Home-based Respiratory Training After Stroke

Respiratory training will include training of the inspiratory and expiratory muscle seven times per week over eight weeks, during 40 minutes, divided into two 20-min sessions (morning and afternoon). Each 20-min session comprised 4-min sets of respiratory training, followed by 1-min rest between the sets. The training program will be carried-out with the Orygen Dual Valve regulated at 50% of the subjects' maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure values. Once a week, the treating physiotherapist performed a home visit, measured the current values of inspiratory and expiratory strength, and progressed the load to 50% of the new values.

The control/sham group will underwent exactly the same protocol and weekly monitoring at home, but the participants will receive the devices without resistance of the spring.