Chest
Clinical InvestigationsMuscle StrengthInspiratory Muscle Training in Patients With COPD: Effect on Dyspnea, Exercise Performance, and Quality of Life
Section snippets
Patients
Twenty patients with COPD were selected from the outpatient clinic. Patients were randomly assigned to the training group (group T) or to a control group (group C) on a double-blind basis. Table 1 shows the baseline characteristics of the patients. All patients had severe airflow obstruction (ie, FEV1< 50%) and were included with the presence of COPD as defined by the American Thoracic Society.9 Patients were in stable condition and were free of any clinical evidence of cardiovascular,
Results
All selected patients completed the study. There were no significant differences between the two groups at the start of the study. The general characteristics and pulmonary function data are presented in Table 1.
Discussion
This study shows that in COPD patients, IMT at home using an incentive flowmeter device (target-flow) diminishes dyspnea and improves respiratory muscle function, exercise performance, and HRQL.
The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar. Although the trained patients were not supervised while performing the training at home, we assume from the tests performed in the laboratory throughout the study period that they followed the same regimen at home. In addition, the study shows
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Supported by “Junta de Andalucia” grant No. 94//535–119.