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Inspiratory Muscle Training as an Adjunct to the Treatment of Weaning Failure in Critically Ill Patients: A Practical Guide
Published on: January 30, 2026
Respiratory muscle training in restrictive thoracic disease: a randomized controlled trial
Stephan Budweiser1, Markus Moertl, Rudolf A Jörres
1Center for Pneumology, Donaustauf Hospital, Donaustauf, Germany.
Objective:
To investigate the effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) in patients with restrictive thoracic disorders and intermittent noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV).
Design:
Prospective randomized controlled trial.
Setting:
Home-based RMT, with assessment in a primary care pulmonary center.
Participants:
Thirty patients with restrictive thoracic disorders; 28 patients completed the trial.
Intervention:
Three months of RMT by isocapnic hyperpnea or sham training.
Main Outcome Measures:
Respiratory muscle strength and endurance, lung function, exercise performance, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
Results:
After RMT, maximal inspiratory mouth pressure was increased (27.6%+/-36.5%, P=.013). In patients who could perform cycle ergometer testing (n=17), peak oxygen consumption (2.24+/-3.39mLxkg(-1).min(-1) vs -1.71+/-2.54mLxkg(-1).min(-1), P=.014) and maximal work rate (9.4+/-14.8W vs -5.1+/-10.8W, P=.043) increased relative to a control group. Similar differences occurred regarding changes of HRQOL (physical performance, 3.3+/-11.4 score vs -6.6+/-9.0 score; P=.012) and time of ventilator use (-0.6+/-1.2h/d vs 0.4+/-0.5h/d, P=.010). Lung volumes, 12-second maximum voluntary ventilation, 6-minute walking distance, and blood gases were unchanged.
Conclusions:
In patients with restrictive thoracic disorders and NPPV, RMT improved inspiratory muscle strength. Exercise performance and HRQOL were improved when the 2 groups were compared. RMT was practicable and safe despite severe respiratory impairment. Further evaluation, including different training intensities and modalities, seems warranted.
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