• M A Nield.
• School of Nursing and Department of Medicine, University of Washington, USA.
• Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1999 Jan 1; 80 (1): 100-2.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the ability of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to accomplish 6 weeks of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) using a pressure threshold device, and to observe how the training affected inspiratory muscle strength and dyspnea.DesignPilot study comparing baseline values with posttest values.SubjectsFour adults with severe COPD (the mean of the forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] was 28% of predicted value).MethodsDaily IMT sessions of 5 to 30 minutes' duration and weekly training load increments of -2 to -4cmH2O over a 6-week period with the training device at loads of >30% of baseline maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax).Outcome MeasuresDyspnea measures were Mahler's Baseline and Transition Dyspnea Index and the Borg category-ratio scale administered during a submaximal exercise protocol.ResultsAll subjects tolerated the training load, improved their inspiratory muscle strength, and reported reduced dyspnea.ConclusionUsing a constant-load pressure threshold device to attain loads of >30% of the patient's baseline PImax is a feasible way to accomplish inspiratory muscle training in adults with severe COPD.

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