Confiabilidade dos testes de pressão respiratória nasal em adultos jovens saudáveis

Abstract

Introduction: the nasal inspiratory pressure (SNIP) and nasal expiratory pressure (SNEP) tests are important methods used to assess the strength of inspiratory and expiratory muscles in different populations. These measures are simple, practical and easy to implement. The reliability and reproducibility of SNIP and SNEP in adults are still unknown. Objective: to establish the reliability of the SNIP and SNEP tests in healthy young adults and discuss the necessary number of maneuvers for each test to obtain reproducible data. Methods: an observational analytical cross-sectional study was carried out with healthy individuals, of both sexes, aged between 18 and 29 years old. The protocol used consisted of two evaluation sequences, according to the simple randomization of the tests. Sequence 1 - (PImax + SNIP1-20) and (MEP + SNEP1-20). Sequence 2 - (PEmax + SNEP1-20) and (PImax + SNIP1-20). Each volunteer performed 20 SNIP and SNEP tests with a 30-second interval between maneuvers. Reliability and reproducibility were measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and the minimum detectable change (MDC) between the highest measurement and the first reproducible maneuver. Results: 49 participants were recruited, of which 17 were excluded. The sample of this study consisted of 32 subjects average age 23 years, with equal distribution of men and women. The ICC SNIP in both sexes was 0.992. Men had SEM 2.074 and MDC 5.747. Women had SEM 1.152 and MDC 3.193. Considering the total sample, the ICC was 0.994 with SEM 1.820 and MDC 5.043. The ICC SNEP was 0.877 in men (SEM 7.660 and MDC 21.231) and 0.957 in women (SEM 6.115 and MDC 16.950). Considering the entire sample, the CCI was 0.950 with SEM 6.031 and MDC 16.716. Also, 60% of the highest SNIPs occurred among the 11th and 20th maneuvers in men and women. In men, 55% of the highest SNEPs occurred among the 11th and 20th maneuvers; this value was 50% in women. Conclusion: SNIP showed excellent reliability in both sexes. SNEP showed good reliability in men and excellent in women. The results show that SNIP and SNEP are reliable and reproducible tests for evaluating healthy adult individuals. More studies are needed in order to expand the application of these methods in different populations. Limitations of the study included: small sample size and a possible risk of bias (evaluations and data analyzes were not blinded) and data not extrapolated to the elderly population or people with neuromuscular involvement.