Efficacy of bedside respiratory muscle training in patients with stroke

Objective Inspiratory and expiratory muscles are important for effective respiratory function. 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 (n 1 = 20) or the control group (n 2 = 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 < 0.05). This improvement in pulmonary function was independent of the improvement in stroke-related disabilities. Conclusion Three weeks of respiratory muscle training had significant effects on pulmonary function in stroke survivors.