Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2025

Repeated Measurement of Respiratory Muscle Activity and Ventilation in Mouse Models of Neuromuscular Disease
Published on: April 17, 2017
Evaluation of Inspiratory Muscle Training Effect Compared With Diaphragmatic Breathing in Respiratory Parameters in
Maryam Sadat Mirenayat1, Atefeh Fakharian1, Melika Valizadeh1
1Pulmonary Rehabilitation Research Center (PRRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
Many patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) experience respiratory failure. The use of respiratory muscle training exercises can improve the respiratory function of these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on respiratory muscle function in ALS patients.
Methods:
In the current randomized controlled clinical trial study, 22 patients were randomly divided into intervention (n = 11) and control groups (n = 11). In the control group, patients used only chest-opening training and diaphragm exercises. Patients in the intervention group used IMT in addition to controlled exercises (chest opening training and diaphragm exercises). Respiratory function by spirometry and monitoring of maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressure, functional capacity with a 6-minute walk test, and arterial blood gases were also assessed by ABG analysis at baseline and after 8 weeks. A comparative analysis of variables was performed with a student t-test, considering type 1 error (α = 0.05) using SPSS 27 software.
Results:
The indexes included maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) (P = 0.000) and maximal expiratory pressures PEmax (P = 0.002). The strength of breathing muscles index (S-index) (P = 0.002) had a significant increase before and after rehabilitation in both groups (P ˂ 0.05). In intergroup analysis, the only factor with a significant increase was PImax (P = 0.019).
Conclusion:
The use of IMT, along with chest opening training and diaphragm exercises, can cause a relative improvement of the respiratory muscles' function indexes, especially PImax in ALS patients. More clinical trials are required.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Mechanism of Breathing III: The Accessory Muscles
The respiratory system is a complex network that relies on primary respiratory muscles like the diaphragm, but also involves accessory muscles to enhance lung expansion and airflow during both inhalation and exhalation.
Enhancing Inhalation with Accessory Muscles:
Accessory muscles such as the sternocleidomastoid, scalene, intercostal, and abdominal muscles are crucial when additional respiratory effort is required, such as during deep...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration...
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:

