Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal
  • Year: 2013
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue: 3

Immediate effects of Taping of Upper Back on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (Pefr) in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Copd) Subjects

1Master in Clinical Physiotherapy, International School of Physiotherapy. GEF-CU Collaborative Programme, MSR Nagar, Bangalore

2Associate Professor, Dept. of Physiotherapy, M.S.R.M.T.H, Bangalore

3Lecturer, International School of Physiotherapy, GEF-CU Collaborative Programme, MSR Nagar, Bangalore

*Corresponding author: Bhagwathi Yadav, Lecturer, International School of Physiotherapy, GEF-CU Collaborative Programme, MSR Nagar, MSRIT Post, Bangalore-54, Email: bhagwathi@gmail.com

Online published on 29 July, 2013.

Abstract

The activation of respiratory muscles is influenced by a change in gravitational force and length-tension variations. Many studies have shown the influence of posture on respiratory muscles in normal adults. The proprioceptive facilitation of musculoskeletal system has shown improvement in pulmonary functions of normal adults. The lack of evidence on the effect of posture in COPD subjects suggested a need to see the immediate effects of proprioceptive facilitation of upper back on peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) through taping on stable COPD subjects.

To determine the PEFR values pre and post-taping in experimental group, to determine the PEFR values pre and post-taping in control group, to compare the PEFR values pre and post-taping within the groups and to compare the PEFR values pre and post-taping between the groups.

34 stable COPD subjects were recruited through convenience sampling. All the subjects were randomly allocated to experimental group (17) and control group (17). The PEFR was measured by peak flow meter as baseline data for both the groups. The experimental group was given proprioceptive facilitation through taping of upper back by instructing the subjects to erect their spine and retract their shoulders whereas control group was given sham taping. The PEFR for both the groups was measured pre and post taping.

Paired t test was done to compare the PEFR values within the groups and independent t test was used for comparison between the groups.

On analyzing the test, significant results were seen in the experimental and control group. The experimental group showed significant improvement in PEFR value(p<0.024) when mean difference of the two groups were compared.

The results suggest that proprioceptive facilitation of upper back through taping in COPD subjects improves pulmonary function.

Keywords

PEFR, posture, respiratory muscle activity in COPD