scholarly journals Effect of Respiratory Muscle Training on Dysphagia in Stroke Patients - A Retrospective Pilot Study

Author(s):  
Robert J. Arnold ◽  
Nina Bausek

AbstractBackgroundDysphagia is prevalent with cerebrovascular accidents and contributes to the burden of disease and mortality. Strengthening of the dysfunctional swallow muscles through respiratory muscle training (RMT) has proven effective in improving swallow effectiveness and safety. However, approaches to strengthen only the expiratory muscle groups (EMST) dominate the clinical study literature, with variable outcomes. This study investigated the effect of a simultaneous inspiratory and expiratory muscle strengthening strategy to improve swallowing function in stroke patients.MethodsTwenty post-stroke patients were randomly assigned to either intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). The intervention group was treated with three 5-minute sessions of resistive respiratory muscle training every day for 28 days, while the control group received no RMT. Respiratory and swallow outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention and included Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA), Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) with Penetration/Aspiration Scale (PAS), Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), patient visual analogue scale (VAS), and peak expiratory flow (PEF).ResultsAfter 28 days, the intervention group demonstrated greater improvements (pVal < 0.05) in PEF (IG: 168.03% vs CG: 17.47%), VAS (IG: 103.85% vs CG: 27.54%), MASA (IG: 37.28% vs CG: 6.92%), PAS (IG: 69.84% vs CG: 12.12%), and FOIS (IG: 93.75% vs CG: 21.21%).ConclusionCombined resistive inspiratory and expiratory muscle training is a feasible and effective method to improve signs and symptoms of dysphagia in stroke patients.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Arnold ◽  
Christopher S Gaskill ◽  
Nina Bausek

AbstractBackgroundAlthough dysphonia is less prevalent than dysphagia following cerebrovascular accidents, dysphonia does contribute to the burden of disease resulting from stroke. Strengthening muscles of the larynx and respiratory tract through respiratory muscle training (RMT) has proven effective in improving voice after neurological insult. However, approaches to strengthen only the expiratory muscle groups (EMST) dominate the clinical study literature, with variable outcomes. By focusing on exhalation, the contribution of inspiratory muscles to phonation may have been overlooked. This study investigated the effect of combined respiratory muscle training (cRMT) to improve voice function in stroke patients.MethodsRecorded data of twenty patients with dysphonia following stroke were allocated to an intervention (IG) or a control group (CG) based upon whether they chose cRMT or not while awaiting pro bono voice therapy services. The intervention group (N=10) was treated daily with three 5-minute sessions of complete resistive respiratory muscle training for 28 days, while the control group (N=10) received no cRMT or other exercise intervention. Perceptual and acoustic measurements as well as a pulmonary function test were assessed pre-and post-intervention.ResultsThe intervention group demonstrated significant improvements after 28 days of combined respiratory muscle training (cRMT) in peak flow (127%), patient self-perception of voice improvement (84.41%), as well as in five of the six categories of the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V) overall severity (63.22%), breathiness (61.06%), strain (63.43%), pitch range (48.11%) and loudness (57.51%), compared to the control group who did not receive treatment. Furthermore, cRMT also led to significant improvements in maximum phonation time (212.5%) and acoustic parameters of vocal intensity and semitone range.ConclusionThis pilot study shows promise of the feasibility and effectiveness of cRMT to lessen the signs and symptoms of dysphonia while simultaneously improving breath support.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-130
Author(s):  
J. L. Begrambekova ◽  
N. A. Karanadze ◽  
V. Yu. Mareev ◽  
E. A. Kolesnikova ◽  
Ya. A. Orlova

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. 


Author(s):  
Jun Takatsu ◽  
Eiji Higaki ◽  
Takahiro Hosoi ◽  
Masahiro Yoshida ◽  
Masahiko Yamamoto ◽  
...  

Summary Dysphagia after esophagectomy is the main cause of a prolonged postoperative stay. The present study investigated the effects of a swallowing intervention led by a speech–language–hearing therapist (SLHT) on postoperative dysphagia. We enrolled 276 consecutive esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy and cervical esophagogastric anastomosis between July 2015 and December 2018; 109 received standard care (control group) and 167 were treated by a swallowing intervention (intervention group). In the intervention group, swallowing function screening and rehabilitation based on each patient’s dysfunction were led by SLHT. The start of oral intake, length of oral intake rehabilitation, and length of the postoperative stay were compared in the two groups. The patient’s subgroups in the 276 patients were examined to clarify the more effectiveness of the intervention. The start of oral intake was significantly earlier in the intervention group (POD: 11 vs. 8 days; P = 0.009). In the subgroup analysis, the length of the postoperative stay was also significantly shortened by the swallowing intervention in patients without complications (POD: 18 vs. 14 days; P = 0.001) and with recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP) (POD: 30 vs. 21.5 days; P = 0.003). A multivariate regression analysis identified the swallowing intervention as a significant independent factor for the earlier start of oral intake and a shorter postoperative stay in patients without complications and with RLNP. Our proposed swallowing intervention is beneficial for the earlier start of oral intake and discharge after esophagectomy, particularly in patients without complications and with RLNP. This program may contribute to enhanced recovery after surgery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-464
Author(s):  
Irma Ruslina Defi ◽  
◽  
Novitri Novitri ◽  
Ilin Nurina ◽  
◽  
...  

