Respiratory Muscle Strength Correlation with Functional Capacity, Quality of Life, Demographics and Co-morbidities in Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury

The study measured respiratory muscle strength in stroke and spinal cord injury (SCI) patients to see how it relates to their functional status and quality of life. Respiratory muscle strength was measured using Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP). The study found that age, sex, functional capacity, SCI classification, quality of life, physical activity history, and diabetes influence respiratory muscle strength.

• 1
  Respiratory muscle strength declines with age in both stroke and SCI patients.
• 2
  Males exhibited higher MIP and MEP values in the SCI group and higher MEP (but not MIP) in the stroke group.
• 3
  Prior physical activity was linked to higher MIP and MEP values in stroke patients and higher MIP in SCI patients.