Breathing Exercises Effect on Lung Functions and Chest Expansion in Asthmatics

Summary

The goal for this clinical trial was to compare the effectiveness of Diaphragmatic Breathing and Pursed-Lip Expiration Exercises in improving lung functions {the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1- second (FEV1)} and Chest Expansion in Egyptian outpatient adults with bronchial asthma.

The research questions were:

1. Are Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises effective in improving lung function parameters?
2. Are Pursed-Lip Expiration Exercises effective in improving lung function parameters?
3. Which of the two studied breathing exercise is more effective in improving lung function parameters?

All the participants were classified into 2 groups:

Group1:

Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise training was offered for participants to complete the 8-weeks exercise program (each session lasted about 20 minutes twice daily for 5 days per week).

Group2:

Pursed Lip Breathing Exercise training was offered for participants to complete the 8-weeks exercise program (each session lasted about 20 minutes twice daily for 5 days per week).

The two main parameters which were assessed initially and after completion of the 2-month exercise program were:

1. Lung functions {Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1-second (FEV1)}
2. The chest expansion

Conditions

• Asthma Chronic

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

diaphragmatic breathing exercise

Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise training was offered for participants to complete the 8-weeks exercise program (each session lasted about 20 minutes twice daily for 5 days per week). Relaxation and comfortable positioning of the participant with full support to back and head and relaxation of the abdominal wall (fowler's position). One hand of the participant placed on the rectus abdominis muscle just inferior to the anterior costal margin and the other hand on chest wall keeping the shoulders relaxed and upper chest quiet during breathing in slowly and deeply through the nose following the abdomen to rise with subsequent slow expiration through pursed lip for three or four times then rest. Three or four sets were applied in 20 minutes exercising session.

BEHAVIORAL

pursed lip breathing exercise

Pursed-Lip Expiration Exercise training was offered for participants to complete the 8-weeks exercise program (each session lasted about 20 minutes twice daily for 5 days per week). Closing the mouth while breathing in slowly through the nose for two counts while keeping shoulders and neck relaxed followed by expiration using pursued lips (as if they mimic whistling) for four counts. Three or four sets were applied in 20 minutes exercising session.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Ain Shams University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Wafaa M Qurany, Master,Family medicine · Ain Shams University,Faculty of Medicine

• Mohamed F Allam, MD, Professor · Ain Shams University,Faculty of Medicine

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-10-15

Primary Completion

2024-03-13

Completion

2024-03-13

Countries

• Egypt

Study Locations