Comparison of Balloon-Blowing Exercise and Incentive Spirometry after Thoracotomy

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare effect of balloon blowing exercise & incentive spirometer on Chest expansion, Improvement in lung volumes and capacities, Level of dyspnoea, and on Improvement in progression of walk in post-thoracotomy stable patients. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in thoracic surgical ICU of Gulab Devi Hospital, Lahore for the period of 6 months from September 2018 - February 2019. Patients and Methods: The sample size was calculated through Open Epi, and it was 48. 24 subjects were assigned to control group A and 24 to experimental group B through non-purposive random sampling technique. Data was collected at base line, 3rd and 5th day after exercise therapy on above stated outcome measures, by using Tape Measure, Digital Spirometer, RPE Scale and Pedometer respectively, from non-critical post-thoracotomy patients. Control Group-A performed routine respiratory physiotherapy + incentive spirometry and Experimental Group- B performed routine respiratory physiotherapy + balloon blowing exercise. Results: BBE + routine respiratory physiotherapy was found equally effective on mentioned outcome measure as Incentive Spirometry + routine respiratory physiotherapy in stated patients. (P >0.05) Conclusion: Based upon statistical analysis, it can be concluded that incentive spirometer can be replaced with balloon-blowing exercise with conventional/routine respiratory physiotherapy in thoracotomy patients who have lung surgeries, to overcome post-op pulmonary complications or to achieve the same outcomes as that of incentive spirometer. Keywords: BBE, Incentive Spirometer, Routine Respiratory Physiotherapy, Post-Thoracotomy Patients

Lung Expansion Therapy for the Potential Populations: A Literature Review

“…An RCT with a sample size of 48 subjects, 24 in the control group in which incentive spirometry along with conventional chest physiotherapy was performed and 24 in the experimental group who underwent conventional chest physiotherapy along with BBE. Data were gathered at baseline, three days, and five days following exercise therapy, and it was determined that BBE can be performed as an alternative to incentive spirometer in thoracotomy patients who underwent lung surgeries, either to overcome postoperative pulmonary complications or to achieve the same results as incentive spirometer in conjunction with conventional respiratory physiotherapy [ 15 ]. In a prior investigation, diaphragmatic mobility was assessed using ultrasound while incentive spirometers were being used.…”

Effectiveness of Balloon-blowing Exercises and Incentive Spirometry in Chest Intubated Patients

“…Other postoperative pulmonary rehabilitation activities include breathing exercises, chest percussion, and huffing-coughing techniques. 18 Reduced chest expansion and PEFR are major postoperative pulmonary complications. A study done by Sathe and Bhandare concluded that both flow and volume-controlled spirometry had an effect on PEFR.…”