Effects of home-based inspiratory muscle training on symptoms in adults hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia

Background: Pneumonia is an acute respiratory illness characterized by symptoms as cough, dyspnoea and poor general condition. Recovery can endure up to eight weeks. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) shows increased functional capacity and decreased dyspnoea among patients with COPD and heart failure. If IMT could affect symptoms after community-acquired pneumonia is not yet studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate IMT performed after hospitalization for adults with community-acquired pneumonia compared to sham IMT. Method: Twenty seven patients diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia performed home-based IMT twice a day, 3 x 30 breaths during 4 weeks with a Threshold IMT. They were randomly allocated to IMT (n=12) or sham IMT (n=15). Outcome measurements before and after the training period were fatigue (Borg CR-10), cough (LCQ-S), dyspnoea (mMRC), functional capacity (6 MWT), health-related quality of life (SF-36) and maximal inspiratory muscle strength, MIP (microRPM). Patients were followed up with telephone contact. Results: No significant differences between the IMT group and sham IMT in any outcome measurements were found. Functional capacity were significantly improved within both groups, the IMT group improved more compared to sham IMT. The IMT group showed significant improvement in all domains and total score in LCQ-S after training and reduced their dyspnoea, while no improvements in sham IMT group were found. Conclusion: Adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia who perform home-based IMT may receive positive effects on cough, dyspnoea and functional capacity.