Evaluation of Recovery Efficacy of Inspiratory Muscle Training After Lobectomy Based on Computed Tomography 3D Reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Progressive resistance inspiratory muscle training is the principle of inspiratory air-flow resistance loading training to restore diaphragm function, increase alveolar compliance, and further improve respiratory function. However, there is a lack of research on the effectiveness of progressive resistance inspiratory training in post-lobectomy rehabilitation and the accurate assessment of lung volumes.

METHODS: In this study, 79 subjects diagnosed with lung cancer and undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy were retrospectively analyzed. The subjects were divided into a control group (n = 40) and an observation group (n = 39) according to the different training modalities. The control group received conventional respiratory training. The observation group received progressive resistance inspiratory muscle training based on conventional breathing training. The primary outcome indicators were the following: lung function and lung volume. The secondary outcome indicators were the following: the number of postoperative hospital days, duration of drain retention, and incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications.

RESULTS: Baseline data on age, sex, body mass index, smoking history, education level, underlying disease, type of pathology, lung cancer stages, surgical site, preoperative lung volume, and preoperative lung function were not statistically different between the 2 groups (P > .05). The subjects in the observation group had median (interquartile range [IQR]) lung volumes at 1 month after surgery (3.22 [3.12–3.37] L vs 3.14 [2.95–3.24] L; P = .031), median (IQR) FEV₁ (2.11 [1.96–2.21] L vs 2.01 [1.81–2.12] L; P = .031), and mean ± SD peak expiratory flow (5.07 ± 0.62 L/s vs 4.66 ± 0.64 L/s; P = .005) were higher than those in the control group. The median (IQR) postoperative hospital stays (5 [4–5] d vs 5 [4–6] d; P = .030) and the median (IQR) chest drain retention times were shorter in the observation group versus the control group (74 [72–96] h vs 96 [84–96] h; P = .02). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative atelectasis (5.1% vs 10.0%; P = .41) and pneumonia (7.7% vs 12.5%; P = .48).

CONCLUSIONS: Progressive resistance inspiratory muscle training was effective in improving lung volume and lung function, and in reducing the length of hospital stay and chest drain closure time after lobectomy.