OBJECTIVE: To check the effectiveness of conventional physiotherapy and threshold inspiratory muscle training (TIMT) on the weaning period of mechanically ventilated patients. BACKGROUND: Prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) of ICU patients is associated with high health care costs and respiratory muscle weakness which also has been suggested as a possible cause of delayed weaning from MV. Hence, TIMT may be seen as a possible accelerator for successful weaning. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental and comparative design. METHODS: Total 30 subjects were selected on the basis of inclusion criteria and divided randomly with 15 subjects in each group. To the group A conventional physiotherapy was given whereas in the group B TIMT was also added. The maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was measured before commencement of the treatment and post-extubation. RESULT: The data was analyzed using unpaired 't' test. In group B (TIMT), MIP mean increased to -43.87 +/- 8.01 cmH2O (post extubation) from pre-treatment value of -29.29 +/- 3.61 cmH2O, as compared to group A's values of -35.68 +/- 4.49 cmH2O (post extubation) from -28.77 +/- 2.93 cmH2O (pre-treatment). Also the weaning period was reduced more significantly in group B (mean duration of 4.27 +/- 1.49 days) than the group A (mean duration of 6.27 +/- 1.71 days). CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that TIMT along with conventional physiotherapy produces more significant changes in MIP and weaning period of patients receiving mechanical ventilation as compared to conventional physiotherapy alone.

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