Efficacy of inspiratory muscle training on inspiratory muscles strength, functional capacity, and quality of life in patients with interstitial lung disease. A single non-controlled clinical study

Abstract

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of low level laser therapy (extravascular laser blood irradiation) on glycaemic levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients The most disabling symptoms in interstitial lung disease (ILD) patients are exertional dyspnoea, functional limitations, and impaired quality of life (QoL), all related to inspiratory muscle dysfunction. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of inspiratory muscle training by using a threshold device on inspiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, and QoL in patients with ILD.MethodsA single non-controlled clinical study was conducted among 30 patients with different subtypes of ILD who received 30-minute threshold inspiratory muscle training 3 times per week for 12 weeks at 30% of the maximum inspiratory pressure (PI<sub>max</sub>). PI<sub>max</sub>, distance walked in a 2-minute walk test (2MWT), oxygen saturation (SO<sub>2</sub>%), and QoL by the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey were measured before and after the intervention.ResultsA significant improvement was observed in all measured variables: PI<sub>max</sub> (<i>p</i> = 0.0001), distance walked in 2MWT (<i>p</i> = 0.003), SO<sub>2</sub>% (<i>p</i> = 0.043), and the QoL score (<i>p</i> < 0.05).ConclusionsIt was found that threshold inspiratory muscle training is recommended to be a part of the routine care for ILD patients to gain the benefits of improving the control of the symptoms.