Effects of Inspiratory Muscle Training After Lung Cancer Surgery, a Randomized Controlled Trial

Inspiratory muscle training, as a supplement to placebo comparator, starts the day before surgery and continues for two weeks after surgery. No sessions are performed on the surgery day. Each session consists of 2 sets of 30 inspirations with a pause between each set of 2 minutes. The target intensity before surgery is 30% of the measured MIP and starts at 15% after surgery. The intensity is incrementally increased by 2 cm H20 the first days after surgery. Patients grade their perceived exertion and register eventual adverse effects in a training diary.

Standard physiotherapy - preoperative instruction and postoperative breathing exercises using positive expiratory pressure device (PEP) 3x10 breathings hourly during daytime, cough/huff for mucus clearance purpose, advice on early and active mobilization