Inspiratory muscle training in pediatrics: main indications and technical characteristics of the protocols

Treinamento muscular inspiratório em pediatria: principais indicações e características dos protocolos

Abstract

Introduction:

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is a resource widely used in pediatrics. However, there is great variability in relation to the characteristics of the protocols used.

Objective:

To identify the main clinical conditions and IMT protocols used in the pediatric age group.

Methods:

Integrative review of the literature by searching on Pubmed, Scielo, PEDro and EMBASE databases using the following strategy: threshold OR inspiratory muscle training OR muscle endurance OR muscle resistance OR endurance training OR maximal inspiratory pressure AND respiratory muscle. We have selected clinical trials that performed IMT in children and adolescents (0 to 18 years old), with a clinical diagnosis, and published in English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Results:

17 studies were included. From these, 11 underwent IMT in patients with some neuromuscular disorder, being Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy the most common. The selected articles included a total sample of 327 participants. As for the characteristics of the protocols, 7 performed strength training, 5 endurance and 5 strength and endurance. The training load ranged from 30 to 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure. Moreover, 8 studies performed IMT twice daily and the session duration and the training period varied between 10 and 30 minutes, and from 3 weeks to 24 months, respectively.

Conclusion:

The IMT was used more frequently in patients with some neuromuscular disorder. Although there is no consensus as to the characteristics of the protocols, the choice of the load should take into account the purpose of IMT and the disease severity.

Keywords:
Respiratory Muscles; Muscle Strength; Pediatrics

Resumo

Introdução:

O treinamento muscular inspiratório (TMI) é um recurso bastante utilizado na pediatria. No entanto, há uma grande variabilidade em relação às características dos protocolos utilizados.

Objetivo:

Identificar as principais condições clínicas e os protocolos de TMI utilizado na faixa etária pediátrica.

Métodos:

Revisão integrativa da literatura com buscas nas bases de dados Pubmed, Scielo, PEDro e Embase, utilizando a seguinte estratégia: threshold OR inspiratory muscle training OR muscle endurance OR muscle resistance OR endurance training OR maximal inspiratory pressure AND respiratory muscle. Foram selecionados ensaios clínicos que realizaram TMI em crianças e adolescentes (0 a 18 anos), com algum diagnóstico clínico, nos idiomas inglês, português e espanhol.

Resultados:

Foram incluídos 17 estudos. Destes, 11 realizaram TMI em pacientes com alguma desordem neuromuscular, sendo a distrofia muscular de duchenne a mais comum. Os artigos selecionados totalizaram uma amostra de 327 participantes. Em relação às características dos protocolos, 7 realizaram treinamento de força, 5 de endurance e 5 de força e endurance. A carga de treinamento variou de 30 a 80% da pressão inspiratória máxima. Além disso, 8 estudos realizaram TMI 2 vezes ao dia e o tempo de duração da sessão e do período de treinamento variou entre 10 e 30 minutos e de 3 semanas a 24 meses, respectivamente.

Conclusão:

O TMI foi mais utilizado em pacientes com desordens neuromusculares. Embora não exista um consenso quanto às características dos protocolos, a escolha da carga deve levar em conta o propósito do TMI e a gravidade da doença.

Palavras-chaves:
Músculos Respiratórios; Força Muscular; Pediatria

Introduction

The respiratory muscles are involved in the ventilation process and are responsible for generating and maintaining the muscle strength necessary to maintain thoracoabdominal synchronization^{1), (2}. These muscles form a set of muscle groups that have the function of displacing the chest wall to promote the entry and exit of air from the lungs^{3), (4}. Besides this function, they assist in the airway clearing process, maintaining adequate voluntary ventilation, helping to remove secretions and preventing the development of major morbidities^{3), (5}.

Several studies in the pediatric age group have demonstrated that neuromuscular, pulmonary and obesity alterations seem to compromise the function of respiratory muscles^{6), (7), (8), (9}. Among these conditions, neuromuscular diseases affect the respiratory muscles, causing progressive loss of muscle strength, hypoventilation associated with mucus retention and possible evolution to atelectasis. These complications interfere with patients' clinical conditions and can lead to fatigue and subsequent respiratory failure^{10), (11), (12}. In addition, chronic respiratory diseases also lead to changes in the lung mechanics of these individuals, causing air trapping, increased airway resistance, and changes in the ability of the respiratory muscles^{13), (14), (15}.

