Physiotherapy interventions on chest wall mobility in obstructive lung diseases: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions on chest mobility in obstructive lung diseases. METHODS: Searches were performed in PEDro, Pubmed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases without language restrictions between 2010 and 25th December 2020. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating physiotherapy interventions on chest wall mobility were included. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of included studies. The assessment of risk of bias was conducted using the PEDro scale for RCTs. The articles were excluded if they have less than 5 out of 10 score. RESULTS: Five studies included had good to excellent quality. A total of 139 patients were included in all RCTs. Intervention duration ranged from a single session to 12 weeks and the intervention schedules varied, consisting of 1-24 sessions, lasting 5-45 min per sessions. Three studies used respiratory muscle stretching and releasing techniques, one study combined respiratory muscle stretching with aerobic training, and one study planned diaphragmatic breathing. Four studies assessed chest wall mobility with optoelectronic plethysmography, whereas one study used measuring tape. CONCLUSIONS: The result of this first systematic review that investigates the effects of physiotherapy interventions on chest wall mobility in obstructive lung diseases suggests that more and better quality RCTs with objective measurement tools are required.

Effect of Ground-Based Walk Training in Pulmonary Hypertension.

This study aimed to determine the effect of ground-based walking training on exercise capacity, physical activity, quadriceps muscle strength, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with pulmonary hypertension. A total of 24 patients were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups as the walking group or the control group. The walking group participated in 30-minute supervised ground-based walking training 2 days/week for 8 weeks. Also, they walked unsupervised at least 1 day/week. The control group received no intervention. The number of weekly steps taken in both groups was recorded using a pedometer. In addition to the sociodemographic and clinic characteristics of the patients, the endurance shuttle walk test, incremental shuttle walk test, and 6-minute walk test were used for the evaluation of exercise capacity, and an activity monitor and pedometer for physical activity, a dynamometer for quadriceps muscle strength, and emPHasis-10 for QoL. After 8 weeks, endurance capacity, maximal exercise capacity, and the number of steps significantly improved in the walking group (p <0.05). The 6-minute walk distance, physical activity, quadriceps muscle strength, and QoL were similar in both groups (p >0.05). The results of the study showed that ground-based walking could improve endurance capacity, maximal exercise capacity, and the number of steps. Quadriceps muscle strength also improved in the walking group. No adverse effects were reported during the training period. Ground-based walking training can be performed safely in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Respiratory Muscle Endurance in Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: An increase in respiratory work load and resistance to respiration cause a decrease in respiratory muscle endurance (RME) in patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS). We aimed to evaluate and compare RME in subjects with OHS and a control group using an incremental load test and compare the RME of subjects with OHS in whom noninvasive ventilation (NIV) was and was not used. METHODS: Forty subjects with OHS (divided according to body mass index [BMI] as group I: 30-40 kg/m2; and group II: ≥ 40 kg/m2) and 20 subjects with obesity (control group: 30-40 kg/m2) were included in the study. RME was evaluated using the incremental load test, and respiratory muscle strength (RMS) was evaluated using mouth pressure measurements. The 6-min walk test, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), EQ-5D Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (EQ-5D), and the Obesity and Weight-Loss Quality of Life Instrument (OWLQOL) were performed. RESULTS: RME and RMS (%) in group I were lower than the control group (P = .001, P = .005, and P = .001, respectively). No significant difference was found between the 3 groups in terms of 6-min walk distance (6MWD) percentage predicted values (P = .98). RME in the NIV user group was higher than the non-user group (P = .006). ESS, total PSQI, and FSS scores in the control group were less than group I (P = .01, P = .009, and P = .005, respectively) and group II (P = .01, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). The EQ-5D scores of the control group were higher than group II only (P = .005 and P = .005, respectively). There were no differences in OWLQOL between the groups (P = .053). CONCLUSIONS: RME was low in subjects with OHS but higher in those who used NIV. The incremental load test could be performed easily and safely in a clinic setting.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of "the Dyspnea-ALS-Scale (DALS-15)".

