INSPIRATORY MUSCLE TRAINING IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY-DISEASE

The effects of 6 months of muscle training with an inspiratory pressur e load equal to 30% of the maximal inspiratory pressure (PI(max)) was compared with sham training with a light inspiratory pressure load. In this double-blind randomly assigned study, 67 patients with chronic o bstructive pulmonary disease were followed for 6 months. Both groups d emonstrated improvements in performance of PI(max), respiratory muscle endurance time for breathing against an inspiratory pressure load equ al to 66% of PI(max), 12-minute distance walk, and dyspnea. The treatm ent group did not demonstrate significant effects beyond those observe d in the control group. Improvements in performance were related to im proved coordination of the inspiratory muscles and desensitization to dyspnea.