Comparing Inspiratory Resistive Muscle Training with Incentive Spirometry on Rehabilitation of COPD Patients

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the effect of incentive spirometry in pulmonary rehabilitation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and compare its efficacy with inspiratory resistive muscle training (IMT) technique.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Thirty patients with COPD, from a general hospital in Mashhad, Iran, were randomly assigned to two study groups. All subjects trained daily in two 15-minute sessions, 4 days a week, for 4 weeks. Respiratory function tests were compared before interventions and at the end of weeks 2 and 4.

Findings: Both techniques improved the mean values of all respiratory function tests (p≤.01). The IMT technique was more effective to improve MVV and PImax (p≤.05). PEFR was better improved in the incentive spirometry group (p≤.05). There was no significant difference for other spirometric parameters between two groups.

Conclusions: Incentive spirometry can be considered as an effective component for pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD patients.

Keywords: COPD; incentive spirometry; inspiratory resistive muscle training; rehabilitation.