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Updated: May 8, 2026
04:16
Inspiratory Muscle Training as an Adjunct to the Treatment of Weaning Failure in Critically Ill Patients: A Practical Guide
Published on: January 30, 2026
Inspiratory muscle training for asthma
Ivanizia S Silva1, Guilherme A F Fregonezi, Fernando A L Dias
1PhD Program in Physical Therapy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Avenida Senador Salgado Filho 3000, Lagoa Nova, Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, 59072-970.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|September 10, 2013
Summary
Inspiratory muscle training may improve inspiratory muscle strength in people with asthma, but conclusive evidence on its clinical benefits is lacking. More research is needed to determine its effectiveness for asthma management.
Area of Science:
- Respiratory Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Lung hyperinflation in asthma can impair inspiratory muscle function.
- Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may counteract this by promoting muscle hypertrophy.
- Previous studies show IMT benefits in other conditions, but asthma outcomes are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) using resistive devices or threshold loading in individuals with asthma.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) sourced from major databases up to November 2012.
- Included studies compared IMT devices against sham or no training in stable asthma patients.
- Standard Cochrane Collaboration methods were used for data collection and analysis.
Main Results:
- Five RCTs with 113 adults were included; most had mild to moderate asthma.
- IMT significantly increased inspiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure) (low quality evidence).
- No significant differences were found for secondary outcomes like expiratory pressures, lung function, or dyspnea; exacerbation data was not reported.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence is insufficient to support or refute IMT for asthma due to limited trials and high risk of bias.
- Further well-conducted RCTs are necessary to assess IMT's impact on lung function, exacerbations, symptoms, and hospital admissions.
- Future research should include severe asthma populations and children, and evaluate endurance, hospitalizations, and work/school absenteeism.
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