The Effect of Respiratory Muscle Training for Diaphragm Movement in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of respiratory muscle training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by pulmonary function test and fluoroscopy- guided diaphragm movement. METHOD: The respiratory muscle training program included breathing retraining, self-exercise and electromyography- assisted biofeedback therapy. 22 COPD patients underwent training program for 177+/-47.8 (84~259) days and were followed up regularly. To evaluate the effect of respiratory muscle training, we tested pulmonary function test before and after training. We also evaluated difference of area at full inspiratory and full expiratory time by fluoroscopy- guided diaphragm motion. RESULTS: Parameters in pulmonary function test showed no significant differences before and after respiratory muscle training. In fluoroscopic examination, the difference in the diaphragm movement area at full inspiration and expiration time showed significant improvement after respiratory muscle training (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Diaphragm movement increased in patients with COPD after respiratory muscle training, although pulmonary function test did not.