title: Respiratory exercise program for elderly individuals with asthma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma in older adults is frequently underdiagnosed, as reflected by approximately 60% of asthma deaths occurring in people older than age 65.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study evaluates the effects of a respiratory exercise program tailored for elderly individuals with asthma. We are not aware of any other reports examining breathing exercises in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen patients concluded the 16-week respiratory exercise program. All the patients were evaluated with regard to lung function, respiratory muscle strength, aerobic capacity, quality of life and clinical presentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 16 weeks of this open-trial intervention, significant increases in maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure (27.6% and 20.54%, respectively) were demonstrated. Considerable improvement in quality of life was also observed. The clinical evaluations and daily recorded-symptoms diary also indicated significant improvements and fewer respiratory symptoms. A month after the exercises were discontinued, however, detraining was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, a respiratory exercise program increased muscle strength and was associated with a positive effect on patient health and quality of life. Therefore, a respiratory training program could be included in the therapeutic approach in older adults with asthma.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Immunology and Allergy Division, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ludmila Tais Yazbek
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Gomieiro
authors.forename: Andréia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Luciana Kase
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Tanno
authors.forename: Rosana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Agondi
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kalil
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giavina-Bianchi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D011788:Quality of Life; D012119:Respiration; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome