IMT in Hypercapnic Patients With COPD

The development of chronic hypercapnia in patients with COPD indicates an imbalance of increased ventilatory work caused by hyperinflation and airway resistance and a decreased inspiratory muscle reserve, probably caused by diaphragm- dysfunction. The inspiratory muscle strength can be trained by a devise, which provides a resistance to inspiration. This study will be conducted as an a feasibility study and will examine whether inspiratory muscle training with a Power Breathe device (K3) is possible over a 6 week period in patients with COPD and chronic hypercapnia (pCO2 \> 6 kilo pascal). IMT will be considered as feasible if 80% of the planned training sessions have been completed, and if the maximum inspiratory strength improves by an average of 10% from MIP and if patients do not experience any discomfort or increased dyspnea during training. The training of the respiratory strength is carried out daily with an electronic handheld device (Power Breathe K3) and will consist of 2x30 inspirations per day with the resistance adjusted individually and progressively with a pressure of 30 - 50% of maximal inspiratory pressure. Training will take place in the home.