This study analyzed the effects of IMT on the oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) with inspiratory muscle weakness (IMW). Thirty-two CHF patients were randomly assigned to either a 12-week program of IMT or placebo-IMT. PImax and OUES were obtained before and after the intervention. Inspiratory muscle training resulted in 115% increment in PImax and in significant improvement in OUES. There were no significant changes in the P-IMT group. There was a significant association between the changes in PImax and OUES.
In chronic heart failure patients with inspiratory muscle weakness, Inspiratory muscle training results in a significant increase in OUES.