title: Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training on Respiratory Function, Respiratory Muscle Strength, and Exercise Tolerance in Patients Poststroke: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.
abstract: To examine the effects of respiratory muscle training on respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength, and exercise tolerance in patients poststroke.
  
  
  
  We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, SciELO, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and CINAHL (from the earliest date available to November 2015) for trials.
  
  
  
  Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effects of respiratory muscle training versus nonrespiratory muscle training in patients poststroke. Two reviewers selected studies independently.
  
  
  
  Extracted data from the published RCTs. Study quality was evaluated using the PEDro Scale. Weighted mean differences (WMDs), standard mean differences (SMDs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.
  
  
  
  Eight studies met the study criteria. Respiratory muscle training improved maximal inspiratory pressure WMDs (7.5; 95% CI, 2.7-12.4), forced vital capacity SMDs (2.0; 95% CI, 0.6-3.4), forced expiratory volume at 1 second SMDs (1.2; 95% CI, 0.6-1.9), and exercise tolerance SMDs (0.7; 95% CI, 0.2-1.2). No serious adverse events were reported.
  
  
  
  Respiratory muscle training should be considered an effective method of improving respiratory function, inspiratory muscle strength, and exercise tolerance in patients poststroke. Further research is needed to determine optimum dosages and duration of effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Medicine and Health - UFBA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; The GREAT Group (Study Group on Physical Activity), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. Electronic address: mansueto.neto@ufba.br.
authors.forename: Mansueto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gomes-Neto
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Medicine and Health - UFBA, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Micheli Bernardone
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Saquetto
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cassio Magalhães
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: The GREAT Group (Study Group on Physical Activity), Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil; Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Sergipe, Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vitor Oliveira
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nildo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristiano Sena
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Conceição
mesh_terms: D001945:Breathing Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Exercise; Rehabilitation; Stroke