RMT and COPD

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The dose-response relationship between daily inspiratory muscle training repetitions and respiratory health outcomes in COPD patients: a feasibility study.

  • IRAS ID

    141483

  • Contact name

    Mitch Lomax

  • Contact email

    mitch.lomax@port.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Portsmouth

  • Research summary

    The primary purpose of this study is to collect preliminary feasibility data to inform the design of a larger follow-on study to determine whether there is a dose-response relationship between the number of breath repetitions during inspiratory (breathing in) muscle training (IMT) and the appropriate outcome measures in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is associated with narrowing of the airways and is caused by excess mucous production (chronic bronchitis) and/or damaged/enlarged air sacs of the lungs(emphysema). The study will also examine whether expiratory (breathing out) muscle training (EMT) is of benefit. The secondary purpose is to assess the impact of the IMT and EMT programs (collectively called respiratory muscle training (RMT)) on compliance by examining the number of RMT sessions completed.

    The outcome measures measured are the following: The Modified MRC Dyspnoea Scale score - measures feelings of breathlessness. The BODE Index of COPD - calculates severity of COPD and the estimated risk of mortality. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) - assess’s feelings of depression. Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire score measures how COPD affects activities of daily living. Body mass index (BMI)- measure of body fat. Lung function will be assessed by the following: forced expired volume in one second (FEV1)- measures how much air can forcefully be breathed out in one second. Forced vital capacity (FVC)- measures how much air can be breathed out after maximum breath in. Tiffeneau index- ratio calculated by (FEV1/FVCx100).
    Peak expiratory flow (PEF)and peak inspiratory flow (PIF) measure the maximum speed of exhalation and inhalation. Forced expiratory flow (FEF)- measures speed of forced exhalation. Maximal inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures (MIP & MEP)- measure respiratory muscle strength. Predicted maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV). Distance covered during 6 minute walk test, exercising heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation (via pulse oximetry: SpO2 measures how well the blood carries oxygen). Dyspnoea score- breathlessness.

  • REC name

    South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/SC/0082

  • Date of REC Opinion

    13 Mar 2014

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion