Effects of combining inspiratory muscle training with diaphragm resistance training on the motor and balance functioning of stroke survivors / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the effect of combining inspiratory muscle training with diaphragm resistance training on the respiratory, motor and balance functioning of stroke survivors.Methods:Eighty-eight stroke survivors were randomly divided into a respiratory muscle training group and a control group, each of 44. Both groups received routine rehabilitation, but the respiratory muscle training group also received daily inspiratory muscle and diaphragm resistance training, five days a week for 4 weeks. The respiratory muscle strength, motor function and balance of the two groups were evaluated using the inspiratory muscle strength index, the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale and the Berg balance scale before and after the treatment.Results:After the treatment, the average inspiratory muscle strength index of the respiratory muscle training group was 61.80%, its average Fugl-Meyer score was 75 and its average Berg balance score was 38. All were significantly better than before the treatment and better than the control group′s averages at the same time point. Spearman correlation analysis found significant correlation among the three measurements.Conclusions:Combining inspiratory muscle training with diaphragm resistance training can significantly improve the inspiratory muscle strength of stroke survivors, and promote the recovery of their motor and balance functions.