Elisabeth Westerdahl1, Anna Wittrin2, Margareta Kånåhols2, Martin Gunnarsson2, Ylva Nilsagård3. 1. Faculty of Medicine and Health, Surgery, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden. elisabeth.westerdahl@orebroll.se. 2. Faculty of Medicine and Health, Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden. 3. Faculty of Medicine and Health, Medicine, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:Breathing exercises with positive expiratory pressure are often recommended to patients with advanced neurological deficits, but the potential benefit in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with mild and moderate symptoms has not yet been investigated in randomized controlled trials. OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of 2 months of home-based breathing exercises for patients with mild to moderate MS on respiratory muscle strength, lung function, and subjective breathing and health status outcomes. METHODS:Forty-eight patients with MS according to the revised McDonald criteria were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Patients performing breathing exercises (n = 23) were compared with a control group (n = 25) performing no breathing exercises. The breathing exercises were performed with a positive expiratory pressure device (10-15 cmH2 O) and consisted of 30 slow deep breaths performed twice a day for 2 months. Respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure at the mouth), spirometry, oxygenation, thoracic excursion, subjective perceptions of breathing and self-reported health status were evaluated before and after the intervention period. RESULTS: Following the intervention, there was a significant difference between the breathing group and the control group regarding the relative change in lung function, favoring the breathing group (vital capacity: P < 0.043; forced vital capacity: P < 0.025). There were no other significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION:Breathing exercises may be beneficial in patients with mild to moderate stages of MS. However, the clinical significance needs to be clarified, and it remains to be seen whether a sustainable effect in delaying the development of respiratory dysfunction in MS can be obtained.
RCT Entities:
INTRODUCTION: Breathing exercises with positive expiratory pressure are often recommended to patients with advanced neurological deficits, but the potential benefit in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with mild and moderate symptoms has not yet been investigated in randomized controlled trials. OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of 2 months of home-based breathing exercises for patients with mild to moderate MS on respiratory muscle strength, lung function, and subjective breathing and health status outcomes. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with MS according to the revised McDonald criteria were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Patients performing breathing exercises (n = 23) were compared with a control group (n = 25) performing no breathing exercises. The breathing exercises were performed with a positive expiratory pressure device (10-15 cmH2 O) and consisted of 30 slow deep breaths performed twice a day for 2 months. Respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure at the mouth), spirometry, oxygenation, thoracic excursion, subjective perceptions of breathing and self-reported health status were evaluated before and after the intervention period. RESULTS: Following the intervention, there was a significant difference between the breathing group and the control group regarding the relative change in lung function, favoring the breathing group (vital capacity: P < 0.043; forced vital capacity: P < 0.025). There were no other significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Breathing exercises may be beneficial in patients with mild to moderate stages of MS. However, the clinical significance needs to be clarified, and it remains to be seen whether a sustainable effect in delaying the development of respiratory dysfunction in MS can be obtained.
Authors: Erin Pearson Silverman; Sarah Miller; Yi Zhang; Bari Hoffman-Ruddy; James Yeager; Janis J Daly Journal: Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin Date: 2017-05-29
Authors: Fiona Roberts; Helen Hobbs; Helen Jessop; Cristina Bozzolini; Joachim Burman; Raffaella Greco; Azza Ismail; Majid Kazmi; Kirill Kirgizov; Gianluigi Mancardi; Susan Mawson; Paolo A Muraro; Mathieu Puyade; Riccardo Saccardi; Barbara Withers; Bregje Verhoeven; Basil Sharrack; John A Snowden Journal: Front Neurol Date: 2020-12-11 Impact factor: 4.003