The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (13): 2011-2017.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2025.13.010

• Clinical Research • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Efficacy of inspiratory muscle training combined with external diaphragm pacing in elderly patients with chronic heart failure

Su LIU,Tengfei JI,Dan LIU,Juanli ZHANG,Hong WEN,Li LI,Shuguang QIN()   

  1. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine,the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,Xi'an 710114,Shannxi,China
  • Received:2025-03-10 Online:2025-07-10 Published:2025-07-18
  • Contact: Shuguang QIN E-mail:sgqin@xjtu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) combined with external diaphragm pacing (EDP) in elderly patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods 147 patients with CHF admitted to the Department of Cardiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from March 2024 to October 2024 were selected, of which 38 patients were in the conventional drug therapy group (standard care group), 52 patients were in the conventional drug therapy + EDP therapy (dual therapy group), and 57 patients were in the conventional drug therapy + EDP therapy + IMT therapy (triple therapy group). Comparative analyses were performed for maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), handgrip strength, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scores, resting heart rate, and blood pressure before treatment and 4 weeks post-intervention. Results After treatment, The dual therapy group demonstrated higher MIP, 6MWD, and lower mMRC scores than the standard care group (P < 0.05). The triple therapy group exhibited superior improvements in MIP, MEP, handgrip strength, 6MWD, and lower mMRC scores compared to both standard care and dual therapy groups (P < 0.05), with additional benefits including lower resting systolic blood pressure versus dual therapy group (P < 0.05) and reduced resting heart rate compared to standard care group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The combined IMT and EDP significantly enhances respiratory and upper limb muscle strength in CHF patients, effectively improves cardiopulmonary function, alleviates dyspnea, and reduces resting heart rate and blood pressure,thus improving the quality of life.It is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Key words: elderly chronic heart failure, inspiratory muscle training, external diaphragm pacing, inspiratory muscle weakness, respiratory muscle function

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