Short-term effects of inspiratory muscle training in coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficiency of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on postoperative respiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, quality of life, and psychosocial status in patients with coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

DESIGN: Forty-three patients undergoing CABG surgery were randomly assigned to the one of two groups. All subjects received usual care. In addition, subjects in the intervention group received IMT training pre- and postoperatively. Pulmonary function testing, six minute walk test (6MWT), quality of life and psychosocial parameters were assessed preoperatively and the fifth day after the surgery.

RESULTS: The mean inspiratory muscle strength increased from 82.64 cmH(2)O at baseline to 95.45 cmH(2)O five days postoperatively in the intervention group. The intervention group (319.55 ± 72.17 m before and 387.91 ± 65.69 m after surgery) covered further distance during the 6MWT than usual care (355.43 ± 56.08 m before and 357.69 ± 43.42 m after surgery). The improvement in quality of life was greater in the intervention group for the dimension of sleep. The anxiety scores were significantly lower in the intervention group than the usual care group. The length of intensive care unit stay was significantly shorter in the intervention group than the usual care group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: IMT results in faster recovery of inspiratory muscle strength, functional capacity, intensive care unit stay, quality of life and psychosocial status after CABG.