Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training in People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on inspiratory muscle strength, dyspnea, and quality of life (QOL) in COPD patients. A comprehensive search was undertaken on the Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, and PubMed databases, encompassing data published up to 31 March 2024. A meta-analysis was subsequently conducted to quantify the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the effects of IMT in COPD patients. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. IMT significantly improved inspiratory muscle strength (SMD, 0.86, p p p = 0.0006). Subgroup analysis showed that p = 0.005; dyspnea, SMD = −0.92, p p = 0.008; dyspnea, SMD = −0.63, p = 0.007; QOL, SMD = 1.66, p = 0.007), and IMT conducted >3 times per week (inspiratory muscle strength, SMD = 1.06, p p p = 0.0009) had greater effects. This meta-analysis provides clinicians with evidence supporting the recommendation that COPD patients engage in IMT at <60% PImax for more than 3 times per week, with each session lasting no more than 20 min, to improve inspiratory muscle strength, dyspnea, and QOL.

Keywords

• inspiratory muscle training
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• inspiratory muscle strength
• dyspnea
• quality of life