Effects of Home-based Inspiratory Muscle Training in Patients With IPF

The IMT protocol consisted of home-based high-intensity daily training - two cycles of 30 breaths with a 1-min rest between sets, twice a day for 8 weeks using an IMT Threshold device (Threshold IMT Philips® Respironics, Inc). The intensity of the training was set to 50% of each patient's maximal inspiratory pressure measured every week and was adjusted weekly based on the modified Borg scale from 4 to 6 regarding respiratory effort performed during the session. Patients are evaluated before the inspiratory muscle training and after 8 weeks of training.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosing Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis by a pulmonologist;
• Aged between 40 and 75 years;
• Volunteering to research;
• Stable clinical condition (same medication routine and/or no acute exacerbation in the last for the last 4 weeks).

Exclusion criteria

• Inability of the participant to understand or perform the procedures proposed during the evaluations or training program.
• Participating in any pulmonary rehabilitation programs;
• A previous pneumonectomy or lobectomy operation;
• Pneumonia in the last 4 weeks;
• Any pulmonary infection during the study;
• Requirement for supplemental oxygen therapy while resting.
• Having Covid-19 disease (during the study or in the past)
• Orthopaedic or neurological conditions affecting the ability to independent walking