Affiliations: [a] Department of Exercise and Health Science, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan
| [b]
Yi-Lan Chiao Shi Junior High School, Taipei, Taiwan
| [c] Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Stanislaus, CA, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Yu-Chi Kuo, Ph.D., Department of Exercise and Health Science, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, No. 365, Ming-Te Road, Peitou Distric, Taipei City 11219, Taiwan. Tel.: +886 2 28227101/Ext. 7711; Fax: +886 2 2875 3383; E-mail: yuchi.kuo@gmail.com.
Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 4-weeks expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) on the maximum expiratory pressure (PEmax) and quality of life (QoL) in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). METHODS: Thirteen outpatients diagnosed with PD participated in this study, and were assigned into either a 5DE training group (5DE group; n = 4; 75% PEmax for 5-d/wk), 3DE training group (3DE group; n = 5; 75% PEmax for 3-d/wk) and control group (3DC group; n = 4; 0% PEmax for 3-d/wk) by matching their Hoehn and Yahr scale, genders, and age. The PEmax and Parkinson disease questionnaire-39 item (PDQ-39) were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: The posttest PEmax of the 5DE was significantly higher than that of the 3DC (P < 0.05). Moreover, 5DE and 3DE but not 3DC significantly increased PEmax after training. There were no differences in the overall quality of life in PD patients measured by PDQ-39 among three groups, but the 5DE group significantly improved the mobility constructs of PDQ-39 compared with 3DC (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both 5 d/wk and 3 d/wk of EMST effectively enhance respiratory muscle strength and improve mobility construct measured by PDQ-39 in patients with PD.
