In the original description of the rapid shallow breathing index, a threshold value of 105 breaths/min/L was a predictor of weaning failure (Yang and Tobin 1991). However, in a more recent study, the rapid shallow breathing index was an independent predictor of extubation failure, and a value > 57 breaths/min/L increased the risk of reintubation from 11% to 18% (Frutos-Vivar et al 2006). This study has selleck compound several limitations. First, although it is a randomised clinical trial with a control group and with a sample size larger than other studies, our sample

may have been too small to find significant results regarding the effect of inspiratory muscle training on weaning from mechanical ventilation. Other potential limitations were the short training time as well as heterogeneity within the evaluated population. New studies should be

done, with larger samples, comparing different training methods, in order to reach a more clear definition regarding its usefulness in the weaning of critical patients. In summary, although the weaning period did not differ significantly between the experimental and control groups, inspiratory muscle training with a threshold device may be an adequate method to increase respiratory Selleck Trichostatin A muscle strength and the tidal volume in patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Footnotes:aServo Ventilator 900C, Siemens, Solna, Sweden; Servo Ventilator 300, Siemens, Solna, Sweden; Servo I, Maquet, Solna, Sweden. bThreshold IMT, Respironics Inc, Murrysville, USA. eAddenda: Table 4 available at jop.physiotherapy.asn.au Ethics: The Ethics Committee of the Research and Graduate Studies of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre approved this study (number 04391). Each

participant or their relative gave written informed consent before data collection began. Competing TCL interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the authorship or publication of this contribution. Support: This study was supported by the Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa e Eventos (FIPE) – Research and Event Inventive Fund. The authors of grateful to the patients, nurses and officers of the Division of Critical Care Medicine of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre for their assistance in the conduct of this work. “
“Various techniques have been proposed to relieve labour pain including massage therapy, which, in addition to promoting pain relief, provides physical contact with the parturient, potentiating the effect of relaxation and reducing emotional stress (Kimber et al 2008, Field 2010, Simkin and Bolding 2004).