METHODS: A participant blinded, multi-centre, randomised controlled trial was conducted in which the participants in the intervention group (IG) practiced deep breathing exercise guided by sound cues and those in the control group (CG) listened to the music. The primary end point was reduction in blood pressure at eight weeks.
RESULTS: 87 patients, 46 males and 41 females with mean age of 61.1 years were recruited and 93.1% of them successfully completed the study. There was significant reduction in systolic and diastolic Blood Pressure from baseline by 8 weeks in both groups. The reduction in Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the control arm was 10.5mmHg compared to 8.3mmHg (p<0.001) in intervention group. Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reduction in control and intervention groups were 5.2 mmHg (p<0.001) and 5.6 mmHg (p<0.001) respectively. The absolute difference in SBP reduction from baseline in IG & CG was -2.2 (95%CI: -7.8 to 3.5) and DBP was -0.4 (95%CI: -2.9 to 3.6). However, blood pressure reduction between the two groups was not significant.
CONCLUSIONS: Both listening to music and deep breathing exercise were associated with a clinically significant reduction in SBP and DBP. However, deep breathing exercise did not augment the benefit of music in reducing BP.
Materials and Methods: This randomized experimental study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Chittagong Medical College, Chattogram, from July 2017 to June 2018. A total of 100 1st-year students, aged between 18 and 20 years, were included by a random sampling method. Fifty participants (25 males and 25 females) were enrolled in the experimental group, while age- and body mass index-matched another 50 participants (25 males and 25 females) served as the control group. Experimental group participants performed ANB exercise for 4 weeks. Cardiorespiratory parameters (pulse rate, blood pressure, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1st s [FEV1], and peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR] were measured. Data were taken at the start and after 4 weeks in both groups.
Results: Independent t-test showed no significant differences in the cardiorespiratory functions between the experimental and control groups among the male and female participants, except for the females' PEFR which showed small differences. On the other hand, repeated measure ANOVA shows significant improvement in the experimental groups among males (P < 0.001-0.028) and females (P < 0.001-0.001) in all the cardiorespiratory functions measured, except for the FEV1 and PEFR among males.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that cardiorespiratory functions were improved after breathing exercise, and therefore, ANB can be recommended for increasing cardiorespiratory efficiency.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomised, prospective study was conducted among COPD subjects admitted with exacerbation between June 2021 and August 2022. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the VIS (interventional group) or the control group. Baseline assessments, including spirometry, MIP, CAT score, and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), were performed. Both groups commenced active cycle of breathing techniques (ACBT) and groundbased walking (GBW) training within 72 hours of admission, with daily sessions involving three repetitions of each phase to complete one cycle, repeated three times daily. The intervention group received VIS. Upon discharge, subjects were provided with a diary and instructed to continue a home-based pulmonary exercise regimen, performed for at least 15 minutes per day, 3 days a week, with compliance monitored through weekly phone calls. At the 4-week followup, repeat assessments of spirometry, MIP, maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), CAT score and 6MWT were conducted to evaluate the outcomes.
RESULTS: A total of 34 subjects with a median age of 68 years (interquartile range [IQR] 65-74.3 years). The cohort predominantly males (32 subjects, 94%). The distribution of disease severity was as follows: GOLD 2 in 15 subjects (44%) and GOLD 3 in 14 subjects (41%). Additionally, 17 subjects (50%) had experienced three or more exacerbations in the preceding year. The majority of patients (29 out of 34, 85%) had a length of stay of less than 7 days. In the interventional group, the median MIP improved from 50 cm H2O (IQR 40.5-70.5) to 59 cm H2O (IQR 39-76.5), though this was not statistically significant (p = 0.407). The control group saw an improvement from 58 cm H2O (IQR 36.5-85) to 60 cm H2O (IQR 33-88), also not statistically significant (p = 0.112). The 6MWT distance improved in the interventional group from 220 meters (IQR 118-275) to 260 meters (IQR 195-327) (p = 0.002) and in the control group from 250 meters (IQR 144-294) to 280 meters (IQR 213-359.5) (p = 0.001). The median CAT score decreased significantly in the interventional group from 22 (IQR 16-28) to 11 (IQR 7.5-13) (p < 0.001) and in the control group from 21 (IQR 14-24.5) to 10 (IQR 8-12.5) (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Early initiation of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with acute exacerbations, characterised by poor muscle strength and a history of exacerbations, resulted in significant improvements in patient-reported symptoms and 6MWT outcomes. Although there was only a numerical improvement in MIP and MEP, the intervention did not extend the length of hospital stay, highlighting its safety and efficacy in the acute care setting.