Overview
The previous pilot study showed that two weeks of intensive expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) with SpiroGym was sufficient to significantly improve voluntary peak cough flow (PCF). The improvement was quantitatively comparable to that reported in other intensive EMST studies of longer duration. To explain this rapid improvement, we considered the potential contribution of SpiroGym's visual feedback. We assumed that real-time visual feedback increased training effort compared with conventional EMST performed without immediate feedback.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of visual feedback provided by the SpiroGym mobile application on performance during expiratory muscle strength training in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Description
The study will be conducted using a prospective crossover design. Patients with Parkinson's disease will complete two EMST sessions, each at 75% of maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), separated by a two-week interval. One EMST session will include feedback via the SpiroGym mobile application, while the other will be performed without feedback. The order of these conditions will be randomly assigned.
Primary hypothesis
- Visual feedback provided by the SpiroGym application during expiratory training will result in greater muscle activation, as measured by surface electromyography (sEMG), compared with training without visual feedback.
Secondary hypotheses
2. Visual feedback during expiratory training will lead to greater expiratory performance, reflected by higher noise intensity recorded by the SpiroGym application, than training without visual feedback.
3. Participants will report lower perceived difficulty and higher motivation to perform expiratory training exercises when visual feedback is provided than when it is absent.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of Parkinsons disease
- Stable dopaminergic medication (stable dose for at least 1 month)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Other neurological disorders
- Significant cognitive impairment
- Major psychiatric disorder
- History of head or neck cancer or previous surgical interventions in the neck region.
- Illness during the study period