NCT06963918

Expiratory Muscle Training and Trunk Flexion in Parkinson's Disease

Effect of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training on Forward Trunk Flexion in Parkinson's Disease

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (estimated)
• Sponsor: General University Hospital, Prague · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Postural abnormalities involving the trunk are prevalent in over 20% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Pathological forward trunk flexion (FTF) is a drug-refractory complication in patients with PD leading to imbalance, pain and fall-related injuries. Deep abdominal muscle training is a key rehabilitation strategy for FTF, as muscles like the transversus abdominis and multifidus are crucial for lumbar stabilization. This training has been shown to improve body position and lumbar proprioception. Abdominal muscles are also responsible for forced expiration. Expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) utilizing forced expiration through expiratory trainer has emerged as a beneficial intervention in the non-pharmacological management of PD, positively impacting clinical aspects such as dysphagia, dystussia, hypokinetic dysarthria, and drooling. EMG study showed large abdominal muscles activity, particularly the transversus abdominis and internus obliquus abdominis during EMST. Therefore, EMST might also be effective in improving lumbar stabilization. Given the established role of abdominal muscles in trunk stabilization, it is plausible that activation of deep abdominal muscles during EMST with the right level of resistance might improve FTF in PD patients. No studies have yet examined the effect of EMST on posture in PD. The primary aim of this study will be to evaluate the effect of EMST on forward trunk flexion in patients with Parkinson's disease. The secondary aim will be to assess the potential duration of the EMST effect on postural abnormalities and its impact on patient stability.

Conditions

• Parkinson Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Expiratory muscle strength training	After the 4-week wait-to-start period during which they will not receive any intervention, will participants undergo a 4-week respiratory training program using the EMST150™ device (Expiratory Muscle Strength Trainer). EMST therapy sessions will be completed at home on 5 days (of the patients choosing) per week, performing five sets of five forceful exhalations through the EMST150™. The resistance of the device will be set to 75% of the patient's individual maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). The daily training will take approximately 15 minutes. Following the training period, patients will be observed for an additional 4 weeks to assess the sustainability of the potential training effects.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-08-01
• Primary completion: 2025-11-01
• Completion: 2026-01-01
• First posted: 2025-05-09
• Last updated: 2025-05-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Czechia