Effect of chest expansion resistance exercise and respiratory muscle stretching on respiratory function and gait endurance in patients with stroke.

Abstract

Limited chest expansion and asymmetry in the respiratory muscles after a stroke lead to poor ventilation and reduced physical performance. To determine the effect of chest expansion resistance exercise and respiratory muscle stretching on respiratory function and gait endurance in patients with stroke. Thirty stroke patients were randomly assigned to a chest expansion resistance group (CERG), a respiratory muscle stretching group (RMSG), and a control group (CG). CERG and RMSG received chest expansion resistance and respiratory muscle stretching, respectively, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength, and gait endurance were measured before and after the intervention period. The experimental groups, CERG and RMSG, showed significant improvements in respiratory function variables (p < .05). For respiratory muscle strength variables, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) in the CERG and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) in the RMSG showed significant changes compared to the CG (p < .05). Both CERG and RMSG also showed significant improvements in the 6MWT compared to the CG (p < .05). Chest expansion resistance exercise would be a more effective method, while both chest expansion resistance exercise and respiratory muscle stretching are helpful in improving respiratory function and gait endurance.