Inspiratory Training for Improving Respiratory Strength, Pulmonary Function, and Walking in Cerebral Palsy: A Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of inspiratory strength training on respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, and walking capacity in children with cerebral palsy, with Gross Motor Function Classification System I to III.

METHODS: Searches were conducted in CINAHL, LILACS, MEDLINE, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) databases. The outcomes of interest were respiratory muscle strength, pulmonary function, and walking capacity. The quality was assessed by PEDro Scale. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was used to summarize the quality of evidence.

RESULTS: Inspiratory strength training increased the strength of inspiratory muscles and may increase the strength of the expiratory muscles. No changes were observed in pulmonary function or walking capacity.

CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review provides moderate-quality evidence that inspiratory strength training is effective for increasing inspiratory muscle strength in children with cerebral palsy. Benefits may be carried over to improving expiratory muscle strength but were not observed on pulmonary function or walking capacity.