%0 Journal Article %A Zafeiris Louvaris %A Marine Van Hollebeke %A Beatrix Clerckx %A Johannes Muller %A Rik Gosselink %A Greet Hermans %A Daniel Langer %T The effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) with Tapered Flow Resistive Loading (TFRL) on breathing characteristics and inspiratory muscle oxygenation during weaning: a preliminary data analysis %D 2019 %R 10.1183/13993003.congress-2019.PA2201 %J European Respiratory Journal %P PA2201 %V 54 %N suppl 63 %X Introduction: IMT increases inspiratory muscle strength in weaning patients. Whether IMT induces changes in breathing characteristics and inspiratory muscle oxygenation is unknown.Objective: To evaluate the effects of IMT versus SHAM on breathing characteristics and inspiratory muscle oxygenation in difficult to wean patients.Methods: 12 patients [age: 61y (39, 72), Pimax: 30cmH2O (28, 43)] were allocated to an IMT or a SHAM training group. Using TFRL device, groups performed daily training sessions (4 sets, 6–10 breaths) until successful weaning. IMT group trained initially at 30% of baseline Pimax, aiming at reaching 50%Pimax. SHAM group trained at 10%Pimax, not adjustable. Inspiratory flows and pressure, work and pattern of breathing and fractional oxygen saturation of scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscle (by near-infrared spectroscopy) were assessed during a training session at 30% of baseline Pimax, before and after the intervention period.Results: After intervention, IMT group increased inspiratory flow and tidal volume and performed greater work of breathing with less decrease in muscle oxygen saturation as compared to SHAM group (table 1).Conclusion: The interim analysis shows that IMT using TFRL has a positive effect on breathing characteristics and inspiratory muscle oxygenation in weaning patients.FootnotesCite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA2201.This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only). %U