Abstract
Although inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been proven effective in inspiratory muscle function, exertional dyspnea, and exercise tolerance and is frequently applied in individuals with COPD; training-adherence remains a challenge.
The aim was to investigate the feasibility and adherence of a web-based protocol with feedback function using mechanical threshold loading (MTL) as a home-based IMT in individuals with COPD.
Thirty-six individuals with inspiratory muscle weakness were randomly selected from a pulmonary rehabilitation program to perform 12 weeks of MTL with either a web-based protocol (n=17) or a usual protocol with a paper logbook (n=19). All participants performed two daily sessions of 30 breaths. In the intervention group, training was executed with the highest tolerable intensity of maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax), and feedback was web-based on effort scores that used the 10-Item Borg Category Ratio”. Training in the control group was executed with 30% of PImax with no feedback. Feasibility, adherence, training intensity, PImax, and six minute walk tests were evaluated. Student's t-tests were used for statistics.
No difference was found between the groups in terms of gender, age, marital status, spirometry, BMI, pre- PImax, or walk test. Dropout rates were similar between groups. The intervention group increased the walk distance by 43 meters (18;68) versus 15 meters (-5;36) in the controls. Differences in PImax were insignificant, with a trend towards the intervention group.
The web-based protocol with feedback function had similar feasibility and adherence as the usual protocol and indicates a better outcome at six minutes of a walk test.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
