Investigating Muscle Training's Respiratory Outcomes and Voice Enhancement in Parkinson's Disease

This study aims to investigate the effects of respiratory muscle training on pulmonary function, diaphragm excursion, and phonatory measures in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). PD often leads to weakened respiratory muscles, reduced diaphragm movement, and voice abnormalities, impacting breathing and communication. The study will recruit 45 patients with PD, who will be randomly assigned to three groups: an inspiratory muscle training group, a combined inspiratory and expiratory muscle training group, and a placebo-controlled expiratory muscle training group. Over eight weeks, participants will perform daily training sessions, with the intensity of the exercises adjusted periodically. Assessments will include pulmonary function tests, ultrasound measurements of diaphragm thickness and movement, and various phonatory evaluations. The hypothesis is that respiratory muscle training will significantly improve respiratory and phonatory functions in PD patients compared to placebo, providing insights into effective rehabilitation strategies for enhancing their quality of life and communication abilities.