Revista de Medicina Pulmonar

Effects of pursed-lip breathing and forward trunk lean postures on total and compartmental lung volumes and ventilation in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Tantisuwat A

Objective: To identify effects of pursed-lip breathing (PLB), forward trunk lean posture (FTLP),

and combined PLB and FTLP on total and compartmental lung volumes, and ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: Total and compartmental lung volumes, and ventilation during quiet breathing (QB) and PLB performed in an upright and forward trunk lean posture of 16 mild to moderate COPD patients were evaluated using an Optoelectronic plethysmography. End-expiratory lung volume and end-inspiratory lung volume were separated into ribcage (EELV_RC, EILV_RC) and abdomen (EELV_AB, EILV_AB), respectively. Tidal volume (V_T) was separated into pulmonary ribcage (V_TRCp), abdominal ribcage (V_TRCa), and abdomen (V_TAB) volume.

Results: EELV_RC was significantly lower in PLBUP than QB-UP and those with FTLP (P<0.05). EILV and EILV_RC were significantly greater during PLB-FTLP and PLB-UP than those of QB (P<0.05). PLB significantly and positively changed EELV_AB, EELV, EILV_AB, V_TRCp, V_TAB, and ventilation than QB (P<0.05). UP significantly increased V_TRCp, V_TAB, and ventilation and decreased EELV_AB, EELV, and EILV_AB than FTLP (P<0.05).

Conclusion: A combined PLB with upright or FTLP demonstrate a positive change in total and compartmental lung volumes in patients with mild to moderate COPD. PLB is more beneficial the QB in improving ventilation than QB.