Maximum insufflation capacity

Objective: To investigate the effect of deep lung insufflations on maximum insufflation capacities (MICs) and peak cough flows (PCFs) for patients wit h neuromuscular disease, Method: Forty-three patients with neuromuscular disease were trained in sta cking delivered volumes of air to deep lung insufflation and were prescribe d a program of air stacking once their vital capacities (VCs) mere noted to be < 2,000 mt. VC, MIG, and unassisted and assisted PCF were monitored, Th e initial data were compared with the highest MICs subsequently achieved. F or those patients whose MICs only decreased, we compared the initial data w ith the most recent data, Results: The MICs increased from (mean +/- SD) 1,402 +/- 530 mt to 1,711 +/ - 599 mt (p < 0.001) for 30 patients and only decreased for 13 patients. Pa tients for whom the MICs increased also had a significant increase in assis ted PCF from 3.7 +/- 1.4 to 4.3 +/- 1.6 L/s (p < 0.05) despite hating somew hat decreasing VCs and unassisted PCFs, Conclusion: With training, the capacity to slack air to deep insufflations can improve despite progressive neuromuscular disease. This can result in i ncreased cough effectiveness.