OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the effects of two modalities of respiratory and peripheral muscle training in patients with chronic cardiorespiratory diseases. METHODOLOGY: A randomized clinical trial performed from September 2015 to December 2016 at the University Hospital of Canoas, RS, Brazil. Patients were randomized into 2 groups: group I (intervention) -- transcutaneous electrical diaphragmatic stimulation (TEDS) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) associated with voluntary contraction; and group II (conventional) -- peripheral muscle training through mechanical resources and respiratory training through Power Breathe. Both groups performed a respiratory and motor physiotherapy protocol standardized by the research team. The evaluation consisted of assessing respiratory muscle strength through MIP and MEP, peripheral muscle strength through the Medical Research Council (MRC) score and functionality through the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scale. The level of significance was set at p <= 0.05 and the analyses were performed in the SPSS program version 21.0. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included in the study, 11 belonging to group I and 9 to group II. The mean age was 68.7 +/- 12.1 years, with a prevalence of the female gender (65%). The intervention group had a significant increase in MEP (p = 0.011), functional independence (p = 0.024), left palmar grip strength (p = 0.017) and peripheral muscle strength (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Both training modalities improved expiratory and peripheral muscle strength. In addition, there was only an increase in functional independence in the intervention group (NMES+TEDS).

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