As we have seen over the course of a number of blog posts, respiratory muscle training (RMT) can have an incredible effect upon individuals suffering from chronic obstructed pulmonary disease (COPD). Individuals suffering from COPD can suffer from any (or all) of the following:

Respiratory muscle weakness

Decreased respiratory capacity

Reduced peak inspiratory flow (PIF)

Hyperinflation

The above issues can contribute to a number of problems for COPD patients, including dyspnea, exercise intolerance, diaphragmatic fatigue and failure, and acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD). Any one of these can markedly lower the patient’s quality of life, and experiencing multiple problems at once can serve to complicate diagnosis and treatment. Luckily, RMT offers a way to help COPD patients improve and better their outlook as well as their quality of life. Let’s take a look at some of the different ways that RMT can help COPD patients.

Respiratory muscle training (RMT)

Increases respiratory muscle strength and endurance

Improves exercise capacity and endurance

Improves hyperinflation

Increases PIF

Reduces dyspnea

Improves blood flow to the limbs during rest and exercise

Delays respiratory fatigue

Improves diaphragmatic function and velocity

Improves autonomic cardiac control

Improves sympathetic nerve activity

Improves the effects of aerobic exercise

Patient Impact

The evidence shows that RMT alleviates the symptoms of COPD, reduces the economic burden and increases the survival rate. Please take a look at the included references for more detailed information.

References

1. Beckerman M, et al. The Effects of 1 Year of Specific Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients With COPD. CHEST 2005;128:3177–3182.
2. Belman MJ, et al.Targeted resistive ventilatory muscle training in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. J Appl Physiol 1988;65(6):2726-35.
3. Bernardi E, et al. Respiratory muscle training with normocapnic hyperpnea improves ventilatory pattern and thoracoabdominal coordination, and reduces oxygen desaturation during endurance exercise testing in COPD patients. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis 2015,10:1899–1906.
4. Elmorsi AS, et al. Effect of inspiratory muscle training on exercise performance and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Egypt J Chest Dis Tuberc 2016;61(1):41–46.
5. Fernandez-Granero MA et al. Computerised Analysis of Telemonitored Respiratory Sounds for Predicting Acute Exacerbations of COPD. Sensors 2015;15(10): 26978-26996.
6. Anderson, JB et.al, Resistive Breathing Training in Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, A Pilot Study. Resp J resp Dis 1979;60:151-156.
7. Magadle R et al. Inspiratory muscle training in pulmonary rehabilitation program in COPD patients. Respir Med 2007;101(7):1500-5.
8. R. Gosselink, J., et.al. Impact of inspiratory muscle training in patients with COPD. ERJ 2011;37(2):416-425.
9. Weiner P, et al. Comparison of Specific Expiratory, Inspiratory, and Combined Muscle Training Programs in COPD. Chest 2003;124(3):1357-1364.
10. Weiner P, et al. Inspiratory Muscle Training May Increase Peak Inspiratory Flow in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Respiration 2006;73:151–156.