The effects of inspiratory muscle training on balance and functional mobility: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been widely used in both healthy and diseased populations especially in older adults, and its effects have been proven not only on inspiratory muscle strength but also on dyspnea, exercise capacity, quality of life, and other health parameters.

Aim

This study aims to review the effects of IMT on balance and functional ability of healthy and diseased populations.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted on MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Randomized control trials having participants > 18 years of age and having balance and functional mobility as primary or secondary outcomes were included. Two independent reviewers screened studies against the eligibility criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of evidence. The protocol was prospectively registered on PROSPERO: CRD42021261652.

Results

Ten studies were included in the review out of which eight had balance and six had functional mobility as an outcome measure. There was a significant improvement in balance of the participants after treatment with IMT, however the effect on functional mobility was inconclusive.

Conclusion

The review provided evidence of improvement in balance and functional mobility following inspiratory muscle training in both healthy and diseased adults. Future studies should be conducted to determine the optimal protocol and dosage of treatment.

KEYWORDS:

• Balance
• berg balance scale
• functional mobility
• inspiratory muscle training
• 30 sec sit to stand test

Declaration of financial/other relationships

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: AN Malik and S Sheraz. Protocol development: FV Ferraro and H Rajah. Literature search and study selection: S Sheraz, FV Ferraro, H Rajah and AN Malik. Data Extraction and analysis: S Sheraz, AN Malik and H Rajah. Quality Assessment: S Sheraz, AN Malik and FV Ferraro. Interpretation of results: FV Ferraro, FA Siddiqi and MA Faghy. Writing, review and editing: AN Malik, S Sheraz and FV Ferraro. Supervision and project management: FA Siddiqi, FV Ferraro and MA Faghy.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.