Pulmonary & Respiratory Medicine

Incentive Spirometer and Respiratory Muscle Training Devices: What Do Physiotherapists Need to Know?

Abstract

Dipti Kadu*

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in pre-habilitation, post-operative care, and rehabilitation to reduce postoperative pulmonary complications. The use of various devices like incentive spirometers, and respiratory muscle training devices is an integral part of chest physiotherapy. Currently, there are many devices available in the market, which have been used in physiotherapy. Despite their regular use in the clinical setup, many clinical practitioners do not have thorough knowledge about their functioning and effect. This article intends to make physiotherapists aware of the types, components, teaching techniques, and uses of such devices, to have optimal and specific benefits. The knowledge of these devices may help professionals to select the best device to be used. To select the most appropriate one, it is also necessary to consider the specific health condition, the nature of the impairments, the purpose of the training, and whether its use is within a research or clinical context.