The Impact of Respiratory Muscle Training and Patient Education on Chronic Constipation Outcomes

"A testing session will be held where subjects will undergo respiratory muscle testing using the Pro2Fit device to measure PIMax and PEmax. During this session, subjects will be instructed in a respiratory muscle training home program utilizing a provided device call the Breather. They will be instructed to perform this program consisting of breathing exercises for 2 sets of 10 repetitions, twice a day at a difficulty level of 5-7 on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scale for 8 weeks. Subjects will be shown how to follow a training program every day utilizing the free companion application to the device Breather Coach. If subjects have issues with using technology, they will be provided a physical log to record when they complete sessions. Ten to fifteen-minute Zoom sessions with the study coordinator will be held once a week to check in on how the program is progressing, compliance, and if the resistance can be increased."

A group of patients who receive standard physical therapy care for chronic constipation at the University of Miami that consists of biofeedback therapy, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and patient education.