Abstract
Objective Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is used to improve inspiratory muscle strength in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the effect of IMT on diaphragmatic function has not yet been thoroughly evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of IMT on maximum diaphragmatic excursion (DEmax) using ultrasonography in patients with COPD.
Methods This was a single-center, randomised, prospective, parallel-group, unblinded controlled trial involving 38 participants with stable COPD. Participants underwent a standardised 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program followed by a 12-week IMT program, consisting of home-based IMT and low-frequency outpatient PR sessions supervised by physiotherapists (once every 2 weeks), versus low-frequency outpatient PR alone as a control. The DEmax and exercise tolerance were measured.
Results Out of the 38 patients initially enrolled in the PR program, 33 successfully completed it and were subsequently randomised to the IMT program. Finally, 15 (94%) and 14 (88%) patients from the IMT and control groups, respectively, completed the study. Following the IMT program, DEmax increased in the IMT group (50.1±7.6 mm to 60.6±8.0 mm, p<0.001), but not in the control group (47.4±7.9 mm to 46.9±8.3 mm, p=0.10). Changes in DEmax and exercise tolerance (peak VO2) were greater in the IMT group than in the control group (both p<0.01).
Conclusions IMT following the PR program improved DEmax and exercise tolerance. Therefore, DEmax may be an important outcome of IMT.
Footnotes
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Conflict of interest: All authors of this article have agreed to submit the manuscript, and all a uthors declare that there are no conflicts of interest
Conflict of Interest: The authors have nothing to disclose.
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- Received January 10, 2024.
- Accepted May 27, 2024.
- Copyright ©The authors 2024
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