Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 18, 2026
Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
The Effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Meta-analysis
Elizabeth Williamson1, Natalie Pederson, Hannah Rawson
1Department of Physical Therapy (Dr Williamson), Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri; St Luke's East Outpatient Rehabilitation (Dr Pederson), Lee Summit, Missouri; Kansas City Orthopedic Institute (Dr Rawson), Kansas City, Missouri; Research by Design, LLC (Dr Daniel), Springfield, Missouri.
Purpose:
This study reports the respiratory muscle training effect on strength and endurance in individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Methods:
Articles published from 1984 to 2017 were reviewed. Six articles met the inclusion criteria that included within-subject control or between-subject control group, participants with a diagnosis of only Duchenne muscular dystrophy, participation in respiratory muscle training intervention, and outcome measures of endurance and strength. Effect sizes were calculated for each study and overall, weighted mean effect sizes for strength and endurance outcome measures.
Results:
There was a large effect for improving respiratory endurance and a moderate effect for muscle strength. However, these effects were not significant.
Conclusion:
Findings justify further exploration of the potential benefits of respiratory muscle training for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
