High-intensity inspiratory muscle training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and severely reduced function

J Cardiopulm Rehabil. 2001 Jul-Aug;21(4):231-40. doi: 10.1097/00008483-200107000-00008.

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) with high-intensity inspiratory pressure loads on respiratory muscle performance and exertional dyspnea.

Methods: This was a randomized single-blind clinical trial. Twenty-seven patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (18 men, 9 women) with severe to very severe airflow obstruction and severely limited functional performance were assigned randomly to an IMT group (n = 12) or an educational control group (n = 15). The IMT group trained with a threshold loaded device for 30 minutes a day for 16 weeks using interval training techniques. Training was initiated with inspiratory pressure loads equal to 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure (Plmax) and increased as tolerated to 60% of Plmax. Dependent variables were measured before and after 4 months of IMT: inspiratory muscle strength (Plmax), respiratory muscle endurance (discontinuous incremental threshold loading test [DC-ITL]), dyspnea (Chronic Respiratory Disease Questionnaire [CRQ]), and the Borg Category-Ratio Scale ratings of perceived breathing difficulty (RPBD) at equal loads during the DC-ITL.

Results: In the IMT group, Plmax increased from 64 +/- 15 to 75 +/- 17 cm H2O (P < .05), performance on the DC-ITL test increased from a maximal load of 37 +/- 12 to 53 +/- 13 cm H2O (P < .05), RPBD decreased from 5.5 +/- 2.5 to 3.8 +/- 2.6 for equal loads on the DC-ITL (P < .05) and the CRQ Dyspnea Scale improved from 18.1 +/- 5.1 to 22.4 +/- 5.2 (P < .05).

Conclusions: Inspiratory muscle training at high-intensity loads significantly improved inspiratory muscle strength, respiratory muscle endurance, and respiratory symptoms during daily activities and respiratory exertion.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Breathing Exercises
  • Dyspnea / prevention & control
  • Dyspnea / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inspiratory Capacity
  • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / physiopathology*
  • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Respiratory Muscles / physiopathology