Inspiratory Muscle Training in the Intensive Care Unit: A New Perspective.

Background: Prolonged use of mechanical ventilation (MV) leads to weakening of the respiratory muscles, especially in patients subjected to sedation, but this effect seems to be preventable or more quickly reversible using respiratory muscle training. The aims of the study were to assess variations in respiratory and hemodinamic parameters with electronic inspiratory muscle training (EIMT) in tracheostomized patients requiring MV and to compare these variations with those in a group of patients subjected to an intermittent nebulization program (INP).

Methods: This was a pilot, prospective, randomized study of tracheostomized patients requiring MV in one intensive care unit (ICU).