Gbiri CAO1, Ajepe OT2, Oladimeji RI2
1College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Physiotherapy, Lagos, Nigeria, 2University of Lagos, Physiotherapy, Lagos, Nigeria
Background: Respiratory complication is common with stroke and is a major hinderance to independent functional recovery is stroke survivors. Because of the importance of respiratory muscles in cardiorespiratory function, identification of deterioration in its capacity and function is necessary.
Purpose: This study therefore assessed the respiratory muscles functional performance and determined the effect of its early training in improving the cardio-respiratory function, exercise capacity, functional independent performance and quality of life of acute-stroke survivors.
Methods: Sixty-three (28 stroke survivors (SSV) and 35 sex and age-matched apparently healthy individuals (AHI)) participated in this study. The AHI served as norm-reference of respiratory volumes for the stroke survivors. The SSv were randomized into respiratory muscle training (RMT) and Conventional Management (CM) groups (n=14 in each group). The RMT group received CM and RMT using the Expand-A-Lung breathing training device while the CM group received CM only for 6 weeks. Their cardiorespiratory parameters, exercise capacity, functional independent performance (FIP) and Quality of life (QoL) were evaluated before and after the treatment
Results: The SSV had significantly lower (p 0.05) respiratory volumes than the AHI except in FEV1% where they were comparable. On evaluation of the 28 stroke survivors, there was significant improvement in the QoL and respiratory rate of subjects in the RMT group (p 0.01, p 0.04). Subjects in the RMT group had improved exercise capacity when compared with the CM group.
Conclusion(s): Stroke results in significant deterioration in respiratory muscles functions. Early RMT is apt and effective in improving cardiorespiratory function and quality of life in stroke survivors.
Implications: The outcomes of this study points to the fact that:
1. Assessment of the respiratory function of every stroke survivors, who had suffered an episode of stroke should be a routine for all healthcare givers who are working towards the common goal of restoring the patient.
2. Respiratory-Muscle Training should be incorporated into the routine treatment programmes of all stroke survivors and should be continuous for as long as functional capacity returns to the pre-stroke level or even better.
3. Respiratory-Muscle Training programme should be combined with the aerobic and strengthening exercise to give a better and long lasting effects.
4. All stroke survivors who are undergoing Respiratory-Muscle Training Programme should always be encouraged to be compliant, consistent and adherent through the foundational phase of training programme as changes are almost abstract in this phase until functional training is established.
5. All Healthcare givers who administer Respiratory-Muscle Training to patients, should always follow the RMT protocols as this is very crucial for a better and functional result.
Keywords: Stroke survivors, Cardiorespiratory function, Independent functional performance
Funding acknowledgements: None
Purpose: This study therefore assessed the respiratory muscles functional performance and determined the effect of its early training in improving the cardio-respiratory function, exercise capacity, functional independent performance and quality of life of acute-stroke survivors.
Methods: Sixty-three (28 stroke survivors (SSV) and 35 sex and age-matched apparently healthy individuals (AHI)) participated in this study. The AHI served as norm-reference of respiratory volumes for the stroke survivors. The SSv were randomized into respiratory muscle training (RMT) and Conventional Management (CM) groups (n=14 in each group). The RMT group received CM and RMT using the Expand-A-Lung breathing training device while the CM group received CM only for 6 weeks. Their cardiorespiratory parameters, exercise capacity, functional independent performance (FIP) and Quality of life (QoL) were evaluated before and after the treatment
Results: The SSV had significantly lower (p 0.05) respiratory volumes than the AHI except in FEV1% where they were comparable. On evaluation of the 28 stroke survivors, there was significant improvement in the QoL and respiratory rate of subjects in the RMT group (p 0.01, p 0.04). Subjects in the RMT group had improved exercise capacity when compared with the CM group.
Conclusion(s): Stroke results in significant deterioration in respiratory muscles functions. Early RMT is apt and effective in improving cardiorespiratory function and quality of life in stroke survivors.
Implications: The outcomes of this study points to the fact that:
1. Assessment of the respiratory function of every stroke survivors, who had suffered an episode of stroke should be a routine for all healthcare givers who are working towards the common goal of restoring the patient.
2. Respiratory-Muscle Training should be incorporated into the routine treatment programmes of all stroke survivors and should be continuous for as long as functional capacity returns to the pre-stroke level or even better.
3. Respiratory-Muscle Training programme should be combined with the aerobic and strengthening exercise to give a better and long lasting effects.
4. All stroke survivors who are undergoing Respiratory-Muscle Training Programme should always be encouraged to be compliant, consistent and adherent through the foundational phase of training programme as changes are almost abstract in this phase until functional training is established.
5. All Healthcare givers who administer Respiratory-Muscle Training to patients, should always follow the RMT protocols as this is very crucial for a better and functional result.
Keywords: Stroke survivors, Cardiorespiratory function, Independent functional performance
Funding acknowledgements: None
Topic: Neurology: stroke; Cardiorespiratory; Musculoskeletal
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: Lagos University Teaching Hospital and Lagos State Health Services Commission
Ethics committee: LUTH-HREC and LSHSC-HREC
Ethics number: ADM/DCST/HREC/APP/764 and LHSC/2222/Vol. XV/235
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