Accordingly, the quantification of muscular strength and muscular resistance by means of objective methods is an important tool for the evaluation of the respiratory system and provides accurate data from patients for inclusion in rehabilitation programs^{16), (17), (18}. Among these programs, the inspiratory muscle training (IMT) has been increasingly used, since the diaphragm is the main responsible muscle for the ventilation process and comprises 70% of the respiratory work^{14), (19}.

IMT protocols aim to increase strength or endurance, as the training response depends directly on the intensity, duration and frequency of the exercises. The IMT can be performed using different methodologies. The nonlinear resistors impose training load that varies according to inspiratory flow and orifice size, while with linear resistors patients are subjected to a predetermined and constant pressure, regardless of respiratory pattern and flow. The normocapnic hyperpnea method, in which the imposed load is of low pressure and high flow, can also be used^{20), (21}. The main benefits of the training include increased strength and/or endurance, assisting in the weaning process of mechanical ventilation, improving dyspnea, muscle fatigue and contributing to a better quality of life^{20), (22}.

Although many benefits of IMT are already clearly defined, there is a great variety in relation to the protocols' characteristics used in many clinical conditions in the pediatric population²³. This diversity makes it difficult to choose the most appropriate training method for the different diseases that can affect the respiratory muscular system, which limits its applicability in clinical practice. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify the main clinical conditions and protocols of IMT used in the pediatric age group. A better knowledge and understanding on the subject can contribute to decision making based on the most appropriate protocols, depending on the conditions or situations of each patient.

Methods

The study consists of an integrative review of the literature, carried out through research in the Medline (Pubmed), Scielo, PEDro and Embase databases. Clinical trials in the English, Portuguese and Spanish languages, with a filter for the age of zero to 18 years and without restriction regarding the year of publication of the articles were selected. The period of study selection was between April and May 2015.

The used search for the selection of the articles was based on seven keywords, associated to the Boolean descriptors. The following strategy was used: threshold OR inspiratory muscle training OR muscle endurance OR muscle resistance OR endurance training OR maximal inspiratory pressure AND respiratory muscle. These descriptors should appear in at least the title, abstract or in the keywords.

Inclusion criteria included studies that performed IMT in children and adolescents with some clinical diagnosis. On the other hand, review studies, case reports, studies with an observational design, experimental models in animals, articles that did not perform IMT, studies that evaluated only healthy individuals or included adult age subjects were excluded.

After the selection of the articles, a critical reading of each document was performed to extract the relevant aspects of each selected study. The following characteristics of the studies were registered: name of the first author, year of publication of the study, country (origin) of data collection, clinical diagnosis, age range, sample size, type of equipment and training, training load (% MIP), quantity, time of sessions per week and duration of training.

Results

A total of 819 articles were found, 549 in Pubmed, 159 in Embase, 102 in Scielo and 09 in PEDro. Of these, 802 studies have been excluded because they did not meet the eligibility criteria for this review. As such, 17 studies that performed IMT in children and adolescents with some clinical dysfunction were included. Figure 1 shows the flowchart demonstrating the total number of articles found in the researched databases, as well as the reasons for excluding studies.

From a total of 17 articles, 11 (65%) performed IMT in patients with a diagnosis of some neuromuscular disorder, 5 (29%) in respiratory diseases and 01 (6%) in leukemia. The most frequent diseases were duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) (47%) and cystic fibrosis (23%). These data are represented in Table 1.

Table 1
Identification of the studies included and main clinical diagnosis.

Author	Year	Country of origin	Clinical diagnosis
Félix et al.14	2014	Brazil	A-T
Macedo et al.25	2010	Brazil	Leukemia
Takaso et al.27	2010	Japan	CMD
Takaso et al.23	2009	Japan	DMD
Lima et al.7	2008	Brazil	Asthma
Yeldan et al.26	2008	Turkey	BMD/MDTW
Topin et al.12	2002	France	DMD
De Jong et al.6	2001	Netherlands	CF
Koessler et al.13	2001	Austria	DMD/SMA
Winkler et al.19	2000	Austria	DMD/SMA
Gozal et al.4	1999	France	DMD/SMA
Wanke et al.20	1994	Austria	DMD
Sawyer et al.15	1993	United States of America	CF
Stern et al.21	1989	Australia	DMD
Rodillo et al.22	1989	England	DMD
Asher et al.17	1982	Canada	CF
Keens et al.18	1977	Canada	CF

• A-T: ataxia telangiectasia; CMD: congenital muscular dystrophy; DMD: duchenne muscular dystrophy; BMD: Becker muscular dystrophy; MDTW: muscular dystrophy type waists; CF: cystic fibrosis; SMA: spinal muscular atrophy.

