Introduction:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disorder of the nervous system.Diaphragm can also weakens due to the destruction of motor neurons.One of the methods for strengthening the inspiratory muscles, is using of a training device for inspiratory muscles (Inspiratory Muscle Training, IMT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of IMT on different pulmonary and exercise performance indices in ALS patients. Materials and Methods: All ALS patients referring to the lung clinic of Masih Daneshvari Hospital, who doesn t have other diseases especially orthopedic problems and the ability to attend rehabilitation sessions were referred to Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center.The first group included a conventional lung rehab program.In the second group, in addition to the conventional lung rehab program, IMT was also used.The duration of the training period was 8 weeks in both groups, and people perform the exercises twice a day.The following indices were evaluated: Respiratorymuscle strength including PIMAX (maximal inspiratory pressure) and PEMAX (maximal expiratory pressure)and SINDEX(Inspiratory Muscle Strength Index). Spirometric indices including FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second)and FVC(forced vital capacity), blood-gas analysis and 6-minute walk distance tests, SINDEX index through IMT in first and last session were measured.At the end of the intervention period, all of the indices were recorded again and statistical analyzes were performed. Result: In the first step, as a pilot study, 7 patients were studied, of which 5 were male and 2 were female. The mean age was 58 in men and 55 years in women.The results showed that SINDEX and PIMAX indices were significantly different in IMT group before and after treatment. The PEMAX index, though after treatment, was higher (8% higher than before treatment), but this increase was not statistically significant. Spirometric indices and analysis of blood gases did not show any significant difference at the beginning and the end of treatment. Conclusion: The findings showed that SINDEX and PIMAX indices indicating strength of muscle strength were significantly different before and after treatment using IMT. Other indicators also increased after treatment, but this increase was not statistically significant, which can be attributed to a small number ofsamples.Considering the proper results of using the IMT device and for better data analysis, this study continues.