Stacking Exercises Aid the Decline in FVC and Sick Time

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is complicated by weak breathing muscles and lung infections. "Lung volume recruitment" is a technique performed using a face mask or mouthpiece and a hand-held resuscitation bag to stack breaths, inflate the lungs and help clear the airways of secretions by increasing the forcefulness of a cough. We believe this will slow down the steady loss of lung function, prevent lung infection, and improve quality of life. Our aim is to compare the outcome of a group of individuals with DMD treated with standard care to another group that also receives lung volume recruitment. If effective, this study will change clinical practice by including twice-daily treatment as part of the standard of care for individuals with DMD, in order to improve their lung health and quality of life.