Objective: To compare MIP and MEP determined in healthy subjects with those predicted using the equations proposed in another study, and, if necessary, to suggest new equations for MIP and MEP to be used in the Brazilian population. Methods: The study sample comprised 60 healthy males and 60 healthy females, 20-80 years of age (20 subjects per ten-year age bracket). Maximal respiratory pressures were determined following a standardized protocol. Results: Regarding MIP, the measured values were significantly lower than those predicted for both males (31%) and females (24%). There were no significant differences between measured and predicted MEP in either gender. We found that age presented the greatest power to predict MIP and MEP in both genders. New equations were proposed. Conclusions: The previously proposed equations were unable to predict MIP and MEP for all of the subjects in our sample. Therefore, the results of this study can facilitate the prediction of respiratory muscle strength in healthy adult subjects in Brazil. Further studies, involving subjects from different regions of the country, could lead to the development of better tables or equations for maximal respiratory pressures in the Brazilian population. ResumoObjetivo: Comparar PImáx e PEmáx medidas em indivíduos saudáveis com os valores previstos utilizando-se as equações propostas em outro estudo e, se necessário, sugerir novas equações para PImáx e PEmáx para a população brasileira. Métodos: Participaram do estudo 60 homens e 60 mulheres saudáveis com idades entre 20 e 80 anos (20 indivíduos por faixa etária de 10 anos). As pressões respiratórias máximas foram determinadas segundo um protocolo padronizado. Resultados: Os valores medidos de PImáx foram significativamente menores que aqueles previstos tanto para homens (31%) e mulheres (24%). Não houve diferenças significativas entre a PEmáx medida e prevista nos dois gêneros. A idade provou ser a variável com melhor poder preditivo para PImáx e PEmáx nos dois gêneros. Novas equações foram propostas. Conclusões: As equações propostas no estudo prévio não foram capazes de predizer PImáx e PEmáx de todos os indivíduos de nossa amostra. Portanto, os resultados deste estudo podem facilitar a predição da força muscular respiratória de adultos saudáveis no Brasil. Novos estudos, com indivíduos de diferentes regiões do país, poderão contribuir para o desenvolvimento de melhores tabelas ou equações para as pressões respiratórias máximas na população brasileira. MethodsThe study sample comprised 120 healthy subjects (60 males and 60 females), 20-80 years of age, residing in the city of São Carlos, located in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Each of the six ten-year age brackets used in the study included 10 male and 10 female subjects.The volunteers were selected according to the criteria of having a BMI between 18.0 and 29.5 kg/m 2(8) and being a nonsmoker. Subjects with a history of respiratory or cardiovascular disease were excluded, as were those with any neuromuscular disease that would p...

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to determine whether aerobic exercise involving an active video game system improved asthma control, airway inflammation and exercise capacity in children with moderate to severe asthma.DesignA randomized, controlled, single-blinded clinical trial was carried out. Thirty-six children with moderate to severe asthma were randomly allocated to either a video game group (VGG; N = 20) or a treadmill group (TG; n = 16). Both groups completed an eight-week supervised program with two weekly 40-minute sessions. Pre-training and post-training evaluations involved the Asthma Control Questionnaire, exhaled nitric oxide levels (FeNO), maximum exercise testing (Bruce protocol) and lung function.ResultsNo differences between the VGG and TG were found at the baseline. Improvements occurred in both groups with regard to asthma control and exercise capacity. Moreover, a significant reduction in FeNO was found in the VGG (p < 0.05). Although the mean energy expenditure at rest and during exercise training was similar for both groups, the maximum energy expenditure was higher in the VGG.ConclusionThe present findings strongly suggest that aerobic training promoted by an active video game had a positive impact on children with asthma in terms of clinical control, improvementin their exercise capacity and a reductionin pulmonary inflammation.Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT01438294

