Abstract
Background: Decreased respiratory muscle strength is associated with decreased pulmonary functions and considered as a serious mortality risk in patients on hemodialysis [1,2].
Aim of Study: This study was conducted to compare between the effect of 12 weeks of supervised aerobic training program combined with Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT) and using Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT) alone on ventila-tory functions in hemodialysis patients (HD). Pulmonary functions were measured by electronic spirometer including (Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MMV) in HD patients respectively.
Subjects and Methods: Thirty patients from both sexes participated in the study. They were divided randomly into two groups of equal number. Group (A) received combined IMT with supervised program of aerobic training in the form of leg pedaling exercises, while Group (B) received IMT alone.
Results: The results of this study revealed significant improvement in all measured values of pulmonary functions in both groups. Surprisingly, it was more significant in favor of group B.
Conclusion: It was concluded that either a combined IMT with supervised program of aerobic training or IMT alone for 12 weeks, both have significant improvement regarding pulmonary functions in hemodialysis patients, while it was more significant with IMT alone.