Using the spirometry to indicate respiratory exercises for elderly with Parkinson’s disease

O uso da espirometria na indicação de exercícios respiratórios para idosos com Doença de Parkinson

Abstract

Introduction:

Respiratory dysfunction is the main cause of death in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and bronchoaspiration pneumonia is the most common clinical respiratory complication.

Objective:

To assess respiratory function of elderly with PD in mild to moderate phase of the disease.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was carried. Elderly in 2 to 3 PD Hoehn & Yahr stage have participated. A single researcher has evaluated maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), thoracoabdominal amplitude, forced vital capacity (FVC) and expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1).

Results:

Sixty elderly have participated and their all spirometry and manovacuometry parameters presented significant differences (p < 0.05) comparing with predicted values, except for FVC (p = 0.25). Only umbilical level did not reach normal values on cirtometry parameters. Patients classified as a restrictive disorder presented significant decrease in thoracic expandability. However the participants classified as an obstructive disorder showed significant decrease in expiratory muscle strength and peak expiratory flows.

Conclusion:

Elderly in mild or moderate phase of PD presented reduction in respiratory parameters. Spirometry showed to be an important tool to evaluate respiratory function and to indicate the modality of respiratory exercise. Our results suggest the indication of thoracic flexibility exercises for patient with PD classified as restrictive disorder and strength exercise of respiratory muscles for those classified as obstructive disorder.

Keywords:
Aged; Parkinson Disease; Respiratory Function Tests; Exercise

Resumo

Introdução:

Disfunções respiratórias são as principais causas de morte em pacientes com Doença de Parkinson (DP) e a pneumonia por bronco-aspiração é a complicação respiratória mais comum.

Objetivo:

Avaliar a função respiratória de idosos com doença de Parkinson (DP) em fase leve a moderada da doença.

Métodos:

Foi realizado um estudo transversal. Participaram idosos nos estágios 2 a 3 da classificação de Hoehn & Yahr. Um único pesquisador avaliou a pressão inspiratória máxima (PIM), pressão expiratória máxima (PEM), amplitude toracoabdominal, capacidade vital forçada (CVF) e volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo (VEF1).

Resultados:

Sessenta idosos participaram e todos os seus parâmetros de espirometria e manovacuometria apresentaram diferenças significativas (p < 0,05) em comparação com os valores previstos, exceto a CVF (p = 0,25). Somente o nível umbilical não atingiu valores normais nos parâmetros da cirtometria. Pacientes classificados como distúrbios restritivos apresentaram diminuição significativa na capacidade de expansão torácica. No entanto, os participantes classificados como transtornos obstrutivos mostraram diminuição significativa na força muscular expiratória e dos fluxos expiratórios máximos.

Conclusão:

Os idosos em fase leve ou moderada da DP apresentaram redução nos parâmetros respiratórios. A espirometria mostrou ser uma ferramenta importante para avaliar a função respiratória e para indicar a modalidade do exercício respiratório. Nossos resultados sugerem a indicação de exercícios de flexibilidade torácica para pacientes com DP classificados como distúrbios restritivos e exercícios de força da musculatura respiratória para aqueles classificados como desordem obstrutiva.

Palavras-Chave:
Idoso; Doença de Parkinson; Testes de Função Respiratória; Exercício

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative and chronic disease of the central nervous system, which results in death of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons and causes a decrease in dopamine of nigrostriatal pathway^{1), (2}. It mainly affects the population above 65 years old and it is estimated a prevalence of 100 to 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants³, approximately 1 to 2% of the world population⁴.

PD is among the major diseases affecting the elderly⁵ affecting 1 in 100 people over 75 years and 1 in every 1000 people over 65 years⁶. Due to the increase in life expectancy around the world, it is estimated that more than 40 million people will have PD around 2020^{6), (7}.

The main clinical signs of PD are bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, postural changes and balance deficit^{1), (2), (8}. However, repercussions of PD affect musculoskeletal system and others, including respiratory system⁸.

Trunk flexion posture, corporal changes caused by aging, reduction of motion chest and decreased extension trunk movement may promote respiratory dysfunctions in this population⁵. Weakness of respiratory muscle strength, especially expiratory muscles which decrease proportionally during disease evolution, also participates in respiratory dysfunctions process⁸. So, elderly with PD presents low pulmonary volumes, decreased thoracic expandability and cough effectiveness deficit⁵.

