title: Effects of glossopharyngeal pistoning for lung insufflation on vital capacity in healthy women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether healthy women could be trained to perform glossopharyngeal pistoning (GP) to insufflate the lungs to volumes exceeding maximum inspiratory capacity (IC), whether such insufflation caused discomfort, and the immediate and long-term effects on vital capacity (VC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial. Twenty-six healthy women were randomly assigned to a training group (TG, n = 17) or to a control group (CG, n = 9). The TG performed 15-30 deep inspiratory efforts supplemented by GP to lung volumes exceeding IC, three times per week for 6 wks. Pulmonary function and chest expansion were measured before and after the 6-wk period. The TG was retested again 12 wks after the end of the training period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One of 17 women had difficulty performing GP and was excluded. Temporary symptoms (while performing GP) were reported in 44% of subjects in the TG. After 6 wks of training, subjects in the TG had significantly increased their VC (P < 0.001). VC did not change in the CG. The increase in vital capacity of the TG was still evident after 12 wks without performing GP. Chest expansion increased significantly with GP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The women in the TG were able to perform the technique, and it did not cause major discomfort. VC increased significantly in the TG, and the increase was still present after 12 wks without GP.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Science and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
authors.forename: Malin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nygren-Bonnier
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lindholm
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Markström
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skedinger
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mattsson
authors.forename: Brita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klefbeck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007320:Inspiratory Capacity; D007327:Insufflation; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology*