Performed Breathing Exercises Research Articles

Feasibility of a wearable self-management application for patients with COPD at home: a pilot study

BackgroundAmong people with COPD, smartphone and wearable technology may provide an effective method to improve care at home by supporting, encouraging, and sustaining self-management. The current study was conducted to determine if patients with COPD will use a dedicated smartphone and smartwatch app to help manage their COPD and to determine the effects on their self-management.MethodsWe developed a COPD self-management application for smartphones and smartwatches. Participants were provided with the app on a smartphone and a smartwatch, as well as a cellular data plan and followed for 6 months. We measured usage of the different smartphone app functions. For the primary outcome, we examined the change in self-management from baseline to the end of follow up. Secondary outcomes include changes in self-efficacy, quality of life, and COPD disease control.ResultsThirty-four patients were enrolled and followed. Mean age was 69.8 years, and half of the participants were women. The most used functions were recording steps through the smartwatch, entering a daily symptom questionnaire, checking oxygen saturation, and performing breathing exercises. There was no significant difference in the primary outcome of change in self-management after use of the app or in overall total scores of health-related quality of life, disease control or self-efficacy.ConclusionWe found older patients with COPD would engage with a COPD smartphone and smartwatch application, but this did not result in improved self-management. More research is needed to determine if a smartphone and smartwatch application can improve self-management in people with COPD.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.Gov NCT03857061, First Posted February 27, 2019.

Восстановительная терапия больных бронхиальной астмой: в фокусе дыхательная гимнастика с экспираторным сопротивлением

Aim: to evaluate the effectiveness of high-resistance breathing exercises using flutter as a method of rehabilitation therapy for asthma. Patients and Methods: the patients with asthma were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=40) received breathing exercises as part of their treatment, which consisted of quiet inhalation through the nose and exhalation into the flutter for 3–5 minutes daily, for a total of 14 procedures per course, in addition to their baseline therapy. In group 2 (n=40), patients received similar drug therapy without performing breathing exercises. The control group (n=40) consisted of healthy volunteers who performed breathing exercises as in group 1. We analyzed changes in clinical and functional parameters over time after a single application of the rehabilitation technique, as well as at baseline and after completing treatment (after 14 days). Results: showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in external respiration indices, specifically forced expiratory volume in the 1st second, forced vital capacity (FVC), and expiratory reserve volume in groups 1 and 2. Furthermore, group 1 reported a significant increase (p<0.05) in the time to hold breath, as well as an increase in peak expiratory flow, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and a decrease in the daily variation of PEFR and minute ventilation. After two weeks of treatment, group 1 showed significant improvement. The study showed a decrease in choking incidents, reduced need for bronchodilators, and improvement in symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, expectoration of sputum, its character, and wheezing. Additionally, there was an improvement in disease control and exercise tolerance as demonstrated by the results of the 6-minute walk test. Group 2 showed a stable disease course during the follow-up, but no significant changes in clinical manifestations or pharmacological therapy were reported. In this study, it was found that flutter therapy had a significant and moderate favorable effect on 80% and 20% of patients with asthma, respectively. However, this effect was only maintained in patients who regularly practiced high-resistance breathing exercises. No adverse events were reported. Conclusion: high-resistance breathing exercises can reduce hyperventilation and improve bronchial patency in patients with asthma. Additionally, flutter therapy can decrease the doses of bronchodilators, improve FVC, and positively impact the disease course. KEYWORDS: asthma, breathing exercises, expiratory resistance, flutter therapy. FOR CITATION: Alekseenko S.N., Churyukina E.V., Ukhanova O.P., Kas'yanova T.R., Kotieva I.M., Kokova L.N., Dodokhova M.A., AndreevaV.O., Puzikova O.Z., Popova V.A., Sozaeva D.I. Rehabilitation therapy in asthma: focus on high-resistance breathing exercises. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2024;8(3):143–149 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2024-8-3-4.

