Update on the approach of respiratory therapy in patients with neuromuscular diseases

• Main Authors: Priscilla Barreto Paula, Laura Maria de Lima Belizário Facury Lasmar, Maria Teresa Mohallem Fonseca, Marina Belisário Carvalhais, Maria da Glória Rodrigues Machado
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Universidade de Fortaleza 2010-03-01
• Series: Revista Brasileira em Promoção da Saúde
• Subjects: Neuromuscular Diseases; Physical Therapy; Vital Capacity; Respiratory Failure
• Online Access: http://www.unifor.br/images/pdfs/rbps/artigo12_2010.1.pdf

Objective: To assess the role of physiotherapy in approaching neuromuscular disease (NMD), with emphasis on preventive and therapeutic aspects of respiratory therapy. Methods: A nonsystematic literature review covering the past twenty years, using the databases MEDLINE and LILACS through the following descriptors: neuromuscular diseases, physical therapy, vital capacity and respiratory failure. Results: The studies reviewed show the need to establish a routine periodic evaluation of respiratory function in order to introduce physical therapy measures relevant to each stage of the disease. The monitoring should include pulmonary function tests and specific techniques of chest physiotherapy, in order to avoid complications such as respiratory failure. Conclusion: The introduction of regular monitoring and preventive physiotherapy measures have helped to increase survival and improve quality of life of patients with neuromuscular diseases.