Respiratory muscle training on the rehabilitation of patients undergoing cardiothoracic and abdominal surgery: a Meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective To systematically evaluate the effects of respiratory muscle training by using respiratory muscle training device on rehabilitation of people undergoing cardiothoracic and abdominal surgery. Methods The relevant randomized controlled trials were searched in the databases of the CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, EBSCO, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP. The quality of studies was critically appraised and data were extracted by two reviewers independently, a meta-analysis was conducted for the included studies. Results Finally 12 randomized controlled trial involving 1 060 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that respiratory muscle training device could improve respiratory muscle strength [SMD=0.70, 95% CI (0.15-1.24)]; improved lung function [forced vital capacity: SMD=0.48, 95%CI (0.10-0.87); inspiratory capacity: SMD=0.55, 95% CI (0.07-1.04)]; improve; effectively reduced postoperative pulmonary complications [OR=0.21, 95% CI: (0.15-0.31)]; shorten the length of hospital stays [SMD= -0.52, 95% CI (-0.87- -0.16)], all P< 0.05. Conclusions The application of respiratory muscle training with respiratory muscle device could promote the rehabilitation of patients undergoing cardiothoracic and abdominal surgery. Key words: Meta-analysis; Respiratory muscle training; Cardiothoracic surgery; Chest surgery; Abdominal surgery