Benefit of Selective Respiratory Muscle Training on Exercise Capacity in Patients With Chronic Congestive Heart Failure

Respiratory system remodeling plays an important role in the progression of congestive heart failure (CHF). Decreased oxygenation of the respiratory muscles during intense physical exertion in patients with CHF may aggravate respiratory failure and provoke hyperactivation of the inspiratory metaborefl ex, thereby aggravating exercise intolerance due to a decrease in muscular system perfusion. Respiratory muscle training can minimize the eff ects of inspiration metaborefl ex activation and prolong the duration of exercise.Trial design. This is a prospective randomized trial with a sham control. The trial will include 40 adult patients of both genders with NYHA II-III CHF and with ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 49%. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either Active or Control group. Active group will receive four-week guided respiratory muscles training followed by 12-week guided aerobic training (treadmill walking). Control group will receive four-week sham respiratory muscles training (THRESHOLD® IMT breathing trainer with level slightly above 0), followed by 12 weeks guided aerobic training (treadmill walking). The primary aim is to compare the eff ect of diff erent training modalities on functional capacity (peak VO2 ). Secondary outcome measures include changes in respiratory muscle strength, serum biomarkers (NT-proBNP and ST2) and Angiotensin II. Health-related quality of life (MLwHFQ.23) and psycho-emotional state of patients also will be assessed.The study also planned an additional analysis with a suitable group of patients who were screened but refused to participate in the study.Conclusion. Heart failure patients often give up exercise due to symptoms of shortness of breath and muscle weakness. We suggest that the training technique based on the inclusion of respiratory muscle training as the fi rst stage of cardiac rehabilitation will positively aff ect the eff ectiveness of subsequent aerobic training in patients with heart failure, by reducing the activity of RAAS and SAS and increasing respiratory effi ciency.

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Impacts of Respiratory Muscle Training on Respiratory Functions, Maximal Exercise Capacity, Functional Performance, and Quality of Life in School-Aged Children with Postoperative Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Disease Markers ◽

10.1155/2020/8829373 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Samah A. Moawd ◽

Alshimaa R. Azab ◽

Zizi M. Ibrahim ◽

Anju Verma ◽

Walid Kamal Abdelbasset

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Exercise Capacity ◽

Respiratory Muscle ◽

Maximal Exercise ◽

Functional Performance ◽

Respiratory Muscle Training ◽

Muscle Training ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Maximal Exercise Capacity

Objectives. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a birth defect affecting the respiratory functions, functional performance, and quality of life (QOL) in school-aged children. Rarely have studies been conducted to evaluate the impacts of respiratory muscle training on school-aged children with postoperative CDH. The current study was designed to evaluate the impacts of respiratory muscle training on respiratory function, maximal exercise capacity, functional performance, and QOL in these children. Methods. This study is a randomized control study. 40 children with CDH (age: 9-11 years) were assigned randomly into two groups. The first group conducted an incentive spirometer exercise combined with inspiratory muscle training (study group, n=20), whereas the second group conducted only incentive spirometer exercise (control group, n=20), thrice weekly for twelve consecutive weeks. Respiratory functions, maximal exercise capacity, functional performance, and pediatric quality of life inventory (PedsQL) were assessed before and after the treatment program. Results. Regarding the posttreatment analysis, the study group showed significant improvements in all outcome measures (FVC%, p<0.001; FEV1%, p=0.002; VO2max, p=0.008; VE/VCO2 slope, p=0.002; 6-MWT, p<0.001; and PedsQL, p<0.001), whereas the control group did not show significant changes (p>0.05). Conclusion. Respiratory muscle training may improve respiratory functions, maximal exercise capacities, functional performance, and QOL in children with postoperative CDH. Clinical commendations have to be considered to include respiratory muscle training in pulmonary rehabilitation programs in children with a history of CDH.

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