OBJECTIVE:To determine whether preoperative inspiratory muscle training is able to attenuate the impact of surgical trauma on the respiratory muscle strength, in the lung volumes, and diaphragmatic excursion in obese women undergoing open bariatric surgery.DESIGN:Randomized controlled trial.SETTING:Meridional Hospital, Cariacica/ES, Brazil.SUBJECTS:Thirty-two obese women undergoing elective open bariatric surgery were randomly assigned to receive preoperative inspiratory muscle training (inspiratory muscle training group) or usual care (control group).MAIN MEASURES:Respiratory muscle strength (maximal static respiratory pressure – maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure), lung volumes, and diaphragmatic excursion.RESULTS:After training, there was a significant increase only in the maximal inspiratory pressure in the inspiratory muscle training group. The maximal expiratory pressure, the lung volumes and the diaphragmatic excursion did not show any significant change with training. In the postoperative period there was a significant decrease in maximal inspiratory pressure in both the groups. However, there was a decrease of 28% in the inspiratory muscle training group, whereas it was 47% in the control group. The decrease in maximal expiratory pressure and in lung volumes in the postoperative period was similar between the groups. There was a significant reduction in the measures of diaphragmatic excursion in both the groups.CONCLUSION:The preoperative inspiratory muscle training increased the inspiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure) and attenuated the negative postoperative effects of open bariatric surgery in obese women for this variable, though not influencing the lung volumes and the diaphragmatic excursion.

Neural control of heart rate, in addition to other clinically valuable measures, is positively altered in moderate-severe COPD patients following 6 weeks of aerobic exercise training. The improvement in submaximal performance after exercise training was associated with parasympathetic activity.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of chest physical therapy (CP) in reducing the clinical score in infants with acute viral bronchiolitis (AVB). Methods: Randomized controlled trial of 30 previously healthy infants (mean age 4.08 SD 3.0 months) with AVB and positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), evaluated at three moments: at admission, then at 48 and 72 hours after admission. The procedures were conducted by blinded assessors to each of three groups: G1 -new Chest Physical therapy-nCPT (Prolonged slow expiration -PSE and Clearance rhinopharyngeal retrograde -CRR), G2 -conventional Chest Physical therapy-cCPT (modified postural drainage, expiratory compression, vibration and percussion) and G3 -aspiration of the upper airways. The outcomes of interest were the Wang's clinical score (CS) and its components: Retractions (RE), Respiratory Rate (RR), Wheezing (WH) and General Conditions (GC). Results:The CS on admission was reduced in G1 (7.0-4.0) and G2 (7.5-5.5) but was unchanged in G3 (7.5-7.0). We observed a change 48 hours after hospitalization in G1 (5.5-3.0) and G2 (4.0-2.0) and in 72 hours, there was a change in G1 (2.0-1.0). Conclusion: The CP was effective in reducing the CS in infants with AVB compared with upper airway suction only. After 48 hours of admission, both techniques were effective and nCPT techniques were also effective in the 72 hours after hospitalization compared with cCPT techniques.Trial Registration NCT00884429-www.clinicaltrials.gov.Keywords: respiratory suncytial virus; bronchiolitis; physical therapy. ResumoObjetivo: Avaliar a efetividade da fisioterapia respiratória na redução do escore clínico em lactentes com bronquiolite viral aguda (BVA). Métodos: Ensaio controlado randomizado de 30 lactentes (média de idade 4,08±3,12 meses) com BVA, previamente hígidos, com vírus sincicial respiratório (VSR) positivo, avaliados em três momentos: admissão, 48 e 72 horas, antes e após os procedimentos por avaliadores cegos, em três grupos: G1 -técnicas atuais de fisioterapia (expiração lenta e prolongada e desobstrução rinofaríngea retrógrada), G2 -técnicas convencionais de fisioterapia (drenagem postural modificada, compressão expiratória, vibração e percussão) e G3 -aspiração de vias aéreas superiores por meio do escore clínico de Wang e seus componentes: retrações (RE), frequência respiratória (RR), sibilos (WH) e condições gerais (GC). Resultados: O escore clínico de Wang (CS) no momento admissão, no G1, reduziu de 7,0-4,0; no G2, de 7,5-5,5 e no G3 de 7,5-7,0, não apresentando alteração. No momento 48 horas, também houve alteração tanto no G1 (5,5-3,0) quanto no G2 (4,0-2,0) e, em 72 horas, apenas no G1 (2,0-1,0). Conclusão: A fisioterapia respiratória foi efetiva na redução do escore clínico em lactentes com BVA quando comparada com a aspiração isolada das vias aéreas na admissão. No momento 48 horas, ambas as técnicas foram efetivas, sendo que as técnicas atuais foram efetivas também nas 72 horas após a internação, comparada às técnicas convencionais.Registro de Ensa...

