Physical therapy
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Respiratory muscle training promotes weaning in patients who are dependent on mechanical ventilation. Respiratory muscles can be trained using linear inspiratory-resistive loads to improve their strength and endurance. The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate that a therapeutic intervention consisting of a linear pressure load device facilitates ventilator weaning in an infant who is chronically ventilated. ⋯ This case report describes respiratory muscle training using a linear pressure load device to successfully wean an infant from mechanical ventilation. However, well-controlled clinical trials are necessary to better understand the effects of this intervention on neonatal respiratory muscles.