A Study on Effectiveness of Deep Breathing Exercise on Pulmonary Function Among Patients with Chronic Airflow Limitation

Objective

To evaluate the effect of deep breathing exercise on the pulmonary function of patients with chronic airflow limitation.

Method

The study design adopted was a true experimental design with pretest- post test control group design. Population comprised of patients with chronic airflow limitation from a selected hospital at Mangalore.40 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were randomly grouped into 20 as experimental and 20 as control. The PFT parameters (FEV1 and FVC) were assessed in the control and experimental group before the intervention. Deep breathing exercise was provided to the experimental group 2 times per day for a total of 7 days. On the 7th day after the treatment, the PFT parameters under study were reassessed in the control and the experimental group and were compared.

Result

Majority of the sample 38(95.0%) were above 50 years. Out of 40, 27 (67.5%) were males and 13(32.5%) were females. 25(62.5%) of samples were industrial workers, and 7(17.5%) were Beedi rollers. Majority of the subjects 29(72.5%) were from rural area and 11 (27.5%) were from urban area. Among 40 samples majority 27(67.5%) were smokers and 13(32.5) were non smokers. Following the intervention (Deep breathing Exercise) the mean effectiveness score of FVC in the experimental group was found to be 23.80 and in control group the score was 7.70. When considering FEV1, the mean effectiveness score of experimental group was 26.80and that of control group was found to be 6.90.(P <0.05). Thus deep breathing exercise was found to statistically significant in improving the pulmonary function of patients with chronic airflow limitation There was no significant association between pulmonary function and selected demographic variables at 0.05 level of significance.

Conclusion

The breathing pattern of most people with COPD is shallow, rapid and inefficient; the more severe the disease, the more inefficient the breathing pattern. Practice of deep breathing exercise reduces the respiratory rate, increases alveolar ventilation and sometimes helps expel as much air as possible during expiration. The present study revealed that 7 days of deep breathing exercise for clients with chronic airflow limitation was very effective in improving pulmonary function.

Nurses are involved with COPD patients across the spectrum of care, hence better management really makes a difference to people's lives and will be a fulfilling role for many nurses as a care giver.