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of The Dyspnea-ALS-Scale (DALS-15). METHODS: Forward translation, back translation, and cross-cultural adaptation were used to ensure the equivalency of translated version of the scale. Then, patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who have dyspnea or orthopnea that develops with effort or at rest were evaluated using DALS-15 via online surveys. The respiratory subscale of ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) and Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale (MBDS) was used to investigate the construct validity of the Turkish DALS-15. Reliability was assessed with Cronbach's α and inter-item correlation matrix (internal consistency). RESULTS: We have included 52 ALS patients in the study. Findings showed that Turkish version of DALS-15 was highly correlated with respiratory subscale of ALSFRS-R (r = - 0.668; p = < 0.0001) and MBDS (for upright position: r = 0.728; p = < 0.0001 and for supine: r = 0.78; p = < 0.0001). The scale did not show any ceiling or floor effect. Also, DALS-15 had a high level of Cronbach's α (0.95) and internal consistency (ICC: 0.949; 95%CI: 0.92-0.96). Test-re-test reliability of the questionnaire was (ICC: 0.909; 95% CI: 0.81-0.95). The standard error of measurement value was 2.76, whereas the minimal detectable change score was 7.66 points for the translated version of the scale. CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish version of DALS-15 possesses strong psychometric properties with excellent validity and reliability. It is shown to be useful for online self-assessment, outside of the clinical settings, especially in hard times such as a pandemic.

Effects of high intensity interval training and sprint interval training in patients with asthma: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to review the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT)/sprint interval training (SIT) on asthma symptoms, cardiorespiratory functions, and other variables among asthmatic patients. DATA SOURCES: Randomized controlled trials published between January 2000 and January 2021 were searched in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. STUDY SELECTIONS: Following pre-specified inclusion criteria, this review included 7 randomized controlled studies that compare HIIT/SIT as an intervention with any other intervention and/or control group. RESULTS: Of the included studies only four reported the chronic phase effects of the HIIT/SIT protocols. HIIT and SIT protocols applied in studies differ. HIIT improved forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in the acute phase and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) in the chronic phase in the asthmatic patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, our systematic review is the first study evaluating the effects of HIIT/SIT protocols on asthma patients. HIIT/SIT protocols have beneficial effects on asthma patients. In order to better understand the results of these training procedures, studies that will be designed with high methodology are needed.

Does Duke Activity Status Index help predicting functional exercise capacity and long-term prognosis in patients with pulmonary hypertension?

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association of Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) with 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and WHO-Functional Class (WHO-FC) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH), as well as exploring whether DASI can discriminate between the patients with better and worse long-term prognosis according to 400 m cut-off score in 6MWT. METHODS: Eighty-five medically stable PH patients who met eligibility criteria were included. All patients were evaluated using 6MWT and DASI. The prognostic utility of the DASI was assessed using univariate linear regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: The DASI was an independent predictor for both 6MWT and WHO-FC, explaining 50% of variance in 6MWT and 30% of variance in WHO-FC class (p < 0.001). In addition, DASI significantly correlated to 6MWT (r = 0.702) and WHO-FC class (r = 0.547). The ROC curve analysis revealed that the DASI had a discriminative value for identifying the patients with better long-term prognosis (p < 0.001), with an area under ROC curve of 0.867 [95% CI = 0.782-0.952]. The DASI ≥26 was the optimal cut-off value for better long-term prognosis, having sensitivity of 0.74 and a specificity of 0.88. CONCLUSIONS: The DASI is a valid tool reflecting functional exercise capacity in patients with PH. Considering its ability to discriminate between the patients with better or worse long-term prognosis, it may help identifying the patients at higher risk.

Effect of expiratory muscle training on peak cough flow in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cough is an important defense and airway clearance mechanism for removing thick and viscous secretions in cystic fibrosis (CF). The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of expiratory muscle training (EMT) on peak cough flow (PCF) and secondly on respiratory muscle functions, functional exercise capacity, and quality of life (QoL) in CF. METHODS: Thirty patients were randomized as training and sham groups. Both groups were trained with the EMT protocol, which involved twice per day for at least 5 days per week for 6 weeks. The training intensity in the training group was 30% of the maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). In the sham group, it remained at the lowest pressure (5 cmH2 O). The primary outcome was PCF. The secondary outcomes were MEP, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), spirometric measures, six-minute walking distance (6MWD), and QoL (Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised). RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients completed the study. Changes in PCF (p = .041) and MEP (p = .003) were higher in the training group than the sham group. Also, treatment burden (p = .008), digestive symptoms (p = .019), and vitality (p = .042) in QoL were more improved in the training group. MIP (p = .028) and 6MWD (p = .035) changed significantly only in the training group. Spirometric measurements did not change (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study show that EMT could improve PCF, MEP, treatment burden, digestive symptoms, and vitality domains of QoL in patients with CF. Moreover, MIP and functional exercise capacity improved in the training group with EMT.

