Activity and Fatigue of the Respiratory Muscles and Pulmonary Characteristics in Post-Polio Patients

Comparison of Activity and Fatigue of the Respiratory Muscles and Pulmonary Characteristics Between Post-Polio Patients and Healthy Controls: A Pilot Study

Background: Early diagnosis of respiratory impairment in Post-Polio (PPS) patients may delay respiratory decline and future need of invasive respiratory aids. Objectives: To compare pulmonary function measures, maximal respiratory pressure and activity levels and fatigue of respiratory muscles between patients with PPS and healthy controls. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Hadassah physical medicine and rehabilitation department, Jerusalem. Patients: Patients with PPS (N=12; 6 males; age 62.1±11.6 years) able to walk for 6 minutes without human assistance; age-matched healthy subjects (N=12; 4 males; age 62.2±6.5 years). Intervention: None. Measurements: A body plethysmograph was used to quantify forced expiratory volume in the first second of a forced expiratory maneuver, vital capacity, slow vital capacity, Residual Volume (RV), Total Lung Capacity (TLC), and Thoracic Gas Volume (TGV). Also, RV to TLC ratio is calculated. A manometer was used to measure Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (MIP) and Maximal Expiratory Pressure (MEP). A spirometer was used to measure Maximal Voluntary Ventilation (MVV). Surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded diaphragmatic muscle activity during rest and while performing MVV.

Surface electromyography (sEMG) recorded diaphragmatic muscle activity during rest and while performing maximal voluntary ventilation

Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosed with post-polio syndrome Able to walk for 6 minutes, with or without walking aids and orthotics but without human assistance Exclusion Criteria: Any neurological or orthopedic condition, unrelated to post-polio syndrome