Inspiratory Muscle Training in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Effects on Respiratory and Motor Functions.

What was studied

This study looked at kids with cerebral palsy. It tested a workout for the muscles used to breathe in. Its name is inspiratory muscle training. A total of 20 kids took part in a randomised trial. Chance chose which group each child joined. One group did the workout plus usual physio for 8 weeks. The other group did usual physio alone. Tests looked at breath muscle power, lung tests, trunk control, hand use and swallowing.

What they found

In the workout group, breath muscle power went up. Several lung tests also got better in this group. The usual care group got better on only one lung measure. When the groups were compared, the workout group did better on some lung tests. Trunk control got better within the workout group only. Hand and arm use did not change in either group. Swallowing did not change in either group as well.

What it means for patients

The authors say the workout raised breath muscle power in these kids. They say it also helped lung function and trunk control. They found no effect on swallowing. They found no effect on arm and hand use. These results come from kids who also had usual physio.

Why it is not certain yet

The study was done in only 20 kids. The training lasted just 8 weeks. The abstract does not say if the gains lasted after training. The trunk control gain was not shown when the groups were compared. The abstract does not report any side effects.

Source

Inspiratory Muscle Training in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Effects on Respiratory and Motor Functions.

We restate facts from the source record in our own words. The original wording belongs to its publisher.