Author Information

Sabrina EhrenfortFollow

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What campus are you from?

Daytona Beach

Authors' Class Standing

Barbara Cazzoli

Lead Presenter's Name

Sabrina Ehrenfort

Faculty Mentor Name

Scott Ferguson

Abstract

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is an established intervention to enhance respiratory strength, yet its broader effects on psychological outcomes across diverse clinical populations remains unclear. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the overall efficacy of IMT physical performance and psychological well-being, as well as influences of disease type and intervention duration. Clinical populations include pulmonary, cardiovascular, neurological, and other categories. A systematic search was conducted across several electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Sixty-one randomized controlled trials met inclusion criteria, including clinical populations with interventions lasting at least six weeks. Data compared across the trials included Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP), the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) as physiological aspects. Psychological outcomes focused on mental health, such as the Quality of Life assessed by scale or subscales (i.e., St. George’s respiratory questionnaire, EQ-5D-5L, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire), Fatigue symptoms and their impact on daily life (i.e., Fatigue Impact Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale), Anxiety and depression (e.g., HADS survey). Results indicate that IMT significantly improved MIP (g = 0.90, 95% CI [0.74, 1.06]) and functional capacity (6MWT; g = 0.50, 95% CI [0.34, 0.67]). Psychological outcomes showed moderate improvements in Quality of Life (g = 0.48, 95% CI [0.25, 0.72]), fatigue (g = 0.28, 95% CI [0.05, 0.50]), and anxiety/depression (g = 0.33, 95% CI [0.05, 0.62]). Moderator analyses revealed no significant differences across disease categories but identified intervention duration as a significant factor. Training periods between 6–12 weeks yielded the largest improvements in both physiological and psychological outcomes. This meta-analysis reveals IMT as an effective noninvasive intervention for enhancing respiratory muscle strength, functional performance, and psychological well-being across varied clinical populations.

Did this research project receive funding support from the Office of Undergraduate Research.

No

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The Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Inspiratory Muscle Training Across Clinical Populations: A Meta-Analysis

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is an established intervention to enhance respiratory strength, yet its broader effects on psychological outcomes across diverse clinical populations remains unclear. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the overall efficacy of IMT physical performance and psychological well-being, as well as influences of disease type and intervention duration. Clinical populations include pulmonary, cardiovascular, neurological, and other categories. A systematic search was conducted across several electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Sixty-one randomized controlled trials met inclusion criteria, including clinical populations with interventions lasting at least six weeks. Data compared across the trials included Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP), the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) as physiological aspects. Psychological outcomes focused on mental health, such as the Quality of Life assessed by scale or subscales (i.e., St. George’s respiratory questionnaire, EQ-5D-5L, Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire), Fatigue symptoms and their impact on daily life (i.e., Fatigue Impact Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale), Anxiety and depression (e.g., HADS survey). Results indicate that IMT significantly improved MIP (g = 0.90, 95% CI [0.74, 1.06]) and functional capacity (6MWT; g = 0.50, 95% CI [0.34, 0.67]). Psychological outcomes showed moderate improvements in Quality of Life (g = 0.48, 95% CI [0.25, 0.72]), fatigue (g = 0.28, 95% CI [0.05, 0.50]), and anxiety/depression (g = 0.33, 95% CI [0.05, 0.62]). Moderator analyses revealed no significant differences across disease categories but identified intervention duration as a significant factor. Training periods between 6–12 weeks yielded the largest improvements in both physiological and psychological outcomes. This meta-analysis reveals IMT as an effective noninvasive intervention for enhancing respiratory muscle strength, functional performance, and psychological well-being across varied clinical populations.

 

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