Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) is a condition that results from abnormal vocal fold adduction upon inspiration (Abdel-Hamid, 2018). Symptoms of this ailment include dyspnea, choking sensations, an audible stridor, and/or coughing during physical exertion (Marcinow et al., 2014). These symptoms affect an individual’s ability to breathe adequately during exercise. A review of current literature suggests that there are a variety of interventions that can be used to reduce perceived dyspnea in individuals who suffer from EILO. One such intervention is known as inspiratory muscle training (IMT), which works to reduce dyspnea by strengthening the primary muscle of inspiration: the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle (Mathers-Schmidt and Brilla, 2005). The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of IMT by measuring its effects on maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, maximum phonation time, and perceived dyspnea as measured by the Dyspnea Index (Gartner-Schmidt et al., 2014). In this single-subject research study, IMT was administered to one participant, a 24-year-old female with a medical diagnosis of EILO, over the course of six continuous weeks. The results of this study indicate that IMT is an effective intervention that professionals should consider when treating patients and clients with EILO.

Year manuscript completed

2023

Year degree awarded

2023

Author's Keywords

exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction, inspiratory muscle training, maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, dyspnea

Dissertation Committee Chair

J. Nikki Gaylord

Thesis Advisor

J. Nikki Gaylord

Committee Chair

Stephanie Schaaf

Committee Member

Becky Jones

Document Type

Thesis

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