Inspiratory muscle training in people with Huntington's disease

ISRCTN ISRCTN90741776
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN90741776
Secondary identifying numbers Version 2
Submission date
13/01/2013
Registration date
26/02/2013
Last edited
24/06/2016
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nervous System Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
People with neurodegenerative (relating to or characterized by degeneration of nervous tissue) conditions often have reduced breathing ability which impairs their ability to cough. Early findings from an ongoing study in people with Huntington’s disease (HD) show decreased strength in the muscles used to breathe in. This suggests that breathing muscle weakness may underlie the tendency to chest infections as HD progresses. Weak breathing muscles may also influence the ability to carry out physical activity. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of inspiratory (breathing in) muscle training in people with early and mid-stage HD and whether the training programme strengthens the breathing muscles. This small study is needed in order to design future investigations into the effectiveness of inspiratory training and guide physiotherapists in the best management of respiratory problems in people with HD.

Who can participate?
People aged over 18, with early or mid-stage Huntington’s disease, who are able to follow instructions and can commit to six weeks training.

What does the study involve?
The exercise programme involves breathing in through a hand held device that provides resistance to the breath. Twenty people with early and mid-stage HD will be divided into two groups. Each group will carry out the same training, with one group breathing against a higher resistance than the other. Participants will be asked to use the device twice daily for six weeks. We will assess participants before and after the training programme and look to see if there are any changes in breathing strength, cough strength and a functional task. We will also ask 10 people to take part in an interview that will allow them to discuss how they felt about the training programme, the device and whether they felt any benefit from a regular training programme focussed on breathing.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There may be no direct benefits to anyone taking part in the study. The study is being undertaken to find out whether or not the intervention is beneficial to people with HD. By taking part in the study, participants will be helping us answer this question irrespective of the group they are in. There is low risk associated with inspiratory muscle training. Participants may feel some discomfort during training, but this will not cause any harm. This will be explained to the participants during the initial visit.

Where is the study run from?
Cardiff University (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to last?
The study started in October 2011 and will run for 2 years

Who is funding the study?
European Huntington’s Disease Network

Who is the main contact?
Una Jones
jonesuf@cardiff.ac.uk

Contact information

Mrs Una Jones
Scientific

School of Healthcare Studies
Cardiff University
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF14 4XN
United Kingdom

Email jonesuf@cardiff.ac.uk

Study information

Study designPilot randomised controlled feasibility study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeQuality of life
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleFeasibility and benefit of Inspiratory Muscle Training in people with Huntington’s Disease: a pilot randomised controlled feasibility study
Study acronymFIMTHD
Study hypothesisInspiratory muscle training increases inspiratory muscle strength in people with Huntington’s Disease (HD)
Ethics approval(s)Wales Research Ethics Committee, 21/07/2011, ref: 11/WA/0183
ConditionHuntington's disease
InterventionAll subjects will carry out training of 30 breaths through the training device, two times per day, seven days per week. The resistance given to subjects in the training group will be 50% of their maximal inspiratory strength. This can be set automatically by the training device.

Resistance given to subjects in the control group will be set at 8cmH2O, which is known to have no training effect (Geddes 2008).

The participant will not know to which group they are assigned.
Intervention typeDevice
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
Phase
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)
Primary outcome measureInspiratory muscle strength, measured using sniff nasal inspiratory pressure at baseline and end of training.
Secondary outcome measures1. Inspiratory muscle strength, measured using maximal inspiratory pressure at baseline and end of training
2. Cough strength, measured by peak cough flow at baseline and end of training
3. Functional activity, measured by 30 second sit to stand at baseline and end of training
Overall study start date03/10/2011
Overall study end date03/10/2013

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants20
Participant inclusion criteria1. Age > 18, either sex
2. Genetically confirmed HD
3. Capacity to give informed consent
4. Inspiratory muscle strength < 80% predicted for age and height
5. Maintenance of a stable medical regime for 4 weeks prior to initiation of study
Participant exclusion criteria1. History of additional prior neurological condition, such as stroke
2. Uncontrolled psychiatric symptoms
3. History of spontaneous pneumothorax / unstable asthma / chronic respiratory condition
Recruitment start date03/10/2011
Recruitment end date03/10/2013

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • United Kingdom
  • Wales

Study participating centre

Cardiff University
Cardiff
CF14 4XN
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Cardiff University (UK)
University/education

Research and commercial division
30-36 Newport Road
Cardiff
CF24 0DE
Wales
United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0)29 2087 9277
Email resgov@cardiff.ac.uk
Website http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03kk7td41

Funders

Funder type

Research organisation

European Huntington's Disease Network ref: seed fund 268

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 23/06/2016 Yes No

Editorial Notes

24/06/2016: Publication reference added.