Efficacy of inspiratory muscle training on inspiratory muscle function, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with asthma: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of an inspiratory muscle training protocol on inspiratory muscle function, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with asthma. Design: A single-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: Community-based. Subjects: Patients with asthma, aged between 20 and 70 years old, non-smokers. Interventions: Participants were randomized into two groups: inspiratory muscle training group performed inspiratory muscle training 5 days a week for 8 weeks, consisting of six sets of 30 breaths per day with a training load ⩾50% of maximal inspiratory pressure, plus an educational program; the control group only received the educational program. Main measurements: Maximal inspiratory pressure, inspiratory muscle endurance, and the distance performed on the incremental shuttle walking test were assessed pre-intervention, post-intervention and at follow-up (3 months after the end of the intervention). The asthma quality of life questionnaire was applied pre and post-intervention. Results: Data from 39 participants were analyzed. Maximal inspiratory pressure in percentage of predicted and endurance test duration were significantly higher post-intervention in the inspiratory muscle training group (∆ post–pre: 50.8% vs 7.3% of predicted – P < 0.001 and ∆ post–pre: 207.9 seconds vs 2.7 seconds – P < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the incremental shuttle walking distance between groups (∆ post–pre: 30.9 m vs −8.1 m, P = 0.165). Quality of life was perceived as significantly better, without a difference between groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusions: About 8 weeks of inspiratory muscle training in patients with controlled asthma significantly increased inspiratory muscle strength and endurance.

Exercise Training Programs Improve Cardiorespiratory and Functional Fitness in Adults With Asthma

“…Publication year ranged from 198337 to 2021 56,74,75. Studies were conducted in 18 different countries, with 21% of studies conducted in Brazil (n = 8)21,38,41,47,68,69,72,73,75 and a further 10% conducted in the United States (n = 4)36,44,45,70,71 and the Netherlands (n = 4) 56,57,61,78. Asthma was diagnosed according to the Global Initiative for Asthma criteria79 in 36% of studies (n = 14) 38,41,43,47,50,52,56,57,59,68,69,72,73,75.…”

“…Twenty-two studies embedded one or more adjuvant interventions in the study intervention,21,36,38,39,41,43,47,49,52,55–57,59,60,61,67–69,72–76,78 (eg, asthma education [n = 16],21,38,41,47,49,52,57,59,60,67–69,72–76,78 psychological counseling [n = 7],52,56,57,59,60,68,69,78 diet counseling [n = 8],49,52,55–57,59,60,68,69 mindfulness [n = 1],74 PA monitors [n = 2],38,74 and antiallergenic bed linen [n = 1]36). These studies were only included in the meta-analyses if the effect of the exercise training could reasonably be isolated from the other interventions (ie, the only thing that differed between study groups was exercise training).…”

“…Twenty-two studies embedded one or more adjuvant interventions in the study intervention, 21,36,38,39,41,43,47,49,52,[55][56][57]59,60,61,[67][68][69][72][73][74][75][76]78 (eg, asthma education [n = 16], 21,38,41,47,49,52,57,59,60,[67][68][69][72][73][74][75][76]78 psychological counseling [n = 7], 52,56,57,59,60,68,69,78 diet counseling [n = 8], 49,52,55-57, 59,60,68,69 mindfulness [n = 1],…”

“…21,38,41,43,55,56,68,69,[72][73][74][75] Twelve studies (31%) scored as fair quality 37,44,45,47,48,53,54,58,[61][62][63][64]66,76 and 17 (44%) scored as poor quality. 35,36,39,40,42,46,[49][50][51][52]57,59,60,64,67,70,71,77,78 Of the 23 studies that had a randomized or quasi-randomized design, nine (39%) were deemed to be good quality, 21,38,41,43,55,56,6...…”

“…37,39,49,52,57,58,60,62,63,68,69 Breathing/stretching exercise was investigated in 12 (31%) studies, 21,37,39,41,43,49,52,54,68,69,[72][73][74]77 of which six investigated yogic breathing/stretching exercises. 21,41,43,68,69,[72][73][74] Three studies described pursed-lip breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and thoracic expansion exercises, 39,52,54 while inspiratory resistive breathing, 54 incentive spirometer breathing exercises, 77 and an inspiratory muscle training device 75 were investigated in one study each. Details of the breathing exercises were not reported in one (3%) study.…”