title: Effects of inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with atrial fibrillation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective randomized controlled single-blind study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cardiology department of a university hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 38 patients with permanent atrial fibrillation were randomly allocated to either a treatment group (n = 19; age 66.2 years (8.8)) or a control group (n = 19; age 67.1 years (6.4)).
  
  
  METHODS
  The training group received inspiratory muscle training at 30% of maximal inspiratory pressure for 15 minutes twice a day, 7 days a week, for 12 weeks alongside the standard medical treatment. The control group received standard medical treatment only. Spirometry, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures and 6-minute walking distance was measured at the beginning and end of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant increase in maximal inspiratory pressure (27.94 cmH2O (8.90)), maximal expiratory pressure (24.53 cmH2O (10.34)), forced vital capacity (10.29% (8.18) predicted), forced expiratory volume in one second (13.88% (13.42) predicted), forced expiratory flow 25%-75% (14.82% (12.44) predicted), peak expiratory flow (19.82% (15.62) predicted) and 6-minute walking distance (55.53 m (14.13)) in the training group (p < 0.01). No significant changes occurred in the control group (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inspiratory muscle training can improve pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity in patients with atrial fibrillation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Melih
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zeren
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey rengindemir@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Rengin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zerrin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yigit
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hulya N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Gurses
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D001239:Inhalation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016037:Single-Blind Method
keywords: 6-minute walk test; Atrial fibrillation; maximal inspiratory pressure; pulmonary function test; respiratory muscle training