However, respiratory impairment is usually unnoticed in early stages of the disease. The patients usually reports respiratory discomfort in more advanced stages, when the disturbances are already more aggravated⁹. In early disease stages, sedentary lifestyle of elderly with PD also reduces the level of activity and physical effort, promoting initial respiratory adaptations or problems in respiratory function^{8), (9), (10}.

Respiratory dysfunction is the main cause of death in PD patients and bronchoaspiration pneumonia is the most common clinical respiratory complication^{5), (9}. Although respiratory changes are the main cause of mortality in individuals with PD, there are still few studies that aim to evaluate respiratory function and thus guide the composition of physiotherapeutic prevention and treatment programs^{10), (11}.

However, it is not common to evaluate respiratory function and to treat respiratory dysfunctions of patients with PD. So, the objective of this study was to evaluate the respiratory function of elderly in the mild to moderate phase of PD.

Methods

We performed an observational, quantitative and cross-sectional research. The study was carried out in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by an Ethics Human Research Committee (ref no. 1.016.971). The study was conducted at the Centro de Referência Estadual de Atenção à Saúde do Idoso (CREASI) (State Reference Health Care Centre for Elderly), a public reference outpatient clinic for the elderly in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Data were collected in the period between June/2015 and August/2016.

Elderly (≥ 60 years-old) with idiopathic PD according to the London Brain Bank Criteria¹² participated in the study. All participants complied with the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria were: age 60 years or older, regular use of PD medication, 2, 2,5 or 3 points according to the Hoehn & Yahr classification, independence for basic activities (Barthel ≥ 90 points) and instrumental activities (Pfeffer ≤ 5 points) of daily life, no cognitive deficit (Mini Mental State Examination ≥ 24 points) and gait capacity without assistance. The exclusion criteria were: neurodegenerative diseases excluding PD, dementias, limiting osteomyelitis, chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic pain), unstable cardiovascular diseases (acute and chronic heart failure, recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina and uncontrolled arrhythmias), use of alcohol and other toxic substances.

Epidemiological and clinical variables were collected to characterize the sample. It was used the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)¹³ and the modified Hoehn & Yahr classification¹⁴ to assess severity and disease progression and general health condition. The elderly were submitted to respiratory function evaluation through spirometry and manovacuometry, according to the Guidelines for Pulmonary Function Testing^{15), (16}, and cirtometry, both performed by a single physiotherapist trained.

The functional parameters evaluated were forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume ratio in the first second and forced vital capacity also called Tiffeneau index (FEV1/FVC) and expiratory flow peak (EFP).

The manovacuometry was performed through an analogue manovacuometer. The functional parameters were maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP).

The cirtometry was performed using a common tape measure staggered in centimeters at the level of the axillary regions, just below the axillary fold; xiphoid, having as reference point the lower border of the xiphoid appendix; and umbilical, with the tape on the umbilical scar^{17), (18}. The evaluator monitored respiratory movements with the tape, and it was considered the greatest difference measure between the inspiration and expiration of each level, called the amplitude coefficient (AC).

The frequency distribution format of the quantitative variables was evaluated using histograms and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The quantitative variables were summarized in mean and standard deviation, and the categorical variables in absolute and relative frequencies. In statistical inference, Pearson correlation coefficient was used to calculate the linear correlations, ANOVA test with Bonferroni post-test was used to compare three independent variables and paired T-test was used to compare two dependent variables. We used the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS - version 22).

Results

Sixty elderly have participated in the study. Table 1 shows epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the sample.

Table 1
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of elderly with PD attended at CREASI in Salvador/BA, 2016

Variable	Mean ± SD
Age	69 ± 5
BMI	25.8 ± 3.9
HY	2.5 ± 0.4
UPDRS	29.3 ± 14.9

• Note: BMI = Body Mass Index; HY = Hoehn and Yahr; UPDRS = Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale; SD = Standard Deviation.

Table 2 shows cirtometry results according to the AC reference value, at axillary, xiphoid and umbilical levels. The reference value adopted for normality was 4 to 7 cm^{5), (19}. The participants presented reduced values only in umbilical level.

Table 2
Cirtometry values of elderly with PD attended at CREASI in Salvador/BA, 2016

Variable	Mean ± SD AC
Axillary	6.03 ± 2.06
Xifoidian	5.10 ± 2.48
Umbilical	1.70 ± 3.52

• Note: SD = Standard Deviation; AC = Amplitude Coefficient.

A significant difference (p = 0.022) was observed in axillary level in relation to sex. Males presented a better result (6.52 ± 2.26).

Table 3 shows the spirometry and manovacuometry values performed and predicted, in relation to sex, weight, age and height. All variables presented significant (p < 0.05) reduced values comparing to predicted ones, except FVC.

