Efficacy of Bedside Respiratory Muscle Training in Patients With Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of bedside respiratory muscle training on pulmonary function and stroke-related disabilities in stroke rehabilitation. Design Patients with stroke (N = 40) in a rehabilitation unit were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n1 = 20) or the control group (n2 = 20). Both groups participated in a conventional stroke rehabilitation program. During the study period, the intervention group received bedside respiratory muscle training twice a day for 3 wks. The respiratory muscle training consisted of (1) a breath stacking exercise, (2) inspiratory muscle training, and (3) expiratory muscle training. The primary outcomes were measures of pulmonary function: forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec, and peak flow. Secondary outcomes were stroke-related disabilities assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Modified Barthel Index, Berg Balance Scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, and pneumonia incidence. Results Pulmonary function was significantly improved in the intervention group after 3 wks of respiratory muscle training (P
Source: American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Research Articles CME Article . 2018 Series . Number 10 Source Type: research