호흡운동을 동반한 몸통 안정화훈련이 폐기능에 미치는 영향

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of trunk stabilization training on pulmonary functions and respiratory muscle activity.
 Methods: All participants in this study were healthy and participated voluntarily. The participants were divided into 2 groups (10 people in the control group and 10 people in the trunk stabilization training group). The experimental group had trunk stabilization training with breathing exercises and the control group performed breathing exercises for 4 weeks. Pulmonary functions were assessed. Digital spirometry (Pony FX, COSMED Inc., Italy) and free EMG (Apsun, Inc., Italy) were used in order to determine the changes in the respiratory muscle. The SPSSWIN (version 21.0) package program was used for the statistical analysis.
 Results: The trunk stabilization training group (p<.05) had a significant difference in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity, inspiratory reserve volume, inspiratory capacity, and maximal voluntary ventilation prior to and after exercises. The control group, however, showed no change. No significant difference was seen in the change in respiratory muscular activity between the two groups.
 Conclusion: In order to improve pulmonary functions, application of trunk stabilization training can be a particularly effective intervention method.

The effectiveness and user experience of a biofeedback intervention program for stress management supported by virtual reality and mobile technology: a randomized controlled study

BackgroundHeart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BF) can be used for stress management. Recent feasibility studies suggest that delivering HRV-BF in virtual reality (VR) is associated with better user experience (UX) and might yield more beneficial changes in HRV than two-dimensional screens. The effectiveness of a VR-supported HRV-BF intervention program has, however, not been investigated yet.MethodsIn this study, 87 healthy women and men were assigned to a VR-supported HRV-BF intervention (INT; n=44) or a wait-list control (WLC; n=43) group. The INT came to the lab for four weekly HRV-BF sessions in VR using a head-mounted display. Between lab sessions, participants were asked to perform breathing exercises without biofeedback supported by a mobile application. Stress-related psychological and psychophysiological outcomes were assessed pre- and post-intervention and at a follow-up four weeks after the intervention in both groups. A psychosocial stress test was conducted post-intervention to investigate changes in stress reactivity. UX was assessed after each HRV-BF session in the INT.ResultsAnalysis revealed that LF increased significantly from pre- to post-, whereas pNN50 increased and chronic stress decreased significantly from pre-intervention to follow-up in the INT compared to the WLC. Anxiety and mental fatigue decreased significantly, while mindfulness and health-related quality of life increased significantly from pre- to post- and from pre-intervention to follow-up in the INT compared to the WLC (all small effects). The two groups did not differ in their stress reactivity post-intervention. As for UX in the INT, the degree of feeling autonomous concerning technology adoption significantly decreased over time. Competence, involvement, and immersion, however, increased significantly from the first to the last HRV-BF session, while hedonic motivation significantly peaked in the second session and then gradually returned to first-session levels.ConclusionsThis HRV-BF intervention program, supported by VR and mobile technology, was able to significantly improve stress indicators and stress-related symptoms and achieved good to very good UX. Future studies should control for potential placebo effects and emphasize higher degrees of personalization and adaptability to increase autonomy and, thereby, long-term health and well-being. These findings may serve as a first step towards future HRV-BF applications of cutting-edge, increasingly accessible technologies, such as wearables, VR, and smartphones, in the service of mental health and healthcare.Trial registrationThe study was registered retrospectively as a clinical trial on ISRCTN registry (ISRCTN11331226, 26 May 2023).

Investigation of the effect of breathing exercise on invasive pain associated with arteriovenous fistula cannulation in hemodialysis patients: Randomized controlled, single-blind study.

Pain due to puncture during arteriovenous fistula (AVF) cannulation is a very important symptom that affects the quality of life in patients undergoing continuous hemodialysis (HD) therapy. The aim in this study is to examine the effect of breathing exercise applied for long-term on invasive pain experienced during AVF cannulation in HD patients. This randomized controlled, single-blind design study was conducted in a private dialysis center in Istanbul between November 2021 and April 2022. The patients in the intervention group were given breathing exercises before fistula cannulation during 12 HD sessions. Before the dialysis nurse performed the cannulation procedure, the patient was told by the researcher to perform breathing exercises and the exercise was completed after intervention for the cannulation. No intervention was made for the patients in the control group. Pain was assessed with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) by a nurse who is not involved in the study. Mann-Whitney U Test, Chi-Square Test, Fisher's Exact Test, Friedman Test for repeated measurements were used in statistical analysis of data. The study was completed with a total of 112 patients, 59 in the intervention group and 53 in the control group. It was determined that the VAS scores of the patients in the intervention group were statistically significantly lower than the patients in the control group from the first measurement to the twelfth measurement (p < 0.001). It was determined that the breathing exercise applied before the AVF cannulation reduced the invasive pain experienced during cannulation.

The effect of breathing exercises on the anxiety level of preoperative patients in the Dahlia room, dr. Doris Sylvanus Palangka Raya

Patients who will undergo surgical procedures are generally accompanied by anxiety disorders. As a result of the anxiety disorders experienced by preoperative patients, it is possible that the operation cannot be carried out because symptoms of increased blood pressure will appear. if these measures are continued it can result in difficulty stopping the bleeding. Breathing exercise is a non-pharmacological therapy for treating anxiety that can stimulate the vagus nerve to reduce the hormone cortisol, which is the hormone that causes anxiety. This study aims to determine the effect of breathing exercise on the anxiety level of preoperative patients in Dahlia room, Doris Sylvanus General Hospital, Palangka Raya. This study used a pre-experimental design, with a one group pre-test-post-test design approach, the sampling technique used was consecutive sampling, with a sample of 27 respondents and tested with Wilcoxon statistical techniques. The results of the analysis using the Wilcoxon statistical test obtained p-value, 000 &lt;from 0.05, which means that Ha is accepted, that is, there is an effect of breathing exercise on reducing anxiety levels. It is hoped that the results of this study can be applied by health workers be able to perform breathing exercises as an anxiety therapy

Comparative effect of incentive spirometry and diaphragm breathing to functional capacity in COVID-19 patient in an isolated ward

Background: COVID-19 affects the multiorgan system, mostly the respiratory system. Symptoms might vary from upper respiratory manifestation to acute respiratory distress syndrome, with the main feature being impairment of gas exchange. This pulmonary impairment might lead to a decrease in functional capacity, which cause activity limitation. Thus, COVID-19 patient requires the right pulmonary rehabilitation strategy to improve pulmonary function and prevent further pulmonary complications. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of incentive spirometry and diaphragm breathing exercise on cardiorespiratory functional capacity in COVID-19 patients. Methods: Subjects were divided into two groups of breathing exercises, the incentive spirometry group and the diaphragm breathing exercise group. They performed breathing exercises for 5 days, and the functional capacity was measured by a test named 4-meter gait time test (4MGT) and 30 sit-to-stand test (30STS). The test was taken before and after performing breathing exercises. Results: These two respiratory exercises significantly affected the functional capacity in a good manner (p &lt; 0.05). The incentive spirometry had improved 30STS (P = 0.763) and 4MGT results (P = 0.674), as well as diaphragm breathing exercise did to 30STS (P = 0.456) and 4MGS (P = 0.441). Conclusion: In conclusion, diaphragm breathing exercises and incentive spirometry improved the functional capacity of COVID-19 patients. However, incentive spirometry showed a larger effect on 30STS and 4MGT compared to diaphragm breathing exercises.

Використання дихальної гімнастики для дітей, які заїкаються.

The overcoming stuttering peculiarities from the integrated approach standpoint, where one of the means is breathing gymnastics, are highlighted in the article. Breathing gymnastics that provide correct speech breathing, exercises acquiring the correct full inhalation and exhalation skills, fixed exhalation with sound, emphasis on the breathing simulation gymnastics use for children with stuttering, breathing gymnastics with elements of phonation gymnastics and playful breathing are described. Emphasis is placed on physical exercises that promote the muscular system development and the coordinated movements education, improving lung function, heart rate, metabolism, create a good mood in children and stimulate them to certain activities. Corrective work has been carried out to improve respiratory gymnastics in children who stutter, it was found that breathing exercises, as an important component of a comprehensive system to overcome stuttering, aimed at maintaining and improving children's health, improving physical fitness and efficiency, which promotes the formation and normalization of speech, the development of positive personal qualities in children of this category. It is noted that mastering the complex of respiratory gymnastics should be done gradually. It is emphasized that performing breathing exercises with forcing stuttering children can lead to unpleasant subjective feelings. It is investigated that respiratory gymnastic exercises should be used in all periods of corrective action

Does Wim Hof Method Improve Breathing Economy during Exercise?

