We studied 40 parkinsonian patients (P), mean age 50-80 years, with Hoehn and Yahr stages I-III and 40 no parkinsonian patients (NP), with similar characteristics. The results of the thoracic amplitude was 1,8±0,8cm of P that showed a reduction to 4,3±1,0 cm of NP (p=0,00001), the vital capacity and forced vital capacity, 66,8±20,3% and 69,6±22,2% of P was decreased that 82,3±15,7% and 82,7±16,6% of NP (p=0,00001 and p=0,0023). There was not difference among the maximal inspiratory and expiratory mouth pressures, 33,5±12,7 cmH2O and 36,3±17,8 cmH2O of P and 37,0±12,2 cmH2O and 43,1±16,6 cmH2O of NP (p=0,1753 and p=0,0398), the forced expiratory volume in 1 second, 71,3±25,6% of P and 80,6±23,6% of NP (p=0,0899), and the forced expiratory volume in 1 second/ forced vital capacity, 104,5±19,9% of P and 97,4±22,8% of NP (p=0,1234). The parkinsonian patients present restrictive pulmonary dysfunction, low chest wall compliance and the respiratory muscle strenght do not decreased.
breathing function; Parkinson's disease; restrictive pulmonary dysfunction
