Abstract

EFFECTS OF DEEP DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING IN COPD PATIENTS

*Saud Abdullah Salem Alaudah, Dr. Ahmed Maher, Dr. Ahmed Addelmoniem and Dr. Shahied

ABSTRACT

Background: Body positioning and diaphragmatic breathing may alter respiratory pattern and reduce dyspnoea in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Objectives: To determine the effect of positioning and diaphragmatic breathing on respiratory muscle activity in a convenience sample of people with COPD. Methods: This prospective descriptive study recorded sEMG measurements at baseline, after upright positioning, during diaphragmatic breathing and 5 minutes thereafter. Vital signs and levels of perceived dyspnoea were recorded at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: 30 male participants were enrolled. Total diaphragmatic activity did not change with repositioning (p = 0.2), but activity increased from 7.3 ± 4.2 μV at baseline to 10.0 ± 3.3 μV during diaphragmatic breathing (p = 0.006) with a subsequent reduction from baseline to 6.1 ± 3.5 μV (p = 0.007) at the final measurement. Conclusion: A single session of diaphragmatic breathing transiently improved diaphragmatic muscle activity, with no associated reduction in dyspnoea.

Keywords: diaphragmatic breathing, respiratory, dyspnea, pulmonary disease.