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Inspiratory Muscle Training as an Adjunct to the Treatment of Weaning Failure in Critically Ill Patients: A Practical Guide
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Effects of integrated inspiratory-expiratory muscle training within hybrid cardiac rehabilitation following cardiac
Busra Ulker Eksi1, Cigdem Emirza Cilbir2, Hikmet Ucgun3
1Biruni University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Division of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Istanbul, Turkey.
Respiratory Medicine
|July 1, 2026
Summary
Adding respiratory muscle training (RMT) to home cardiac rehabilitation (HCR) after surgery is safe and feasible. While both RMT and HCR improved patient outcomes, RMT did not show additional short-term benefits.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Cardiac surgery can negatively impact pulmonary function and physical capacity.
- Respiratory muscle training (RMT) is recommended for cardiac rehabilitation, but its role alongside home cardiac rehabilitation (HCR) needs further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of incorporating RMT into an HCR program for patients post-cardiac surgery.
- To evaluate RMT's effects on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and functional capacity in a randomized controlled trial.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 20 patients, divided into HCR and HCR+RMT groups.
- Rehabilitation lasted 8 weeks, starting in the first postoperative week.
- Primary outcomes included pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, and 6-minute walk distance.
Main Results:
- Both HCR and HCR+RMT groups showed improvements in functional capacity and quality of life by week 8.
- No significant differences were observed between the HCR and HCR+RMT groups for any measured outcomes.
- The study reported 100% retention and attendance with no adverse events.
Conclusions:
- Integrating RMT into HCR programs is safe, feasible, and well-tolerated by patients.
- While RMT did not provide additional short-term benefits over HCR alone, it can be a valuable complementary therapy.
- Both interventions effectively improved key respiratory and functional parameters post-cardiac surgery.
