The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effect of two protocols of transcutaneous electrical diaphragmatic stimulation (TEDS) on the respiratory muscle strength of healthy women, with one protocol according to Geddes et al. (1988) and other protocol standardized by Phrenics equipment. Healthy women were divided in 3 groups: Control (n=7); TEDS with Phrenics (n=7) and TEDS with Dualpex (n=7). The treatment was made twice a week, during 6 weeks (12 sessions). Respiratory muscle strength was evaluated by maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) before and after the treatment. The statistical analysis was made by the Shapiro-Wilk and the Kruskal Wallis test with Dunn's post-hoc test (p<0.05). Both TEDS protocols promoted increase in MIP (Phrenics: 32.9%; Dualpex: 63.2%) and in MEP (Phrenics: 44.7%; Dualpex: 60.9%), differently of the Control that didn't show difference. In conclusion, the two TEDS' protocols promoted increase of inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength in healthy women.
electrical stimulation; respiratory muscles; diaphragm; muscle strength; physical therapy specialty
