Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
randomized trial
Participants
Thirty CF patients
Interventions
Patients were randomized as training and sham groups. Both groups were trained with the EMT protocol, which involved twice per day for at least five days per week for six weeks. The training intensity in the training group was 30% of the maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). In the sham group, it remained at the lowest pressure (5cmH(2) O).
Outcome measures
The primary outcome was PCF. The secondary outcomes were MEP, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), spirometric measures, six-minute walking distance (6MWD), and QoL (Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire-Revised).
Main results
Twenty-eight patients completed the study. Changes in PCF (p=0.041) and MEP (p=0.003) were higher in the training group than the sham group. Also, treatment burden (p=0.008), digestive symptoms (p=0.019), and vitality (p=0.042) in QoL were more improved in the training group. MIP (p=0.028) and 6MWD (p=0.035) changed significantly only in the training group. Spirometric measurements did not change (p>0.05).
Authors' conclusions
The results of the study show that EMT could improve PCF, MEP, treatment burden, digestive symptoms, and vitality domains of QoL in patients with CF. Moreover, MIP and functional exercise capacity improved in the training group with EMT.