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Respiratory muscle training in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) associates weakness and loss of muscle mass as an extra-respiratory complication. This muscle wasting is related in COPD to systemic inflammation, chronic hypoxia, deconditioning, malnutrition, disorder in ventilation mechanism, or steroid myopathy. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a multidisciplinary program meant to improve physical, psychological and social performances in COPD patients. Respiratory muscle training (RMT) is a specific method which provides significant benefits inside PR programs. It may improve both respiratory muscle strength and endurance. RMT will start in special rehabilitation centers upon recommended protocols under supervision and it will be continued for long-term at home. Several studies showed that RMT decreases dyspnea, enhances the effort capacity (according to the 6-minute walk test) and improves the quality of life in COPD patients.

Keywords: respiratory muscle training, pulmonary rehabilitation, COPD

Respiratory muscle training in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease