High- vs low-intensity inspiratory muscle interval training in patients with COPD.

This study determined the effect of a high vs low resistive inspiratory muscle interval training protocol on inspiratory muscle strength (PImax), incremental inspiratory threshold loading (Pitl), inspiratory muscle endurance (IE), and 12-minute distance test (12 MD) in severely impaired patients with COPD. We used a double-blind, two-group, repeated-measure design. Group 1 (n = 12) received supervised high resistive loading at approximately 52 percent PImax and group 2 (n = 8) received supervised low resistive loading at approximately 22 percent PImax. All subjects trained three times weekly (progressing from 5 min per session in week 1 to 18 min per session in week 12) for 12 weeks. After three practice sessions, measures of PImax, Pitl, IE, and 12 MD were taken at baseline, at 4-week intervals, and within 72 h of completing the protocol. Group 1 showed significant improvement in all four dependent variables while group 2 improved in Pitl, IE, and 12 MD. The results suggest there is no significant difference between high and low resistive interval training in more severely impaired patients with COPD.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes