RecruitingACTRN12622000097741

Inspiratory muscle training for people with Parkinson's disease

Effect of inspiratory muscle training on maximal inspiratory pressure in people with Parkinson's disease

Sponsor

University of Canberra

Enrollment

50 participants

Start Date

Mar 24, 2022

Study Type

Interventional

Conditions

Exercise capacity Inspiratory muscle weakness Dyspnoea Difficulty performing daily living activities

Summary

There is growing evidence that Parkinson’s disease causes weakness of the respiratory muscles, and reduced strength of the inspiratory muscles has also been related to a range of respiratory dysfunctions such as dyspnoea. Substantial evidence shows that inspiratory muscle training has been shown to increase inspiratory muscle strength, reduce dyspnoea, increase exercise tolerance, and enhance quality of life in other populations. In this context, we seek to explore the effects of inspiratory muscle training in people with Parkinson’s disease. Inspiratory muscle training could be an effective intervention in rehabilitation programs for Parkinson’s disease. The potential benefits of such training could include not just increasing muscle strength but also improving daily living activities, reducing dyspnoea on exertion and improving quality of life. As respiratory abnormalities have been significantly associated with increased disability and reduced quality of life in various chronic conditions, any intervention with the potential to improve respiratory function deserves consideration.

Eligibility

Sex: Both males and femalesMin Age: 18 Yearss

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

Parkinson's disease doesn't just affect movement — it can also weaken the muscles used for breathing. Many people with Parkinson's develop reduced breathing strength, which contributes to breathlessness, reduced stamina, and lower quality of life. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) involves breathing exercises against a small resistance device (similar to a breathing trainer), and has been shown to strengthen breathing muscles and reduce breathlessness in other conditions like heart failure and COPD. This study is exploring whether IMT offers similar benefits for people with Parkinson's disease. Participants will undergo a structured inspiratory muscle training program and be assessed for changes in breathing muscle strength, breathlessness, exercise tolerance, and quality of life. You may be eligible if you have idiopathic (standard) Parkinson's disease, have stable medications, can walk independently (with or without aids), and have experienced some breathing difficulty. People with uncontrolled heart or lung disease, other neurological conditions, or who have done breathing training in the past six months would not be eligible. This low-risk, practical intervention could add an important tool to Parkinson's rehabilitation programs — one that addresses a symptom that is often overlooked but meaningfully impacts daily life.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

Participants allocated to the intervention group will complete inspiratory muscle training at home using a threshold inspiratory muscle trainer (PowerBreathe® Medic plus, Southam, United Kingdom). Participants will participate in their inspiratory muscle training program 5 days a week, which should take approximately 10 minutes per day and keep a diary of adherence, which will continue for 8 weeks. Daily training will be 5 sets of 6 breaths against the prescribed inspiratory resistance. We will monitor patients once per week (phone call) to discuss any questions and update their training pressures if need be. After the initial 4 weeks, participants will also be asked to attend a face-to-face appointment to discuss their progress, review their technique and clarify any issues concerning the training program. The weekly check will take 10 to 15 minutes, and the face-to-face appointment will take 20 to 30 minutes, depending on participant requirements. Training will be conducted by a physiotherapist experienced in delivering inspiratory muscle training. Therapist cannot be blinded to group allocation. After completing 8-week inspiratory muscle training, eligible participants will be offered to participate in individual semi-structured interviews within one month of completing the intervention. All interviews are expected to last approximately 60 minutes each and will be facilitated by a trained researcher who has not been responsible for delivery of intervention. Open-ended questions will guide the interviews following to reflect the experiences of the inspiratory muscle training in people with Parkinson's disease, their experiences of breathlessness and perceptions of its impact on activities of daily living.

Locations(1)

ACT, Australia

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ACTRN12622000097741