The Effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Breathing Pattern and Functionality in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure.

The Effect of Inspiratory Muscle Training on Dysfunctional Breathing and Functional Ability in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure. A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

The effect of inspiratory muscle training on breathing pattern and functionality in patients with chronic heart failure.

The study protocol aims to examine the impact of inspiratory muscle training on dysfunctional breathing and functional ability in patients with chronic heart failure. Inspiratory muscle training is a low-cost intervention that might improve the breathing pattern, functionality and overall quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure

Inclusion Criteria:

• adults aged ≥ 18 years
• diagnosis of heart failure within the previous three to twelve months
• current outpatients in a stable optimal medical regimen for at least 3 months
• able to perform inspiratory muscle training
• clinically stable, without hospital admission in the previous 3 months and without participation in any other training program in the previous 6 months

Exclusion Criteria

• unstable angina
• recent acute myocardial infarction
• uncontrolled hypertension
• valve disease
• peripheral arterial disease
• 6MWT assessment of less than 300 meters
• previous pulmonary disease (forced vital capacity <80% of predicted and/or forced expiratory volume in 1 s <70% of predicted)
• history of exercise-induced asthma
• smokers