This prospective single-group pre-post study evaluated whether digital incentive spirometry training using the TryBreath system could improve pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, and symptom scores in healthy adults. Participants completed a 3-week training period with app-recorded adherence and were assessed before and after the intervention.
This prospective single-group pre-post study investigated the effects of digital incentive spirometry training in healthy adults. Participants were recruited at Taipei Medical University and received training using the TryBreath digital incentive spirometry system, which integrates an incentive spirometer with infrared sensing, ultrasonic wireless data transmission, and a mobile application for real-time feedback and adherence tracking. Participants completed a 3-week intervention period. The target training dose was at least 30 sustained inspirations per day, and at least 10 compliant training days were required for protocol adherence. Pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, and symptom scores were assessed before and after the intervention. Outcome measures included forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), 2-minute step test performance, Borg breathlessness score, and numerical rating scale (NRS) muscle discomfort score.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
30
A digital incentive spirometer integrated with infrared sensing and ultrasonic wireless data transmission, connected to a mobile application that records inspiratory training sessions and provides real-time feedback.
Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei, Taiwan
Change from baseline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)
FEV1 measured before and after the intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention at 3 weeks
Change from baseline in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)
FVC measured before and after the intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention at 3 weeks
Change from baseline in Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF)
PEF measured before and after the intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention at 3 weeks
Change from baseline in Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP)
MIP measured before and after the intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention at 3 weeks
Change from baseline in Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP)
MEP measured before and after the intervention.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention at 3 weeks
Change from baseline in 2-Minute Step Test Performance
Difference in 2-Minute Step Test Performance between baseline and post-intervention assessment.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention at 3 weeks
Change from baseline in Borg Dyspnea Scale score.
Difference in Borg score between baseline and post-intervention assessment. The Borg Dyspnea Scale ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no breathlessness and 10 indicates maximal breathlessness. Higher scores indicate worse breathlessness.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention at 3 weeks
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Change from baseline in Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for muscle discomfort.
Difference in NRS score between baseline and post-intervention assessment. The NRS ranges from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no discomfort and 10 indicates worst possible discomfort. Higher scores indicate greater muscle discomfort.
Time frame: Baseline and post-intervention at 3 weeks