Respiratory muscle weakness is a major cause of dyspnea and exercise intolerance. It is also associated with respiratory muscle disturbances prevalent in COPD and asthma, leading to clinical decline and reduced health-related quality of life.
Purpose of usage
- Strengthen the inspiratory muscles (diaphragm, external intercostal muscles, accessory neck muscles) and expiratory muscles (internal intercostal muscles, abdominal muscles)
- Promote diaphragmatic breathing
- Reduce shortness of breath
- Reduce overinflation
- Reduce the use of bronchodilators
Specific clinical benefits
- Increase maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure (PImax, PEmax)
- Reduce dyspnea (BORG scale)
- Improve exercise tolerance (6MWT)
- Reduce hyperinflation, improve inspiratory fraction and inspiratory capacity (IC, IF capacity (IC, IF)
- Increase peak inspiratory and expiratory flows (PIF, PEF)
- Increase blood oxygen saturation
- Improve diaphragm function
- Improve delivery and distribution of inhaled drugs
- Reduce the frequency of exacerbations
- Reduce hospitalization rate
Other benefits
- Improve quality of life
- Reduce hospitalization and healthcare needs
- Reduce the risk of death
Training Programs:
Note: These are program recommendations based on clinical evidence from RMT. These recommendations should not replace the therapist's clinical judgment and will still need to be adapted to each patient's case, condition, and preferences.
RMT Goals:
2 sets of 10 breaths per set, 2 times per day (morning and evening), 6 days per week.
Intensity:
Approximately 60% of maximum breathing pressure. The correct settings should allow you to endure a set of 10 breaths without fatigue. Please note that inhalation and exhalation settings need to be determined and set separately.
Ongoing Treatment:
After maintaining baseline training for approximately 1 week, increase the resistance. As resistance increases, repetitions may decrease initially and then gradually increase over the course of the week.
Record Progress:
Prepare an RMT diary to record respiratory pressure values and number of sessions, settings, and other comments.