Inspiratory muscle training on quality of life in individuals with spinal cord injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Study design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Objectives The objective was to summarize the effectiveness of Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) on the quality of life in individuals with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Methods An online systematic literature search was conducted in the following databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, PubMed CENTRAL, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, SciELO, CINAHL/SPORTDiscus, and PsycINFO. Randomized and non-randomized clinical studies investigating the effectiveness of IMT in quality of life were included in the present study. The results used the mean difference and 95% confidence interval for maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and the standardized mean differences for the quality of life and maximum ventilation volume. Results The search found 232 papers, and after the screening, four studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analytical procedures ( n = 150 participants). No changes were demonstrated in the quality of life domains (general health, physical function, mental health, vitality, social function, emotional problem, and pain) after IMT. The IMT provided a considerable effect over the MIP but not on FEV 1 and MEP. Conversely, it was not able to provide changes in any of the quality of life domains. None of the included studies evaluated the IMT effects on the expiratory muscle maximal expiratory pressure. Conclusion Evidence from studies shows that inspiratory muscle training improves the MIP; however, this effect does not seem to translate to any change in the quality of life or respiratory function outcomes in individuals with SCI.