Affiliations: [a] Digital Healthcare Institute, Sunmoon University, Asan, Republic of Korea
| [b] Department of Physical Therapy, Sunmoon University, Asan, Republic of Korea
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Jinseop Kim, Department of Physical Therapy, Sunmoon University, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea. Tel.: +82 10 9062 3373; Fax: +82 41 530 2727; E-mail: skylove3373@sunmoon.ac.kr.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Limited chest expansion and asymmetry in the respiratory muscles after a stroke lead to poor ventilation and reduced physical performance. OBJECTIVES:To determine the effect of chest expansion resistance exercise and respiratory muscle stretching on respiratory function and gait endurance in patients with stroke. METHODS:Thirty stroke patients were randomly assigned to a chest expansion resistance group (CERG), a respiratory muscle stretching group (RMSG), and a control group (CG). CERG and RMSG received chest expansion resistance and respiratory muscle stretching, respectively, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength, and gait endurance were measured before and after the intervention period. RESULTS:The experimental groups, CERG and RMSG, showed significant improvements in respiratory function variables (p < .05). For respiratory muscle strength variables, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) in the CERG and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) in the RMSG showed significant changes compared to the CG (p < .05). Both CERG and RMSG also showed significant improvements in the 6MWT compared to the CG (p < .05). CONCLUSION:Chest expansion resistance exercise would be a more effective method, while both chest expansion resistance exercise and respiratory muscle stretching are helpful in improving respiratory function and gait endurance.
