Respiratory muscle training in multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.

We assessed the effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) on vital capacity (VC), maximal static inspiratory (PImax) and expiratory (PEmax) pressures and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV). Eight patients (mean age 53, range 42 to 65 years) with stable disease and respiratory muscle weakness (RMW; VC = 83%, PImax = 64%, PEmax = 41%, MVV = 62% of predicted value) underwent a 4 +/- 1 week RMT program using inspiratory and/or expiratory resistive loads. Results showed changes in PImax (+31%, p less than 0.

Increased energy cost of walking in multiple sclerosis: effect of spasticity, ataxia, and weakness.

Multiple sclerosis patients with motor involvement of the lower extremities and the trunk often experience exertional dyspnea and generalized or leg fatigue on walking, and their walking performance is reduced. It has recently been suggested that a high energy cost of walking (Cw) may be an important contributing factor to the observed dyspnea and fatigue. The purpose of this study was to determine which factors influence Cw.

Energy cost of walking and exertional dyspnea in multiple sclerosis.

Pulmonary functions at rest and cardiorespiratory responses to low speed treadmill walking were investigated in 24 patients (P), (mean age, 38 years; range, 20 to 56 yr) with multiple sclerosis and compared with a control group (C). The following parameters were significantly (p less than 0.01) different in P from those in C.

Effects of induced bronchoconstriction on pulmonary blood flow.

Allergic bronchoconstriction may be associated with hemodynamic alterations due to changes in respiratory mechanics (or the associated changes in arterial blood gas composition) or the cardiovascular effects of chemical mediators. In an attempt to differentiate between these two possible mechanisms, we obtained measurements of hemodynamics, respiratory mechanics, and O2 consumption (VO2) in nine asymptomatic adult ragweed asthmatics before and after inhalation challenge with either ragweed extract or methacholine. We measured specific airway conductance (sGaw) by body plethysmography, pleural pressure with an esophageal balloon catheter, pulmonary blood flow (Q) and VO2 by a rebreathing technique, and heart rate.

[Effect of physical exercise on adaptation to energy expenditure in multiple sclerosis].

The ability to walk and the activities of daily life in patients with multiple sclerosis may be impaired by metabolic and cardiorespiratory factors, since an energy cost of walking (Cw) more than twice the normal value has recently been demonstrated. In 12 clinically stable patients (9 men, 3 women, age 38 +/- 7 years) resting pulmonary functions, walking performance and cardiorespiratory response to walking on a treadmill at slow speed were examined before and after a 24 +/- 6 days period of rehabilitation. There was a significant improvement (p less than 0.