Impact of a Structural Phonation Training on Respiratory Muscle Function in Patients With Structural Heart Disease

Most patients with complex congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathy from acquired heart disease have reduced exercise capacity (VO2 max). Furthermore, exercise capacity is associated with respiratory muscle strength and function (maximal inspiratory (MIP) and maximal respiratory (MEP) pressures. If structured respiratory muscle training positively influences respiratory muscle function in patients with complex congenital heart disease or cardiomyopathy from acquired heart disease is not well known.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of a structured phonation and respiratory training with regular singing lessons on respiratory muscle strength and function (MIP and MEP), exercise capacity (VO2 max), NT-proBNP and quality of life.

This is an interventional, single-centre, randomized study. Patients will be recruited from the heart failure and congenital heart disease clinic of the University hospital Basel. Patients will be asked to participate in a structured phonation and respiratory muscle training for 12 weeks. The structured phonation and respiratory muscle training includes weekly singing lessons in a choir, held by a professional instructor, with additional instructions for daily respiratory muscle strength training at home. Respiratory muscle function (MIP and MEP), exercise capacity (VO2max) and quality of life will be measured at the beginning of the intervention and after 12 weeks of interventional training. In parallel, respiratory muscle function, exercise capacity, NT-proBNP and quality of life will be measured in a gender and age matched group of patients without performing the intervention and in a healthy control group who co-participate the choir lessons and the respiratory muscle training. Primary endpoint is the change of maximal inspiratory pressures (MIP) between patients with and without a structured phonation and respiratory muscle training. Secondary endpoints are changes of MEP, VO2max, NT-proBNP and quality of life between patients with and without the intervention; changes of all measured variables between patients and the healthy control group, and changes of all measured variables before and after the intervention in patients. Inclusion criteria: Patients >18 years with known cardiomyopathy from acquired heart disease (ischemic or dilated) or complex forms of congenital heart disease. Exclusion criteria: Acute coronary syndrome ≤6 months or heart failure hospitalization ≤12 months.

Structural singing lesions and respiratory muscle function training may improve respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with heart failure or complex congenital heart disease. The intervention comes at low costs, can be applied by most of the patients and is feasible even for disabled patients who are not able to participate in regular exercise training. Furthermore, singing may improve respiratory muscle strength and exercise capacity even in the healthy population.