Anel AG will be participating at the ERS congress in Milano from september 10th to 12th, 2023. We will be showing our resi OPEP device there. resi OPEP is our mucus clearance device, which works with oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP device).
We are looking to see you there.
Note from ERS: ERS declines all responsibility with respect to the information published in this document.
Accumulation of Mucus Plugs in COPD Linked to Increased Risk of Premature Death, Study Finds
ExpiredA review supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) found that people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who accumulate extra mucus in their airways, known as mucus plugs, have a higher risk of premature death. The study analyzed data from 4,363 adults with COPD, aged 45-80, who were smokers. It revealed that 59% had no detectable mucus plugs, 22% had plugs in at least one airway, and 19% had plugs in at least three airways. Over the course of nearly 10 years, 41% of participants died, with higher mortality rates observed among those with mucus plugs. After adjusting for other factors, researchers concluded that the presence of mucus plugs in the airways increases the likelihood of premature death. These findings could potentially guide the development of targeted treatments aimed at breaking up and clearing mucus in individuals with COPD.
Source: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2023/extra-mucus-accumulation-copd-linked-increased-risk-death
More information on our mucus clearance device: klick here
Inspiratory muscle training reduces diaphragm activation and dyspnea during exercise in COPD
ExpiredAbstract
Among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), those with the lowest maximal inspiratory pressures experience greater breathing discomfort (dyspnea) during exercise. In such individuals, inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may be associated with improvement of dyspnea, but the mechanisms for this are poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to identify physiological mechanisms of improvement in dyspnea and exercise endurance following inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in patients with COPD and low maximal inspiratory pressure (Pimax). The effects of 8 wk of controlled IMT on respiratory muscle function, dyspnea, respiratory mechanics, and diaphragm electromyography (EMGdi) during constant work rate cycle exercise were evaluated in patients with activity-related dyspnea (baseline dyspnea index <9). Subjects were randomized to either IMT or a sham training control group ( n = 10 each). Twenty subjects (FEV1 = 47 ± 19% predicted; Pimax = -59 ± 14 cmH2O; cycle ergometer peak work rate = 47 ± 21% predicted) completed the study; groups had comparable baseline lung function, respiratory muscle strength, activity-related dyspnea, and exercise capacity. IMT, compared with control, was associated with greater increases in inspiratory muscle strength and endurance, with attendant improvements in exertional dyspnea and exercise endurance time (all P < 0.05). After IMT, EMGdi expressed relative to its maximum (EMGdi/EMGdimax) decreased ( P < 0.05) with no significant change in ventilation, tidal inspiratory pressures, breathing pattern, or operating lung volumes during exercise. In conclusion, IMT improved inspiratory muscle strength and endurance in mechanically compromised patients with COPD and low Pimax. The attendant reduction in EMGdi/EMGdimax helped explain the decrease in perceived respiratory discomfort despite sustained high ventilation and intrinsic mechanical loading over a longer exercise duration. NEW & NOTEWORTHY In patients with COPD and low maximal inspiratory pressures, inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may be associated with improvement of dyspnea, but the mechanisms for this are poorly understood. This study showed that 8 wk of home-based, partially supervised IMT improved respiratory muscle strength and endurance, dyspnea, and exercise endurance. Dyspnea relief occurred in conjunction with a reduced activation of the diaphragm relative to maximum in the absence of significant changes in ventilation, breathing pattern, and operating lung volumes.
Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; diaphragm; dyspnea; electromyogram; exercise; inspiratory muscle strength; respiratory mechanics.
Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29543134/
Abstract
Background Unilateral diaphragm dysfunction (UDD) is an underdiagnosed cause of dyspnoea. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is the only conservative treatment for UDD, but the mechanisms of improvement are unknown. We characterised the effects of IMT on dyspnoea, exercise tolerance and respiratory muscle function in people with UDD.
Methods 15 people with UDD (73% male, 61±8 years) were randomised to 6 months of IMT (50% maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PI,max), n=10) or sham training (10% PI,max, n=5) (30 breaths twice per day). UDD was confirmed by phrenic nerve stimulation and persisted throughout the training period. Symptoms were assessed by the transitional dyspnoea index (TDI) and exercise tolerance by constant-load cycle tests performed pre- and post-training. Oesophageal (Pes) and gastric (Pga) pressures were measured with a dual-balloon catheter. Electromyography (EMG) and oxygenation (near-infrared spectroscopy) of respiratory muscles were assessed continuously during exercise.
Results The IMT group (from 45±6 to 62±23% PI,max) and sham group (no progression) completed 92 and 86% of prescribed sessions, respectively. PI,max, TDI scores and cycle endurance time improved significantly more after IMT versus sham (mean between-group differences: 28 (95% CI 13–28) cmH2O, 3.0 (95% CI 0.9–5.1) points and 6.0 (95% CI 0.4–11.5) min, respectively). During exercise at iso-time, Pes, Pga and EMG of the scalene muscles were reduced and the oxygen saturation indices of the scalene and abdominal muscles were higher post- versus pre-training only in the IMT group (all p<0.05).
Conclusion The effects of IMT on dyspnoea and exercise tolerance in UDD were not mediated by an improvement in isolated diaphragm function, but may reflect improvements in strength, coordination and/or oxygenation of the extra-diaphragmatic respiratory muscles.
source: https://openres.ersjournals.com/content/9/5/00300-2023
Abstract
Background: Respiratory training using Threshold Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT) has not been examined adequately in multiple sclerosis (MS). The primary objective in this study of persons with advanced MS was to investigate the training effect of IMT. The secondary objective was to evaluate the retention of IMT benefits.
Methods: This study was a repeated measures within-subject design (before-after trial).. Participants were recruited from a long-term care facility specialized in progressive neurologic conditions. Thirty-six non-ambulatory persons with advanced MS volunteered. Inspiratory muscle exercise using the threshold IMT were performed daily for 10 weeks at 3 sets of 15 repetitions per day. Resistance was progressed weekly based on perceived rate of exertion and symptoms. Primary outcome measures were maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) that were measured at baseline, after 5 and 10 weeks of IMT exercises (training period), and at 4 and 8 weeks after the IMT training ended (retention). Linear mixed-effect regression models with time (i.e. weeks from baseline) as the fixed factor and participants as the random effect factor were applied separately to test each hypothesis. Effect size was calculated using partial eta square (η2p). Two-tailed significance level was p < 0.05.
Results: Participants were 60.5 ± 8.6 years old. Expanded Disability Status Scale was 8.5 ± 0.4. Baseline MIP were 25.9 ± 16.4 cmH2O (33.2% %± 19.8% of predicted values) and MEP were 23.5 ± 15.7 cmH2O (25.8% %± 14.4% of predicted values). Compared to the baseline, MIP increased significantly to 30.1 ± 17.9 cmH2O (38.9% %± 22.4% of predicted values) and 30.6 ± 17.6 cmH2O (39.6% %± 22.3% of predicted values) after 5 (p < 0.05) and 10 weeks (p < 0.05) of IMT exercises. MIP improvements were retained in an 8-week washout period. MEP did not differ significantly by time.
Conclusion: In persons with advanced MS, 10-week IMT training increased inspiratory muscle strength. This study is the first to demonstrate the retention of benefits following daily IMT exercises at 8 weeks after training ended.
source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31707233/
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