Table 3
Spirometry and manovacuometry values of elderly patients with PD attended at CREASI in Salvador/BA, 2016

Variable	Mean ± SD
	Expected	Performed	%	p
FVC	3.42 ± 0.76	3.61 ± 1.51	105.71 ± 37.12	0.248
FEV1	2.65 ± 0.57	2.15 ± 0.71	82.10 ± 23.13	< 0.001
FEV1/FVC	77.79 ± 2.00	63.25 ± 18.60	81.31 ± 23.78	< 0.001
EFP	8.55 ± 1.94	3.07 ± 1.62	37.13 ± 19.68	< 0.001
MIP	-90.44 ± 13.69	-62.75 ± 23.50	67.73 ± 24.05	< 0.001
MEP	96.10 ± 17.96	64.08 ± 23.86	67.41 ± 23.91	< 0.001

• Note: SD = standard deviation, FVC = Forced Vital Capacity, FEV1= Forced Expiratory Volume in the first second, EFP = Expiratory Flow Peak, MIP = Maximum Inspiratory Pressure, MEP = Maximum Expiratory Pressure.

A significant difference (p = 0.021) was found between FEV1 percentage in elderly with scores 2 and 3 of Hoehn & Yahr classification. No difference was found between these stages and patients in stage 2.5 of Hoehn & Yahr classification.

A regular and significant (p < 0.001) correlation between FVC and AC at the axillary level, and between FEV1 and UPDRS (ρ = 0.303, p = 0.018) can be observed in figure 1. A significant weak correlation (ρ = 0.269, p = 0.038) was found between EFP and MEP.

Figure 1
Correlations between FVC% and Axillary level AC, FEV1% and UPDRS, EFP% and MEP% of elderly with PD attended at CREASI in Salvador/BA, 2016.

Other combinations were performed among the variables studied, but no correlation was found.

In relation to respiratory disorder obtained through spirometry, 45% of the participants were considered normal (Figure 2).

Figure 2
Proportion of respiratory disturbance classification by spirometry in elderly with PD attended at CREASI in Salvador/BA, 2016.

A significant difference was found between axillary (p = 0.026) and xiphoid level (p = 0.001) among normal participants and elderly classified as a restrictive disorder. However, this difference was not observed between normal elderly and those classified as an obstructive disorder (p = 1.00) at both levels.

There was also a significant difference in EFP percentage (p < 0.001) and MEP (p = 0.023) among normal elderly and those classified as an obstructive disorder. This difference was not found among normal elderly and the participants classified as a restrictive disorder (EFP: p = 0.339; MEP: p = 0.718).

Discussion

The results of this study suggest that elderly with PD in the mild to moderate stages of the disease present a reduction in respiratory parameters. Elderly with restrictive disorder present a significant decrease in thoracic expansibility, while the participants classified as an obstructive disorder present a significant reduction in expiratory muscle strength and maximal expiratory flow. Our results suggest that it is important to treat respiratory function in elderly with PD in the mild to moderate stages with exercise. Spirometry evaluation may help exercise indication. So, thoracic flexibility exercises is indicated for patient with PD classified as restrictive disorder and strength exercise of respiratory muscles is indicated for those classified as obstructive disorder.

Thoracoabdominal mobility depends, among other factors, on respiratory muscles used²⁰. The participants in our study presented normal chest expansion and reduced abdominal expansibility. This abdominal expansion during inspiration is characterized by diaphragmatic breathing²⁰, because the diaphragm is the main muscle used for this purpose. A diaphragm dysfunction may cause this decrease in abdominal mobility. In addition, elderly with PD present alterations in respiratory drive, respiratory muscle flexibility and respiratory activation and coordination⁹, which may also explain the reduction of abdominal expansion in our participants. Therefore, diaphragmatic involvement seems to occur before worsening of chest rigidity, making this reduction of abdominal mobility more evident than thoracic expansibility in early stages of PD.

Differences in the patterns of thoracoabdominal mobility between sexes in PD are not described in the literature. In our study men had significantly better chest expansion compared to women. However, studies with healthy individuals have reported that there is no difference in thoracoabdominal movement in relation to sex during resting breathing^{21), (22}.

Patients with PD seem to present a worse thoracic mobility comparing with controls of the same age. Ramos et al.⁵ have evaluated 10 individuals with 1.5 to 5 of modified Hoehn & Yahr scale, and they also found a decrease in thoracic mobility of their participants. Cardoso and Pereira¹⁰ demonstrated that individuals with PD had significantly lower respiratory measures than healthy controls with similar characteristics.

