Maximal respiratory pressures: devices and procedures used by Brazilian physical therapists

Abstract

Measuring maximal respiratory pressures - a method for assessing respiratory muscle strength - is a voluntary, effort-dependent test broadly used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. There is a large variety of devices and interfaces available to perform this procedure, which leads to a relative absence of standardization. The aim of this survey was to ascertain devices, procedures and interpretation parameters used in measuring maximal respiratory pressures among Brazilian physical therapists. Nineteen respiratory physical therapists, in charge at 13 institutions in three regions of the country, answered a questionnaire on those issues. Results show prevalence of use of analogue respiratory pressure meters (60%), with a silicon tube (60%) and a cylindrical mouthpiece (53,4%) with 1- to 2-mm diameter air-leak opening, associated to use of nose clip (100%). When measuring, they perform a minimum of three acceptable and reproducible tests (80%), and in analysing pressure values all of them use reference values or predictive equations. Data suggest a relative uniformity in measuring maximal respiratory pressures among Brazilian physical therapists.