Respiratory muscle training in physical therapy for bronchopulmonary diseases (literature review)

Abstract

In press

Background. Bronchopulmonary diseases are associated with impaired pulmonary ventilation and respiratory muscle function, which may exacerbate dyspnea, limit exercise tolerance, and reduce quality of life. Respiratory muscle training is considered a specialized component of physical therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Aim. To analyze and systematize current evidence on the use of respiratory muscle training in bronchopulmonary diseases and to determine its effects on patients' functional status.

Materials and Methods. An analytical review of publications retrieved from PubMed, covering the period from 2021 to 2026, was conducted using the bibliographic method, systematic analysis, and comparative analysis. The study was conducted as a private initiative of the authors, without grant support or state registration of the research topic.

Research Ethics. The analysis included studies whose authors complied with the relevant ethical standards for scientific research.

Results. The most consistently demonstrated outcome of inspiratory muscle training in chronic respiratory diseases is increased inspiratory muscle strength, primarily assessed by maximal inspiratory pressure. The largest body of evidence has been accumulated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Findings regarding dyspnea, exercise tolerance, pulmonary function, and quality of life are less consistent. The effectiveness of the intervention is largely determined by the intensity, duration, frequency, and progression of the training load. Promising approaches include individualized training intensity, threshold and resistive loading, remotely supervised home-based programs, and integration of respiratory muscle training into pulmonary rehabilitation. The evidence base is smaller for bronchial asthma and interstitial lung diseases and remains limited for bronchiectasis.

Conclusions. Respiratory muscle training is a promising component of physical therapy, with increased inspiratory muscle strength being its most consistently demonstrated effect. Other clinical and functional effects depend on the underlying disease and training protocol. Further research should focus on standardizing training protocols, establishing patient selection criteria, and evaluating long-term outcomes.

Keywords: physical therapy and rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, inspiratory muscle training, expiratory muscle training.