Article

Most inspiratory muscle training (IMT) interventions in patients with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been implemented as fully
supervised daily training for 30 minutes with controlled training loads using
mechanical threshold loading (MTL) devices. Recently, an electronic tapered flow
resistive loading (TFRL) device was introduced that has a different loading
profile and stores training data during IMT sessions.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this
study was to compare the efficacy of a brief, largely unsupervised IMT protocol
conducted using either traditional MTL or TFRL on inspiratory muscle function in
patients with COPD. DESIGN: Twenty patients with inspiratory muscle weakness who
were clinically stable and participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation program
were randomly allocated to perform 8 weeks of either MTL IMT or TFRL IMT.
METHODS: Participants performed 2 daily home-based IMT sessions of 30 breaths
(3-5 minutes per session) at the highest tolerable intensity, supported by
twice-weekly supervised sessions. Adherence, progression of training intensity,
increases in maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (Pimax), and endurance capacity
of inspiratory muscles (Tlim) were evaluated. RESULTS: More than 90% of IMT
sessions were completed in both groups. The TFRL group tolerated higher loads
during the final 3 weeks of the IMT program, with similar effort scores on the
10-Item Borg Category Ratio (CR-10) Scale, and achieved larger improvements in
Pimax and Tlim than the MTL group. LIMITATIONS: A limitation of the study was the
absence of a study arm involving a sham IMT intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The short
and largely home-based IMT protocol significantly improved inspiratory muscle
function in both groups and is an alternative to traditional IMT protocols in
this population. Participants in the TFRL group tolerated higher training loads
and achieved larger improvements in inspiratory muscle function than those in the
MTL group.
CI - (c) 2015 American Physical Therapy Association.

Langue : ANGLAIS