Structured different exercise protocols improve lung function, respiratory muscle strength, and thickness in stroke patients. A randomized controlled trial.

Background: The effect of core stabilization exercises (CSE) alone, or in combination with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and Kinesio taping (KT) on lung function, respiratory muscle strength, and thickness in patients with stroke is not fully known.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of NMES and KT applied with CSE on lung functions, respiratory muscle strength, and thickness in patients with stroke.

Methods: A total of 45 stroke patients were randomly assigned to the core stabilization exercises (CSE) group, CSE+KT group or CSE+NMES group, respectively. All groups received the training protocol for 30-45 minutes, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. Lung functions were measured using portable spirometry. Respiratory muscle strength was assessed using an analog manometer to measure maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP). Peak cough flow (PCF) was measured with a peak flow meter. Respiratory muscles thickness were determined using ultrasonography.

Results: Except for FVC (%pred) (F=4.432, p=0.018, np2=0.174), FEV1(%pred) (F=3.725, p=0.032, np2=0.151), and MEP (F=3.861, p=0.029, np2=0.155), the overall group by time interaction for rmANOVA showed that there was no statistically significant difference between groups (p>0.05). After post hoc analysis, it was determined that there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of FVC (%pred), FEV1(%pred) and MEP (p>0.025).

Conclusions: The addition of NMES or KT to core stabilization exercises did not appear to provide additional benefit in improving lung function, respiratory muscle strength, and thickness in stroke patients.