Benefits of Home‐Based Respiratory Muscle Training from the Perspectives of Individuals Who Had a Stroke: Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Although the significance of respiratory muscle training has been established in the literature, there is a need to understand the participantsʼ perceptions of the benefits of this intervention. Objective: To understand how individuals who had a stroke perceive changes in their body functions and structures, activities, and participation after a high-intensity respiratory muscle training intervention and to understand their perceptions of the benefits and limitations of a home-based intervention. Design: Qualitative study. Setting: Community-dwelling patients. Patients: Fifteen individuals who had a stroke. Methods: For this qualitative study, interviews were conducted using a semistructured questionnaire about topics related to participation in a home-based respiratory muscle training intervention. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic content analysis. Results: Fifteen participants were interviewed. Most of the participants reported positive perceptions of body functions and structures, grouped into two thematic categories (breathing and speech); activity, also grouped into two thematic categories (walking and domestic activities); and participation, grouped into one thematic category (community-leisure activities). Answers about the benefits of a home-based intervention were grouped into three thematic categories (no need to leave home, commitment to training, and comfort). All participants reported that they would recommend the intervention to other stroke patients and that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the intervention. Most (80%) participants did not consider the intervention difficult to perform. Conclusion: Individuals who had experienced a stroke perceived the benefits of high-intensity home-based respiratory muscle training in all components of function.

Effect of Respiration Training-Assisted Western Medicine Therapy on Activity Tolerance, Pulmonary Function, and Quality of Life of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients in the Stable Phase

“…Recently, much attention has been paid to respiratory training, which has achieved the goal of improving lung function of patients through exercises such as glottic vocalization training and breathing exercise. Some scholars believe [ 5 ] that performing respiratory training for COPD patients is able to effectively improve their respiratory function, thus resulting in improved pulmonary function, and this training modality has been demonstrated in patients with cancer complicated by stroke, stroke hemiparesis, and chronic rotator cuff injury [ 6 – 8 ]. Western medicine can effectively improve many discomfort symptoms in patients, and it plays an important role in anti-inflammation and improving diaphragm function.…”

Home-based is as effective as centre-based rehabilitation for improving upper limb motor recovery and activity limitations after stroke: A systematic review with meta-analysis

“…Qualitative studies have demonstrated that individuals who have survived stroke report positive perceptions of remote- 10 or semi-supervised home-based interventions. 11 Benefits included observed improvements in body structures and functions, emotional well-being, and the convenience of conducting sessions at home. These perceptions have been corroborated by physiotherapists and patients with varied health conditions, who consulted via videoconference during the Covid-19 pandemic.…”

“…These perceptions have been corroborated by physiotherapists and patients with varied health conditions, who consulted via videoconference during the Covid-19 pandemic. 12 However, home-based interventions require more commitment to training, 11 and their effects should be similar or superior to those provided by centre-based interventions, in order to be implemented.…”