Inspiratory Muscle Training With Normocapnic Hyperpnea in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Efficacy of Inspiratory Muscle Training by Means of Spirotiger® in COPD Patients.

Many studies suggest that inspiratory muscles training by means of normocapnic hyperpnea improves exercise tolerance in healthy subjects. No information is available about the use of this training in COPD patients even if other methods (such as threshold loading and resistive loading) have been shown to be effective in terms of Inspiratory Muscle Function, Health-Related Quality of Life and Exercise Tolerance.

This study is designed to evaluate the effects of normocapnic hyperventilation by means of Spirotiger®, an instrument training the respiratory muscles, avoiding hypocapnia (using the methodology of isocapnic hyperpnoea)in COPD patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• COPD patients. All patients are at stable state, free from an exacerbation from at least 3 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• COPD patients with a recent history of cardiovascular disease, neurologic disease and other diseases that would interfere with the training.