For Clinicians
How to avoid duplication of services with this multidisciplinary tool.
How does Respiratory Muscle Training fit into the scope of Practices for a Speech Language Pathology?
How does Respiratory Muscle Training fit into the scope of practices for a respiratory Therapist?
How Does Respiratory Muscle Training fit into the scope of practices for a Physician or Physician Extender?
How does Respiratory Muscle Training it into the scope of practices for nursing?
What are the benefits of Respiratory Muscle Training for those with lung disease?
If I have an Incentive Spirometer do I still need The Breather?
Is there any contraindication for someone with a recent Mallory-Weiss tear using The Breather?
I would expect that the tear should be repaired and allowed to completely heal prior to introducing The Breather. The Device Dial Pressures document can be helpful to discuss pressures generated during RMT with the Breather for physician clearance to ...
Can RMT be done in conjunction with mechanical ventilation
After assessment, if the patient is stable enough to be off the mechanical ventilator for a period of time, supported by suplimental oxygen, RMT sets may continue under physician supervision to confirm the appropriateness.
Why is Breather not recommended for patients with Myotonic dystonia and how can it be modified for this client group?
There have been no clinical investigations in the use of RMT for myotonic dystonia. Use of the Breather for respiratory muscle strengthening is only recommended under strict supervision of the attending physician in order to prevent respiratory ...
Evidence for use of the Breather in Dysphagia?
Expiratory muscle strength is essential for optimal cough and swallow function. Strengthening of the expiratory muscles by regular application of the Breather can alleviate the symptoms of dysphagia by improving cough volume and acceleration, and ...
Is it possible to use this with a trach?
Yes, that is possible, but you have to use your clinical judgement. Maybe try whether the patient can finger occlude first? I have used RMT with patients with a trach and I have them finger occlude while they do the Breather. It's real easy to take ...
Do you have any supporting documentation/references/research articles on how the Breather improves hyo-laryngeal elevation/functioning?
RMT, particularly of the expiratory muscles, has been shown to specifically improve hyolaryngeal function by increasing movement of the hyolaryngeal complex after 4 weeks of use. In addition, assessment of muscle activity by surface EMG revealed that ...
Is there or has there been any research about the cognitive benefits of using the breather device?
This area of investigation has only emerged recently but is followed with great attention. A study using very weak respiratory exercise (incentive spirometry) in elderly people has shown that respiratory exercise provides cognitive benefits such as ...
Any success with using the Breather to improve swallow function?
There is good indication that the Breather should improve swallowing, as it trains both inspiratory and expiratory muscles. Scientific evidence has shown that improvements in expiratory muscle strength correlate with improved swallowing function in ...
Does it lower CO2 levels?
While this has not been measured directly (I think), RMT delays the lactate threshold and the time to fatigue and may increase VO2max, which strongly indicates thst it lowers CO2 levels.
Pulmonary Hypertension which is presumed to have been caused by undiagnosed sleep apnea. Will the Breather help? I do use a CPAP machine now.
Yes, RMT has been shown for sleep apnea, improving both quality and quantity of sleep, especially in mild to moderate cases: https://www.pnmedical.com/therapeutic-use/other-diseases/effect-of-rmt-on-sleep-architecture-in-obstructive-sleep-apnea/. In ...
Are there any studies related to using the RMT with a partially paralyzed diaphragm?
Yes, there are 2 case studies demonstrating the benefits of RMT on diaphragmatic paralysis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19111633, https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1164/ajrccm-conference.2019.199.1_MeetingAbstracts.A3744, as well as a ...
Bronchestasis
There are many people with Bronchestasis condition that use the Breather. It can be helpful to strengthen the muscles of respiration for those who need to cough up mucous frequently - stronger muscles make for more efficient coughing. Exhale against ...
Can you use this if you have a pacemaker?
I checked with our Master Clinician regarding your question and she says, "I don’t think there’s an issue doing RMT related to having a pacemaker." But as always we strongly recommend that you consult with your clinician, doctor, or therapist before ...
Will it help with voice cracking
Studies using the Breather in people with voice disorders have shown that RMT helps improve vocal intensity, breathiness, strain, pitch range, and semitone range, as well as breath support for voice (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33992476/). Based on these ...
Use of the Breather on patients suffering Dyspnea
Dyspnea is a manifestation of respiratory muscle weakness, which is associated with a wide range of disorders beyond COPD. The Breather alleviates the symptoms of dyspnea and associated exercise tolerance irrespective of the underlying reason.
