Inspiratory muscle training in children and adolescents living with neuromuscular diseases: A pre-experimental study.
Anri Human, Brenda M Morrow
PMID 34522820WHAT IT FOUND
Eight children with neuromuscular disease completed six weeks of inspiratory muscle training without adverse events.
Inspiratory strength and flow improved. Lung volumes and cough ability did not change, and quality of life scores did not improve significantly.
Key findings
01No adverse events directly attributable to the training were reported during the six-week intervention.
02Measures of inspiratory muscle strength (Pimax) and flow (PIF) improved significantly, but sniff nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) did not.
03Lung volumes, peak expiratory cough flow, and total quality of life scores did not show significant change from baseline to six weeks.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
Very small sample size (n=8) and lack of a control group mean improvements cannot be definitively attributed to the training rather than natural variation or learning effects. The study was short (6 weeks), which may be insufficient to detect changes in progressive conditions like neuromuscular disease. Participants had varying diagnoses (DMD, SMA, myopathy, neuropathy) and levels of severity, making it hard to generalize findings. Home programme adherence (stretches, breathing exercises) varied and could have confounded results. The authors note that the improvement in MFM scores may not be clinically meaningful.
Declared interests
The study was a pilot for a registered clinical trial. No specific funding sources or conflicts of interest are detailed in the provided text beyond the mention of the device manufacturer (HaB International Ltd) in the methods.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that inspiratory muscle training improves lung function or cough ability in children with neuromuscular disease. While strength metrics improved, key respiratory outcomes like forced vital capacity and peak expiratory cough flow showed no significant change in this small, uncontrolled pilot.