Manual Therapy and Inspiratory Muscle Training in Neuromuscular Disease

Effects of Combined Manual Therapy and Inspiratory Muscle Training on Respiratory Function, Dyspnea and Trunk Control in Neuromuscular Disease

The benefits of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) have been reported in neuromuscular diseases. However, its effects are limited. Further research is needed in new and complementary modalities demonstrating IMT efficacy in neuromuscular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of combined IMT and manual therapy in neuromuscular diseases.

Twenty-eight children with a diagnosis of muscle disease were included in the study. Only conventional physiotherapy program was applied to the control group. In the study group, in addition to the conventional physiotherapy program, manual therapy techniques were applied 3 days a week and IMT 2 times a day, 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Lung function test, respiratory muscle strength, fatigue and dyspnea assessment, corbin posture analysis, sit-reach test, functional reach test (FRT), timed up and go test (TUG), motor function measure (MFM) and trunk impairment scale (TIS) were used in the evaluations.

Inclusion Criteria

• Aged between 7 and 18 years
• Diagnosed with a muscle disease
• Voluntary participation
• Cooperative and coherent
• No hearing or visual impairment
• Ability to ambulate independently

Exclusion Criteria

• Presence of a respiratory infection
• Presence of a serious cardiac condition
• History of a fracture involving the thoracic region