(1) Background: Breathing economy during endurance sports plays a major role in performance. Poor breathing economy is mainly characterized by excessive breathing frequency (BF) and low tidal volume (VT) due to shallow breathing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a 4 week intervention based on the Wim Hof breathing method (WHBM) would improve breathing economy during exercise in adolescent runners. (2) Methods: 19 adolescent (16.6 ± 1.53 years) middle- and long-distance runners (11 boys and 8 girls) participated in the study. Participants were randomly divided into experimental (n = 11) and control groups (n = 8). The study was set in the transition period between competitive race seasons and both groups had a similar training program in terms of running volume and intensity over the course of the study. The experimental group performed breathing exercises every day (~20 min/day) for 4 weeks. The control group did not perform any kind of breathing exercise. The breathing exercises consisted of three sets of controlled hyperventilation and consecutive maximum breath holds. Before and after the intervention, participants performed incremental cycle ergometer testing sessions consisting of two minute stages at 1, 2, 3, and 4 W·kg−1 with breath-by-breath metabolic analysis. During the testing sessions, BF, VT, and minute ventilation (VE) were assessed and compared. (3) Results: There were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) in BF, VT, or VE between experimental and control groups before or after the intervention. A nonsignificant small-to-large effect for an increase in VE and BF in both groups following the 4 week intervention period was observed, possibly due to a reduction in training volume and intensity owing to the down period between competitive seasons. (4) Conclusions: The 4 week intervention of WHBM did not appear to alter parameters of breathing economy during a maximal graded exercise test in adolescent runners.

Respiratory Muscles Training in the Complex Treatment of Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure

The aim: to evaluate the efficacy of respiratory muscles training in the complex treatment of patients with acute decompensated heart failure. Material and methods. A prospective randomized study included 120 patients (71 men and 49 women, mean age 73,6±5,8 years) hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure. The main exclusion criteria were: requirement for treatment in intensive care unit; hemodynamic instability; severe pulmonary and other concomitant pathology. After initial procedures all patients were randomized to breathing exercises performed in addition to standard therapy (main group, n=60) or to standard therapy only (control group, n=60). Patients of the main group were trained in the technique of complete yogic breathing, which consists of three successive phases: abdominal, thoracic and clavicular. The participants practiced full breathing daily at least 3 times a day for 10 minutes under the supervision of instructor. The primary endpoint of the study was the change in dyspnea according to the modified Borg scale (modified by V.Yu. Mareev) on the 7th day of treatment. Results. During treatment the severity of dyspnea decreased in both groups, more significantly in the main group (from 6 (5; 6) to 3 (2; 3) points) compared to control (from 6 (5; 6) to 4 (3; 4) points, p &lt;0,05). Significant differences between the groups were also obtained for the secondary variables of efficacy: six-minute walk distance, heart rate and breathing rate at rest, blood oxygen saturation (p &gt;&lt;0,05). In patients who performed breathing exercises, body weight decreased faster (0,72±0,06 kg/day versus 0,53±0,06 kg/day, p &gt;&lt;0,001), although the volumes of excreted fluid did not differ between the groups. In the main group moist rales in the lungs were stopped by the sixth day of hospitalization (interquartile range of 5-7 days), and in the control group — by the eighth (interquartile range of 7-9 days), p=0,024. The duration of active diuretic phase and the average daily doses of diuretics were lower in main group compared to control (p &gt;&lt;0,05). During hospitalization quality of life improved in both groups, more significantly in respiratory muscles training group (p &gt;&lt;0,01). In-hospital mortality and the rate of transfers to the intensive care unit did not differ between groups. The average hospital stay in surviving patients was significantly shorter in main group than in control (14,2±2,5 versus 17,3±2,9 days, p &gt;&lt;0,001). &gt;Conclusion. Respiratory muscles training with full yogic breathing in addition to standard medical therapy for patients with acute decompensated heart failure leads to a more significant reduction in the severity dyspnea, increased exercise tolerance, improved blood oxygen saturation, and reduced need for diuretics. The use of full breathing is associated with significant improvement in the quality of life and decrease in the length of hospital stay, but does not lead to improvement in hospital outcomes.

Subjective evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – a qualitative study (Warsaw, Poland)

IntroductionChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is accompanied by troublesome symptoms such as shortness of breath, and the disease can severely impair the patient’s daily functioning. The treatment consists of many elements that together allow the patient to cope with the symptoms of the disease and the adverse effects of therapy, reducing the frequency of exacerbations. The aim of this qualitative study was to better understand the experiences of patients with COPD, especially their subjective assessment of the effectiveness of treatment.Material and methodsThis is a qualitative interview study. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, with NVivo 12.2 Pro QRS International software.ResultsThe study was conducted in a group of 50 patients (29 men, 21 women, mean age: 73.8 ±9.4 years), at the National Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in Warsaw (Poland). According to the subjective opinion of the study participants, the applied treatment is effective. However, the patients report a significant negative impact of the disease on their everyday life and physical activity. The feeling of breathlessness makes them passive and avoid physical exertion. Treatment mainly consists of pharmacotherapy and oxygen therapy. In general, they do not perform breathing exercises. Exacerbations occur irregularly in some of the patients. The patients exhibit poor knowledge and skills necessary for effective self-management.ConclusionsDespite the COPD patients’ sense of good disease control, the treatment effectiveness is not satisfactory. There is a need to implement patient-centered comprehensive educational activities combined with behavioral strategies.

