Tutorial on maximum inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures in individuals with idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD) and the preliminary results of an expiratory muscle strength training program.

Respiratory symptoms are recognized as sequelae of motor dysfunction in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) and these symptoms have the potential to cause problems with swallow, cough, voice and speech. Specifically, maneuvers that require rapid activation and coordination of upper airway and chest wall musculature become progressively impaired as motor dysfunction progresses during the natural course of the disease. This study reports on the maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures produced by 28 participants (average age 64) diagnosed with moderate to severe IPD (average stage 2.