Trunk extension limitation and thorax amplitude reduction decrease pulmonary compliance, making pulmonary expansion harder and promoting decrease pulmonary volumes²³. All pulmonary measurements performed in this study were significantly lower than predicted in all variables, except for FVC. Olowabi et al.²⁴ also demonstrated that the values of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC and PEF of elderly with PD in stages 1 to 5 on the Hoehn & Yahr scale were significantly lower than healthy controls.

Changes in lung volumes can be observed in a short period of PD evolution. We observed a significant difference between FEV1 in elderly with 2 and 3 stages of Hoehn & Yahr scale. Elderly in moderate phase presented a significant lower values of FEV1 comparing with participants in the milder phase of PD. Similar results were observed in Olowabi et al.’s study²⁴. These authors found that pulmonary function parameters were significantly lower in individuals with higher Hoenh & Yahr scores. So, both results indicate that respiratory changes worsen with PD progression.

Chest expansion maybe influence the expiration volume of air mobilized, because a reduced airflow will eventually restrict pulmonary ventilation. We found a regular and significant correlation between thoracic expansibility and FVC, and also between FEV1 and disease progression. According to Cardoso and Pereira¹⁰, a rigid chest may cause reduction of thoracic mobility and decrease of pulmonary expansion, limiting pulmonary ventilation and reducing pulmonary volumes.

In our study, obstructive disorders were more common than restrictive ones. Similar results were observed in Olowabi et al.²⁴ study. However, in PD restrictive lung status is more common¹⁰ and occurs mainly due to the stiffness of thoracic wall²⁴. These changes contribute to the reduction of pulmonary expansibility that can be evaluated through the spirometry.

According to Trindade et al.²⁵, the restrictive disorder is associated with a significant reduction of vital capacity and a maintenance or increase of FEV1/FVC. In our results, the participants performed better values of FVC comparing with the predicted, but worse values of FEV1/FVC comparing with predicted ones. These results contributed to a major reduction of FEV1 in relation to FVC, demonstrating the narrowing of airways, which characterizes obstructive ventilatory disorder.

Our participants were in the early stages of PD and do not have a significant rigidity capable of triggering restriction pictures. It seems that obstructive disorder is an early event in PD²⁶. Respiratory muscle strength of our participants was significantly lower than predicted ones. The study proposed by Guedes et al.²⁷ corroborates with this finding. Their results confirmed that respiratory pressures in PD are lower than predicted values. This reduction in respiratory muscles strength, especially expiratory muscles, may be associated with aging process, neurological impairments, costal arches stiffening, reducing of rib cage movement and flexed posture^{10), (28}. These characteristics reduce muscle capacity to generate forced flows, as well as overcome thoracic rigidity, contributing to the reduction of pulmonary volumes and respiratory pressures, especially the maximum expiratory pressure, which will worsen with the evolution of the disease^{5), (27}.

Strong expiratory muscles are essential to achieve an effective cough, because its contraction is the responsible for generating high velocity airflow able to remove undesirable airway materials²⁹. Studies have reported that individuals with PD present a decrease in cough effectiveness due to the reduction of contraction force of abdominal musculature during reflex and voluntary cough. Decrease in sensitivity also impairs the activation of an induced cough reflex. So, respiratory system of these patients presents a real difficulty to remove airways secretions, facilitating aspiration during swallowing and consequently causing aspiration pneumonia^{29), (30}.

Our results suggest the correlation between strength of expiratory musculature and capacity to generate maximum expiratory airflows. Thus, expiratory muscle training may be an important strategy to improve respiratory muscle strength and consequently the ability to cough. Weakness of expiratory muscles induces a lower capacity to generate forced expiratory maneuvers²⁷, which are important for regular airway cleansing.

The main limitation of our study is the small number of participants.

Conclusion

In this study, elderly with PD in the mild to moderate phase of the disease presented a significant reduction in most of respiratory parameters. The reduction in abdominal expansion suggests that a diaphragm involvement occurs before thoracic stiffness worsens. The reduction of thoracic expansibility is the main respiratory impairment for elderly with restrictive respiratory disorder, whereas decrease of expiratory muscular force and maximum expiratory flows is the major respiratory dysfunction for elderly classified as obstructive disorder.

We recommend the use of spirometry by physiotherapists to choose the most appropriate therapeutic respiratory exercise for elderly with PD.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  2018

History

• Received
  19 Oct 2017
• Accepted
  06 Nov 2017