Адаптивное физическое воспитание младших школьников с бронхиальной астмой

We consider the features of adaptive physical education of junior school students with bronchial asthma, assigned to a special medical group. The state of students’ health provides a basis for using breathing exercises in the classroom in order to correct, maintain health and ensure the active life of children with respiratory diseases. The data obtained as a result of the study indicate the expected effectiveness of using the proposed method of performing breathing exercises in the fresh air to improve the condition of the respiratory system. The results of the research can be useful to specialists in adaptive physical education, instructors of sports and recreation organiza-tions and families with children with respiratory diseases, as well as students, Master’s Degree and Post-Graduate students studying in the programme “Physical Education for Persons with Health Deviations”. The data obtained can be used in inclusive education of junior school students.

Estimation of Lung Function Test among Healthy and Blow out Whistle Beginners

Introduction: Pulmonary function test is a non-invasive test. It is measured by the spirometer and it gives an idea about the lung volume, lung capacities, rates of flow and gas exchange. Breathing exercise can increase lung function. The commonly performed breathing exercises are blowing bubbles, blow out whistle, pinwheels, Hoberman spheres etc. The aim of this study is to estimate lung function among healthy and blow out whistle beginners.&#x0D; Materials and methods: 60 Dental students consisting of 2 groups were involved in this study. Group 1: Control individuals (30). Group 2 individuals: blow out whistle beginners (30). Standardised RMS Helios spirometer was used. Age of 18-22, Healthy individuals and non-smokers were included in this study and smokers, alcoholic individuals, respiratory disorder individuals and post- COVID individuals were excluded from the study. Data was collected and analysed using paired ‘t’ tests. Significance is considered at P&lt;0.05 level.&#x0D; Results: In this study FVC, FEV1, FEV3 were found to be significant and FEV1/FVC, FEF 25-75, PEFR were found to be insignificant. The post test values of FVC and FEV1 are comparatively higher than the pre test values. The pre test values of FEF 25-75 and FEV3 are comparatively higher than the post test values.&#x0D; Conclusion: When this blow out exercise is performed there was a significant difference between healthy individuals and blow out whistle beginners. Significant increase in lung function is found. This recreational activity increases lung function which can be a preventive for many pulmonary diseases.

The Effectiveness of Breathing Exercises on the Physiological and Psychological Variables of Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

A study to evaluate the effectiveness of breathing exercises on physiological and psychological variables of patientswith pulmonary tuberculosis in selected hospital at Ambala, Haryana.TB is a 7th killer disease in the world and one of the top 10 causes of death. Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is aninfection, which causes widespread pulmonary fibrosis and cavitation, and often leaves the patient with a chronicrespiratory deficit as a result.Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of breathing exercises on physiologicaland psychological variables of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.Material and Methods: A quasi experimental design using non-equivalent control group pretest- posttest designwas conducted on 110 pulmonary tuberculosis patients (55 in comparison group and 55 in experimental group) inDOTS center of UPHC RavidasMajriInderpuri colonyAmbala city, UPHC Baldev NagarAmbala city, UPHC DurgaNagar Ambala city and CHC Mullana. The dependent variables were physiological variables (dyspnea, spo2, heartrate, respiratory rate) and psychological variables (anxiety, quality of life). Pretest was taken in UPHC Durga NagarAmbala city and CHC Mullana on day 1 and posttest was taken inUPHC RavidasMajriInderpuri colonyAmbala cityand UPHC Baldev NagarAmbala cityon day 30. In experimental group, breathing exercises were administered by theresearcher two times a week. Each session was of 30 minutes including 4 breathing exercises (pursed lip breathingexercise, diaphragmatic breathing exercise, deep breathing exercise and segmental breathing exercise) and eachexercise was performed for 6-8 times. Other days patients were estimated to perform breathing exercises themselvesat home and on day 30, posttest was taken.Results: Both the groups were homogenous with respect to physiological and psychological variables before theadministration of breathing exercises. On day 30, the mean dyspnea score and anxiety score of experimental groupwas significantly lower than comparison group (p&lt;0.05). The quality of life of patients in experimental group wassignificantly better than comparison group at day 30.Conclusion:Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that breathing exercises are effective in reducingthe dyspnea, anxiety, HR and RR. Breathing exercises are effective in improving theO2saturation, blood pressure andquality of life among pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

