Time to Move Beyond a “One-Size Fits All” Approach to Inspiratory Muscle Training

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been studied as a rehabilitation tool and ergogenic aid in clinical, athletic, and healthy populations. This technique aims to improve respiratory muscle strength and endurance, which has been seen to enhance respiratory pressure generation, respiratory muscle weakness, exercise capacity, and quality of life. However, the effects of IMT have been discrepant between populations, with some studies showing improvements with IMT and others not. This may be due to the use of standardized IMT protocols which are uniformly applied to all study participants without considering individual characteristics and training needs. As such, we suggest that research on IMT veer away from a standardized, one-size-fits-all intervention, and instead utilize specific IMT training protocols. In particular, a more personalized approach to an individual’s training prescription based upon goals, needs, and desired outcomes of the patient or athlete. In order for the coach or practitioner to adjust and personalize a given IMT prescription for an individual, factors, such as frequency, duration, and modality will be influenced, thus inevitably affecting overall training load and adaptations for a projected outcome. Therefore, by integrating specific methods based on optimization, periodization, and personalization, further studies may overcome previous discrepancies within IMT research.

The Relationship between Sarcopenia and Respiratory Muscle Weakness in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

An association between respiratory muscle weakness and sarcopenia may provide a clue to the mechanism of sarcopenia development. We aimed to clarify this relationship among community-dwelling older adults. In total, 117 community-dwelling older adults were assessed and classified into 4 groups: robust, respiratory muscle weakness, sarcopenia, and respiratory sarcopenia. The respiratory sarcopenia group (12%) had a significantly higher percentage of males and had lower BMI, skeletal muscle index, skeletal muscle mass, phase angle, and oral function than the robust group (32.5%). All physical functions were significantly lower. The respiratory muscle weakness group (54.7%) had a significantly lower BMI and slower walking speed, compared with the robust group. The sarcopenia group (0.8%) was excluded from the analysis. The percent maximum inspiratory pressure was significantly lower in both the respiratory muscle weakness and respiratory sarcopenia groups, compared with the robust group. Almost all participants with sarcopenia showed respiratory muscle weakness. In addition, approximately 50% had respiratory muscle weakness, even in the absence of systemic sarcopenia, suggesting that respiratory muscle weakness may be the precursor of sarcopenia. The values indicating physical function and skeletal muscle mass in the respiratory muscle weakness group were between those in the robust and the respiratory sarcopenia groups.

P027 The clinical role and outcomes of non-invasive ventilation in motor neuron disease: An Australian tertiary hospital experience

Introduction In motor neuron disease (MND), non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in patients who develop respiratory muscle weakness improves both quality of life and survival. This study aimed to evaluate the current practice and outcomes of NIV use in MND patients in an Australian tertiary hospital. Methods The medical records of all MND patients who attended a specialist multidisciplinary clinic requiring NIV treatment between January 2015 and January 2020 were retrospectively analysed. Progress to date: Forty-five patients have been analysed with a mean age at time of NIV commencement of 61±10(SD) years, 67% were male, 33% were current or past smokers and 7% had OSA with previous CPAP use. MND onset was limb in 58%, bulbar in 36% and respiratory muscle in 7%. Riluzole was prescribed in 47% and PEG/RIG insertion performed in 47%. At time of NIV commencement, 82% were symptomatic and 47% hypercapnic. No patient was commenced based on functional testing alone. NIV adherence (usage ≥4hours/night) was observed in 80%. NIV non-adherence was associated with bulbar subtype (p=0.02) and empirical NIV initiation (p<0.01) on univariate analysis. Average survival from NIV commencement was 17±22(SD)months. Average survival on NIV in adherent patients was 19±24(SD)months and non-adherent patients was 2±2(SD)months, although this did not reach statistical significance (p=0.1). Intended outcome & impact Overall clinical practice and outcomes of NIV use in this study is comparable to literature. The factors influencing NIV tolerance and adherence require further study to optimise outcomes in MND patients with respiratory muscle weakness.

Effects of inspiratory muscle training after lung transplantation in children

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a cornerstone of management for patients after lung transplantation (LT), but the benefits of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) after LT in children are unclear. Therefore, we examined whether IMT can improve respiratory function and dyspnoea in a paediatric patient after LT.The patient was a 13-year-old boy who underwent double LT. However, mild physical activity such as walking triggered dyspnoea for the patient. The patient underwent IMT with the intensity of approximately 30% of his maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) for 2 months.The patient’s MIP was increased by approximately 60% after 2 months, and his forced vital capacity as a percent of the predicted normal value increased from 74.6% to 83.4%, with improvement of dyspnoea.IMT may help improve dyspnoea after LT in children with respiratory muscle weakness and a decline in respiratory function.

Role of Neostigmine in Neurotoxic Snake Bite

Snake bite is a major health concern in India. Common krait is one of the most dangerous and poisonous neurotoxic snakes. Snake bite is a medical emergency. India has the highest snake bite death rate in the world.1 Elapidae, viperidae, pit viper and hydrophiidae are the main poisonous snake families in India. Elapidae family includes common cobra, king cobra and common krait.2 Common Indian krait is about 10 times more poisonous than cobra. Snake toxins are neurotoxic or haematotoxic. Krait is neurotoxic, which interrupts neuromuscular transmission of impulse and causes paralysis of muscles. Neostigmine which is an anticholinesterase can reverse the neurological manifestations of the venom.3 Treatment of neurotoxic snake bite includes administration of anti-snake venom, neostigmine with atropine and invasive ventilation if there is respiratory muscle weakness or paralysis. Maximum dose of neostigmine to reverse neuromuscular blockade is 10 mg over 24 hours. 4 Here we report a case of a 60-years-old male who presented with a snake bite followed by respiratory distress and bilateral ptosis. The patient was treated as per standard protocol. However, his ptosis did not improve as per expectations. Hence, neostigmine was given for prolonged period to revert ptosis in neurotoxic snake bite. In this case study we are discussing about maximum dose of neostigmine given to revert ptosis in a neurotoxic snake bite, as their no case report regarding it.

