title: The Role of Inspiratory Muscle Training in the Process of Rehabilitation of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) adversely affects the quality of life and life expectancy of patients. Shortness of breath, cough, and fatigue in lower limbs are the main reasons limiting physical activities of patients. The lack of physical activity results in poorer muscle strength. The latest guidelines regarding breathing rehabilitation in COPD patients emphasize a significant role of inspiratory muscle exercises. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week long inspiratory muscle training, interval training on a cycle ergometer, and training combining both kinds of rehabilitation, on pulmonary function, health-related quality of life, and the tolerance to exercise in patients with COPD. The study was conducted in a group of 43 patients with diagnosed COPD stage II and III according to GOLD. They were randomly divided into four training groups: inspiratory muscle training (Group 1), cycle ergometer training (Group 2), cycle ergometer and inspiratory muscle training (Group 3), control group - patients who did not participate in any rehabilitation programs (Group 4 - control). Before the rehabilitation process and after its completion the patients were medically examined, they completed a health-related quality of life questionnaire, performed a 6-min walk test, spirometry, and a treadmill exercise test according to the modified Bruce protocol. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in the quality of life measured for Group 3 in comparison with the control group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw Medical University, 2 Grunwaldzka St., 50-355, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majewska-Pulsakowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Diseases, Geriatry and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, 66 Sklodowskiej-Curie St., 50-369, Wroclaw, Poland. anhw@op.pl.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wytrychowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy in Conservative and Surgical Medicine, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, 35 Paderewskiego St., 51-612, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rożek-Piechura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: COPD; Inspiratory muscles; Lung ventilation; Physical training; Pulmonary rehabilitation; Quality of life