Description
The POWERbreathe KH2 is an electronic inspiratory-muscle training device. It is intended for use by healthcare professionals for inspiratory muscle training and assessment in patients with dyspnoea (breathlessness), including patients with asthma, COPD, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, heart disease, neuromuscular disease, Parkinson’s
disease and spinal injury*. The POWERbreathe KH2 is suitable for use with disposable filters or for single patient use at home under medical supervision.
The POWERbreathe KH2 uses an electronically controlled, rapid-response valve to create a resistance to inhalation. Training against this resistance causes the inspiratory muscles to adapt, becoming stronger and more resistant to fatigue. This leads to reduced breathlessness and improved exercise tolerance and quality of life. As the patient breathes through the POWERbreathe KH2 you will notice that they gradually have to work harder to breathe in. This is the effect of resistance training acting on the inspiratory muscles (primarily the diaphragm and intercostal muscles). When breathing out, there is no resistance and the patient should breathe out normally, allowing the chest and breathing muscles to relax, naturally pushing the air from their lungs.
The POWERbreathe KH2 training resistance is specifically designed to match the dynamic changes in breathing muscle strength throughout the breath and can automatically adapt to increases in inspiratory muscle strength at the beginning of each training session. Results are displayed on screen following a training or assessment session, or can be viewed in real-time using the Breathe-Link Medic PC software supplied.
Parameters displayed include Maximal Inspiratory Pressure (cmH2O, highest 1 second average), Peak Inspiratory Flow (L/s), Training load (cmH2O), Average Power (Watts), Average inhaled volume (L) and Energy (Joules).
The POWERbreathe KH2 training regime of 30 breaths, twice a day typically takes only a few minutes a day and, used properly, you should start to observe the benefits within just a few weeks.