Inspiratory muscle training in bronchiectasis patients: a prospective randomized controlled study:

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and feasibility of home-based inspiratory muscle training in patients with bronchiectasis.Design: A prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled study.Setting: Outpatient clinic of a tertiary care medical centre.Methods: Twenty-six patients with bronchiectasis were randomly divided into inspiratory muscle training and control groups. In the inspiratory muscle training group (n = 13), the training programme started with an intensity of 30% maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), which was increased by 2 cmH2O each week, for 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week for eight weeks. The control group (n = 13) did not receive inspiratory muscle training. Main outcome measures included spirometry, resting oxyhaemoglobin saturation by pulse oximetry (SpO2), lowest SpO2 and Borg Scale during 6-minute walking tests, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), 6-minute walking work (6Mwork), MIP, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire.Results: There were si...