Article

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of comprehensive directed breathing retraining
with traditional diaphragmatic breathing on male smokers with exertional dyspnea
but normal spirometry. DESIGN: This is a prospective randomized clinical trial in
an exercise laboratory at a university hospital. Twenty-four nonmedicated
exertional dyspnea subjects were randomly assigned to experimental (comprehensive
directed breathing) and control (traditional diaphragmatic breathing) groups.
Forty-four physiologic parameters associated with exertional dyspnea were studied
before and after interventions for both groups at rest and at 40-W constant
exercise for 10 mins. The interventions for both groups included diaphragmatic
breathing exercises, walking, and arm exercises for 90 mins, 5 days/wk for 4 wks.
In addition, the comprehensive directed breathing group was taught the anatomy
and physiology of ventilation; they observed their ventilatory dyssynchrony in a
mirror; they were shown their ventilatory rhythm on a spirogram; diaphragmatic
movement was demonstrated in an educational movie; and verbal feedback was used
to correct respiratory asynchrony. RESULTS: We compared the relative changes of
lung function parameters before and after intervention for each group. The
comprehensive directed breathing group improvements were significantly greater (P
< 0.05) than those of traditional diaphragmatic breathing for 34 of 44 lung
function parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive directed breathing training
improved exertional dyspnea, Dyspnea Index, and some clinical and functional
parameters significantly more than traditional diaphragmatic breathing training.

Langue : ANGLAIS