Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)
Analysis of data of a previous randomized controlled trial
Participants
35 children with CF.
Interventions
Singing. On two different days (T1, T2) children performed MIP/MEP with at least ten attempts each to achieveâ<â10% repeatability.
Outcome measures
Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP)
Main results
All children achieved repeatable MIP/MEP values within 10-11 attempts with 24 (68.6%) and 26 (74.3%) of these achieving best values of MIP and MEP, respectively, at attempts 6-11. Median values of the pressures by three, five, eight and all attempts significantly increased with more attempts (all pâ<â0.05). At T2, 56% required fewer attempts to achieve best values, but 32% required more attempts, indicating that the number of attempts required was inconsistent between test days.
Authors' conclusions
It is likely that at least ten attempts (best two withinâ<â10% variability) is required to achieve best and reliable MIP/MEP in children with CF. A larger sample size in children with CF and various conditions is required to consolidate these findings.