Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal

Breathing Exercises are given as part of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease(COPD). Studies have shown that they reduce energy expenditure of breathing at rest. The aim of the study was to find out change in energy expenditure of walking i.e Physiological Cost Index (PCI) after Breathing Exercises.

In this Prospective Interventional study male patients in age group of 40-60years diagnosed as COPD, who were able to walk for more than 5 min comfortably were included. The patients were made to sit comfortably for 5min and true Resting Heart Rate(HR) was obtained. Patients ware asked to walk for 5min(Walk1) at comfortable walking speed and PCI was calculated by using the WalkingHR. Breathing exercises in form of Pursed Lip Breathing, Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise and Combination of both were given for 10 repetitions each in Semifowler position. The patients were again asked to walk for 5 min(Walk2) again and PCI was calculated.

Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences(SPSS) software(version16).No rmality of data was assessed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test and Paired t Test were used for the parameters. 40 patients (42–60)years out of 69screened were included in study. PCI was 0.3177(0.1851–0.7659)beats/meter in Walk1 which had reduced significantly to 0.2524(0.0874–0.5150) in Walk2(p<0.0001) after Breathing exercises. It was associated with significant increase in Speed from 57.2(31.68–67.31) to 61.6(39.6–74.8)meter/min (p<0.0001) in Walk 2 and significant (p=0.0018) reduction in Change in Heart Rate (WalkingHR – restingHR) from 18.6087(±5.873) to 16.05575(±6.819) beats/min.

Breathing exercises reduces the Physiological Cost Index in patients with COPD and thus improves their Functional performance.