall LOS score, spirometry, respiratory muscle strength and 6MWD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ClinicalTrials.gov; registration number: NCT03375684.

Effects of inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with atrial fibrillation. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled single-blind study. SETTING: Cardiology department of a university hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 38 patients with permanent atrial fibrillation were randomly allocated to either a treatment group (n = 19; age 66.2 years (8.8)) or a control group (n = 19; age 67.1 years (6.4)). METHODS: The training group received inspiratory muscle training at 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure for 15 minutes twice a day, 7 days a week, for 12 weeks alongside the standard medical treatment. The control group received standard medical treatment only. Spirometry, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures and 6-minute walking distance was measured at the beginning and end of the study. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in maximal inspiratory pressure (27.94 cmH2O (8.90)), maximal expiratory pressure (24.53 cmH2O (10.34)), forced vital capacity (10.29% (8.18) predicted), forced expiratory volume in one second (13.88% (13.42) predicted), forced expiratory flow 25%-75% (14.82% (12.44) predicted), peak expiratory flow (19.82% (15.62) predicted) and 6-minute walking distance (55.53 m (14.13)) in the training group (p < 0.01). No significant changes occurred in the control group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Inspiratory muscle training can improve pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with atrial fibrillation.