title: The effects of threshold inspiratory muscle training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A randomised experimental study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of threshold inspiratory muscle training in patients with stages II through IV chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using maximum inspiratory pressure, baseline dyspnoea index, 6-minute walk test and quality of life.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  A threshold inspiratory muscle training device provides pressure for inspiratory muscle strength, but there is limited information on the effects of threshold inspiratory muscle training starting at low pressure training.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised experimental design.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 55 patients completed this study between September 2013-April 2014. The experimental group (n = 27) was provided medical treatment and routine care, along with five sessions of threshold inspiratory muscle training per week (21-30 min per session), accompanied by a progressive increase in the pressure threshold over a period of 8 weeks. The control group (n = 28) was provided medical treatment and routine care only, without intervention. In the inferential analysis, p values <.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 8 weeks in the experimental group, mean maximum inspiratory pressure improved by -17.6 ± 0.18 cmH2O, mean 6-minute walk test improved by 47.8 ± 1.46 m, and the baseline dyspnoea index increased from 4.48 ± 2.12 points to 9.0 ± 2.27 points. These data and quality of life were statistically different between the experimental and the control groups (p < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The threshold inspiratory muscle training can reduce patients' difficulties with respect to daily activities, thereby reducing the burden on the family, and improving prognosis in patients with moderate-to-very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
authors.affiliation: Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taitung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Han-Yu
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2042-9552
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsiao-Yun
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yueh-Yen
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Nursing, College of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology (CGUST), Pu-tz, Taiwan.|Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion Research Center, CGUST, Pu-tz, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Su-Er
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001945:Breathing Exercises / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012132:Respiratory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000070857:Walk Test
keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; experimental design; inspiratory muscle training; respiratory nursing