Objectives: This study aimed to elucidate the outcome of an Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) rehabilitation intervention on the lung function, functional mobilization, balance, and peripheral muscle strength of the paretic side in patients with subacute stroke. Methods: This double-blind, randomized controlled trial study was conducted on patients with stable subacute stroke. For 8 weeks, the intervention group (n=16) received 40% intensity IMT while the control group (n=16) received 10% intensity IMT. We assessed the patients’ lung function (spirometer) before and after the intervention, as well as their pulmonary muscle strength (micro-respiratory pressure meter [RPM]), quadriceps strength (handheld dynamometer), grip strength (Jamar), walking speed (10-m walk test), balance (Berg Balance Scale [BBS]), and functional mobilization (sit-to-stand test). Results: There were significant differences between the intervention group and the control group after IMT for forced vital capacity (FVC)% (P<0.01; d=3.20), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1)/FVC (P<0.001; d=2.55), FEV1% (P<0.001; d=5.10), walking speed (P<0.05; d=1.62), hand grip (P<0.001; d=2.45), quadriceps strength (P<0.001; d=4.18), functional mobilization (P<0.01; d=2.41), and maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (P<0.001; d=1.62), but no significant changes were seen in balance (P=0.304; d=0.57). Discussion: IMT improved lung function, functional mobilization, handgrip strength, and quadriceps strength on the paretic side of subacute stroke patients and is expected to improve functional status and allow the patient to participate in social activities. IMT exercise can be included in the rehabilitation program for subacute stroke patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Che-Wei Hsu ◽  
Hui-Chen Lin ◽  
Wan-Chen Tsai ◽  
Yun-Ru Lai ◽  
Chih-Cheng Huang ◽  
...  

Background. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an immune-mediated disorder characterized by muscle fatigue and fluctuating weakness. Impairment in respiratory strength and endurance has been described in patients with generalized MG. We tested the hypothesis that respiratory muscle training (RMT) can improve functional outcomes and reduce fatigue in patients with MG. Methods. Eighteen patients with mild to moderate MG participated in this study. The training group underwent home-based RMT three times a week for 12 weeks. Sixteen patients with MG without RMT were enrolled as a disease control group. Lung function, autonomic testing, Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form (MFSI-SF), and functional outcome measurement by using quantitative myasthenia gravis (QMG) score and myasthenia gravis composite (MGC) scale were measured before and after the 12-week RMT. Results. The 12-week RMT significantly increased forced vital capacity (FVC) from 77.9±12.6% to 83.8±17.7% (p=0.03), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) from 75.2±18.3% to 83.3±19.0% (p=0.002), and 6-minute walking distance from 403.4±72.2 m to 466.1±68.5 m (p=0.003). The QMG score improved from 9.6±4.1 to 8.1±4.3 (p=0.04) and the MGC scale from 4.4±3.5 to 2.7±2.9 (p=0.02). The fatigue score (MFSI-SF) reduced from 17.1±14.7 to 13.5±16.9 (p=0.03). Conclusion. The home-based RMT is an effective pulmonary function training for MG patients. The RMT can not only improve short-term outcomes but also reduce fatigue in patients with mild to moderate generalized MG.


Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Guillen-Sola ◽  
M. Messaggi-Sartor ◽  
C. Ramírez-Fuentes ◽  
E. Marco ◽  
E. Duarte

Abstract Background Stroke can lead to varying degrees of oropharyngeal dysphagia, respiratory muscle dysfunction and even increase medical complications such as aspiration, malnutrition and death. Recent studies suggest that inspiratory and expiratory respiratory muscle training (IEMT) can improve swallowing efficacy and may reduce aspiration events. The main purpose of this study is to examine whether an 8-week IEMT programme can improve respiratory muscle strength and swallow dysfunction severity in subacute stroke patients with dysphagia. Methods Retornus-2 is a two-arm, prospectively registered, randomized controlled study with blinded assessors and the participation of fifty individuals who have suffered a stroke. The intervention group undergoes IEMT training consisting of 5 sets of 10 repetitions, three times a day for 8 weeks. Training loads increase weekly. The control group undergoes a sham-IEMT protocol. The primary outcome examines the efficacy of the IEMT protocol to increase respiratory muscle strength and reduce dysphagia severity. The secondary outcome assesses the longitudinal impact of dysphagia on body composition and nutritional assessment over a 6-month follow-up. Discussion IEMT induces an improvement in respiratory muscle strength and might be associated with relevant benefits in dysphagia patterns, as well as a reduction in the number of aspiration events confirmed by videofluoroscopy or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing. The description of the impact of swallowing impairment on nutritional status will help develop new strategies to face this known side-effect. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03021252. Registered on 10 January 2017. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=retornus+2&term=&cntry=ES&state=&city=&dist= WHO trial Registration data set: Due to heavy traffic generated by the COVID-19 outbreak, the ICTRP Search Portal does not respond. The portal recommends other registries such as clinicaltrials.gov. Protocol version: RETORNUS 2_ PROTOCOL_2.


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