Effects and Costs of Respiratory Muscle Training in Institutionalized Elderly People

Muscle Weakness Clinical Trial

Official title: Determination of the Effects and Costs of Respiratory Muscle Training in Institutionalized Elderly People With Functional Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The global loss of muscle mass and strength associated with aging is a cause of functional impairment and disability, particularly in the older elderly (>80 years). Respiratory function can be severely compromised if there is a decrease of respiratory (RM) strength complicated by the presence of comorbidities and physical immobility. In this context, the need for supportive services involves the need for long-term care and consequently the institutionalization.

Previous studies have shown that the increase of RM strength has positive healthy effects, such as the increase in functional capacity, the decrease in RM fatigue, the decrease of dyspnoea and the improvement of quality of life, both in healthy people and patients. Therefore, specific RM training may be regarded as a beneficial alternative to improve RM function, and thus prevent physical and clinical deterioration in this frail population.

Study hypothesis: The inspiratory muscle training (IMT) would improve respiratory muscle strength and endurance, exercise capacity and quality of life in an elderly population, who are unable to engage in general exercise conditioning.

Clinical Trial Description

n/a

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment, Masking: Single Blind (Investigator), Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Cardiovascular Morbidity
• Muscle Weakness
• Paresis
• Respiratory Morbidity
• Syndrome; Institutionalization

• NCT number: NCT01759992
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Valencia
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: January 2013
• Completion date: December 2013