INSPIRATORY MUSCLE TRAINING: A POSSIBLE COUNTERMEASURE FOR AUTONOMIC DYSFUNCTION IN PARKINSON´S DISEASE?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that may affect both cognitive and cardiovascular autonomic functions. Impaired cognitive function is associated with a decreased heart rate variability (HRV) in mild cognitive impairment, suggesting a link between cardiac autonomic control and cognition reserve. Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is a non-pharmacological strategy that increases inspiratory muscle strength and has been used as a beneficial intervention in improving cardiovascular autonomic modulation and quality of life. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of IMT on cognitive functions and HRV in PD are unclear.