Unresolved issues in the prevention of bronchopulmonary complications in a cardiac surgery patient from the standpoint of a rehabilitation therapist

Bronchopulmonary complications are one of the leading causes of morbidity after cardiac surgery; they lengthen a patient's hospital stay and increase the cost of treatment. The most common postoperative bronchopulmonary complications include pneumonia, atelectasis, respiratory failure, pneumothorax, and bronchospasm. These complications are the consequences of anesthesia and surgical trauma aggravated by the presence of risk factors in the patient in the preoperative period such as any chronic disease involving the lungs, smoking history, persistent cough and / or wheezing, chest and spinal deformities, obesity, senior age. In addition, the presence of chronic heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease also increase the risk of developing bronchopulmonary complications. In the prevention and treatment of bronchopulmonary complications the clinical effectiveness of rehabilitation programs after coronary artery bypass grafting is undeniable. The effectiveness of the programs has been proven on the basis of both domestic and foreign long-term in-practice and scientific research. However, despite the significant advances in cardiac rehabilitation there are a number of unresolved issues. Is it possible in a short period of time of the first stationary rehabilitation stage to form the patient's skill to perform breathing exercises and, accordingly, to obtain the maximum effect in the prevention of bronchopulmonary complications? What factors can affect the speed of motor skill formation in the patient's mastering of breathing exercises? What should be the frequency of procedures per day and the number of exercises when a physical therapy instructor works with a patient to increase the effectiveness of the prevention of bronchopulmonary complications in the postoperative period? What category of patients is strictly required for the pre-rehabilitation stage? How should the pre-rehabilitation stage be organized and how long should it take? All these questions require the work-out and implementation of scientifically grounded individual rehabilitation programs with a step-by-step algorithm for managing the patient by a rehabilitation multi-team from the first hours after surgery with the mandatory inclusion of pre-rehabilitation and taking into account the social, anamnestic, clinical and psychological characteristics of the patient.

Asthma Knowledge and Behaviours among Parents of Asthmatic Children Attending Paediatric Hospitals in Mosul City

Background: Asthma is a common health problem among all age groups. It disturbs all aspects of children’slife and possibly changes to chronic disease that continues for the whole patient’s life. This research focusedattention on the parental knowledge and practices during and between asthmatic attacks in order to identifyimproper activities and improve their future performance toward their children.Objective: This research aims to demonstrate the degree of parental knowledge and behaviours toward theirchildren during and between asthmatic attacks in Mosul City.Method: A case series study was conducted among 312 parents of asthmatic children that attended Al-Khansaaand Ibn-Alatheer teaching hospitals (two major paediatric hospitals in Mosul City)over a period of 6 months.A questionnaire form derived from “the Arabic version of the Chicago Community Asthma SurveyQuestionnaire” was distributed among the participants to evaluate their demographic characteristics, myths,knowledge, and behaviours. Various rates and proportions are used to explain these variables.Results: This study shows that most parents got information from doctors (62.2%), their best knowledgewas about the precipitating factor for asthma as dust and smoke (78%) and the symptoms of asthma asdyspnoea (84.9%), while the least information were about the mechanism of disease where 26.9% did notknow the exact mechanism, and the complications of asthma as sudden death (25.3%). On the other hand,the best parental behaviour was the regular use of medications during and between attacks (88.5% and82.7%) and the lowest ones was performing breathing exercises (around 45%).Conclusion and Recommendation: A relatively adequate knowledge and behaviours were documented inthis study; however, further education about the recent guidelines for asthma management should be offeredto those parents in order to improve their offspring health and lifestyle.

Towards Breathing as a Sensing Modality in Depth-Based Activity Recognition.

