RELIEVING DYSPNEA WITH AN INEXPENSIVE AND SIMPLE METHOD IN PATIENTS WITH SEVERE CHRONIC AIR-FLOW LIMITATION

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 66  (3) , 181-186
Abstract
The effect of inspiratory resistive breathing training, using a simple apparatus, was tested in 27 optimally medicated consecutive outpatients with severe chronic airflow limitation, randomly assigned to a test or to a control group. Patients trained in their homes for up to 10 min 3 times daily; increments in resistance were made, if possible, every 2 wk. The control group used the same apparatus, but without inspiratory resistance. Three mo. from the start of training, the following statistically significant differences between the 2 groups were observed: a marked decrease in dyspnea in the trained group; a 60% vs. 22% rise in endurance time on a cycle ergometer at 2/3 of maximal work load; a fall in functional residual capacity; and a fall in respiratory frequency, both at rest and during exercise.