EFFECT OF LOW-INTENSITY RESISTIVE BREATHING (RBT)

TRAINING IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY

DISEASE POPULATION.
GANESAN KATHIRESAN, P.T

Keele University, Manchester, U.K

M.P.T (Cardio-Respiratory Diseases), P.G DGC (Geriatrics)

ABSTRACT

Background & Purpose: Most of the researchers have emphasized lower limb training or specific muscle endurance
training and inspiratory resistance training. But it is very unfortunate because, performance of many everyday tasks
requires muscle group used in upper torso and arm positioning. Though, so many investigators had studied the effects
of upper extremity exercise on exercise performance, dyspnea during exercise, ventilatory muscle endurance, but only
few researches were carried out with its effect on pulmonary function and dyspnea during activities of daily living. I
hypothesized that Low-Intensity Resistive Breathing (RBT) training was effective on pulmonary function, Exercise
tolerance and Dyspnea in COPD population. Methodology: This research works started with an education programme
for all the subjects who were included for the study in Government General Hospital, India. 40 subjects were randomly
divided in to two groups – control and experimental (n= 20 in each group). The control group was given no exercise
programme or any other intervention and they were asked to continue with their regular medications, whereas the
experimental group was prescribed with the low-intensity resistive breathing (RBT) training for 24 session. Patients of
both were studied before and after training using Spirometry to measure pulmonary functions. (FEV1 and PEFR), 6
minute walk test and American Thoracic Society Dyspnea Scale. Result: The Mean and S.D between post test value
of Experimental And Control Group shows statistical significance in Pulmonary function parameters for FEV1
(p<0.01) & PEFR (p<0.01), Exercise tolerance (6 minutes walk test) (p<0.01), Dyspnea grading (p<0.05). Conclusion:
As the incidence of COPD increases, the challenges to the physiotherapist to that illness and to help patient cope
increases as well. This study proved the beneficial effects of 4 weeks Low-Intensity Resistive Breathing (RBT) training
in patients with COPD. So that a quality physiotherapy treatment could be rendered to the COPD population and
patients can perform this training programme in home hospitalisation.

Key Words: COPD, Low-Intensity Resistive Breathing (RBT) training, Pulmonary function, Exercise tolerance,
Dyspnea