Respiratory muscle weakness prolongs mechanical ventilation (MV) and delays weaning. Currently, there is no standardized dosage for Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) in the ICU. This study aims to define an optimal IMT dosage using a new metric called "Total Inspiratory Work Unit" (UTIT), which integrates intensity, repetition, and frequency.
The study compares three daily dosage regimens (1,000 UTIT, 2,000 UTIT, and 3,000 UTIT) adjusted daily based on the patient's Negative Inspiratory Force (NIF). The goal is to determine the optimal dose-response relationship for improving inspiratory muscle strength (PiMax) and reducing the duration of mechanical ventilation.