Inspiratory muscle training in patients with prior polio who use part-time assisted ventilation.

Abstract

To evaluate whether inspiratory muscle training in patients with prior poliomyelitis (and with symptoms and signs of hypoventilation) who use part-time assisted ventilation could improve symptoms and respiratory muscle function without adverse effects. Intervention study with before-after trial. Training was performed in the patients' homes; assessments were performed at the hospital. Ten prior-polio patients were included. Three of them did not complete the trial, and their data were not included in results of training. Ten weeks of daily inspiratory muscle training. Spirometry, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures, inspiratory muscle endurance, and questions regarding activities of daily living were performed. Inspiratory endurance capacity over 5 minutes improved from 10.7 to 16.7cm H2O (p < .05) assessed at 15 on the Borg scale, and most patients improved in activities of daily living. The whole-body endurance capacity remained stable over the studied period. Inspiratory muscle training and close supervision can increase respiratory muscle endurance and improve well-being in patients with prior polio who use part-time assisted ventilation.