Inspiratory pressure threshold training for upper airway limitation: A case of bilateral abductor vocal fold paralysis

    Authors

    S. E. Baker; C. M. Sapienza; D. Martin; P. Davenport; B. Hoffman-Ruddy;G. Woodson

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Voice

    Keywords

    bilateral abductor vocal fold paralysis; inspiratory pressure threshold; training; maximum inspiratory pressure; dyspnea; outcome; LARYNGEAL; MUSCLE; DYSPNEA; MANAGEMENT; SPEECH; LAMBS; LOAD; Otorhinolaryngology

    Abstract

    A single subject design was used to determine if pressure threshold training strengthens the inspiratory muscles in a subject with a limited glottal airway as well as diminish dyspnea and improve parameters of speech. The subject was a 19-year-old woman whose glottal airway was limited due to bilateral abductor vocal fold paralysis following a thyroidectomy. A 5-week inspiratory muscle strength-training program was implemented using a pressure-threshold trainer to strengthen the inspiratory muscles with the intent of enabling the generation of higher inspiratory pressures. The pressure threshold on the trainer was set at 75% of the subject's maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP). The subject was required to generate sufficient inspiratory pressure to bring air through the trainer during an inspiratory maneuver. MIP was the dependent variable used as an indication of inspiratory muscle strength. MIP increased by 47% following the training program. Maximal minute ventilation and oxygen uptake increased posttraining. Dyspnea during exercise and speech decreased as reported by the subject. Total reading duration and pause duration demonstrated a declining trend during connected speech. The results indicated that inspiratory muscle training using a pressure threshold device improves functional tasks such as exercise and speech in a subject with upper airway limitation.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Voice

    Volume

    17

    Issue/Number

    3

    Publication Date

    1-1-2003

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    384

    Last Page

    394

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000185304500011

    ISSN

    0892-1997

    Share

    COinS