Effects of Respiratory Muscle Training in Patients with Cardiomyopathy: Systematic Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55735/7115a637Keywords:
Cardiomyopathy , Respiratory muscle training , Systematic reviewAbstract
Background: Cardiomyopathy is a major global cause of chronic heart failure, often resulting in exercise intolerance, dyspnea, and reduced quality of life. Respiratory muscle weakness is common in these patients. Respiratory muscle training is considered a beneficial non-pharmacological intervention to enhance respiratory muscle strength, improve exercise tolerance, and support overall patient well-being. Objective: To evaluate the effects of respiratory muscle training on inspiratory muscle performance, exercise capacity, dyspnea, and health-related quality of life in cardiomyopathy patients and outcomes. Methodology: This systematic review involved a comprehensive search up to September 2025 using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and Google Scholar. Randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses on cardiomyopathy and chronic heart failure patients undergoing respiratory muscle training were included. Primary outcomes assessed were the 6-minute walk test, peak oxygen consumption, maximal inspiratory pressure, dyspnea, and health-related quality of life. Results: This review included 15 randomized controlled trials and 9 systematic reviews with meta-analyses. Respiratory muscle training demonstrated improvements in maximal inspiratory pressure and functional outcomes, including peak oxygen consumption and six-minute walk distance, particularly in studies with intervention durations of at least 8–12 weeks at moderate to high intensities (40–60% of maximal inspiratory pressure). Notable reductions in dyspnea and improvements in health-related quality of life were also reported. The included meta-analyses consistently supported the benefits of respiratory muscle training, especially in cardiomyopathy patients with baseline inspiratory muscle weakness. Overall, respiratory muscle training was safe with no major adverse effects. Conclusion: This review concludes that respiratory muscle training is a safe and effective adjunct therapy for cardiomyopathy, providing clinical improvements in inspiratory muscle strength, exercise tolerance, and health-related quality of life, while helping to relieve symptoms without causing harm.
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