IMT in Ventilatory Muscle Metaboreflex in COPD

Patients will receive IMT for 30 min, 7 times per week, for 8 weeks using Inspiratory Muscle Trainer device (PowerBreath Inc.). During training, patients will be instructed to maintain diaphragmatic breathing, with a breathing rate at 15 to 20 breaths/min. Inspiratory load was set at 30% of maximal static inspiratory pressure, and weekly training loads were adjusted to maintain 30% of the PImax. Each week, six training sessions were performed at home and one training session was supervised at the hospital.

Patients will receive SHAM training for 30 min, 7 times per week, for 8 weeks using Inspiratory Muscle Trainer device (PowerBreath Inc.) without load. Patients will be instructed to maintain diaphragmatic breathing, with a breathing rate at 15 to 20 breaths/min. Each week, six training sessions were performed at home and one training session was supervised at the hospital.