Effects of inspiratory muscle training on oxygen consumption, muscle oxygen, and physical activity levels in patients with Parkinson’s disease

To investigate the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on maximal exercise capacity, muscle oxygenation, peripheral and respiratory muscle strength, respiratory muscle endurance, pulmonary function, physical activity level, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). A randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. Twenty patients with PD were randomly included in each group: the IMT group (50% of MIP) and the control group. Maximal exercise capacity (CPET), respiratory muscle strength (MIP and MEP) and endurance, pulmonary function, peripheral muscle strength, muscle oxygenation, physical activity level, and quality of life (Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39)) were evaluated before and after. Peak oxygen consumption, MIP, MEP, respiratory muscle endurance, peripheral muscle strength, active energy expenditure, and PDQ-39 scores of the IMT group improved statistically significantly compared to the control group, %FEF25 − 75% improved within both groups (p < 0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference within and between groups in muscle oxygenation (p > 0.05). IMT improves oxygen consumption, respiratory muscle strength and endurance, small airway obstruction, peripheral muscle strength, physical activity level, and quality of life in patients with PD and preserved pulmonary function. Similar muscle oxygen levels, even at higher workloads, may indicate an improvement in oxygenation. ClinicalTrials number: NCT06017336 (date: 15/08/2023).