Abstract
Objective: To determine the effects of forced pursedlips breathing on lung function testing (FEV1, FVC)
and breathing pattern at rest and during exercise
among Chronic Obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) patients.
Methodology: This Randomized Control trial was
conducted from July to December 2017 at Pakistan
Railway Hospital, Rawalpindi. Twenty nine patients of
both genders with age range of 40 to 65 years and
stable COPD were selected through non-probability
purposive sampling. Patients with neurological and
cardiovascular diseases were excluded from the study.
They were randomly allocated into two groups
(Control = 15, Experimental = 15) using toss and trial
method. Experimental group performed breathing
control and pursed lips breathing at rest then pursed
lips breathing during aerobic activity for eight minutes.
In control group, patients initially performed breathing
control and later on aerobic training for eight minutes.
Both groups received three sessions per week for a
total of six weeks. The study outcomes included
pulmonary function testing and breathing pattern,
measured at week 1 and after 6 weeks of intervention.
Results: Out of 29 patients, 22 (79%) were male and
6 (21%) were female. Between group comparison
showed significant improvement in dyspnea and
pulmonary function parameters in experimental group
after 6 weeks of aerobic training (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Pursed lips breathing was effective in
improving forced vital capacity and forced expiratory
volume of lung functioning. Breathing pattern is also
improved in COPD patients.
Keywords: Aerobic training, dyspnea, forced vital
capacity pursed lips breathing.
