Respiratory Muscle Training in Acquired Brain Injury Patients.

Respiratory training, performed through IMT, was carried out with a pressure threshold device (Treshold IMT, Philips-Respironics, Pittsburg, PA, USA). Threshold IMT offers a constant and specific pressure for strength and endurance training of the respiratory muscles, regardless of the strength or speed with which patient breathes. A flow-independent one-way valve ensures constant resistance and allows you to specifically adjust workload (in cmH2O). The training must be supervised by a healthcare professional. During the inspiration, a spring-loaded valve resists to stimulate the training of the respiratory muscles. Before training began, the participants and primary caregivers completed one-session familiarization with a specialist to know the operation of the device. Adult people with acquired brain injury carried out the training program for 8 weeks, 1 session every day, 5 days a week. The participants performed 5 series of 1 minute with 1-minute rest between them.

Respiratory training, performed through PEP, was carried out with a pressure threshold device (Treshold PEP, Philips-Respironics, Pittsburg, PA, USA). Threshold PEP offers a constant and specific pressure for strength and endurance training of the respiratory muscles, regardless of the strength or speed with which patient breathes. A flow-independent one-way valve ensures constant resistance and allows you to specifically adjust workload (in cmH2O). The training must be supervised by a healthcare professional. During the expiration, a spring-loaded valve resists to stimulate the training of the respiratory muscles. Before training began, the participants and primary caregivers completed one-session familiarization with a specialist to know the operation of the device. Adult people with acquired brain injury carried out the training program for 8 weeks, 1 session every day, 5 days a week. The participants performed 5 series of 1 minute with 1-minute rest between them.