Objective
To review the literature about pulmonary function and costal and diaphragmatic dynamics in chronic hemiplegic/hemiparetic patients.
Materials and Methods
Databases: Medline, Embase and PEDro. The searches were limited by the language and letters and editorials were ruled out. No deadlines for the publication were established. Finally, 10 articles that adhered to the objective were analyzed.
Results
Patients with a chronic hemiplegia / hemiparesis have a restrictive breathing pattern with a reduction of Maximum Voluntary Ventilation and lower maximum respiratory pressures. Moreover, they have altered costal and diaphragmatic dynamics.
Conclusions
The population analyzed show limited lung flows and volumes and alterations in the respiratory muscles. Future methodologically rigorous research is needed in order to know with a high level of evidence the importance of the deterioration of the pulmonary function within chronic hemiplegia/hemiparesis patients.
