Respiratory Muscle Strength Training: Does it Work? (2025)

Présenté par Kari Clark, MA, S-LP(C); Colleen Braun-Janzen, R.SLP, MA, S-LP(C); and Kevin Lindland, MSc, R.SLP

Respiratory muscle strength training (RMST) is a treatment technique designed to enhance the strength and endurance of the respiratory muscles. Research studies have shown that RMST can reduce shortness of breath, improve cough and swallowing function and increase exercise tolerance in patients with chronic respiratory conditions.

Subsequent studies have provided preliminary evidence that RMST can improve respiratory, cough and swallowing function in patients diagnosed with a number of acute and progressive neurological conditions.

This presentation will provide an overview of an RMST clinical guideline created to provide clinicians with a summary of the clinical literature, exercise principles underlying RMST, criteria to determine a patient’s suitability for this intervention and a description of assessment, outcome measurement and treatment protocols. Case examples will highlight the use of RMST with acute and progressive medical conditions.

Learning objectives:

Provide a summary of evidence supporting the clinical efficacy of RMST.
- What is the level of evidence indicating that RMST can induce changes in respiratory, swallowing or motor speech physiology? In which patient populations?
Provide overview of principles of exercise physiology and neural plasticity and their application to dysphagia rehabilitation.
Provide a clinical framework to support practitioners in decisions about the use of respiratory muscle strength training (RMST) pressure threshold devices with adult clients.
- Determination of RMST candidacy based on a patient’s medical diagnosis and physiological impairments.
- Inclusion/exclusion criteria.
Provide guidance on RMST assessment, outcome and treatment procedures.