Could you compare/contrast with the EMST150?
Devices that provide EMT only, which are predominantly used for cough, airway clearance and swallow problems (EMST-150, Resistex), fail to address the importance of the inspiratory muscles for these functions. While EMT has a beneficial effect on dysphagia and swallowing, studies on people with neurological diseases have shown that “(the) number of swallows per bolus and swallowing time correlated to maximal inspiratory pressures (MIPs) but not to maximal expiratory pressures (MEP).” Inspiratory muscle strength, therefore, is essential for swallowing function, a fact that is widely neglected. The Breather provides both IMT and EMT and offers a more balanced effect, training all respiratory muscles, and increasing both MIP and MEP, which should enhance the effect on swallowing function in dysphagia. In contrast to the EMST-150, the Breather strengthens both inspiratory and expiratory muscles to improve swallow physiology.
Breather and Breather Fit offer a wider range of pressures that can be generated and may therefore be suitable for a more expansive patient range. Based on these assessments, the benefits of both devices should be comparable, with the added benefit of strengthening the inspiratory muscles, causing a reduction in dyspnea and increasing exercise tolerancefor the Breather. The Breather has been used extensively in patients with swallow impairment.