BACKGROUND: Decreased pulmonary function and poor deglutition are a major risk factor for poststroke aspiration pneumonia. We analyzed the benefits of pulmonary training on pulmonary function, deglutition, and quality of life (QOL) in community-dwelling, frail elderly people with chronic stroke. METHOD: This study was designed as an open, randomized, controlled pilot trial. The participants, who were frail older adults with a history of stroke, were randomized to 2 rehabilitation groups: intervention group (n = 15) and control (n = 15). All participants (65 to 94 years) attended twelve 20-min sessions twice a week for 6 weeks of either standard rehabilitation (control group) or standard rehabilitation with pulmonary training including home pulmonary exercise (intervention group). The main outcome measures were pulmonary function (%MIP), deglutition (DRACE), and QOL (SF8 PCS), while secondary outcomes were muscle strength (grip and abdominal), thorax flexibility, 6-min walk distance, and activities in daily living. All outcomes were measured both prior to training and after the 12 sessions. RESULTS: The intervention group showed significant improvement in %MIP (95% CI 2.9 to 31.6; p < 0.01), DRACE (95% CI -4.1 to 0.1; p < 0.01), and SF8 PCS (95% CI 2.5 to 7.2; p < 0.01) compared with controls. There were no cognitive function decline and higher brain dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the addition of pulmonary training including home pulmonary exercise to a standard rehabilitation program could improve pulmonary function, deglutition, and QOL in frail elderly people with chronic stroke.

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