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To investigate the effects of photobiomodulation applied to respiratory muscles on lung function, thoracoabdominal mobility, respiratory muscle strength, and functional capacity in COPD patients. This is a randomized double-blind crossover clinical trial. Twelve male COPD patients participated in the study. Participants were randomly allocated to receive two photobiomodulation sessions, 1 week apart: (1) an effective photobiomodulation session applied at the main respiratory muscles by means of a cluster with 69 light-emitting diodes (LEDs), containing 35 red (630 ± 10 nm; 10 mW; 0.2 cm 2 ) and 34 near-infrared (830 ± 20 nm; 10 mW; 0.2 cm 2 ) LEDs and (2) a sham photobiomodulation session, following the same procedures without emitting light. The primary outcomes were pulmonary function (spirometric indexes); thoracoabdominal mobility (cirtometry); respiratory muscle strength (maximal respiratory pressures), assessed at three moments: (1) baseline, (2) 1 h after intervention, and (3) 24 h after intervention; and the functional capacity, assessed by the 6-min walk test (6MWT) at baseline and 24 h after intervention. No significant interactions were found for spirometric variables, maximal respiratory pressures, and cirtometry. However, there was a Time × Condition interaction (F = 18.63; p = 0.001; η 2 p  = 0.62) in the walked distance on the 6MWT, with a significant increase after photobiomodulation intervention (p < 0.01) compared with the baseline. Photobiomodulation applied to respiratory muscles was effective in improving acute functional capacity in COPD patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study assessing the effects of photobiomodulation applied to respiratory muscles in patients with COPD.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of thoracic radiotherapy on respiratory function and exercise capacity in patients with breast cancer., Methods: Breast cancer patients in whom thoracic radiotherapy was indicated after surgical treatment and chemotherapy were submitted to HRCT, respiratory evaluation, and exercise capacity evaluation before radiotherapy and at three months after treatment completion. Respiratory muscle strength testing, measurement of chest wall mobility, and complete pulmonary function testing were performed for respiratory evaluation; cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed to evaluate exercise capacity. The total radiotherapy dose was 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/fraction) to the breast or chest wall, including supraclavicular lymph nodes (SCLN) or not. Dose-volume histograms were calculated for each patient with special attention to the ipsilateral lung volume receiving 25 Gy (V25), in absolute and relative values, and mean lung dose., Results: The study comprised 37 patients. After radiotherapy, significant decreases were observed in respiratory muscle strength, chest wall mobility, exercise capacity, and pulmonary function test results (p < 0.05). DLCO was unchanged. HRCT showed changes related to radiotherapy in 87% of the patients, which was more evident in the patients submitted to SCLN irradiation. V25% significantly correlated with radiation pneumonitis., Conclusions: In our sample of patients with breast cancer, thoracic radiotherapy seemed to have caused significant losses in respiratory and exercise capacity, probably due to chest wall restriction; SCLN irradiation represented an additional risk factor for the development of radiation pneumonitis.

Background/objectives: We determined the feasibility of stimulating the major muscles of respiration with different types of electrodes. Intramuscular hook electrodes, model microstimulators (M-Micro) developed in our laboratory, and commercial radiofrequency microstimulators (RFM) (Alfred Mann Foundation, Valencia, CA), were employed in this investigation., Methods: In 8 anesthetized dogs, M-Micro were placed bilaterally on the diaphragm and in the abdominal muscles, and hook electrodes were placed in the 3rd and 5th intercostal regions adjacent to the intercostal nerves known to support inspiration. In 3 of the 8 animals, RFMs (Alfred Mann Foundation) in addition to the M-Micros were sutured to each hemidiaphragm at the same optimal site for phrenic nerve stimulation. During a hyperventilation-induced apnea, 2-second stimulations were applied to the diaphragm and with various combinations of diaphragm plus supporting muscles, both thoracic and abdominal., Results: Diaphragm stimulation alone provided tidal volumes adequate for basal alveolar ventilation. However, implantation of the RFM required greater contact with the muscle. Stimulating other respiratory muscles along with the diaphragm further increased tidal volumes. The hook electrodes, M-Micro, and RFM performed equally well., Conclusions: In the acute dog model, M-Micro and hook electrodes can provide an implant system for the maintenance of ventilation. Support of the intercostal and abdominal muscles has the potential to reduce the contraction requirements of the diaphragm with decreased likelihood of diaphragm fatigue and hypoventilation. Whether the electrodes under investigation could provide an implant system for long-term ventilation needs to be determined.