Inspiratory muscle training as a novel approach in the treatment of asthma

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways and can prove fatal. It is believed that 5.4 million people in the UK alone suffer from asthma. Corticosteroids are typically used in the management of asthma, and, although generally safe, long-term use may decrease the quality of a patient’s life and are very costly. There is limited, but positive, evidence that threshold inspiratory muscle training (IMT) can have therapeutic benefits in asthmatics and provide significant improvements in respiratory muscle strength, morning tightness, cough, the unpleasant sensation of breathlessness (dyspnoea), and the ability to perform daily activities.

The aim of this pilot study is to assess the impact of a modified form of IMT (two, approximately five minute IMT sessions per day, six days a week for six weeks) on asthma control and symptoms in patients with partly controlled and uncontrolled asthma. This IMT programme has been shown to enhance breathing muscle strength in asthmatic athletes, but has not been evaluated in relation to asthma symptoms and quality of life. The impact of IMT on quality of life measures (incidence and severity of day and night time exacerbations, morning tightness, cough, dyspnoea and number of work days missed), airway inflammation, immunity, medication usage, and lung function in adult asthmatics will be assessed.