Efficacy of bedside respiratory muscle training in patients with stroke: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives Inspiratory and the expiratory muscles are important for effective respiratory function. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of bedside respiratory muscle training on pulmonary function and stroke-related disabilities in stroke rehabilitation. Design Patients with stroke (N=40) in a rehabilitation unit were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (N1=20) or control group (N2=20). Both groups participated in a conventional stroke rehabilitation program. During the study period, the intervention group received bedside respiratory muscle training twice a day for three weeks. The respiratory muscle training consisted of (1) a breath stacking exercise, (2) inspiratory muscle training, and (3) expiratory muscle training. The primary outcomes were measures of pulmonary function: forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and peak flow. Secondary outcomes were stroke-related disabilities assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, Modified Barthel Index, Berg Balance Scale, Fugl-Meyer Assessment, the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, and pneumonia incidence. Results Pulmonary function was significantly improved in the intervention group after 3 weeks of respiratory muscle training (p

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