Influence of Improvement in Respiratory Muscle Strength on Recovery of Balance and Gait Ability in Patients With Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Decreased respiratory muscle strength in patients with stroke may cause breathing difficulties, and cardiopulmonary function and exercise capacity may decline, which may reduce balance and gait ability. Objects: This study aimed to determine the influence of improved respiratory muscle...

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Main Authors: Hee-yong Park, Ui-jae Hwang, Oh-yun Kwon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Korean Research Society of Physical Therapy 2025-08-01
Series:Physical Therapy Korea
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author Hee-yong Park
Ui-jae Hwang
Oh-yun Kwon
author_facet Hee-yong Park
Ui-jae Hwang
Oh-yun Kwon
author_sort Hee-yong Park
collection DOAJ
description Background: Decreased respiratory muscle strength in patients with stroke may cause breathing difficulties, and cardiopulmonary function and exercise capacity may decline, which may reduce balance and gait ability. Objects: This study aimed to determine the influence of improved respiratory muscle strength on the recovery of balance and gait ability at discharge in patients with stroke. Methods: This prospective observational study involved 21 patients clinically diagnosed with stroke. Multiple regression models with a forward selection procedure were used to investigate whether the improvement of respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP] and maximal expiratory pressure) can contribute to the recovery of balance (Trunk Impairment Scale, Berg Balance Scale, Brunel Balance Assessment, and five times sit-to-stand) and gait (10-meter walk test, timed up and go, and 6-minute walk test [6MWT]) ability. Results: In the forward selection regression analysis, MIP was an influencing factor, accounting for 36.2% of the variance in the 6MWT. Conclusion: This result suggests that an improvement in MIP influences the increase in distance in the 6MWT. Therefore, it is important to evaluate respiratory muscle strength. Inspiratory muscle strengthening can recommended improving endurance and functional walking ability in patients with stroke.
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series Physical Therapy Korea
spelling doaj-art-b040730d883c473da3e856436e15071a2025-08-22T07:03:35ZengKorean Research Society of Physical TherapyPhysical Therapy Korea1225-89622287-982X2025-08-0132212112810.12674/ptk.2025.32.2.121Influence of Improvement in Respiratory Muscle Strength on Recovery of Balance and Gait Ability in Patients With Stroke: A Prospective Observational StudyHee-yong Park0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6972-4160Ui-jae Hwang1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2050-5503Oh-yun Kwon2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9699-768XDepartment of Physical Therapy, Joongbu University, Geumsan, KoreaDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China Department of Physical Therapy, College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju, KoreaDepartment of Physical Therapy, College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Laboratory of Kinetic Ergocise Based on Movement Analysis, Yonsei University, Wonju, KoreaBackground: Decreased respiratory muscle strength in patients with stroke may cause breathing difficulties, and cardiopulmonary function and exercise capacity may decline, which may reduce balance and gait ability. Objects: This study aimed to determine the influence of improved respiratory muscle strength on the recovery of balance and gait ability at discharge in patients with stroke. Methods: This prospective observational study involved 21 patients clinically diagnosed with stroke. Multiple regression models with a forward selection procedure were used to investigate whether the improvement of respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP] and maximal expiratory pressure) can contribute to the recovery of balance (Trunk Impairment Scale, Berg Balance Scale, Brunel Balance Assessment, and five times sit-to-stand) and gait (10-meter walk test, timed up and go, and 6-minute walk test [6MWT]) ability. Results: In the forward selection regression analysis, MIP was an influencing factor, accounting for 36.2% of the variance in the 6MWT. Conclusion: This result suggests that an improvement in MIP influences the increase in distance in the 6MWT. Therefore, it is important to evaluate respiratory muscle strength. Inspiratory muscle strengthening can recommended improving endurance and functional walking ability in patients with stroke.gaitmaximal respiratory pressurespostural balancestroke
spellingShingle Hee-yong Park
Ui-jae Hwang
Oh-yun Kwon
Influence of Improvement in Respiratory Muscle Strength on Recovery of Balance and Gait Ability in Patients With Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study
Physical Therapy Korea
gait
maximal respiratory pressures
postural balance
stroke
title Influence of Improvement in Respiratory Muscle Strength on Recovery of Balance and Gait Ability in Patients With Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study
title_full Influence of Improvement in Respiratory Muscle Strength on Recovery of Balance and Gait Ability in Patients With Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study
title_fullStr Influence of Improvement in Respiratory Muscle Strength on Recovery of Balance and Gait Ability in Patients With Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study
title_full_unstemmed Influence of Improvement in Respiratory Muscle Strength on Recovery of Balance and Gait Ability in Patients With Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study
title_short Influence of Improvement in Respiratory Muscle Strength on Recovery of Balance and Gait Ability in Patients With Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study
title_sort influence of improvement in respiratory muscle strength on recovery of balance and gait ability in patients with stroke a prospective observational study
topic gait
maximal respiratory pressures
postural balance
stroke
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AT uijaehwang influenceofimprovementinrespiratorymusclestrengthonrecoveryofbalanceandgaitabilityinpatientswithstrokeaprospectiveobservationalstudy
AT ohyunkwon influenceofimprovementinrespiratorymusclestrengthonrecoveryofbalanceandgaitabilityinpatientswithstrokeaprospectiveobservationalstudy