Five-year outcome of respiratory muscle weakness at intensive care unit discharge: secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study

PurposeTo assess the association between respiratory muscle weakness (RMW) at intensive care unit (ICU) discharge and 5-year mortality and morbidity, independent from confounders including peripheral muscle strength.MethodsSecondary analysis of the prospective 5-year follow-up of the EPaNIC cohort (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00512122), limited to 366 patients screened for respiratory and peripheral muscle strength in the ICU with maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) after removal of the artificial airway, and the Medical Research Council sum score. RMW was defined as an absolute value of MIP <30 cmH2O. Associations between RMW at (or closest to) ICU discharge and all-cause 5-year mortality, and key measures of 5-year physical function, comprising respiratory muscle strength (MIP), hand-grip strength (HGF), 6 min walk distance (6MWD) and physical function of the SF-36 quality-of-life questionnaire (PF-SF-36), were assessed with Cox proportional hazards and linear regression models, adjusted for confounders including peripheral muscle strength.ResultsRMW was present in 136/366 (37.2%) patients at ICU discharge. RMW was not independently associated with 5-year mortality (HR with 95% CI 1.273 (0.751 to 1.943), p=0.352). Among 156five-year survivors, those with, as compared with those without RMW demonstrated worse physical function (MIP (absolute value, cmH2O): 62(42–77) vs 94(78–109), p<0.001; HGF (%pred): 67(44–87) vs 96(68–110), p<0.001; 6MWD (%pred): 87(74–102) vs 99 (80–111), p=0.009; PF-SF-36 (score): 55 (30–80) vs 80 (55–95), p<0.001). Associations between RMW and morbidity endpoints remained significant after adjustment for confounders (effect size with 95% CI: MIP: −23.858 (−32.097 to −15.027), p=0.001; HGF: −18.591 (−30.941 to −5.744), p=0.001; 6MWD (transformed): −1587.007 (−3073.763 to −179.253), p=0.034; PF-SF-36 (transformed): 1.176 (0.144–2.270), p=0.036).ConclusionsRMW at ICU discharge is independently associated with 5-year morbidity but not 5-year mortality.

Muscle weakness, functional capacities and recovery for COVID-19 ICU survivors

Background Few studies have evaluated muscle strength in COVID-19 ICU survivors. We aimed to report the incidence of limb and respiratory muscle weakness in COVID-19 ICU survivors. Method We performed a cross sectional study in two ICU tertiary Hospital Settings. COVID-19 ICU survivors were screened and respiratory and limb muscle strength were measured at the time of extubation. An ICU mobility scale was performed at ICU discharge and walking capacity was self-evaluated by patients 30 days after weaning from mechanical ventilation. Results Twenty-three patients were included. Sixteen (69%) had limb muscle weakness and 6 (26%) had overlap limb and respiratory muscle weakness. Amount of physiotherapy was not associated with muscle strength. 44% of patients with limb weakness were unable to walk 100 m 30 days after weaning. Conclusion The large majority of COVID-19 ICU survivors developed ICU acquired limb muscle weakness. 44% of patients with limb weakness still had severely limited function one-month post weaning.

Respiratory Muscle Weakness as a Risk Factor for Pneumonia in Older People

Introduction: The respiratory muscle strength regulates the effectiveness of coughing, which clears the airways and protects people from pneumonia. Sarcopenia is an aging-related loss of muscle mass and function, the worsening of which is associated with malnutrition. The loss of respiratory and swallowing muscle strength occurs with aging, but its effect on pneumonia is unclear. This study aimed to determine the risks of respiratory muscle weakness on the onset and relapse of pneumonia in older people in conjunction with other muscle-related factors such as malnutrition. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study with 47 pneumonia inpatients and 35 non-pneumonia controls aged 70 years and older. We evaluated the strength of respiratory and swallowing muscles, muscle mass, and malnutrition (assessed by serum albumin levels and somatic fat) during admission and confirmed pneumonia relapse within 6 months. The maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures determined the respiratory muscle strength. Swallowing muscle strength was evaluated by tongue pressure. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to evaluate the muscle and fat mass. Results: The respiratory muscle strength, body trunk muscle mass, serum albumin level, somatic fat mass, and tongue pressure were significantly lower in pneumonia patients than in controls. Risk factors for the onset of pneumonia were low inspiratory respiratory muscle strength (odds ratio [OR], 6.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.56–30.11), low body trunk muscle mass divided by height2 (OR, 6.86; 95% CI, 1.49–31.65), and low serum albumin level (OR, 5.46; 95% CI, 1.51–19.79). For the relapse of pneumonia, low somatic fat mass divided by height2 was a risk factor (OR, 20.10; 95% CI, 2.10–192.42). Discussion/Conclusions: Respiratory muscle weakness, lower body trunk muscle mass, and malnutrition were risk factors for the onset of pneumonia in older people. For the relapse of pneumonia, malnutrition was a risk factor.