Inspiratory muscle training did not accelerate weaning from mechanical ventilation but did improve tidal volume and...

Does inspiratory muscle training accelerate weaning from mechanical ventilation? Does it improve respiratory muscle strength, tidal volume, and the rapid shallow breathing index?

Randomised trial with concealed allocation and intention-to-treat analysis.

92 patients receiving pressure support ventilation were included in the study and followed up until extubation, tracheostomy, or death.

The experimental group received usual care and inspiratory muscle training using a threshold device, with a load of 40% of their maximal inspiratory pressure with a regimen of 5 sets of 10 breaths, twice a day, 7 days a week. The control group received usual care only.

The primary outcome was the duration of the weaning period. The secondary outcomes were the changes in respiratory muscle strength, tidal volume, and the rapid shallow breathing index.

Although the weaning period was a mean of 8 hours shorter in the experimental group, this difference was not statistically significant (95% CI -16 to 32). Maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures increased in the experimental group and decreased in the control group, with significant mean differences of 10cmH2O (95% CI 5 to 15) and 8cmH2O (95% CI 2 to 13), respectively. The tidal volume also increased in the experimental group and decreased in the control group (mean difference 72 ml, 95% CI 17 to 128). The rapid shallow breathing index did not differ significantly between the groups.

Inspiratory muscle training did not shorten the weaning period significantly but it increased respiratory muscle strength and tidal volume.