Inspiratory muscle training in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients: a randomized controlled trial

Respiratory muscles are known to be weakened and are a cause of reduced exercise capacity in both recipients and candidates of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in this patient population have not been comprehensively investigated so far. The current study was planned to investigate the effects of IMT during allo-HSCT on early transplantation-related outcomes. This is a prospective, randomized controlled, double-blinded study. Thirty-eight allo-HSCT recipients, 20 of whom were allocated to the treatment group (40 % of maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP)) and 18 to the control group (5 % of MIP), received IMT for 6 weeks. Pulmonary functions, dyspnea, respiratory (MIP, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP)) and peripheral muscle strength, maximal exercise capacity using modified incremental shuttle walking test (MISWT) and submaximal exercise capacity using 6-min walking test (6-MWT), fatigue, depression, and quality of life were evaluated before and after IMT. The distance covered during MISWT (61.94 m) and 6-MWT (29.30 m), respiratory muscle strength (MIP 34.99 cmH(2)O, MEP 12.69 cmH(2)O), depression (-0.95), and modified Borg dyspnea scores (-0.11) showed a significant improvement in the treatment group compared to controls (p a parts per thousand currency sign 0.05). Inspiratory muscle training is a safe and effective intervention which improves respiratory muscle strength and exercise capacity and decreases depression and dyspnea in allo-HSCT recipients. These positive changes might be further enhanced by prolonging the duration of training or inclusion of more recipients with inspiratory muscle weakness. Clinical trial registration number: NCT02270346.