Effect of Respiratory Muscle Training on Improving Respiratory Muscle Strength in Younger Population: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) is an integral part of pulmonary rehabilitation. It is a therapeutic modality that has demonstrated considerable promise in augmenting respiratory muscle function and overall pulmonary well-being in a range of clinical cohorts. While IMT has been extensively scrutinised in the adult demographic, its efficacy in paediatric populations has remained a relatively underexplored realm. Aim: This systematic review seeks to undertake a meticulous assessment of the existing literature to gauge the potential of IMT in ameliorating respiratory function in children and adolescents. Materials and Methods: The present systematic review includes seven pertinent studies, comprising randomised controlled trials, cohort investigations, and pilot studies published in English from 2018-2023 from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. The keywords used were paediatric, restrictive lung diseases, obstructive lung diseases, IMT, obesity, neuromuscular disorders, thoracic surgeries, and advanced physiotherapy. Risk of bias assessment was done using the Cochrane risk-of-bias assessment tool. Results: These studies have investigated the impact of IMT on various paediatric cohorts, from athletic populations to those afflicted with neuromuscular disorders, cystic fibrosis, and other respiratory pathologies. Collectively, the findings offer compelling evidence that IMT has the potential to enhance inspiratory muscle strength, endurance, and overall respiratory function in paediatric populations. Conclusion: In light of the findings gleaned from this systematic review, it is evident that IMT possesses the potential to be an efficacious intervention for enhancing respiratory function in the paediatric population and offering the prospect of improved clinical outcomes and an enhanced quality of life for this vulnerable cohort.

Keywords

• powerbreathe
• rehabilitation
• threshold