A randomized controlled trial on inspiratory muscle training in pulmonary hypertension: Effects on respiratory functions, functional exercise capacity, physical activity, and quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Impaired respiratory muscle function may be one of the causes of increased dyspnea, reduced exercise capacity, and physical activity (PA), and poor quality of life in pulmonary hypertension (PH). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of threshold inspiratory muscle training (TIMT) on respiratory functions, functional exercise capacity, PA, and QoL in patients with PH. METHODS: Thirty patients with PH were randomly allocated to a TIMT (n = 15) and sham group (n = 15). Three patients in the sham group could not participate in the program. The TIMT group (n = 15) trained at 30% of the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), and the sham group (n = 12) performed at lowest pressure without change in threshold pressure. In both groups, patients performed TIMT at home for 15 min, twice per day, with the MIP load determined by the trainer, and were supervised once weekly at the hospital for eight weeks. The primary outcomes were MIP and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). The secondary outcome measures included spirometric measurements, six-minute walking distance (6MWD), PA (SenseWear armband and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form-IPAQ-Short Form), and QoL (Minnesota Living with Heart Failure-MLHF). RESULTS: After the training, changes in MIP (p = 0.023) were higher in the intervention group compared with the sham group. Differences in MEP, FEV1 (%), FVC (%), FEV1/FVC (%), 6MWD, %6MWD, IPAQ-SF, MLHFQ, and armband parameters were not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study demonstrated that TIMT could increase MIP and did not improve other parameters of respiratory functions, functional exercise capacity, PA, and QoL in patients with PH.

Respiratory muscle strength in patients with pulmonary hypertension: The relationship with exercise capacity, physical activity level, and quality of life.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by exertional dyspnea, fatigue, chest pain, dizziness, and syncope. Physical activity, peripheral, and respiratory muscle strength reduces in pateints with PH. Little is known about respiratory muscle weakness and related outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to determine respiratory muscle strength and to investigate the relationship between respiratory muscle strength and spirometric measurements, exercise capacity, physical activity level, quality of life, and pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with PH. METHODS: In total, 33 patients aged 25-80 years who were diagnosed as having PH and 24 healthy volunteers were included in the study. To measure respiratory function, spirometry, maximal inspiratory (MIP), and expiratory pressures (MEP) were used. Physical activity level was determined with activity monitoring (SenseWear Armband) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Exercise capacity was determined using the 6-minute walk test. Quality of life was evaluated with the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ). RESULTS: Maximal inspiratory pressure and MEP values of the patients with PH were significantly lower than the age- and sex-matched healthy controls (P < .0001). Significant relationships were found between the MIP and six MWD (r = .40, P = .02), vigorous physical activity (r = .38, P = .03), moderate physical activity (r = 61, P < .001), and arm band-average metabolic equivalent (r = .39, P = .02). CONCLUSION: The relationship between maximum inspiratory pressure, exercise capacity, and physical activity level showed that a decrease in exercise capacity or physical activity level may be a predictor for decreased MIP.

The role of an activity monitor in the objective evaluation of patients with pulmonary hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) show no symptoms at rest, but symptoms are triggered by physical activities. OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of our study was to assess physical activity of patients with PH by using an activity monitor. The secondary aim was to evaluate the correlation between the activity monitor parameters and 6-min walk distance (6MWD), activity of daily living (ADL), quality of life, WHO functional class and PH classification. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and seven patients with chronic thromboembolic PH were included in the study. Physical activity was assessed using a SenseWear arm band. A 6-min walk test was performed. Daily living activities were assessed using the 'nottingham extended activity of daily living index' (NEADL). For quality of life assessments, 'Minnesota living with heart failure' (MLHF) and 'Short form-36' (SF-36) surveys were used. RESULTS: Physical activity, exercise capacity, quality of life and contribution to ADL were lower in patients with PH. These data were associated with the 6MWD, quality of life and ADL index scores. We also found weak and moderate correlations between activity monitor data and SF-36 sub-group scores, MLHF and NEADL scores (P < 0.05). For the group with PAH, idiopathic PAH patients had more exercise capacity and total energy expenditure compared with patients with scleroderma-associated PAH. CONCLUSION: Correlation between activity monitor data and 6MWD, most of SF-36 sub-group scores, MLHF scores and NEADL index scores suggest that activity monitor can be used in the evaluation of patients with PH.

