The Impact of Respiratory Muscle Training on Exercise Tolerance in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Quantitative Analysis

Authors

Ali H. Alshehri, Mohammed H. Alotaibi, Rami H. Alkhalid, Yasser A. Alsuaibi, Abdulmajeed H. Alanazi

Abstract

Background: Respiratory muscle training (RMT) has been proposed as a beneficial intervention for improving exercise tolerance in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle training program on exercise tolerance, respiratory muscle strength, dyspnea, and quality of life in COPD patients.

Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 120 patients with moderate to severe COPD were assigned to either an RMT group (n=60) or a control group (n=60). The RMT group underwent a 12-week program consisting of Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) and Expiratory Muscle Training (EMT), while the control group performed sham training. Primary outcome was the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance. Secondary outcomes included maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), and Borg scale. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.

Results: The RMT group showed significant improvements in 6MWT distance, MIP, MEP, mMRC dyspnea scores, SGRQ scores, and Borg scale scores compared to the control group (p<0.001). These benefits were maintained at the 6-month follow-up.

Conclusion: Respiratory muscle training significantly enhances exercise tolerance, respiratory muscle strength, reduces dyspnea, and improves quality of life in COPD patients. RMT should be considered a standard component of pulmonary rehabilitation programs.

Keywords

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Respiratory Muscle Training, Exercise Tolerance, Inspiratory Muscle Training, Expiratory Muscle Training, Quality of Life, Dyspnea, 6-Minute Walk Test

The Impact of Respiratory Muscle Training on Exercise Tolerance in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Quantitative Analysis. Ali H. Alshehri, Mohammed H. Alotaibi, Rami H. Alkhalid, Yasser A. Alsuaibi, Abdulmajeed H. Alanazi. 2021. IJIRCT, Volume 7, Issue 1. Pages 1-9. https://www.ijirct.org/viewPaper.php?paperId=2406048