The selected articles totalized a sample of 327 children and adolescents, varying the sample size from 08 to 50 participants among the studies. Regarding the characteristics of IMT protocols, 7 (41%) studies performed strength training, 05 (29%) only endurance and 05 (30%) strength and endurance training. Linear inspiratory resistor training was used in 11 (64%) studies and the training load (% MIP) ranged from 30 to 80%. In addition, 08 (47%) studies performed IMT twice a day and the duration of the session and the training period varied between 10 and 30 minutes and 03 weeks to 24 months, respectively (Table 2).

Table 2
Characteristics of IMT protocols included in the present study.

Author	Sample size	Age group	Type of training	Type of equipment	Training load (%MIP)	Number of sessions	Time of sessions	Duration of training
Félix et al.14	11	N/A	Strength	Linear resistor	40-60%	5 x week	20 min	24 weeks
Macedo et al.25	14	5 - 14 years	Strength	Linear resistor	30%	2 x day	15 min	10 weeks
Takaso et al.27	10	11 - 17 years	Endurance	Linear resistor	30%	3 x day	15 insp*	6 weeks
Takaso et al.23	14	11 - 17 years	Endurance	Linear resistor	30%	3 x day	15 insp*	6 weeks
Lima et al.7	50	8 - 12 years	Endurance/strength	Linear resistor	40%	2 x week	25 min	7 weeks
Yeldan et al.26	23	N/A	Strength	Linear resistor	30%	2 x day	15 min	12 weeks
Topin et al.12	16	Children	Strength/Endurance	Linear resistor	30%	2 x day	10 min	6 weeks
De Jong et al.6	16	10 - 25 years	Endurance	Linear resistor	40%	5 x week	25 min	6 weeks
Koessler et al.13	27	N/A	Strength	Alinear resistor	70-80%	2 x day	10 min	24 months
Winkler et al.19	16	8 - 29 years	Endurance/strength	Alinear resistor	N/A	2 x day	N/A	9 months
Gozal et al.4	21	7 - 17 years	Strength	Linear resistor	30%	2 x day	N/A	6 months
Wanke et al.20	30	10 - 24 years	Endurance/strength	Alinear resistor	N/A	2 x day	10 min	6 months
Sawyer et al.15	20	7 - 14 years	Strength	Linear resistor	60%	7 x week	30 min	10 weeks
Stern et al.21	18	10 - 23 years	Endurance	Linear resistor	N/A	5 x week	20 min	6 months
Rodillo et al.22	22	9 - 14 years	Strength	Incentive inspirometer	N/A	7 x week	20 insp*	3 weeks
Asher et al.17	11	9-24 years	Endurance/strength	Alinear resistor	N/A	2 x day	15 min	4 weeks
Keens et al.18	8	15 - 17 years	Endurance	Normocapnic hyperpnea	N/A	5 x week	25 min	4 weeks

• N/A: Not available; MIP: maximal inspiratory pressure; *Insp: inspirations (time not provided).

Discussion

The findings of the present study demonstrate that IMT in the pediatric population was more commonly used in patients with some neuromuscular disorder, especially DMD. Studies performed in children and adolescents with neuromuscular disorder have shown an increase in strength and/or endurance and improvement in dyspnea and muscle fatigue^{18), (24), (25}. Such beneficial findings can be attributed to the adaptations in the enzymatic activity and in the composition of the muscle fibers, which are induced by respiratory loads and results in an improvement in the inspiratory muscle function²⁴. In addition, five studies that performed IMT were carried out in patients with respiratory diseases, with the benefit of, in addition to increased strength and/or endurance, improved vital capacity, total lung capacity and exercise tolerance^{13), (14), (26), (27), (28), (29}.

From the total of eight studies evaluating subjects with DMD, four reported a significant increase in inspiratory muscle strength through the manovacuometry, nasal sniff and transdiaphragmatic pressure tests^{10), (25), (30), (31}. On the other hand, although the study by Topin et al.²⁴ did not show an increase in inspiratory muscle strength, there was a significant improvement of muscle endurance after respiratory training. This finding can be explained because the study used a low load of only 30% of MIP for muscle training. In addition, in two other studies, there were no benefits on muscle strength and endurance after IMT^{32), (33}. Of these, the study by Rodillo et al.³³ used an incentive spirometer to perform the IMT and a period of only three weeks of intervention, which may justify the absence of benefits on these outcomes, since this type of equipment is not the most suitable for performing training programs. In addition, one study showed an increase in forced vital capacity after a six-week period of IMT³⁴.

