LAUSR

Introduction/Background Respiratory muscle weakness is well-known in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and it is an argument to the rational of respiratory muscle training. The aim of this review is to identify the most appropriate training modality of respiratory muscle and to investigate the effects of this training. Material and method we performed a narrative review, bases on Pubmed database, with the keyword “respiratory muscle training” AND “COPD” from 2011 to 2018. Results Twenty-two studies were selected in this research. Most of them expose an inspiratory work. No study compare different frequency, intensity, or duration. The work in endurance or in strength is not compare. A meta-analysis [1] promotes the inspiratory strengthening when the maximal inspiratory pressure (PIMax) is under 60 cmH2O but other study show an interest of this work in patients with better PIMax. The use of threshold device seems to be more effective than resistive device. The inspiratory work in COPD patient in this studies show an impact in PIMax, Six Minutes Walk test and dyspnea. Its impact is possible on quality of life. The effects on pulmonary volume are divergent. Conclusion Although the modality of respiratory muscle training is not clearly determinate, it is well tolerate and provide analytic and functional benefit. If further studies are needed, inspiratory muscle training should be included in a pulmonary rehabilitation program.