Inspiratory muscle training in quality of life and functional capacity in cardiotoxicity: case report

Abstract

Cancer patients develop frequent cardiac problems due to chemotherapy toxicity, which impacts functional capacity (FC) and quality of life (QoL). Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) may be a viable therapeutic resource since cause-effect studies have shown improvement in FC and QoL in other populations. However, its effect was not evaluated in cardio-oncology patients. The study aimed to describe the effect of an IMT program on the FC and QoL of a patient with cardiotoxicity, LDM, aged 41 years, female and, sedentary that developed heart failure after chemotherapy. The QoL was evaluated by the Minnesota test. Dynamic Inspiratory Muscle Strength (S-Index) and Glycemic Threshold (GT) of the inspiratory muscles were also evaluated. The GT was determined by capillary glycemia with a digital glucometer (Accu-Chek - Roche), at the lowest value of glycemia of the load corresponding to the Incremental Inspiratory Muscle Test (IIMT). The load progression was performed every two weeks. After two months, all tests were reapplied. In the Minnesota test, the values related to FC, pre and post IMT, were 36 v. 8 (78% improvement); the clinical and psychological aspects 32 v. 7 (78% improvement); S-Index was 41 v. 51cmH2O (24% improvement). IMT improved the FC and QoL of a cardio-oncology patient, configuring itself as a possible and viable therapeutic resource for this population.