Why is Breather not recommended for clients with Myotonic dystonia and how can it be modified for this client group?
There have been no clinical investigations in the use of RMT for myotonic dystonia. Use of the Breather for respiratory muscle strengthening is only recommended under strict supervision of the attending physician in order to prevent respiratory ...
Can this help damage caused by chemo and radiation
It may not work on the damage directly, but on associated or consequential respiratory muscle impairment, or, the respiratory muscle strengthening, and hence the "optimization" of the system may compensate for respiratory/cardiac impairment caused by ...
Dysphagia
Expiratory muscle strength is essential for optimal cough and swallows function. Strengthening of the expiratory muscles by regular application of the Breather can alleviate the symptoms of dysphagia by improving cough volume and acceleration, and ...
Trach removed open stoma
The Breather can be used with a well-healing, yet actively closing stoma that is bandaged. We recommend the patient place 3 fingers over the bandaged stoma to provide support during RMT. Regular monitoring of stoma healing should suffice.
Cystic Fibrosis
Respiratory Muscle Training has proven beneficial in some studies in patients with CF. Especially in combination with exercise, RMT may increase your respiratory muscle strength, exercise tolerance, and oxygen uptake. In addition, RMT may reduce the ...
Pulmonary Fibrosis (non-idiopathic)
Patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis will benefit from the Breather, as respiratory muscle weakness is associated with most cases of PF, albeit to a possibly lesser degree than with COPD. We recommend use of the standard pulmonary protocol.
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
The effectiveness of Respiratory Muscle Training has been shown in 2 studies comparing RMT with pulmonary rehabilitation or an exercise regime to exercise alone over 8 to 12 weeks. Additional benefits that can be attributed to RMT are improved ...
Bilateral vocal cord abductor paralysis
Regarding the patient with bilateral vocal fold paralysis. I am not sure that The Breather would be indicated since the patient's problem is at the level of the glottis. Often times these patients end up with a tracheostomy due to upper airway ...
COPD but also heart failure
Both COPD and heart failure are respiratory muscle disorders, therefore sharing a range of symptoms such as dyspnea and exercise tolerance. Respiratory Muscle Traning using the Breather is highly beneficial to improve dyspnea, exercise tolerance, and ...
Could this be used for emphysema?
Yes, the Breather may be beneficial as it can help to optimize oxygen uptake. Some patients with emphysema have reported reduced use of oxygen after use of the Breather. Would you like to discuss further with one of our clinicians? Alternatively you ...
I have IPF. Is this item any benefit for me.
The effectiveness of Respiratory Muscle Training for IPF has been shown in 2 studies comparing RMT with pulmonary rehabilitation or an exercise regime to exercise alone over 8 to 12 weeks. Additional benefits that can be attributed to RMT are ...
Does it help with chronic bronchitis?
The Breather is helpful for chronic bronchitis. Patient experience confirms that use of the Breather has decreased the use of medication and/or the oxygen usage in people with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Please have a look at the testimony ...
Pulmonary fibrosis
There's currently no cure for pulmonary fibrosis. The main aim of treatment is to relieve the symptoms as much as possible and slow down their progression. Respiratory muscle training (RMT) with Breather can help in improving o2 sat%. ...
Questions on mechanical ventilator like How does a mechanical vent patient use this?
The Breather can be used on a patient that is on a mechanical ventilator to help with respiratory muscle weakness and to help with the process of weaning. Two things MUST APPLY: 1. Patient has a tracheotomy and not an endotracheal tube (not ...
Would this work for CF patients?
RMT has proven beneficial in some studies in patients with CF. Especially in combination with exercise, RMT may increase your respiratory muscle strength, exercise tolerance, and oxygen uptake. In addition, RMT may reduce the frequency of ...
Are there other conditions for which the Breather might be helpful?
Respiratory muscle training (RMT) such as using the Breather is beneficial and contributes to health and rehabilitation for a number of conditions, including COPD , asthma, obstructive sleep apnea , dysphagia , vocal fold pathologies , Parkinson’s ...
Would it help with Spasmodic Dysphonia and vocal tremors?
Respiratory Muscle Training has been shown effective in related cases of dysphonia, dystonia, and voice tremor, by increasing pressure for voice production and improving voice quality, intensity and quality of life. Strengthening of respiratory ...
Is this good for someone with one lung?
Yes, as it will optimize the lung function by improving respiratory capacity, oxygen uptake, and diaphragm function." I invite you to write or call one of our therapists directly at Therapy Support: care@pnmedical.com or Call: 877-414-4449 if you ...
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