Effects of Home-Based Daily Respiratory Muscle Training on Swallowing Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Stroke: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

(1) Background: Swallowing disorders are common following a stroke. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a home-based daily intervention focused on inspiratory and expiratory muscle training on swallowing outcomes in patients with chronic stroke. (2) Methods: This manuscript presents the protocol of a single-blind randomized clinical trial. Patients with chronic stroke will be randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The experimental group will undergo daily home-based respiratory muscle training in addition to standard speech and language therapy, while the control group will receive only the standard intervention. The main outcome measures will include the aspiration risk, the strength of respiratory muscles, and peak cough flow. (3) Results: It is hypothesized that patients receiving home-based respiratory training in addition to standard therapy will achieve significant improvements in aspiration risk, respiratory muscle strength, and cough efficacy in comparison with those included in the control group. The results will be published as a manuscript. (4) Conclusions: This study aims to provide evidence on the effectiveness of home-based respiratory muscle training in enhancing swallowing function and respiratory parameters in patients with chronic stroke.