Abstract
[Purpose] The objective of this study was to clarify the relationship between the voluntary cough intensity level and the ability to perform activities of daily living of patients with stroke. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this study were 41 stroke patients in the convalescence stage (21 females, 20 males: mean age: 70.7 ± 10.9 years). The voluntary cough intensity level was examined by measuring peak cough flow (PCF), and respiratory muscle strength was examined by measuring maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) and maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP). As indexes of ADL performance, the functional independence measure (FIM), basic activities, and ability to rise from bed were used. [Results] A significant positive correlation was observed between PCF and FIM/basic activities. The levels of PCF, MEP, and MIP of subjects who were unable to sit up were significantly lower than those of subjects with independence in rising. [Conclusion] We demonstrated that a relationship exists between voluntary cough intensity and ADL performance in stroke patients. The voluntary cough intensity level of the subjects who were unable to sit up was lower than that of subjects with independence in rising. This result demonstrates that the voluntary cough intensity level of the former group of subjects was affected by their weakened abdominal muscles.
