OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of breathing-enhanced upper extremity exercises on the respiratory function of patients with multiple sclerosis. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study of six-week duration. SUBJECTS:Forty patients with multiple sclerosis (age 39.2 +/- 7 years; Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale scores: 4.51 +/- 1.55) randomly divided into two groups. METHODS: The training group followed a six-week home training programme designed to strengthen accessory respiratory muscles. Controls performed no exercises. All subjects submitted to baseline and post-training tests of spirometry, respiratory muscle strength and 6-minute walking. They were also assessed with pulmonary dysfunction and exertion fatigue indices. RESULTS: Spirometry revealed clear improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (+13%, P = 0.003) resulting in higher FEV1/FVC (forced vital capacity) (+8.5%, P = 0.03). Maximal inspiratory pressure (P (Imax)) increased by +7.1% but not significantly. Maximal expiratory pressure (P(Emax)) and FVC were significantly higher (by +7.1%, P = 0.0066 and +4.8%, P = 0.036 respectively) with respect to baseline measures. Pulmonary dysfunction was reduced (-9%, P = 0.002) while 6-minute walking distance was longer (+16%, P = 0.029) at equal exertion fatigue level. CONCLUSIONS: The programme improved most pulmonary performance measures and had clinical significance. Its sustained application may prevent respiratory complications frequently observed in the later stages of multiple sclerosis.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of breathing-enhanced upper extremity exercises on the respiratory function of patients with multiple sclerosis. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study of six-week duration. SUBJECTS: Forty patients with multiple sclerosis (age 39.2 +/- 7 years; Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale scores: 4.51 +/- 1.55) randomly divided into two groups. METHODS: The training group followed a six-week home training programme designed to strengthen accessory respiratory muscles. Controls performed no exercises. All subjects submitted to baseline and post-training tests of spirometry, respiratory muscle strength and 6-minute walking. They were also assessed with pulmonary dysfunction and exertion fatigue indices. RESULTS: Spirometry revealed clear improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (+13%, P = 0.003) resulting in higher FEV1/FVC (forced vital capacity) (+8.5%, P = 0.03). Maximal inspiratory pressure (P (Imax)) increased by +7.1% but not significantly. Maximal expiratory pressure (P(Emax)) and FVC were significantly higher (by +7.1%, P = 0.0066 and +4.8%, P = 0.036 respectively) with respect to baseline measures. Pulmonary dysfunction was reduced (-9%, P = 0.002) while 6-minute walking distance was longer (+16%, P = 0.029) at equal exertion fatigue level. CONCLUSIONS: The programme improved most pulmonary performance measures and had clinical significance. Its sustained application may prevent respiratory complications frequently observed in the later stages of multiple sclerosis.
Authors: Teresa C Frohman; Wanda Castro; Anjali Shah; Ardith Courtney; Jeffrey Ortstadt; Scott L Davis; Diana Logan; Thomas Abraham; Jaspreet Abraham; Gina Remington; Katherine Treadaway; Donna Graves; John Hart; Olaf Stuve; Gary Lemack; Benjamin Greenberg; Elliot M Frohman Journal: Ther Adv Neurol Disord Date: 2011-03 Impact factor: 6.570
Authors: Alexander Tallner; René Streber; Christian Hentschke; Marc Morgott; Wolfgang Geidl; Mathias Mäurer; Klaus Pfeifer Journal: Int J Mol Sci Date: 2016-09-30 Impact factor: 5.923