Respiratory muscle training in multiple sclerosis: a pilot study

We assessed the effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) on vital capacity (VC), maximal static inspiratory (PImax) and expiratory (PEmax) pressures and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV). Eight patients (mean age 53, range 42 to 65 years) with stable disease and respiratory muscle weakness (RMW; VC = 83%, PImax = 64%, PEmax = 41%, MVV = 62% of predicted value) underwent a 4 +/- 1 week RMT program using inspiratory and/or expiratory resistive loads. Results showed changes in PImax (+31%, p less than 0.02), PEmax (+31%, p less than 0.05), and MVV (+21%, p less than 0.05); VC was unchanged (+1%). Thus in these patients, RMT improved respiratory muscle strength and ventilatory capacity. RMT may be an additional method of rehabilitation in selected patients with MS, in whom RMW contributes to exercise intolerance, coughing and talking impairment.