Clinical Research Directory

Longitudinal Ultrasound Assessment of Diaphragmatic and Respiratory Muscle Function Following Respiratory Muscle Training in Frail Older Adults

This study aims to evaluate the effects of an 8-week inspiratory muscle training program on diaphragmatic and respiratory muscle function in frail older adults aged 80 years and above. Frailty is associated with reduced physical capacity, impaired respiratory performance, and a higher risk of disability. Inspiratory muscle training is a simple, low-cost intervention that may improve breathing function, strength, and overall health in very old adults, but evidence in this age group remains limited. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: a high-load inspiratory muscle training group or a low-load sham training group. Both groups will use a threshold device and perform 30 breaths once per day, five days per week, for eight weeks. The experimental group will train with progressively increasing resistance (50% to 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure), while the sham group will use a minimal and non-progressive load (15% of maximal inspiratory pressure). All sessions will be supervised and monitored for safety. The main goal of the study is to determine whether inspiratory muscle training improves maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), an established measure of global inspiratory muscle strength. Secondary outcomes include ultrasound-based assessments of diaphragmatic structure and function, such as diaphragm thickness, contractile fraction, diaphragmatic excursion, inspiratory time, and inspiratory velocity during deep breathing and sniff maneuvers. These measurements will help clarify the physiological adaptations produced by inspiratory muscle training in this population. Assessments will be performed before the intervention, immediately after the 8-week program, and again at one and three months after the end of the intervention to examine both immediate and short-term effects. This study may contribute valuable evidence regarding the safety, feasibility, and clinical benefits of inspiratory muscle training in frail very old adults, supporting its potential implementation in rehabilitation and geriatric care.

Longitudinal Assessment of Maximal Inspiratory Pressure and Functional Capacity Following Inspiratory Muscle Training in Frail Older Adults (IMT-2)

This study aims to evaluate the effects of an 8-week inspiratory muscle training program on maximal inspiratory pressure and functional capacity in frail older adults aged 80 years and above. Frailty is associated with reduced physical capacity, declines in functional performance, impaired respiratory performance, and a higher risk of disability. Inspiratory muscle training is a simple, low-cost intervention that may improve breathing function, inspiratory muscle strength, and overall health in very old adults, but evidence in this age group remains limited. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: a high-load inspiratory muscle training group or a low-load sham training group. Both groups will use a threshold device and perform 30 breaths once per day, five days per week, for eight weeks. The experimental group will train with progressively increasing resistance (50% to 80% of maximal inspiratory pressure), while the sham group will use a minimal and non-progressive load (15% of maximal inspiratory pressure). All sessions will be supervised and monitored for safety. The main goal of the study is to determine whether inspiratory muscle training improves maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), an established measure of global inspiratory muscle strength. Secondary outcomes include measures of functional capacity, reflecting the ability to perform physical tasks relevant to daily living in very old adults. These outcomes will allow the evaluation of the clinical relevance of improvements in inspiratory muscle strength in this population. Assessments will be performed before the intervention, immediately after the 8-week program, and again at one and three months after the end of the intervention to examine both immediate and short-term effects. This study may contribute valuable evidence regarding the safety, feasibility, and clinical benefits of inspiratory muscle training in frail very old adults, particularly its impact on inspiratory muscle strength and functional capacity, supporting its potential implementation in rehabilitation and geriatric care.

Effects of a Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) affect approximately 30% of the adult global population, significantly impacting respiratory function and quality of life. Pulmonary and cardiovascular rehabilitation has proven to be an effective therapeutic intervention for managing respiratory symptoms and cardiovascular and improving functional capacity in patients with chronic respiratory conditions. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of the pulmonary and cardiovascular rehabilitation program on users of the physical therapy service of CECOM of UNICAMP related to functional capacity, quality of life and respiratory variables after 3 months of the program. Candidates for the pulmonary rehabilitation program are users diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma or other lung disease. Candidates for the cardiovascular rehabilitation program are users diagnosed with: infarction (AMI), myocardial revascularization surgery, coronary angioplasty, stable angina, valve replacement, chronic heart failure and who meet the criteria for phase III of cardiovascular rehabilitation. They should be referred to physical therapy by the cardiologist with complementary exams and exercise test. The program's assessment will consist of: anamnesis, analysis and recording of complementary exams, physical assessment (weight, height, BMI, cardiac and pulmonary auscultation, blood pressure, heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory muscle strength), functional capacity (six-minute walk test) and quality of life (questionnaire). The program will include aerobic exercises on a treadmill or stationary bike with an intensity between 50-70% of the reserve HR, below the ischemic thresholds. It will also include peripheral muscle strength exercises for the upper and lower limbs, in addition to respiratory muscle training for lung disease patients.

Effect of Respiratory Trainer on Cardiopulmonary Functions in Patients with Upper Cross Syndrome Post-Cardiac Surgery

The purpose of this study is to investigate if there is any effect of the respiratory training on cardiopulmonary functions in patients with upper cross syndrome post-cardiac surgery. Hypothesis: Null hypothesis: There is no effect of the respiratory training on pulmonary functions in patients with upper cross syndrome post-cardiac surgery.