Coupled Inspiratory and Expiratory Muscle Training in Children With Bronchial Asthma
Condition: Bronchial Asthma
MeSH terms: Asthma
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study was designed to assess the effect of inspiratory and expiratory muscle training in
      the same cycle on respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary functions, perception of asthma
      symptoms in children with bronchial asthma. Fifty-one children with bronchial asthma were
      randomly allocated to the unloaded respiratory muscle training (Placebo training group; n =
      17), inspiratory muscle training alone (inspiratory muscle training group; n = 17), or
      combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle training in the same cycle (combined training
      group; n = 17). All groups were assessed for respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary
      functions, and asthma symptoms.
    

Detailed description: 
      Fifty-one children with bronchial asthma were recruited from King Khalid Hospital, Al-Kharj,
      Saudi Arabia. The study included children who had a confirmed diagnosis of bronchial asthma
      according to the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, aged 12-18 years, identified as
      being stable cases, had a baseline percent-predicted value of the peak expiratory flow rate
      of 60-80%, sustained stale doses of medications in the past three months. Children who had
      unstable asthma or exacerbated asthma symptoms, history of thoracic surgery, or
      cardiopulmonary comorbidities were excluded.

      Outcome measures

        1. Respiratory muscle strength: assessed by measuring the maximal inspiratory and
           expiratory pressure using an electronic respiratory pressure meter.

        2. Pulmonary function: The forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the
           first second of expiration (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC ratio, were measured in a pulmonary
           function test through a spirometry analyzer.

        3. Control of asthma symptoms: Asthma symptoms were assessed using a translated version of
           the asthma control test.

      All groups received the conventional respiratory re-training program, three times a week, for
      12 weeks in succession. The placebo group additionally received unloaded respiratory muscle
      training, the inspiratory muscle training group received respiratory muscle training alone,
      and the combined group received combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle training in the
      same cycle. Interventions were conducted by a licensed physical therapist who had experience
      of more than 10 years of respiratory training.
    

Intervention name(s): Placebo respiratory muscle training; Inspiratory muscle training; Combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle training
Intervention type(s): Other; Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Unloaded respiratory muscle training plus conventional respiratory exercises; Inspiratory muscle training plus conventional respiratory exercises; Combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle training in the same respiratory cycle plus conventional respiratory exercises.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Sequential Assignment
Intervention model description: A randomized, placebo-controlled, assessor-blinded clinical trial
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Chronic Respiratory Diseases; Respiratory Therapy; Chest Physiotherapy; Pulmonary Functions; Asthma; Respiratory Muscle Training