Inspiratory muscle training in children with neuromuscular disorders.

The study recruited 24 participants but 23 completed, and most had Duchenne muscular dystrophy, so it may not apply equally to all neuromuscular disorders. The outcome assessors were not blinded to allocation because they also taught and monitored the training, which could bias the measured breathing outcomes. Data were collected by three different individuals, and inter-rater reliability was not confirmed. Participants were at different stages of disease, with some using or starting ventilatory support and some starting corticosteroids during the study, so concurrent changes may affect interpretation. The study did not show improvement in lung volumes or flows, and it did not show fewer respiratory infections or hospitalisations, so it does not address broader respiratory disease progression.

The supplied text reports ethical approval and clinical trial registration, but it does not include a conflicts-of-interest declaration or state who funded the work.

Do not read improved strength and cough flow as proof that inspiratory muscle training alone slows respiratory decline or prevents infections. The primary infection and hospitalisation outcomes did not differ, lung volumes and flows did not change, and the training was added to usual care with some concurrent medication or ventilatory support changes.