Depth imaging has, through recent technological advances, become ubiquitous as products become smaller, more affordable, and more precise. Depth cameras have also emerged as a promising modality for activity recognition as they allow detection of users’ body joints and postures. Increased resolutions have now enabled a novel use of depth cameras that facilitate more fine-grained activity descriptors: The remote detection of a person’s breathing by picking up the small distance changes from the user’s chest over time. We propose in this work a novel method to model chest elevation to robustly monitor a user’s respiration, whenever users are sitting or standing, and facing the camera. The method is robust to users occasionally blocking their torso region and is able to provide meaningful breathing features to allow classification in activity recognition tasks. We illustrate that with this method, with specific activities such as paced-breathing meditating, performing breathing exercises, or post-exercise recovery, our model delivers a breathing accuracy that matches that of a commercial respiration chest monitor belt. Results show that the breathing rate can be detected with our method at an accuracy of 92 to 97% from a distance of two metres, outperforming state-of-the-art depth imagining methods especially for non-sedentary persons, and allowing separation of activities in respiration-derived features space.

Effect of resistance exercises applying maximum expiration on the respiratory muscle strength of elderly women.

Respiratory-muscle weakness is an important clinical problem. The respiratory system's health is a decisive factor in the physical and social life of the elderly. Changes in respiratory muscular strength and function activate the torso's adjustment ability, which affects daily activities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of resistance exercises combined with breathing exercises on the respiratory-muscle strength of elderly women. This study included 26 elderly woman, who were randomly divided into two sub-groups of 13 participants each. The experimental group performed breathing exercises and dynamic upper- and lower-extremity exercises, and the control group practiced only dynamic upper- and lower-extremity exercises. The maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) and maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) were measured both before and at the end of the six-week study. In both groups, both the post-test MIPs and MEPs were significantly higher than the pre-intervention ones (p< 0.05). For MIPs, the between-group difference was not statistically significant, either before the intervention or post-test (p> 0.05). For MEPs, the between-group difference was statistically significant at post-intervention points (p< 0.05). The results showed that resistance exercises applying maximum expiration improved the respiratory-muscle strength of elderly women. These findings indicate that resistance exercises applying maximum expiration as described here in should be considered in patients who require breathing therapy, because the combination seems to significantly increase the strength of the respiratory muscles.

Validation of Wireless Sensors for Psychophysiological Studies.

James One (MindProber Labs) is a wireless psychophysiological device comprising two sensors: one measuring electrodermal activity (EDA), the other photoplethysmography (PPG). This paper reports the validation of James One’s EDA sensor by comparing its signal against a research grade polygraph. Twenty participants were instructed to perform breathing exercises to elicit the modulation of EDA and heart rate, while the physiological signal was captured simultaneously on James One and a Biopac MP36. The resulting EDA and PPG records collected from both systems were comprehensively compared. Results suggest that James One captures EDA signal with a quality comparable to a research grade equipment, this constituting a reliable means of capturing data while minimizing setup time and intrusiveness.

Kinesitherapy application features in patients after pectus excavatum repair

Surgical treatment of “pectus excavatum” by Nuss technique is a safe procedure that is successfully used in young people. However, after surgery, these patients face complications that limit their ability to engage in physical labor or sports.&#x0D; Aim. Develop a rehabilitation program for patients who underwent surgical correction of pectus excavatum using Nuss technique.&#x0D; Material and methods. 85 patients with pectus excavatum deformity were examined and underwent minimally invasive correction according to Nuss technique.&#x0D; Results. In 82 (96,47 %) patients we managed to achieve the perfect cosmetic result. In 78 (91,76 %) patients we used one fixator, in 5 (5,88 %) – 2 fixators, and in 2 (2,35 %) patients – 3 fixators. Among the complications, 17 (20 %) patients had pneumothorax, 3 (3,53 %) – hemothorax followed by pleural puncture, pneumonia was diagnosed in 2 (2,35 %) patients, pleural effusion – in 2 (2,35 %), empyema – in 1 (1,18 %), sulfur – in 1 (1,18 %), deep infection – in 1 (1,18 %). One patient (1,18 %) underwent a second operation due to the dislocation of the fixator.&#x0D; Conclusions. In the postoperative period, it is recommended to avoid bending or rotating the body, limit participation in sports activities during the first 3 months after the operation. During the first 8 weeks, patients were recommended to perform breathing exercises with a small amplitude (for the prevention of respiratory complications), and 3 months after surgery – exercises to strengthen postural and abdominal muscles, to improve the amplitude of movements in the shoulder joints. The use of exercises helps to reduce the risk of post operative complications and improve the functional capabilities of patients with pectus excavatum in a shorter time.