[Innovative respiratory muscle training for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy--a psychological evaluation]

For neuromuscular patients with progressive respiratory muscle weakness a new training apparatus was developed, which allows a home training of strength as well as endurance of the inspiratory muscles, especially the diaphragma. A significant positive training result could be proved in a comparative study between 2 groups of 15 Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients each (8). By the end of the training the satisfaction of patients with the new training equipment was evaluated by means of a questionnaire. The degree of satisfaction was determined at a 10-point scale. Critical ideas were used for improvement of the newly developed training apparatus.