Respiratory motor training and neuromuscular plasticity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A pilot study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility of a full-scale investigation of the neurophysiological mechanisms of COPD-induced respiratory neuromuscular control deficits. Characterization of respiratory single- and multi-muscle activation patterns using surface electromyography (sEMG) were assessed along with functional measures at baseline and following 21 ± 2 (mean ± SD) sessions of respiratory motor training (RMT) performed during a one-month period in four patients with GOLD stage II or III COPD. Pre-training, the individuals with COPD showed significantly increased (p < .05) overall respiratory muscle activity and disorganized multi-muscle activation patterns in association with lowered spirometrical measures and decreased fast- and slow-twitch fiber activity as compared to healthy controls (N=4). Following RMT, functional and respiratory sEMG activation outcomes during quite breathing and forced expiratory efforts were improved suggesting that functional improvements, induced by task-specific RMT, are evidence respiratory neuromuscular networks re-organization.

Observation of the curative effect of device-guided rehabilitation on respiratory function in stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…Previous studies suggested that respiratory motor training could induce functional improvements in patients with stable chronic COPD. [6–9] In addition, respiratory muscle endurance training increased breathing and cycling endurance in sedentary subjects. [10] Currently, in China, pursed lips breathing, abdominal breathing, and inspiratory muscle training [11] are widely used for patients with stable chronic COPD combined with general exercise training.…”

Effects of High-Intensity Inspiratory Muscle Training in Rugby Players

“…2 In hence, the respiratory muscles need adequate work to maintain effective sustaining respiration. 3 Some studies argue that respiratory muscle fatigue can impair exercise effectiveness. They demonstrate that the inspiratory muscle training (IMT) slows the respiratory muscle fatigue, lactate concentration and metaboreflex, which can increase the strength and respiratory muscle strength, thereby improving performance in thesport.…”

The IARA Model as an Integrative Approach to Promote Autonomy in COPD Patients through Improvement of Self-Efficacy Beliefs and Illness Perception: A Mixed-Method Pilot Study

“…In order to improve the QoL in patients affected by this disease, scientists have suggested different adjuvant to medical treatment, such as psychological (for anxiety and depression) and psychosocial support (Farver-Vestergaard et al, 2015 ), respiratory motor training (Ovechkin et al, 2016 ), physical activity (Araújo, 2016 ) mindfulness-based (Mularski et al, 2009 ), and educational interventions (Harris et al, 2008 ) also for healthcare professionals (Pelland et al, 2017 ). However, taken individually, these approaches have not always given satisfying results.…”