Zeitschrift für neuartige Physiotherapien

Abstrakt

Inspiratory Muscle Training effects on Respiratory Muscle Strength, Functional Capacity ,Physical Work Capacity and Health-Related Quality of Life of Cystic Fibrosis Patients Following Lung Transplantation: A three case series report

Nissan Graur, Paltiel Weiner and Mordechai Reuven Kramer

Lung transplantation, which has by now become an established treatment option for patients with a wide variety of end-stage lung diseases, is aimed at improving quality of life and survival. Prior studies illustrated respiratory muscle function impairment in patients who undergo lung transplantation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an inspiratory muscle training program on respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, physical work capacity and health-related quality of life of cystic fibrosis patients following lung transplantation. Three male subjects with cystic fibrosis, who had undergone lung transplantation, 15-17 months prior to the study, participated in a four months inspiratory muscle training program and were evaluated before and after intervention. All of the participants were given instructions for self-management of the Power breathe inspiratory muscle trainer (POWER breathe Medic Classic: Gaiam Ltd, Southam, Warwickshire, UK), during the baseline assessment. Participants were instructed to practice inspiratory muscle training daily at home, six times a week (a 15 min session twice a day) at 60% of maximal inspiratory pressure value. The results obtained after the inspiratory muscle training program showed an increase in the six-minute walk test and in the maximal inspiratory pressure. There was also an increase in some health-related quality of life domains as shown by the SF-36 questionnaire values. The physical work capacity measured by the peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) and pulmonary function showed no significant change. Therefore, the inspiratory muscle training program in these three patients improved functional capacity, respiratory muscle strength and health-related quality of life.