JMIR mHealth and uHealth · Published 2026-04-14 · DOI 10.2196/78637
Abstract BackgroundRespiratory dysfunction frequently occurs during the acute phase of stroke and is associated with reduced ventilatory capacity, respiratory muscle weakness, and increased pulmonary complications. However, delivering standardized respiratory training during hospitalization is often constrained by staffing and service continuity. ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and feasibility of a hospital-based comprehensive mobile-based respiratory training program (CMRTP) added to conventional rehabilitation in people with acute stroke who are inpatients. MethodsThis single-center, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial enrolled 40 patients within 2 weeks after stroke onset with respiratory dysfunction (forced vital capacity <80% predicted). Participants were randomized (1:1) to CMRTP plus conventional rehabilitation or conventional rehabilitation alone. The CMRTP was delivered via the WeChat-based AIRHUB platform and performed 20 minutes twice daily, 5 days per week for 2 weeks, either independently or with caregiver assistance as needed. The primary outcome was change in forced vital capacity from baseline to week 2. Secondary outcomes included forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), peak expiratory flow, maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and modified Barthel index. All outcomes were assessed face-to-face by a blinded senior physician, and all analyses followed an intention-to-treat principle. ResultsOf 56 screened patients, 40 were randomized, and 39 completed the study. Adherence to the CMRTP reached 96%, and no serious adverse events occurred; mild, transient events (fatigue, dizziness, and hyperventilation) were recorded. Compared with the control group, the CMRTP group demonstrated greater improvement in forced vital capacity at week 2 (mean difference 0.77 L; 95% CI 0.39‐1.16; PPPP ConclusionsA 2-week hospital-based mobile respiratory training program is feasible and safe in people with acute stroke who are inpatients and yields clinically meaningful improvements in respiratory function and daily functional performance when added to conventional rehabilitation.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
Read the article at the publisher →