Previous studies have suggested that inspiratory muscles, as well as peripheral muscles, can be trained to increase strength and/or endurance^{24), (35}. However, these benefits can be influenced by the load, frequency, and duration of the training. Topin et al.²⁴ suggests that training programs with high intensity loads (70% of MIP) and with low repetitions, aim to increase muscle strength and hypertrophy, while low intensity loads (30% of MIP) and with prolonged repetitions, tend to improve respiratory muscle endurance. In contrast, two studies included in this review used loads of 30% of MIP for IMT, aiming to increase inspiratory muscle strength. However, these studies evaluated patients with significant physical-functional alterations, being composed of subjects with leukemia and muscular dystrophy, which characterizes the training of groups with greater clinical severity^{10), (36}. This fact shows that the loads' choice should not only take into account the therapeutic goal of IMT (strength or endurance), but also the severity of the disease in question, avoiding muscular fatigue and clinical progression of the disease.

Regarding the frequency of sessions used for IMT, there are still divergent findings in the scientific literature, ranging from twice a day to seven times a week. From the evaluated studies, 47% performed respiratory training twice a day^{10), (24), (25), (28), (30), (31), (36), (37} and 35% between five and seven times a week, characterizing these as the most used sessions' frequency of IMT. Another conflicting factor among the studies is the training time. Of these, six performed the training with a duration ranging from 10 to 15 minutes^{24), (25), (28), (31), (36), (37}, while five studies used an intervention time between 20 and 30 minutes^{13), (14), (18), (26), (29}. Previous study suggests that training programs should be performed, on average, 30 minutes a day in individuals with clinical stability, being limited in critical patients or patients with respiratory muscle fatigue³⁵. This way, based on this review results, it is suggested that the frequency and training time of the sessions consider the clinical severity of the disease.

Of the studies included, 41% performed IMT aiming to increase strength^{10), (18), (25), (26), (33), (36), (37}, 29% for endurance gain^{13), (29), (32), (34), (38} and 30% aiming to improve muscle strength and endurance^{14), (24), (28), (30), (31}. The fact that most studies used training to improve respiratory muscle strength may be justified considering that most of the studies have evaluated subjects with chronic and progressive diseases. These diseases have, as main characteristic, muscular weakness, being necessary strengthening of the respiratory muscles, aiming to delay, to minimize or to maintain the muscle function of these patients. In the clinical practice, respiratory muscle weakness may be associated with hypercapnia, with recurrent respiratory infections and ineffective cough, predisposing to the development of atelectasis, respiratory insufficiency, compromising respiratory capacity and collaborating to establish greater morbidity^{39), (40}. Therefore, it is important to perform training programs for muscular strength in chronic and progressive diseases, in order to avoid further pulmonary complications.

Although the frequency and muscle training duration varied greatly in the used protocols, the duration period of 06 to 10 weeks was the most used (41%) in the studies included in this review. In these studies, there was an increase in endurance, forced vital capacity, MIP, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and improvement of respiratory symptoms after training^{10), (13), (14), (24), (34), (36), (38}. When the effects of IMT were analyzed in the short term (3 - 4 weeks), two studies showed improvements on MIP and inspiratory muscle endurance^{28), (29}. However, only the study by Rodillo et al.³³ who evaluated patients with DMD and used a three-week intervention period, did not present significant improvements with training on the outcomes evaluated. In the long-term interventions (6 - 24 months), four studies showed improvement in MIP, MEP, maximal voluntary ventilation, inspiratory muscle strength and/or endurance^{10), (25), (30), (31), (32}. Nevertheless, the study by Stern et al.³², that evaluated patients with DMD diagnosis using a six-month training period, did not show significant improvements in lung function after training. The absence of significant improvement with IMT was attributed by the author to the small sample size included in the study. It is suggested, therefore, that a minimum period of four weeks seems to be necessary to achieve beneficial results with IMT on the measured outcomes.

Conclusion

The analysis of the selected studies demonstrated that IMT was more used in patients diagnosed with some neuromuscular disorder, the main one being DMD. There is still no consensus regarding the characteristics of the protocols used in the pediatric age group, and each study used a different method, varying the load, frequency, session time and duration of the training. Even so, it appears that low loads can be used to gain endurance, while high loads may be more related to improve muscle strength. However, the choice of the used load should take into account the type of disease and clinical severity in question. In addition, it is suggested that at least a four-week IMT period should be used to obtain beneficial results on most outcomes.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  2017

History

• Received
  21 Nov 2015
• Accepted
  16 Nov 2016