Diaphragmatic Vs. Pursed-lip Breathing Exercise Using A Windmill Toy On Respiratory Muscle Strength, Lung Function And Dyspnea In The Elderly

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of diaphragmatic and pursed-lip breathing exercise using windmill toy on respiratory muscle strength, lung function, degree of dyspnea and 6-minute walk test in the elderly. METHODS: Forty older men and women (aged 60 - 75 yrs.) were randomized into three groups: control (CON; n=13) group, diaphragmatic breathing exercise (DBE; n =13) group, and a pursed-lip breathing exercise (PBE; n = 14) group, which used a portable hand held windmill toy. The DBE and PBE groups performed breathing exercise for 45 minutes, 3 times per week for 12 weeks. At pre- and post-12 wk. respiratory muscle strength; maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), lung function, dyspnea scores and a 6-minute walk test were assessed. RESULTS: After 12 weeks, 6 minute walk distance and FEV1 significantly increased (p<0.05) in the DBE (7.71% and 18.75%, respectively) and PBE (10.78% and 20.87%, respectively) groups compared to control. Dyspnea scores were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in both the DBE (51.51%) and PBE (48.89%) groups compared to control. However, the PBE group had significantly increased (p<0.05) MIP (37%) and MEP (23%) compared to the DBE (3.42% and 4.13%, respectively) and CON (0.87% and 1.46%, respectively) groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that while both diaphragmatic and pursed-lips breathing exercise using a windmill toy improve cardiovascular fitness, lung function and reduce dyspnea to the same degree, pursed-lip breathing exercise using a windmill toy exerts more favorable effects than diaphragmatic breathing exercise for increasing respiratory muscle strength in the elderly. Keywords : diaphragmatic breathing exercise, pursed-lips breathing exercise, respiratory muscle strength, lung function, dyspnea Supported by Faculty of Sport Science Fund, Chulalongkorn University