Sleep quality and quality of life in patients with moderate to very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is highly associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Poor sleep quality is found to be related with decreased quality of life (QoL) in patients with COPD but no study assessed this relationship on the basis of nocturnal sleep parameters. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to explore the relationships between sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and QoL in patients suffering from moderate to very severe COPD with and without sleep apnea assessed objectively and to compare sleep quality, QoL and daytime sleepiness in patients suffering from COPD with and without sleep apnea. METHODS: Fifty-one patients with stable moderate to very severe COPD (mean age, 59.8 ± 8.1 years) included in the study. The parameters of polygraphic sleep studies (Stardust II, Philips-Respironics) were noted. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), The Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea and SF-36 Health Quality Survey were performed. RESULTS: The rate of OSA was 74.5% (Apnea-Hypopnea Index, >5). out of all the patients, 94% had poor sleep quality (PSQI, >5). Negative correlations were found between PSQI and physical role, social function and mental health of SF-36 subgroups (P < .05). There was no correlation between PSQI, ESS, SF-36, dyspnea and polygraphic parameters (P > .05). In the comparison of patients with or without OSA, the vitality of SF-36 subgroup was found lower in patients with OSA (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, irrespective of OSA, patients with COPD are suffering from poor sleep quality and poor sleep quality negatively affects the QoL. Also, COPD and OSA association causes worsened vitality in the terms of health-related QoL.

Inspiratory Muscle Training in Late-Onset Pompe Disease: The Effects on Pulmonary Function Tests, Quality of Life, and Sleep Quality.

INTRODUCTION: Late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) is characterized by progressive skeletal and respiratory muscle weakness. Little is known about the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on pulmonary function in subjects with LOPD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of an 8-week IMT program on pulmonary function tests, quality of life, and sleep quality in eight patients with LOPD who were receiving enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). METHODS: Before and after the IMT program, spirometric measurements in sitting and supine positions, and measurements of maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures, peak cough flow, quality of life (assessed using the Nottingham Health Profile), and sleep quality (assessed using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index) were performed. RESULTS: A significant increase in maximum inspiratory pressure (cmH2O and % predicted) (median [interquartile range]: 30.0 cmH2O [21.5-48] versus 39 cmH2O [31.2-56.5] and 38.3 % [28.1-48.4] versus 50.5 % [37.7-54.9]) was observed after training (p = 0.01). There were no significant changes in the other pulmonary function measurements. With the exception of the social isolation subscore (p = 0.02), quality of life subscores did not change after IMT (p > 0.05). Sleep quality subscores and total scores were similar before and after IMT. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that IMT has a positive effect on maximum inspiratory pressure in subjects with LOPD who are under ERT.

Effects of respiratory muscle training on pulmonary functions in patients with slowly progressive neuromuscular disease: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of inspiratory and expiratory muscle training on pulmonary functions in patients with slowly progressive neuromuscular disease. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled double-blinded study. SETTING: Chest diseases clinic of university hospital. SUBJECTS: Twenty-six patients with slowly progressive neuromuscular disease followed for respiratory problems were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups; experimental (n = 14; age 31.6 ±12.3 years) and sham (n = 12; age 26.5 ±8.6 years) groups. METHODS: Spirometry, peak cough flow, maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure were measured before the eighth week of study, and subsequently at end of it. Respiratory muscle training was performed by inspiratory (Threshold Inspiratory Muscle Trainer) and expiratory (Threshold Positive Expiratory Pressure) threshold loading methods. Training intensities were increased according to maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures in the experimental group, while the lowest loads were used for training in the sham group. Patients performed 15 minutes inspiratory muscle training and 15 minutes expiratory muscle training, twice a day, five days/week, for a total of eight weeks at home. Training intensity was adjusted in the training group once a week. RESULTS: Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures (cmH2O, % predicted) (respectively p = 0.002, p = 0.003, p = 0.04, p = 0.03) and sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (p = 0.04) were improved in the experimental group when compared with the sham group. However, there was no improvement in spirometric measurements when groups were compared (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: As a conclusion of our study, we found that respiratory muscle strength improved by inspiratory and expiratory muscle training in patients with slowly progressive neuromuscular disease.