Effects of a Rehabilitation Programme with a Nasal Inspiratory Restriction Device on Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in COPD

Objective: The objective was to assess the effects of a nasal restriction device for inspiratory muscle training, called Feelbreathe((R)), added to a rehabilitation program (RP) on exercise capacity, quality of life, dyspnea and inspiratory muscle strength in patients with stable COPD. Methods: Patients were randomized into three groups, one performed a supervised RP using the Feelbreathe((R)) device (FB group), the second group developed the same RP with oronasal breathing without FB (ONB group) and the third was the control group (CG). We evaluated inspiratory muscle strength (PImax), dyspnea (mMRC), quality of life (CAT) and exercise capacity (6MWT) before and after 8-week of RP. Results: A total of 16 patients completed the study, seven in FB group, five in ONB group and four in the CG. After the RP, the FB group showed a significant increase in PImax (93.3 +/- 19.1 vs. 123.0 +/- 15.8 mmHg) and in the 6MWT distance (462.9 +/- 71.8 m vs. 529.1 +/- 50.1 m) and a decrease in the CAT score (9.7 +/- 6.5 vs. 5.9 +/- 6.0) and in the mMRC dyspnea score. FB provides greater improvement in PImax, dyspnea, quality of life and 6MWT than ONB. Conclusions: The Feelbreathe((R)) device provides greater improvements in quality of life, dyspnea, exercise capacity and inspiratory muscle strength compared to patients that did not use it.