RESP-FIT: A Technology-Enhanced Combined Inspiratory and Expiratory Muscle Strength Training Intervention for Adults...

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science
• Digital Health

Background:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition characterized by respiratory muscle weakness and debilitating symptoms like dyspnea.
• Respiratory muscle strength training (RMST) is a proven therapy for enhancing respiratory muscle strength.
• The RESPiratory FITness (RESP-FIT) intervention is a novel 6-week program combining inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength training with real-time symptom monitoring using ecological momentary assessment (EMA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a randomized controlled pilot study on the RESP-FIT intervention for COPD.
• To generate hypotheses and explore the effects of RESP-FIT on symptoms, patient-reported outcomes, and respiratory muscle strength.
• To determine if findings support a future large-scale trial of the RESP-FIT intervention.

Main Methods:

• A pilot randomized controlled trial involving 30 adults with COPD.
• Participants were randomized into an intervention group (n=15) receiving 6 weeks of mHealth-enhanced RMST or a control group (n=15).
• Daily symptom data were collected in real-time over the 6-week intervention period using EMA.

Main Results:

• The intervention group experienced decreased dyspnea and anxiety, alongside increased happiness and improved respiratory muscle strength compared to the control group.
• Conversely, the intervention group reported increased fatigue and sleep disturbances relative to the control group.
• These findings suggest a complex impact of the RESP-FIT program on COPD patient well-being.

Conclusions:

• The 6-week RESP-FIT program shows potential for improving respiratory muscle strength, emotional state, and reducing breathlessness in COPD patients.
• The intervention may also lead to short-term increases in fatigue and sleep disturbances.
• Further research is necessary to establish the efficacy of RESP-FIT, elucidate its mechanisms of action on dyspnea and fatigue, and explore symptom fluctuations using EMA data.