Does Inspiratory Muscle Training Improve Lung Function and Quality of Life in people with Inclusion Body Myositis?

Intervention: An intervention protocol has been chosen following a review of the literature reviewing IMT in people with neuromuscular disorders. The training protocol is as follows: Participants will complete an inspiratory training session twice a day at home with a Philips Respironics Threshold Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) device, 5 days each week, for approximately 10 minutes each session. This program would take a total of twelve weeks and involve a starting resistance of 30% of participants’ maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) as measured at their first visit to the IIID Clinic. Resistance would then increase every second week by 10% of their MIP, such that the third and fourth week involves a resistance of 40% of their original MIP, the fifth and sixth weeks at 50% of original MIP and the final six weeks of training involving a resistance of 60% of their original MIP. In each session, participants would aim to complete 4 sets of 10 inhalation repetitions with a 1-minute break consisting of non-resisted breathing between each set. Each participant will keep a journal to track compliance or adverse effects and will have a weekly telephone or zoom check in with someone from the research team to discuss their training compliance and any concerns they may have. Education of the device will be conducted during initial testing by their regular care team including specific device education with their physiotherapist who has over 30 years of experience.