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Mark A Carbone
Chief Executive Officer
Mark A. Carbone is the CEO of PN Medical, where he drives innovation in cardiopulmonary health with advanced respiratory muscle training devices.
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Key Takeaways
Respiratory Muscle Training acts as a vital, drug-free therapy that targets the root cause of three major Parkinson’s complications: weakened speech, difficult swallowing, and an ineffective cough.
By strengthening the diaphragm and chest wall muscles, RMT provides the breath power needed to increase speech intensity and control, directly counteracting the quiet, breathy speech (hypokinetic dysarthria) that affects over 90% of patients.
RMT significantly lowers the risk of aspiration pneumonia, the leading cause of death in Parkinson’s, by improving airway protection, enhancing laryngeal movement, and allowing for a deep "safety breath" before swallowing.
This training builds the essential expiratory muscle strength required to generate a forceful, protective cough, allowing patients to effectively clear their airways and maintain critical pulmonary hygiene.
Living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) often involves managing tremors and mobility, but some of the most life-impacting symptoms happen internally. For many, Parkinson’s weakens the respiratory muscles, leading to a "triple threat" of complications: impaired speech, difficult swallowing, and a weakened cough.
Because respiratory muscle weakness is the underlying cause, Respiratory Muscle Training (RMT) has emerged as a vital, non-pharmacological therapy to improve quality of life and safety. [1]
Reclaiming your voice: speech and phonation
Over 90% of people with Parkinson’s experience hypokinetic dysarthria, a condition that makes speech quiet, monotone, or breathy. [2] Since these symptoms aren't always improved by standard dopamine medications, a different approach is needed.
Speech isn't just about the throat; it's powered by the diaphragm and chest wall. RMT strengthens these muscles, providing the "air power" needed for clearer communication.
The Evidence:Clinical studies show that RMT improves lung volume initiation, directly increasing speech intensity and breathing control in PD patients. [3]
Safer swallowing: Reducing aspiration risk
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) affects more than 80% of Parkinson’s patients. This is more than an inconvenience; it is a major health risk. [4] Aspiration pneumonia, caused by food or liquid entering the lungs, is the leading cause of death in Parkinson’s Disease.
RMT helps protect the airway by:
Supporting laryngeal elevation, which helps the airway close in time during a swallow.
Increasing ribcage flexibility to allow for a deep "safety breath" before swallowing.
The Evidence: Research confirms RMT improves swallow safetyand reduces the risk of aspiration by decreasing the duration of the compression phase, significantly lowering the risk of accidental aspiration. [5,6]
The power to protect: Strengthening the cough
When something "goes down the wrong pipe," a strong cough is your body's first line of defense. In Parkinson’s, this reflex is often delayed or too weak to clear the airway.
RMT builds the expiratory strength needed to generate a forceful, protective cough. [7,8]
The Evidence:Patients performing RMT have shown a significant increase in volume acceleration during voluntary coughs. [5] This improved "pulmonary hygiene" helps keep the lungs clear and prevents infections. [9,10]
For caregivers: what to watch for
Many people reading this are a spouse or adult child, not the patient. Signs worth noticing at mealtimes include a wet or gurgling voice after swallowing, coughing or throat-clearing during or just after eating, food that seems to stick, longer and longer mealtimes, and unexplained weight loss. A cough that has gone quiet is easy to miss precisely because it makes less noise than it used to.
Any of these warrant a referral to a speech-language pathologist for a swallow assessment. Respiratory muscle training sits alongside that assessment, not instead of it.
Why Respiratory Muscle Training Reaches What Medication Cannot
Traditional medications often fall short when it comes to the mechanical act of breathing and swallowing. The Breather offers a targeted way to strengthen the muscles that medication can't reach. By training both the muscles you use to inhale and exhale, you can build a stronger foundation for speech, safer eating, and better overall lung health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can breathing exercises help Parkinson's disease?
Respiratory muscle training has been studied in Parkinson's for three specific problems: quiet or breathy speech, unsafe swallowing, and a cough too weak to protect the airway. It doesn't treat tremor, rigidity, or the underlying neurological condition. It addresses the muscular side of breathing, which dopamine medication generally doesn't reach.
How do I know if my swallowing is getting worse?
Watch for coughing or throat-clearing during or after meals, a wet or gurgling voice after swallowing, food that feels stuck, mealtimes getting longer, or unexplained weight loss. Report any of these to the neurology team and ask for a referral to a speech-language pathologist.
How long before I notice a difference?
Published protocols in Parkinson's typically run four to eight weeks with daily training. As with any strength training, the change is gradual and depends on doing it consistently.
Is this safe alongside Parkinson's medication?
Respiratory muscle training doesn't interact with medication and is generally well tolerated. Speak to your neurologist before starting, particularly if swallowing difficulty has already been diagnosed, since the care team may want a swallow assessment first.
Should I see a speech therapist as well?
Yes. A speech-language pathologist can assess swallow safety directly, which nothing you do at home can substitute for. Respiratory muscle training is best used as part of a plan that person sets, not in place of one.
Shop Now"I love this simple yet powerful little device. I'm 42 and have been training in Taekwondo and other activities, such as running, gym and general life, and I noticed I was gasping out much quicker than I wanted. I bought this, and I've noticed a beneficial change in just one week of using it.
I've also noticed it changes my headspace, producing a very calm and steady state of mind after just 5-10 minutes of use. I think everyone should have one of these in their life, as it will help not only their cardio and lung performance but also their mental and emotional health. At this low price point, I can't recommend it more highly.
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Mike
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Living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) often involves managing tremors and mobility, but some of the most life-impacting symptoms happen internally. For many, Parkinson’s weakens the respiratory muscles, leading to a...
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