INTRODUCTION:Obesity can cause deleterious effects on respiratory function and impair health and quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of obesity on the pulmonary function of adult women. METHODS: An obese group, constituted of 20 women between 20 and 35 years old with a BMI of 35 -49.99 kg/m 2 who were non-smokers and sedentary and had no lung disease were recruited. The non-obese group consisted of 20 women between 20 and 35 years old who were sedentary and non-smokers and had no lung disease and a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.99 kg/m 2 . Spirometry was performed in all subjects. The statistical analysis consisted of parametric or non-parametric tests, depending on the distribution of each variable, considering p < 0.05 to be statistically significant. RESULTS:The obese group presented a mean age of 25.85 ± 3.89 years and a mean BMI of 41.1 ± 3.46 kg/m 2 , and the non-obese group presented a mean age of 23.9 ± 2.97 years and a mean body mass index of 21.91 ± 1.81 kg/m 2 . There were no significant differences between the obese group and the non-obese group as to the age, vital capacity, tidal volume, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in one second. However, the obese group presented a greater inspiratory reserve volume (2.44 ± 0.47 L vs. 1.87 ± 0.42 L), a lower expiratory reserve volume (0.52 ± 0.32 L vs. 1.15 ± 0.32 L), and a maximal voluntary ventilation (108.5 ± 13.3 L/min vs. 122.6 ± 19.8 L/min) than the non-obese group, respectively. CONCLUSION: The alterations evidenced in the components of the vital capacity (inspiratory reserve volume and expiratory reserve volume) suggest damage to the chest mechanics caused by obesity. These factors probably contributed to a reduction of the maximal voluntary ventilation.

BackgroundChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality affecting a large number of individuals in both developed and developing countries and it represents a significant financial burden for patients, families and society. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a multidisciplinary program that integrates components of exercise training, education, nutritional support, psychological support and self-care, resulting in an improvement in dyspnea, fatigue and quality of life. Despite its proven effectiveness and the strong scientific recommendations for its routine use in the care of COPD, PR is generally underutilized and strategies for increasing access to PR are needed. Home-based self-monitored pulmonary rehabilitation is an alternative to outpatient rehabilitation. In the present study, patients with mild, moderate and severe COPD submitted to either an outpatient or at-home PR program for 12 weeks were analyzed.MethodsPatients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were randomized into three distinct groups: an outpatient group who performed all activities at the clinic, a home-based group who performed the activities at home and a control group. PR consisted of a combination of aerobic exercises and strengthening of upper and lower limbs 3 times a week for 12 weeks.ResultsThere was a significant difference in the distance covered on the six-minute walk test (p < 0.05) and BODE index (p < 0.001) in the outpatient and at-home groups after participating in the rehabilitation program compared to baseline.ConclusionA home-based self-monitoring pulmonary rehabilitation program is as effective as outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation and is a valid alternative for the management of patients with COPD.

IntroductionPulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a multidisciplinary program of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with the goal of improving the functional capacity and quality of life, as well as maintaining the clinical stability of COPD sufferers. However, not all patients are available for such a program despite discomfort with their condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a home-based PR (HBPR) program on functional ability, quality of life, and respiratory muscle strength and endurance.Patients and methodsPatients with COPD according to the Global Initiative of Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease were randomized (double-blind) into two groups. One group performed a protocol at home with aerobic and muscle strength exercises and was called the intervention group; the other group received only instructions to perform breathing and stretching exercises, characterizing it as the control group (CG). We assessed the following variables at baseline and 2 months: exercise tolerance (incremental shuttle walk test and upper limb test), respiratory muscle (strength and endurance test), and health-related quality of life (Airways Questionnaire 20).ResultsThere were no significant changes after the intervention in either of the two groups in exercise tolerance and quality of life. However, the intervention group had improved respiratory endurance compared with the CG, while the CG presented a decrease in the load sustained by the respiratory muscles after the HBPR.ConclusionA program of HBPR with biweekly supervision (although not enough to provide significant improvements in physical capacity or quality of life) played an important role in maintaining the stability of the clinical features of patients with COPD; the patients had no worsening of symptoms during the intervention period according to the daily log.