Ann Rehabil Med.  2025 Feb;49(1):30-39. 10.5535/arm.240092.

Would Integrating Inspiratory Muscle Training into Pulmonary Rehabilitation of Adults with Burn Injuries Have Any Advantageous Effects? a Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham-controlled Study

• Abdel-Aal NM
• Basha MA
• Aloraini SM
• Azab AR
• Kamel FH

• KMID: 2565457
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.240092

Abstract

Objective
To determine the effectiveness of adding inspiratory muscle training (IMT) alongside a pulmonary rehabilitation protocol in terms of inspiratory muscle strength, lung function, and exercise capacity in burned adults.
Methods
A randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled study. Fifty-two adult patients with burn injuries, more than 20 years old and at least 20% total body surface area, were assigned randomly either to the experimental or the conventional group. The participants in the experimental group were given IMT plus a pulmonary rehabilitation program; the conventional group received only a pulmonary rehabilitation program. The interventions were performed for 8 weeks. At the beginning and after 8 weeks of training, the respiratory muscles’ strength, lung function and exercise capacity were all examined.
Results
After 2 months of training, the experimental group demonstrated statistically significant improvements than conventional group in maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, 6-minute walk test, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (p<0.05).
Conclusion
An 8-week IMT program coupled with pulmonary rehabilitation increases respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary functions, and functional capacity in burn patients. IMT is a beneficial and efficient therapy that can be easily implemented for burn patients.

Keyword

Respiratory muscle training; Pulmonary rehabilitation; Burns; Physical therapy; Rehabilitation

Figure

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  Fig. 1. CONSORT 2010 flow diagram.

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  Fig. 2. Clinical characteristics of subjects in both groups after 8 weeks. (A) Maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP). (B) Maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). (C) Six-minute walk test (6MWT). (D) Forced vital capacity (FVC). (E) Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). (F) FEV1/FVC.

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