In most chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, dyspnoea and functional exercise capacity may improve as a result of inspiratory muscle training (IMT). However, the long-term benefits of IMT have been investigated to a much lesser extent. The present study investigated the short-term and long-term benefits of IMT on inspiratory muscle performance (strength and endurance), exercis...

There have been few studies of respiratory and limb muscle size and function in middle-aged patients with asthma and persistent airways obstruction. We have compared the forces generated by the respiratory and thigh muscles with their dimensions assessed by ultrasound in nine middle-aged patients with chronic asthma (mean age 56 (SD 8) yrs; functional residual capacity/total lung capacity ratio...

BACKGROUND The effect of aminophylline on maximum respiratory muscle strength in patients undergoing upper abdominal surgery was investigated. METHODS An open pilot study was performed in which aminophylline was administered continuously for 48 hours after surgery (protocol I). In a second group of subjects aminophylline was given for 24 hours after cholecystectomy in a double blind placebo c...

Two women with connective tissue disease developed a characteristic steroid-induced myopathy. Reduced maximal transrespiratory pressures indicated reduced respiratory muscle strength. Gradual steroid dosage tapering resulted in prompt clinical improvement and marked increases in respiratory muscle strength, maximal inspiratory pressure increasing by 33 percent in one patient and by 70 percent i...

PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of positive end expiratory pressure and physiotherapy intervention during Phase I of cardiac rehabilitation on the behavior of pulmonary function and inspiratory muscle strength in postoperative cardiac surgery. METHODS A prospective randomized study, in which 24 patients were divided in 2 groups: a group that performed respiratory exercises with positive airwa...

In sarcoidosis, pulmonary and general symptoms often do not correlate with radiographic stage and routinely performed lung function tests. Asymptomatic muscle involvement in sarcoidosis is common, but little is known about respiratory muscle involvement. The aim of this study was to investigate any relationships between persistent complaints and/or quality of life and respiratory muscle strengt...

INTRODUCTION Chronic kidney disease associated with hemodialysis can have a variety of musculoskeletal complications, in addition to repercussions in pulmonary function. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of inspiratory muscle training on inspiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, and functional capacity in patients with chronic kidney failure undergoing hemodialysis. METHOD Non-contro...

Background. The sickling of red blood cells causes a constellation of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary manifestations. A 32-year-old gentleman with sickle cell anemia (SCA) had been suffering from recurrent acute chest syndrome (ACS). Aim. To examine the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on pulmonary functions, respiratory and peripheral muscle strength, functional exer...

Inspiratory muscle dysfunction has been shown to be related to hypercapnia and hence, to ventilatory insufficiency in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [1]. Accordingly, treatment of inspiratory muscle dysfunction has gained interest in the last decade. Among other treatment modalities, such as pharmacotherapy and respiratory muscle rest, training of the inspiratory mus...