Methods 40 patients with PMV were randomly assigned to three groups: AWT group (n=12), AWT+CM group (n=14) and control group (n=14). The effectiveness on pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength and cough ability were compared among these three groups.
The patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) have the risk of ineffective coughing and infection due to diaphragm weakness, making it more difficult to wean. This study aimed to explore the intervention of abdominal weight training (AWT) with/ without cough machine (CM) on lung function, respiratory muscle strength and cough ability in these patients.