ABSTRACT
Inspiratory muscle training (IMT), first applied by Leith and Bradley in
1976 (1), has been used in several pathological conditions in which respiratory muscle function is impaired. Although there are data regarding the
effects of IMT in neuromuscular diseases, asthma, and cystic fibrosis, the
largest experience refers to patients with COPD. Even though the effects
of IMT in these patients have been studied for more than 20 years, the role
of this intervention in pulmonary rehabilitation remains controversial.
