Effects of Walking and Respiratory Muscle Training on Pulmonary Function and Functional Exercise Capacity in PD
Condition: Parkinson Disease
MeSH terms: Parkinson Disease
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this randomised and controlled study is to investigate the effects of walking
      training combined with respiratory muscle training on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle
      strength, and functional exercise capacity.
    

Detailed description: 
      Although respiratory dysfunction has been recognized as a cause of morbidity and mortality in
      patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), most of the patients were not aware of their
      respiratory problems due to restriction in their activities.

      Respiratory dysfunction in patients with PD has not been well characterized. However, there
      are many studies showing restrictive or obstructive type respiratory disorders and decreased
      respiratory muscle strength in the literature. Ineffective cough due to decreased respiratory
      muscle strength may cause to secretion retention and secondary infections in PD patients who
      have severe symptoms. Therefore, the assessment and rehabilitation of these respiratory
      problems is important in PD patients treatment. There are studies in the literature showing
      that respiratory muscle training is effective in PD.

      Walking difficulty is seen as a common problem in PD. Typically, walking is slow despite
      adequate Levodopa therapy. It is known that exercise capacity may be affected by respiratory
      impairment, walking difficulties and personal exercise habits in patients with PD.
      Respiratory and walking problems lead to limitation of physical activity in PD, which leads
      to a decrease in exercise capacity. In a recently published article reported that walking is
      a good example of exercise.

      Although walking training is important for PD patients, there is no studies what happens to
      pulmonary function and functional exercise capacity when walking training is combined with
      respiratory muscle training in patients with Parkinson's disease. Therefore, this study
      planned to investigate the effects of walking and respiratory muscle training on pulmonary
      function and functional exercise capacity in PD.
    

Intervention name(s): Walking and respiratory training; Respiratory muscle training
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): Walking and respiratory muscle training group ( W+ RMT) received walking training in addition to respiratory muscle training for a period of 8 weeks.
Walking training was performed at least 5 days a week, twice a day, for 15 min. Walking distance was calculated according to patients' 6 minute walking distance.
Respiratory muscle training was performed using the threshold loading method as inspiratory and expiratory muscle training. This training was applied at least 5 days per week, twice a day, 15 minutes each session. (15 minutes inspiratory muscle training + 15 minutes expiratory muscle training). A Threshold Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT) and threshold positive expiratory pressure (Threshold PEP) were used for the training.
Patients were called for the hospital once a week to asses mouth pressure and 6 minute walking test (6 MWT) and their training intensity was arranged; In the Respiratory muscle training group, Respiratory muscle training was performed using the threshold loading method as inspiratory and expiratory muscle training. This training was applied at least 5 days per week, twice a day, 15 minutes each session. (15 minutes inspiratory muscle training + 15 minutes expiratory muscle training). A Threshold Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT) and threshold positive expiratory pressure (Threshold PEP) were used for the training. Patients were called for the hospital once a week to asses mouth pressure and their training intensity was arranged.
Other intervention name(s): Respiratory muscle training device and exercise program; Respiratory muscle training device
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: Randomized controlled
Masking: Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: walking training; respiratory muscle training; pulmonary function; functional capacity