Immediate and Late Effects of a Single, Low-Intensity Inspiratory Muscle Intervention on Voice and Breathing in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

INTRODUCTION

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive airflow limitation, exacerbations, and systemic inflammatory effects that can impair functional capacity and respiratory muscle strength, potentially affecting voice production.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the immediate and late effects of a single low-intensity inspiratory muscle training (IMT) intervention on voice and airflow limitation parameters in subjects with COPD.

METHODS

Randomized clinical trial with seventeen subjects (40 to 80 years old, both genders) randomly divided into two groups: IMT and simulated inspiratory muscle training (SIMT). The following outcomes were assessed before, immediately after, and 30 days post intervention: Vocal Symptom Scale, maximum phonation time (MPT), and numerical count time (MPTC); numerical count (CN); inspiratory muscle strength; peak expiratory flow; and dyspnea sensation.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the groups immediately after intervention. The MPT/e/ increased significantly in the IMT group, and the perception of vocal symptoms was significantly reduced in the SIMT group immediately after intervention. At follow-up, according to the analysis of variance, these effects were not maintained.

CONCLUSION

Low-intensity IMT in people with COPD showed immediate positive results on MPT/e/, but these were not sustained after 30 days. There was no immediate effect on measures of airflow limitation, suggesting that the continuation of low-intensity IMT for long periods would provide benefits to subjects with COPD.