Relationship between Cough Peak Flow and Maximum Phonation Time in people with Parkinson's disease

Yoshinobu Yoshimoto, Toshiyuki Wakabayasi, Shota Yamashita, Yuto Kameyama, Kohei Yoshizawa, Hiroya Honda, Koki Take, Ryota Ashizawa
Purpose:

In this study, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between lower MPT and lower CPF in people with PD. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between lower MPT and lower CPF in people with PD.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included inpatients and outpatients with people with PD undergoing rehabilitation. MPT was measured by having participants take a deep breath and sustain the vowel sound “a” for as long as possible at a comfortable pitch and loudness. CPF was measured after participants took a deep breath and coughed as forcefully as possible, using a mini-light peak flow meter (MY-0010W, Clement Clarke, UK). Additional variables measured included age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) total score, vital capacity, forced vital capacity, and maximum pressure expiratory/inspiratory. Multiple regression analysis was performed, with CPF as the objective variable, MPT as the explanatory variable, and age and MDS-UPDRS total score as covariates. 

Results:

The final analysis included 31 participants (age 74.8 ± 8.1 years, 48.4% male, number of Hoehn & Yahr Ⅰ: 0, II: 8, III: 8, IV: 12, and V: 3). The mean values of CPF and MPT were 308±133L/min and, 15.0±7.8 s, respectively. Other mean values were BMI 20.6 ± 3.1kg/m², MDS-UPDRS total score 88.4 ± 27.2 points, vital capacity 2411 ± 1003L, forced vital capacity 2105 ± 836L, and median maximum pressure expiratory/inspiratory 41.1 (25.3－53.6) cmH₂O / 21.3(12.3－33.5) cmH₂O. Multiple regression analysis revealed that a lower MPT was significantly associated with a lower CPF. (β = 0.379, 95% confidence interval: 0.080－13.059, p = 0.047).

Conclusion(s):

In this cross-sectionally study, we investigated the association between MPT and CPF in people with PD. The results demonstrated that a lower MPT in people with PD was independently and considerably associated with a lower CPF, even after adjusting for age and MDS-UPDRS total score, which evaluates the severity of PD.

Implications:

Although this observational study does not establish, whether interventions for MPT improve CPF, results suggest that interventions to improve MPT in PD may also improve CPF.

Funding acknowledgements:
My research is not funded.
Keywords:
parkinson's disease
cough
respiratory
Primary topic:
Neurology: Parkinson's disease
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Seirei Christopher's University Ethics Committee
Provide the ethics approval number:
23005
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

Back to the listing