Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training on Pulmonary Function

Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training on Pulmonary Function of Patients With Chronic Neck Pain

The study was conducted to determine the effects of respiratory muscle training on pulmonary function and musculoskeletal parameters in patients with chronic neck pain. It included 43 patients, 20-40 years old males and females having non-specific chronic neck pain for more than three months and with low maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) values were included. Control group (n=21) received conventional physiotherapy with diaphragmatic breathing exercises and experimental group (n=23) received conventional physiotherapy with specially designed respiratory exercise protocol. It concluded that RMT in addition to conventional physiotherapy is effective to improve musculoskeletal and pulmonary parameters in CNP patients.

To determine the effects of respiratory muscle training on pulmonary function and musculoskeletal parameters in patients with chronic neck pain.

Study design: A randomized controlled trial Place and Duration of Study: Riphah Rehabilitation and Research Center in Railway General Hospital and Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi from January 2019 to July 2019.

Methodology: 43 patients, 20-40 years old males and females having non-specific chronic neck pain for more than three months and with low maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) values were included. Control group (n=21) received conventional physiotherapy with diaphragmatic breathing exercises and experimental group (n=23) received conventional physiotherapy with specially designed respiratory exercise protocol. They were assessed prior to, at 2nd week and after 4 weeks of treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• . Patients having non-specific chronic neck pain with or without headache for more than three months with pain complaints at least once a week 2. Males and females both of age 20 to 40 years old 3. Patients with low maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) values i.e., less than 110 L/min in males and 80 L/min in females

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients already participating in physiotherapy program 2. Patients with past history of

  • surgery to the cervical spine
  • traumatic cervical injuries
  • clinical abnormalities or surgeries of the thoracic cage or vertebral column
  • severe obesity (BMI>40)
  • pregnancy
  • smoking history/occupational industrial exposures
  • chronic neuro-musculoskeletal pain in any other non-related body area
  • respiratory or cardiac illness, diabetes mellitus and serious comorbidities