Inspiratory Muscular Training

Summary

Objectives: To evaluate regional lung ventilation distribution in patients suffering from chronic heart failure (CHF) after completing inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and correlate it with functional capacity and quality of life among these individuals. Methods and Results: Nineteen CHF patients were randomly assigned to two groups: Control and IMT. Before and after muscle training, subjects were submitted to assessment protocol for respiratory muscles, digital spirometry, optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP), the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and a quality of life questionnaire (MLHFQ). There was no difference in lung function following the 12-week training period in either group. However, the IMT group showed an increase in actual and predicted MIP, higher MLFHQ score and greater distance walked in the 6MWT, as well as a reduction in the Borg scale after the 6 MWT in relation to the control. For the OEP, IMT group members exhibited higher values for total chest wall volume (Vcw), abdominal rib cage volume (Vrc,a) and abdominal volume (Vab) when compared to the control. Conclusions: For patients with CHF, IMT proved efficient in improving muscle strength, functional capacity and quality of life. The present study also analyzed the distribution behavior of lung volumes for the thoracoabdominal system in this population, showing that larger abdominal rib cage and abdomen volumes may result in more effective diaphragmatic contraction.

Conditions

• Heart Failure

Interventions

OTHER

Inspiratory muscle training

All participants were instructed to use a Threshold® trainer for 30min a day, seven times a week over 12 consecutive weeks.10 Patients in the Control Group used a Threshold ® device without resistance, making them blind to the treatment. For the treatment group, inspiratory resistance of the Threshold® trainer was 30% of MIP, adjusted on a weekly basis to remain constant.

OTHER

Control group

Patients from the control group were also assessed weekly to ensure homogenization of the learning effect for the manometer maneuver.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia de Pernambuco

  collaborator OTHER

• Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

21 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2010-06-30

Primary Completion

2011-04-30

Completion

2011-05-31

Countries

• Brazil

Study Locations