Evolution of inspiratory muscle training in patients with weaning difficulties

Abstract

Introduction: Respiratory muscle dysfunction is associated with failure to wean from mechanical ventilation. Therefore, patients might benefit from inspiratory muscle training (IMT) Aim: To compare evolution of breathing characteristics during IMT sessions in patients with weaning difficulties. Method: 16 patients were randomised in either IMT group or sham-IMT group (Table 1). Patients performed 4 daily sets of 6 to 10 breaths against an external load using a tapered flow resistive loading device (TFRL-POWERbreathe KH2, HaB International, UK). Training intensity in the IMT group was adjusted daily to the highest tolerable load. Training intensity in the sham-IMT group was set on a maximum of 10% of maximal inspiratory pressure (Pimax) and not adjusted during the training period. Training continued until patients were successfully weaned or for a maximum of 28 days. Results: Baseline characteristics of patients are summarized in table 1. Training characteristics are presented in table 2. Conclusion: By using IMT with TFRL we were able to apply an additional load to the respiratory muscles. A larger sample size will be necessary to establish the effects of IMT on breathing characteristics and improvements in pulmonary and respiratory muscle function.