Liberação miofascial do diafragma na função pulmonar de indivíduos com doença de Parkinson: estudo piloto

Abstract

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative condition worldwide and is frequently associated with ventilatory dysfunctions, which contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. However, therapeutic strategies for respiratory symptoms remain limited and lack robust scientific evidence. Objective: To conduct a pilot study to assess the feasibility and preliminary effects of diaphragmatic myofascial release (LIMID) on pulmonary function in individuals with earlystage PD, and to provide baseline data for sample size calculation in a definitive randomized controlled trial. Methods: This pilot study was a randomized, controlled, parallel, two-arm clinical trial. Fourteen participants with early-stage PD (Hoehn & Yahr scale 0–3), on regular Levodopa therapy, non-smokers, and without respiratory or other neurological comorbidities were included. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the intervention group (IG), which received LIMID, and the control group (CG), which received a sham procedure. Statistical analysis included Student's t-test, Chi-square test, ANOVA, and Tukey's post hoc test, using SPSS v.24. The study followed CONSORT guidelines for non-pharmacological interventions and adhered to all ethical standards for research involving human subjects. Results: The study demonstrated good adherence and logistical feasibility. A trend toward improved pulmonary function (FEV1 and FVC) was observed in the IG compared to the CG, although not statistically significant due to the small sample size. Sample size estimation indicated that a definitive study would require a larger cohort to detect clinically relevant differences with 80% power and 95% confidence. Conclusion: LIMID proved to be a safe, feasible, and potentially effective intervention for improving pulmonary function in individuals with early-stage PD. These preliminary findings provide a foundation for future controlled trials with greater statistical power.