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Clinical Trial
. 2005 Sep;128(3):1524-30.
doi: 10.1378/chest.128.3.1524.

Effects of 8-week, interval-based inspiratory muscle training and breathing retraining in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis

Guilherme Augusto de Freitas Fregonezi  1 , Vanessa Regiane Resqueti, Rosa Güell, Jesus Pradas, Pere Casan
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Effects of 8-week, interval-based inspiratory muscle training and breathing retraining in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis

Guilherme Augusto de Freitas Fregonezi et al. Chest. 2005 Sep.

Erratum in

  • Chest. 2005 Nov;128(5):3779

Abstract

Study objective: To assess the effect of interval-based inspiratory muscle training (IMT) combined with breathing retraining (BR) in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) in a partial home program.

Design: A randomized controlled trial with blinding of outcome assessment.

Setting: A secondary-care respiratory clinic.

Patients: Twenty-seven patients with generalized MG were randomized to a control group or a training group.

Interventions: The training group underwent interval-based IMT associated with BR (diaphragmatic breathing [DB] and pursed-lips breathing [PLB]) three times a week for 8 weeks. The sessions included 10 min each of DB, interval-based IMT, and PLB. Interval-based IMT consisted of training series interspersed with recovery time. The threshold load was increased from 20 to 60% of maximal inspiratory pressure (P(Imax)) over the 8 weeks.

Measurements and results: Lung function, respiratory pattern, respiratory muscle strength, respiratory endurance, and thoracic mobility were measured before and after the 8 weeks. The training group improved significantly compared to control group in P(Imax) (p = 0.001), maximal expiratory pressure (P(Emax)) [p = 0.01], respiratory rate (RR)/tidal volume (V(T)) ratio (p = 0.05), and upper chest wall expansion (p = 0.02) and reduction (p = 0.04). Significant differences were seen in the training group compared to baseline P(Imax) (p = 0.001), P(Emax) (p = 0.01), maximal voluntary ventilation (p = 0.02), RR/V(T) ratio (p = 0.003), Vt (p = 0.02), RR (p = 0.01), total time of RR (p = 0.01), and upper chest wall expansion (p = 0.005) and reduction (p = 0.005). No significant improvement was seen in lower chest wall or lung function.

Conclusions: The partial home program of interval-based IMT associated with BR is feasible and effective in patients with generalized MG. Improvements in respiratory muscle strength, chest wall mobility, respiratory pattern, and respiratory endurance were observed.

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