Effects of Manual Therapy and Respiratory Muscle Training on the Maximal Inspiratory Pressure in Patients With Asthma

Effects of Manual Therapy and Respiratory Muscle Training on the Maximal Inspiratory Pressure in Patients With Asthma

The aim of this study is to assess if an intervention of manual therapy and motor control exercises combined with an inspiratory muscle training program is more effective than an inspiratory muscle training program alone in increasing the maximum inspiratory pressure in patients with asthma. In addition, the study pretends to evaluate the changes caused by the intervention regarding possible postural changes and thoracic diameter.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Asthmatics subjects aged between 18 and 65 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Were excluded participants who presented neurologic, psychiatric or cognitive pathologies which difficult the cooperation, inflammatory disease of the cervical spine and/or severe orthopedic problems that difficult the daily activities, history of thoracic surgery, vertebral fracture, abnormal thorax radiography, spinal and thoracic structured musculoskeletal disorders and to present any contraindication of treatment techniques (e.g. ostheophorosis). In case of exacerbation of asthma, missing more than one treatment session and/or to appear any contraindication to continue the treatment routine during the six weeks of the study the patient also were excluded.